Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved

Details Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved

1997-08-05

2000-09-12

Nguyen, Phu K.

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Computer graphics processing

345430, G06T 1700

Patent

active

061184527

ABSTRACT:
Methods and apparatus for processing graphics information in a computer graphics system for processing graphics information to be rendered on a display screen are provided. The computer graphics system includes a graphics library and graphics hardware together defining a graphics pipeline, and a graphics application program invoking operations in the graphics pipeline through an application program interface provided by the graphics library. The graphics pipeline includes a visibility pretest module, located at a first operational position in the graphics pipeline, configured to determine whether a pixel will be visible or non-visible on the display screen. The pipeline also includes one or more time-intensive modules operationally located at a second position in the graphics pipeline subsequent said first operational position; and a process controller configured to prevent said one or more time-intensive modules from performing operations related to said non-visible pixels. Advantageously, the present invention enables the graphics system to selectively perform graphics pipeline operations which are related to pixels which are ultimately displayed on the display. The processing associated with performing operations on non-displayed pixels is avoided thereby providing the graphics system with significant performance enhancements.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5150457 (1992-09-01), Behm et al.
patent: 5579455 (1996-11-01), Greene et al.
patent: 5742353 (1998-04-01), Yasuki et al.
patent: 5793371 (1998-08-01), Deering
patent: 5886701 (1999-03-01), Chauvin et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fragment visibility pretest system and methodology for improved will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-100164