3D graphics with optional memory write before texturing

Details 3D graphics with optional memory write before texturing 3D graphics with optional memory write before texturing

2006-12-26

2006-12-26

Chauhan, Ulka (Department: 2628)

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Computer graphic processing system

Plural graphics processors

C345S422000, C345S519000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07154502

ABSTRACT:
A 3D graphics architecture in which interfaces to memory are combined with pipeline processing. The rendering units are not all connected in a straight-through pipeline relationship: instead the rendering pipeline is “broken,” so that the stream of fragments (e.g. triangles) being processed is parked in memory. This turns out to be surprisingly efficient as a way to separate rendering processes where the workload balance is different. Preferably a first write to memory is performed after transformation and lighting calculations and before double-pass Z-buffering, and a second write to memory is performed before texturing. If Z-buffering or texturing is not being used for a particular rendering task, one or both of the memory interfaces can be switched off for that task. This economizes on memory bandwidth while retaining full flexibility.

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