Graphics system having a super-sampled sample buffer with generation of output pixels using selective adjustment of filtering for reduced artifacts
October 6, 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 Architecture and apparatus for image generation utilizing enhanced memory devices 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 Antialiasing of silhouette edges Floating point processor for a three-dimensional graphics accelerator which includes floating point, lighting and set-up cores for improved performance 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 InventorApplicationNo. 413104 filed on 10/06/1999US Classes:345/419, Three-dimension345/611Anti-aliasing or image smoothingExaminersPrimary: Zimmerman, MarkAssistant: Santiago, Enrique L Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassG06T 015/00AbstractA computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a programmable sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display, wherein the graphics system may adjust filtering to reduce artifacts or implement display effects. In one embodiment, the graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders a plurality of samples and stores them into a sample buffer. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit reads the samples from the super-sampled sample buffer and filters or convolves the samples into respective output pixels which are then provided to refresh the display. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may selectively adjust the filtering of stored samples to reduce artifacts, e.g., is operable to selectively adjust the filtering of stored samples in neighboring frames to reduce artifacts between the neighboring frames. The filter adjustment may be applied where the sample-to-pixel calculation unit generates output pixels at the same rate as the graphics processor rendering samples to the sample buffer, or at a different (e.g., higher) rate than the render rate. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to adjust filtering of stored samples to implement a display effect, such as panning, zooming, rotation, or moving scenes, among others. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may also selectively adjust the filtering of stored samples on a fractional-pixel boundary.Other References
Field of SearchThree-dimensionSolid modelling Hidden line/surface determining Z buffer (depth buffer) Tessellation Voxel Lighting/shading Space transformation Adjusting level of detail Attributes (surface detail or characteristic, display attributes) Color or intensity Anti-aliasing or image smoothing Save attributes for each object affecting a given pixel Subpixel processing Pixel fragment Convolving technique Merge or overlay Animation | |
