Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating – Electrical digital calculating computer – Particular function performed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-24
2001-10-02
Mai, Tan V. (Department: 2121)
Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating
Electrical digital calculating computer
Particular function performed
C340S146200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for data processing or information handling systems in general and, in particular, to a method and system for processing vector data in a computer system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for using a single “bounds compare” function when performing trivial acceptance testing in three-dimensional graphic operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Applications of modern computer systems are requiring greater speed and data handling capabilities for uses such as multimedia and scientific modeling. For example, multimedia systems generally are designed to perform video and audio data compression, decompression, and high-performance manipulation such as three-dimensional imaging and graphics. Three-dimensional imaging and graphics require massive data manipulation and an extraordinary amount of high-performance arithmetic and vector-matrix operations. Trivial acceptance testing and clipping are two problems in producing three-dimensional graphics which are bound by a series of floating-point comparisons and their respective conditional branches. The main problem is that traditional computer instruction set architectures do not provide the optimal set of primitives to implement the required function, namely a bounds comparison to determine if the condition, −X≦&agr;≦+X, is met, and if not, how it is not met. A typical application takes approximately seven computer instructions, including two compares and two dependent conditional branches to implement this function. Therefore, there is a need for accomplishing this result with a single “bounds compare” instruction that is less complex than using single compare instructions. The subject invention herein solves this problem in a new and unique manner that has not been part of the art previously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for faster “bounds” comparison vector operations in a computer system or information handling system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for performing trivial acceptance testing when generating three- dimensional images and graphics in a computer system or information handling system.
The invention relates to a method of using a “bounds” comparator scheme and to a “bounds” comparator circuit. The method of using this scheme or comparator circuit allows a quick and easy test to characterize, utilizing a single floating-point bounds comparison function, the location of a point with respect to pre- defined end-points. The single floating-point bounds comparison function represents an additional instruction to be incorporated within computer instruction set architectures when performing trivial acceptance testing during the generation of three-dimensional images or graphics.
All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3825895 (1974-07-01), Larsen et al.
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patent: 5357237 (1994-10-01), Bearden et al.
patent: 5630160 (1997-05-01), Simpson et al.
patent: 6205460 (2001-03-01), Steele, Jr.
Diefendorff Keith Everett
Dubey Pradeep Kumar
Hochsprung Ronald Ray
Olsson Brett
Scales, III Hunter Ledbetter
Bracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Mai Tan V.
Salys Casimer K.
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