Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of texture mapping graphics primitives in a frame buffer graphics system comprising the steps of: determining an original texture map (210) in two dimensions (s, t) for a surface; storing the original texture map (210) in the frame buffer (80); sampling the original texture map (210) independently in the two dimensions (s, t) using an asymmetrical filter (200) to construct multiple versions (220-250) of a texture and to address textured pixels on a display (110) in the frame buffer graphics system; mapping the textured pixels to areas on the frame buffer (80); and displaying the textured graphics primitives on the display (110).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of mapping a texture onto a surface in a graphics system comprising the steps of: determining an original texture map (210) in two dimensions (s, t) for the surface; storing the original texture map (210) in a frame buffer (80) in the graphics system; applying at least one asymmetrical filter (200) to the original texture map (210) thereby determining a second two-dimensional texture map (220-250) for the surface; storing the second texture map (220-250) in the frame buffer (80); interpolating linearly between the original texture map (210) and the second texture map (220-250) along a third dimension, thereby determining a textured surface map which is continuous in three dimensions corresponding to a textured surface; and displaying the textured surface on a raster scan display (110) in the graphics system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus for texture mapping graphics primitives comprising: frame buffer means (80) for storing pixel value data corresponding to graphics primitives; determination means (20) interfaced with the frame buffer means (80) for determining an original texture map (210) in two dimensions (s, t) for the graphics primitive; asymmetric filter means (200) interfaced with the determination means (20) for sampling the original texture map (210) independently in the two dimensions (s, t) to construct multiple versions (220-250) of a texture and to address the frame buffer means (80) with textured pixel value data; mapping means (30) interfaced with the frame buffer means (80) for addressing textured pixels on rectangular areas in the original texture map (210); and display means (110) interfaced with the frame buffer means (80) for displaying the textured pixel value data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the determination means (20) further comprises a graphics transform engine (40) which stores a plurality of textures for the graphics primitives.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein the asymmetrical filter means (200) further comprises a rectangular box filter which down-samples the original texture map (210) in two dimensions (s, t) wherein the box filter comprises a height and a width corresponding to a power of two to filter the original texture (210).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein the original texture map (210) has a size which follows the relationship: SIZE = 2 n x 2 m , where n and m are integers which define the height and width of the original texture map (210).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein there are (n+1) x (m+1) multiple down-sampled texture maps (220-250).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein the mapping means (30) further comprises: color texture interpolating means (50) interfaced with the transform engine (40) for interpolating pixel parameters; and spatial interpolating means (60) interfaced with the transform engine (40) for interpolating spatial coordinates in the original texture map (210).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 8 wherein the color texture interpolating means (50) and spatial interpolating means (60) map textured pixels to rectangular areas of the frame buffer means (80).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus recited in claim 9 further comprising pixel cache means (70) interfaced with the frame buffer means (80) for blending pixel color values with data stored on the frame buffer means (80).