Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphic processing system – Plural graphics processors
Patent
1997-04-30
1999-09-21
Tung, Kee M.
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphic processing system
Plural graphics processors
345515, 345522, G06F 1516
Patent
active
059560479
ABSTRACT:
The invention provides for a system and method for minimizing space requirements and increasing speed in a geometry accelerator for a computer graphics system. In architecture, the system is implemented as follows. The geometry accelerator includes a plurality of processing elements (e.g., an arithmetic logic unit, a multiplier, a divider, a compare mechanism, a clamp mechanism, etc.) and a plurality of control units (e.g., a transform mechanism, a decomposition mechanism, a clip mechanism, a bow-tie mechanism, a light mechanism, a classify mechanism, a plane equation mechanism, a fog mechanism, etc.) that utilize the processing elements for performing data manipulations upon image data. In accordance with the invention, the control units are implemented in a read-only memory (ROM) via microcode. A next address field is associated with each of the microcode instructions and defines a location in the ROM of a next instruction to be executed. A plurality of control unit logic elements correspond respectively with the control units and control instruction branching within their respective control unit by defining the next address field. A branch central intelligence mechanism controls branching between the control units by defining the next address field.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5088053 (1992-02-01), Sprague et al.
patent: 5649173 (1997-07-01), Lentz
"Pyramid 3D", geometry processor, manufactured by TriTech Microelectronics International. See Internet Web page at URL: http://www.bergsoe.dtu.dk/.about.pbk2707/gfxcard/pyramid3d/architec.htm espec. reference to geometry processor calculations being based on microcode.
Ashburn Jon L
Krech, Jr. Alan S.
McGrath Michael S
Rakel Ted
Rojas Edmundo
Hewlett-Packard Co.
Tung Kee M.
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