Graphics system with programmable real-time alpha key generation
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.Patent References 5117289 System and method for drawing antialiased polygons Method and apparatus for high resolution virtual reality systems using head tracked display Graphics subsystem with coarse subpixel correction Filter circuit for use with real-time image converter Inexpensive interferometric eye tracking system Method and apparatus for anti-aliasing polygon edges in a computer imaging system Computer graphics system and method employing frame buffer having subpixel field, display fields and a control field for relating display fields to the subpixel field Filter RAMDAC with hardware 11/2-D zoom function Method and apparatus for geometric compression of three-dimensional graphics data InventorApplicationNo. 251844 filed on 02/17/1999US Classes:345/419Three-dimensionExaminersPrimary: Zimmerman, MarkAssistant: Santiago, Enrique L Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassG06T 015/00AbstractA method and graphics system capable of super-sampling and performing real-time convolution to form a soft-edge alpha key are 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 receive 3D graphics data comprising a plurality graphics primitives and then generate a plurality of samples from the 3D graphics data. The samples may comprise both color and alpha information. The super-sampled sample buffer may be coupled to receive and store the samples from the graphics processor. The sample buffer may also be configured to double-buffer at least a portion of each stored sample. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may be coupled to receive and filter samples from the super-sampled sample buffer to form output pixels and alpha pixels in real time, wherein the alpha pixels are usable to form an alpha key. The graphics system may be further configured to receive a video input signal and overlay the video input signal with the output pixels according to said alpha pixels.Other References
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