Graphics system with programmable sample positions
Patent 6417861 Issued on July 9, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date: February 17, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
A method and computer graphics system for rendering images using programmable sample positions is disclosed. In one embodiment, the computer graphics system may comprise a graphics processor, a sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor may be configured to generate a plurality of samples using a sample positioning algorithm selected from a programmable memory or generated by programmable hardware. The sample buffer, which is coupled to the graphics processor, may be configured to store the samples. The sample buffer may be super-sampled and double buffered. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit is programmable to select a variable number of stored samples from the sample buffer to filter into an output pixel. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit performs the filter process in real-time, and may use a number of different filter types. The algorithms used to position the samples may position the samples according to a regular grid, a perturbed regular grid, or a stochastic grid.
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February 17, 2019. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
