Z buffer initialize and update method for pixel block

Details Z buffer initialize and update method for pixel block Z buffer initialize and update method for pixel block

1993-08-19

1999-02-09

Ba, Huynh

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Computer graphics processing

Three-dimension

345419, 345421, G06F 1500

Patent

active

058700951

ABSTRACT:
A method is provided for initializing and updating a group of pixels contained on a display in blocks. A group of pixels is considered as a block and has a status word associated therewith. This status word maintains a running total of the maximum z value of any pixel contained within a group, or block of pixels. In this manner, once a block of pixels is rendered on to the display screen a comparison can be made between the current pixels being displayed and a group of pixels which are to be displayed. The minimum z value of the group of pixels to be displayed is compared with the maximum z value for the group of pixels currently being displayed. If the current maximum z value, as stored in the status word, is less than the minimum z value for the pixels to be displayed, then the group of pixels currently being displayed will all "win" when compared to the pixels in the group to be displayed. Thus, a full block bypass of the group of pixels to be displayed is implemented, thereby saving considerable time and overhead when compared to conventional z buffer systems that compare z values for each individual pixel.

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