Architecture and apparatus for image generation

Claim 2

An image generation system, comprising: (a) a plurality of geometry processors for receiving primitives and translating said primitives to screen coordinates to provide primitive screen data; and, (b) a rasterizer associated with each of said geometry processors for computing pixel values from said primitive screen data, said rasterizer comprising an enhanced memory device, said enhanced memory device corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) said enhanced memory device having for each of said selected screen coordinates, processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, a compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) said enhanced memory device further having, input means for receiving pixel values from a corresponding enhanced memory device associated with a different one of said plurality of geometry processors, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 3

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said compositor means of one of said rasterizers further comprises: loading means for storing the pixel values received from said input means for use by said processor means.

Claim 4

The image generation system of claim 2 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises: (i) external memory means for storing imaging information, and (ii) wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises, local buffer means operably associated with said processing means for storing data from and providing data to said processing means, port means for inputting data to and outputting data from said local buffer means to said external memory means.

Claim 5

The image generation system of claim 3 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises video generation means, operably associated with said external memory means for creating a video signal.

Claim 6

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said primitive screen data comprises coefficients of mathematical expressions defining a primitive in screen coordinates.

Claim 7

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said rasterizer further comprises control means for supersampling said primitive screen data by receiving said primitive screen data from said geometry processor and repeatedly providing to said enhanced memory device, adjusted screen data for each primitive screen data received.

Claim 8

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises: coefficient input means for receiving coefficients of mathematical expressions of the form f(x,y), and wherein said processing means comprises: (i) a mathematical expression evaluator for receiving the coefficients and outputting the results of evaluating the mathematical expressions f(x,y), and (ii) an arithmetic logic unit corresponding to each of said selected screen coordinates for receiving the results of said mathematical expression evaluator and performing arithmetic and logical operations on said results.

Claim 9

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein the primitive data for a selected region of a screen is distributed between said plurality of geometry processors.

Claim 10

The image generation system of claim 1 wherein said primitive screen data comprises primitive screen data for a selected region of a screen and further comprising: image composition network control means operably associated with said compositor means for synchronizing said compositors such that data is output by said output means after all pixel values have been calculated by each of said rasterizers for said selected region.

Claim 11

An image generation system, comprising: (a) primitive processing means for generating primitive screen data; and, (b) a plurality of rasterizers associated with said primitive processing means for computing pixel values from said primitive screen data, said rasterizer comprising an enhanced memory device, said enhanced memory device corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) said enhanced memory device having for each of said selected screen coordinates, processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) said enhanced memory device further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values from a corresponding enhanced memory device associated with a different one of said plurality of geometry processors, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 12

An image generation system, comprising: (a) primitive processing means for generating primitive screen data; and, (b) a plurality of rasterizers associated with said primitive processing means for computing pixel values from said primitive screen data, said rasterizer comprising an enhanced memory device, said enhanced memory device corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) said enhanced memory device having for each of said selected screen coordinates, processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) said enhanced memory device further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values from a corresponding enhanced memory device associated with a different one of said plurality of geometry processors, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 13

The image generation system of claim 10 wherein said compositor means of one of said rasterizers further comprises: loading means for storing the pixel values received from said input means for use by said processor means.

Claim 14

The image generation system of claim 11 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises: (i) external memory means for storing imaging information, and (ii) wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises, local buffer means operably associated with said processing means for storing data from and providing data to said processing means, port means for inputting data to and outputting data from said local buffer means to said external memory means.

Claim 15

The image generation system of claim 12 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises video generation means, operably associated with said external memory means for creating a video signal.

Claim 16

The image generation system of claim 10 wherein said primitive screen data comprises coefficients of mathematical expressions defining a primitive in screen coordinates.

Claim 17

The image generation system of claim 10 wherein said rasterizer further comprises control means for supersampling said primitive screen data by receiving said primitive screen data from said geometry processor and repeatedly providing to said enhanced memory device adjusted screen data for each primitive screen data received.

Claim 18

The image generation system of claim 10 wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises: coefficient input means for receiving coefficients of mathematical expressions of the form f(x,y), and wherein said processing means comprises: (i) a mathematical expression evaluator for receiving the coefficients and outputting the results of evaluating the mathematical expressions f(x,y), and (ii) an arithmetic logic unit corresponding to each of said selected screen coordinates for receiving the results of said mathematical expression evaluator and performing arithmetic and logical operations on said results.

Claim 19

The image generation system of claim 10 wherein the primitive screen data for a selected region of a screen is distributed between said plurality of rasterizers.

Claim 20

An image-generation system, comprising: (a) a plurality of geometry processors for receiving primitives for a selected region of a screen and translating said primitives to screen coordinates to provide primitive screen data; and, (b) a rasterizer associated with each of said geometry processors for computing pixel values from said primitive screen data, said rasterizer comprising, image generation control means for receiving said primitive screen data from said geometry processors and converting said primitive screen data to command information; a plurality of enhanced memory devices, each of said enhanced memory devices corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) each of said enhanced memory devices having for each of said selected screen coordinates, processing means for receiving said command information and computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) each of said enhanced memory devices further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values from a corresponding one of said enhanced memory devices associated with a different one of said plurality of geometry processors, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value, and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value; and said rasterizer further comprising image composition network control means operably associated with each of said compositor means for synchronizing said compositors such that data is output by said output means after all pixel values have been calculated for said selected region.

Claim 21

An image-generation system, comprising: (a) a plurality of geometry processors for receiving primitives for a selected region of a screen and translating said primitives to screen coordinates to provide primitive screen data; and, (b) a rasterizer associated with each of said geometry processors for computing pixel values from said primitive screen data, said rasterizer comprising, image generation control means for receiving said primitive screen data from said geometry processors and converting said primitive screen data to command information; a plurality of enhanced memory devices, each of said enhanced memory devices corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) each of said enhanced memory devices having for each of said selected screen coordinates, processing means for receiving said command information and computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) each of said enhanced memory devices further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values from a corresponding one of said enhanced memory devices associated with a different one of said plurality of geometry processors, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value, and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value; and said rasterizer further comprising image composition network control means operably associated with each of said compositor means for synchronizing said compositors such that data is output by said output means after all pixel values have been calculated for said selected region.

Claim 22

The image generation system of claim 18 wherein said compositor means of one of said rasterizers further comprises: loading means for storing the pixel values received from said input means for use by said processor means.

Claim 23

The image generation system of claim 19 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises: (i) external memory means for storing imaging information, and (ii) wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises, local buffer means operably associated with said processing means for storing data from and providing data to said processing means, port means for inputting data to and outputting data from said local buffer means to said external memory means.

Claim 24

The image generation system of claim 20 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises video generation means, operably associated with said external memory means for creating a video signal.

Claim 25

The image generation system of claim 18 wherein said primitive screen data comprises coefficients of mathematical expressions defining a primitive in screen coordinates.

Claim 26

The image generation system of claim 18 wherein said image generation control means further comprises supersampling means for supersampling said primitive screen data by receiving said primitive screen data from said geometry processor and repeatedly providing to said enhanced memory devices adjusted screen data for each primitive screen data received.

Claim 27

The image generation system of claim 18 wherein said processing means comprises: (i) a mathematical expression evaluator for receiving coefficient data and outputting the results of evaluating the mathematical expressions f(x,y), and (ii) an arithmetic logic unit corresponding to each of said selected screen coordinates for receiving the results of said mathematical expression evaluator and performing arithmetic and logical operations on said results.

Claim 28

The image generation system of claim 18 wherein the primitive data for a selected region of a screen is distributed between said plurality of geometry processors.

Claim 29

A rasterizer for computing pixel values from primitive screen data in an image generation system comprising: a plurality of enhanced memory devices, each of said enhanced memory devices corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) each of said enhanced memory devices having for each of said selected screen coordinates, a processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, a storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, a compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) each of said enhanced memory devices further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 30

A rasterizer for computing pixel values from primitive screen data in an image generation system comprising: a plurality of enhanced memory devices, each of said enhanced memory devices corresponding to a selected set of screen coordinates, (i) each of said enhanced memory devices having for each of said selected screen coordinates, a processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, a storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, and, a compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and (ii) each of said enhanced memory devices further having, input means for receiving computed pixel values, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 31

The rasterizer of claim 26 wherein said compositor means further comprises: loading means for storing the pixel values received from said input means for use by said processor means.

Claim 32

The rasterizer of claim 27 wherein said one of said rasterizers further comprises: (i) external memory means for storing imaging information, and (ii) wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises, local buffer means operably associated with said processing means for storing data from and providing data to said processing means, port means for inputting data to and outputting data from said local buffer means to said external memory means.

Claim 33

The rasterizer of claim 28 further comprising video generation means, operably associated with said external memory means for creating a video signal.

Claim 34

The rasterizer of claim 26 wherein said primitive screen data comprises coefficients of mathematical expressions defining a primitive in screen coordinates.

Claim 35

The rasterizer of claim 26 wherein said rasterizer further comprises supersampling means for supersampling said primitive screen data by repeatedly providing to said enhanced memory devices adjusted screen data for each primitive screen data received.

Claim 36

The rasterizer of claim 26 wherein said enhanced memory device further comprises: coefficient input means for receiving coefficients of mathematical expressions of the form f(x,y), and wherein said processing means comprises: (i) a mathematical expression evaluator for receiving the coefficients and outputting the results of evaluating the mathematical expressions f(x,y), and (ii) an arithmetic logic unit corresponding to each of said selected screen coordinates which receive the results of said mathematical expression evaluator and performing arithmetic and logical operations on said results.

Claim 37

The rasterizer of claim 26 wherein said primitive screen data comprises primitive screen data for a selected region of a screen and further comprising: image composition network control means operably associated with said compositor means for synchronizing said compositors such that data is output by said output means after all pixel values have been calculated for said selected region.

Claim 38

An enhanced memory chip for use in an image generation system comprising: a plurality of processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, a storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, a compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and input means for receiving computed pixel values, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 39

An enhanced memory chip for use in an image generation system comprising: a plurality of processing means for computing pixel values to provide a computed pixel value, a storage means associated with each of said processing means for storing data, a compositor buffer associated with each of said processing means for storing said computed pixel value, and input means for receiving computed pixel values, compositor means for compositing said stored computed pixel value and the pixel value received by said input means to determine a composited pixel value; and output means operably associated with said compositor means for outputting said composited pixel value.

Claim 40

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 wherein said compositor means further comprises: loading means for storing the pixel values received from said input means for use by said processor means.

Claim 41

The enhanced memory chip of claim 35 further comprising: local buffer means operably associated with each of said processing means for storing data from and providing data to said processing means, port means for inputting data to and outputting data from said local buffer means.

Claim 42

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 wherein said compositor means further comprises: forwarding means for providing said received pixel value to said output means for outputting.

Claim 43

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 wherein said processing means selectively read and write data from said compositor buffer means.

Claim 44

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 wherein said processing means selectively read and write data from said composite buffer means.

Claim 45

The enhanced memory chip of claim 36 wherein said processing means selectively read and write data from said local buffer means.

Claim 46

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 further comprising: coefficient input means for receiving coefficients of mathematical expressions of the form f(x,y), and wherein said plurality of processing means comprises: (i) a mathematical expression evaluator for receiving the coefficients and outputting the results of evaluating the mathematical expressions f(x,y), and (ii) a plurality of arithmetic logic units for receiving the results of said mathematical expression evaluator and performing arithmetic and logical operations on said results.

Claim 47

The enhanced memory chip of claim 34 further comprising microinstruction input means operably associated with said arithmetic logic units for receiving microinstructions to control the operation of said arithmetic logic units.