US5651104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer graphics system and process for adaptive supersampling
Assignee: Nvidia Corp
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Filing: 1995-04-25
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Granted: 1997-07-22
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Expires: 2015-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A computer graphics system is defined using supersampling of multi-level pixel characteristic data. The system provides a detailed anti-aliased display of the texture on surfaces defined at oblique angles within the model space while providing simple real time controls to control the amount of extra processing required for the supersampling. A sampling path is defined within a projected pixel footprint on a textured surface defined in model space. These sample points are mapped to levels of detail and locations within a texture MIP map. The level of detail and supersampling locations are calculated for each pixel that the polygon influences. The sampled texture data is blended forming a single texture value for that pixel. This texture value is blended with other characteristics of the pixel to form the pixel data that is displayed on a display unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Cosman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A computer graphics system, comprising: at least one data memory for storing data elements organized in a plurality of two-dimensional levels of detail and for storing image data defining at least one object in a three-dimensional model space; an image generator for selecting a selected level of said levels of detail according to a width of a projected pixel footprint and for sampling, at said selected level of said levels of detail, data elements mapped to a locus of sample points defined along a substantially longitudinal path within a projected pixel footprint on said at least one object, said image generator for processing said data elements and said image data in combination to provide picture element data for display; and a display unit including a plurality of pixels, said display unit for displaying said picture element data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A computer graphics system, comprising: at least one data memory for storing data elements organized in a plurality of two-dimensional levels of detail and for storing image data defining at least one object in a three-dimensional model space; an image generator for selecting a selected level of said levels of detail according to a width of a projected pixel footprint and for sampling, at said selected level of said levels of detail, data elements mapped to a locus of sample points defined along a substantially longitudinal path within a projected pixel footprint on said at least one object, said image generator for processing said data elements and said image data in combination to provide picture element data for display; and a display unit including a plurality of pixels, said display unit for displaying said picture element data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein said image generator includes means for determining at least one dimension of said footprint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein said image generator includes means for selecting at least one sample point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 3 wherein said selecting said at least one sample point includes selecting a sample path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer graphics system of claim 4 wherein said sample path defines a substantially longitudinal path within said footprint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 3 wherein said selecting said at least one sample point includes selecting said selected level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics system of claim 6 wherein said selected level is selected based on at least one dimension of said footprint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 6 wherein said selected level is selected based on a predefined maximum number of samples.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 6 wherein said selected level is selected based on a dimension of said data elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer graphics system of claim 3 wherein said selecting said at least one sample point includes determining a quantity of samples to be taken.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer graphics system of claim 10 wherein said quantity of samples is determined based on at least one dimension of said footprint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics system of claim 10 wherein said quantity of samples is determined based on a predefined maximum number of samples.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics system of claim 10 wherein said quantity of samples is determined based on a dimension of said data elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein said data elements are texels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of levels of detail is a MIP map.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer graphics process for sampling data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail to provide picture element data for display, said process including the steps of: defining an object in a three-dimensional model space; defining data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail; selecting a selected level of said data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail according to a width of a projected pixel footprint; defining a locus of at least one sample point along a substantially longitudinal path within said projected pixel footprint on said object; providing representations to define a mapping between said at least one sample point and at least one data element defined at said selected level; sampling said at least one data element; and processing the results of said sampling to provide picture element data for display.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
A computer graphics process for sampling data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail to provide picture element data for display, said process including the steps of: defining an object in a three-dimensional model space; defining data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail; selecting a selected level of said data elements organized in a plurality of levels of detail according to a width of a projected pixel footprint; defining a locus of at least one sample point along a substantially longitudinal path within said projected pixel footprint on said object; providing representations to define a mapping between said at least one sample point and at least one data element defined at said selected level; sampling said at least one data element; and processing the results of said sampling to provide picture element data for display.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 16 wherein two or more sample points are defined along a substantially longitudinal path within said footprint.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer graphics process of claim 16 wherein said selected level is selected based on at least one dimension of said projected pixel footprint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer graphics process of claim 16 wherein said selected level is selected based on a predefined maximum number of sample points.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer graphics process of claim 16 wherein said selected level is selected based on a dimension of said at least one data element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer graphics process of claim 16 wherein a width of said at least one data element defined at said selected level is shorter than a length of said projected pixel footprint.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 16 wherein defining said locus of at least one sample point involves determining a quantity of sample points in said locus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 22 wherein said quantity of sample points is based on at least one dimension of said footprint.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 22 wherein said quantity of sample points is based on a predefined maximum number of sample points.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 22 wherein said quantity of sample points is based on a dimension of said at least one data element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 16 further including the step of selecting a projected pixel footprint of elongated shape for supersample processing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer graphics process according to claim 16 further including the step of blending said data elements with image data to provide picture element data for display.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-21 | 2001-01-20 | 2001-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-21 | 2005-01-20 | 2005-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-21 | 2009-01-20 | 2009-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |