US5818456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer graphics system with adaptive pixel multisampler
Assignee: Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-30
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2016-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An adaptive pixel multisampler generates pixel data for display using an interlocking sub-pixel sampling pattern and a frame buffer organized as a per-polygon, per-pixel heap. The interlocking sampling pattern provides the advantages of a multi-pixel shaped filter without pixel-to-pixel cross communication and without additional sub-pixels. The per-polygon, per-pixel heap allocates frame buffer memory so that each pixel will have one set of data stored in the frame buffer for every polygon that influences that pixel. This memory allocation scheme can significantly reduce frame buffer memory requirements. The polygon data is blended to properly handle processing of transparent polygons and polygon edges without the degradation of image quality found in conventional computer graphics systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Cosman
- 👤 Michael D. Drews
- 👤 Gary S. Watkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:27
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T15/00; G06T15/50; G06T15/503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A computer graphics system for generating pixel data to display images on a display device utilizing an array of pixels, comprising: a data memory for storing primitives representative of said images; a frame buffer for storing said pixel data including, means for storing a plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel wherein each of said fragments is associated with a distinct primitive; and a processor for processing said primitives to generate said primitive fragments wherein said processor stores a plurality of said primitive fragments for a pixel in said frame buffer, said processor for processing said primitive fragments to generate composite pixel data to display images on said display device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer graphics system for generating pixel data to display images on a display device utilizing an array of pixels, comprising: a data memory for storing primitives representative of said images; a frame buffer for storing said pixel data including, means for storing a plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel wherein each of said fragments is associated with a distinct primitive; and a processor for processing said primitives to generate said primitive fragments wherein said processor stores a plurality of said primitive fragments for a pixel in said frame buffer, said processor for processing said primitive fragments to generate composite pixel data to display images on said display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 further including a depth sorter for depth ordering said primitive fragments for a pixel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer graphics system of claim 2 wherein said depth sorter orders said primitive fragments using pixel-center depth values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 further including a pixel shader for combining said primitive fragments according to sub-pixel use by a current polygon and at least one prior polygon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer graphics system of claim 4 further including an occultation solver wherein said primitive fragments include sub-pixel information and said occultation solver modifies said sub-pixel information to eliminate hidden primitives.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 further including a sampling engine for generating sub-pixels using non-contiguous sub-pixel areas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer graphics system of claim 6 wherein said sub-pixel areas interlock so that every portion of an image plane defined by said pixels is associated with only one of said pixels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said frame buffer is managed as a heap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 further including a display device containing an array of pixels for displaying said images.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer graphics system of claim 1 further including a pixel shader for combining said primitive fragments wherein said pixel shader includes a cumulative transparency generator for calculating a cumulative transparency for a tiling of polygons in a combined record.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer graphics system of claim 10 further including a resolved record for storing cumulative combined record data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer graphics process for generating pixel data to display images on a display device containing an array of pixels, comprising the steps of: storing primitives representative of said images; processing said primitives to generate a plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel wherein each of said fragments is associated with a distinct primitive; storing said plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel in a memory; and processing said primitive fragments to generate composite pixel data to display images on said display device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer graphics process for generating pixel data to display images on a display device containing an array of pixels, comprising the steps of: storing primitives representative of said images; processing said primitives to generate a plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel wherein each of said fragments is associated with a distinct primitive; storing said plurality of primitive fragments for a pixel in a memory; and processing said primitive fragments to generate composite pixel data to display images on said display device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer graphics process of claim 12 further including the step of depth ordering said primitive fragments for a pixel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer graphics process of claim 13 wherein said depth ordering includes the step of ordering said primitive fragments using a pixel-center depth value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer graphics process of claim 12 further including the step of processing said primitive fragments according to sub-pixel use by a current polygon and at least one prior polygon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer graphics process of claim 12 further including the step of processing said primitive fragments by generating a cumulative transparency for a tiling of said primitives in a combined record.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer graphics process of claim 16 further including the step of generating a resolved record from cumulative combined record data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer graphics process of claim 12 further including the step of generating sub-pixels using non-contiguous sub-pixel areas.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer graphics process of claim 18 wherein said sub-pixel areas interlock so that every portion of an image plane defined by said pixels is associated with only one of said pixels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer graphics process of claim 12 further including the step of managing at least a portion of said memory as a heap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-10-05 | 2002-04-06 | 2002-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-05 | 2006-04-06 | 2006-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-05 | 2010-04-06 | 2010-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |