Antialiasing system and method that minimize memory requirements

Details Antialiasing system and method that minimize memory requirements Antialiasing system and method that minimize memory requirements

1996-08-05

1999-07-27

Powell, Mark R.

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Computer graphics processing

Graph generating

345136, 382212, G06F 1500

Patent

active

059298626

ABSTRACT:
An antialiasing system is implemented in a graphics system of a computer. A memory control is associated with graphics system for controlling a frame buffer. The antialiasing system is situated in the memory control and is configured to receive from steppers (edge and span) new color values and new depth dimensions z at a plurality of subpixel locations. In turn, the antialiasing system analyzes color data pertaining to each pixel in the frame buffer, and if necessary, updates the color data. The color data is unique and minimizes memory requirements and accesses. Specifically, the color data includes a current display value that corresponds to the pixel, a reference color value that corresponds to one subpixel location, a reference depth dimension that corresponds with the one subpixel location, and reconstruction indicia that correspond with other subpixel locations and that can be utilized to derive respective depth dimensions and colors for the other subpixel locations. The reconstruction indicia include a hint and a depth dimension difference. The hint indicates color informationm, and the depth dimension difference represents a difference between the reference depth dimension and a respective depth dimension.

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The Accumulation Buffer: Hardware Support for High-Quality Rendering; Haiberli, et al., Computer Graphics, vol. 24, No. 4, Aug. 1990.

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