Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Patent
1996-01-31
1998-06-02
Zimmerman, Mark K.
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
345515, G06T 1540
Patent
active
057607800
ABSTRACT:
A computer graphics system utilizes caching of pixel Z values to improve rendering performance. Apparatus for updating the Z values corresponding to pixels of a computer graphics display includes a memory for storing current Z values representing depths at corresponding pixel locations, a Z cache for storing a subset of the current Z values which are stored in the memory, and a comparator for comparing a new Z value with a corresponding current Z value and indicating a pass when the new Z value satisfies a predetermined criteria. The current Z value is read from the Z cache when the current Z value is stored in the Z cache and is read from the memory when the current Z value is not stored in the Z cache. The new Z value is written into the Z cache when the comparator indicates a pass. Each cache entry preferably includes a tile of current Z values corresponding to pixels having a predefined relationship. Different tile configurations may be selected for optimum rendering performance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4965751 (1990-10-01), Thayer et al.
patent: 5301263 (1994-04-01), Dowdell
Dowdell Charles R.
Larson Ronald D.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Zimmerman Mark K.
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