US6483504B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphics system having a super sampled-sample buffer with efficient storage of sample position information
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
•
Filing: 1999-10-06
•
Granted: 2002-11-19
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Expires: 2019-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display, wherein the graphics system may store sample position information as offsets to coordinates in the sample buffer. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer at computed positions or locations in the sample buffer. The sample positions may be computed using various sample positioning schemes. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the position information to select the samples for filtering during generation of output pixels. In one embodiment, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, such as an x-offset and a y-offset, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined locations in the sample buffer, such as pre-determined pixel center coordinates or predetermined bin coordinates. The position information may be stored in the sample buffer with the samples, or may be stored in a separate sample position memory coupled to the graphics processor. The samples may also be stored according to a bin ordering, wherein the bin ordering indicates a position of the samples in the respective bin. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into a look-up table memory to determine the position information of the samples. The graphics system may include double buffered sample position memories.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael F. Deering
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/20; G06T11/00; G06T11/40; G06T15/00; G06T15/50; G06T15/503
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 84
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing the samples; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the one or more offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing the samples; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the one or more offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the one or more offset values to generate positions of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the positions in selecting samples for filtering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein, for each sample, the one or more offset values comprise an x-offset and a y-offset.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a pre-defined grid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the graphics processor is operable to render the samples according to sample positions calculated by combining the one or more offset values with coordinates selected from the group comprising: predetermined bin coordinates and pre-determined pixel center coordinates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , further comprising: a memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores the offset values for each of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to access the memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The graphics system of claim 6 , wherein the memory is a look-up table memory; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to index into the look-up table memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The graphics system of claim 6 , wherein the memory is addressable using addresses; wherein the memory stores a number of offset values which is less than a number of samples stored in the sample buffer; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to manipulate bits in the addresses to obtain different offset values for samples.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , further comprising: a first memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores the position information for each of the samples; wherein the graphics processor uses the first memory in rendering the samples into the sample buffer; a second memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores the position information for each of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to access the second memory to determine the position information of the samples.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
The graphics system of claim 9 , wherein the first memory is operable to transfer current position information for a current frame to the second memory; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples; wherein the graphics processor is operable to store subsequent position information for a subsequent frame into the first memory contemporaneously with the sample-to-pixel calculation unit using the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples for the current frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to bins, wherein each respective bin defines a region in the sample buffer in which samples in the respective bin are located; wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a bin, wherein a position of each sample within a respective bin is determined by using the one or more offset values associated with the sample and the sample's bin position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The graphics system of claim 11 , wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to a bin ordering, wherein, for a respective bin, the bin ordering indicates a position of the samples in the respective bin; wherein, for a respective sample, the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to generate the position of the respective sample based at least partly on the bin ordering of the respective sample within its bin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
The graphics system of claim 12 , further comprising: a memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores the offset values for each of the samples, wherein the offset values are stored in the memory according to the bin ordering of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The graphics system of claim 13 , wherein the memory is addressable using addresses; wherein the memory stores a number of offset values which is less than a number of samples stored in the sample buffer; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to manipulate bits in said addresses to obtain different offset values for samples in said bins.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The graphics system of claim 13 , wherein the memory stores a number of offset values corresponding to one bin of the sample buffer; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to reuse said offset values for each bin of the sample buffer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
The graphics system of claim 12 , further comprising: a first memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores position information for each of the samples according to said bin ordering; wherein the graphics processor uses the first memory in rendering the samples into the sample buffer according to said bin ordering; a second memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores the position information for each of the samples according to said bin ordering; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the second memory to determine the position information of the samples.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
The graphics system of claim 16 , wherein the first memory is operable to transfer current position information for a current frame to the second memory; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples; wherein the graphics processor is operable to store subsequent position information for a subsequent frame into the first memory contemporaneously with the sample-to-pixel calculation unit using the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples for the current frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the sample buffer stores the position information with the samples.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , further comprising: a sample position memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores the position information; wherein the sample position memory is programmable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , further comprising: a sample position memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores the position information; wherein the sample position memory is double-buffered.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the graphics processor generates the position information.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein said position information is generated according to one or more sample position schemes selected from: regular grid based position generation; stochastic based position generation; perturbed regular grid position generation, and pre-computed position generation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the position information is programmable; wherein the graphics processor operable to render the plurality of samples at programmable positions in the sample buffer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The graphics system of claim 23 , wherein the position information is programmable on a per frame basis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The graphics system of claim 23 , wherein the position information is programmable on a per bin basis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select and filter stored samples and generate output pixels which are provided directly to a display with no frame buffer therebetween.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is configured to filter samples to form output pixels on a real time basis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The graphics system of claim 1 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is configured to filter samples to form output pixels on an on-the-fly basis.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
89 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is also operable to generate position information for each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing the samples, wherein the sample buffer also stores the position information with the samples; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to said sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
89 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is also operable to generate position information for each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing the samples, wherein the sample buffer also stores the position information with the samples; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to said sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein the position information for each respective sample is stored in the sample buffer with the respective sample.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The graphics system of claim 31 , wherein, for each sample, the one or more offset values comprise an x-offset and a y-offset.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
94 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to bins; wherein each respective bin defines a region in the sample buffer in which samples in the respective bin are located; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a bin; wherein a position of each sample within a respective bin is determined by using the one or more offsets associated with the sample and the sample's bin position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein the position information comprises coordinate values relative to a sample buffer coordinate system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein the position information is programmable; wherein the graphics processor operable to render the plurality of samples at programmable positions in the sample buffer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphics system of claim 29 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select and filter stored samples and generate output pixels which are provided directly to a display with no frame buffer therebetween.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
126 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing said samples; a sample position memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores the position information for the samples, wherein the sample position memory is programmable; wherein the graphics processor is operable to render the plurality of samples at programmable positions in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer and to the sample position memory, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
126 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to the graphics processor for storing said samples; a sample position memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores the position information for the samples, wherein the sample position memory is programmable; wherein the graphics processor is operable to render the plurality of samples at programmable positions in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer and to the sample position memory, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The graphics system of claim 37 , wherein the positions are programmable on one of a per frame basis or a per bin basis.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The graphics system of claim 37 , wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
94 words
The graphics system of claim 37 , wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to bins; wherein each respective bin defines a region in the sample buffer in which samples in the respective bin are located; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a bin; wherein a position of each sample within a respective bin is determined by using the one or more offsets associated with the sample and the sample's bin position.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The graphics system of claim 37 , wherein the position information comprises coordinate values relative to a sample buffer coordinate system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphics system of claim 37 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select and filter stored samples and generate output pixels which are provided directly to a display with no frame buffer therebetween.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
114 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to said graphics processor for storing said samples; wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to bins; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to bins in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
114 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples, wherein the graphics processor is operable to utilize position information in rendering each of the samples; a sample buffer coupled to said graphics processor for storing said samples; wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to bins; wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to bins in the sample buffer; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to the sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples using the position information and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
56 words
The graphics system of claim 43 , wherein each respective bin defines a region in the sample buffer in which samples in the respective bin are located; wherein a position of each sample within a respective bin is determined by using the one or more offset values associated with the sample and the sample's bin position.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in a sample buffer; rendering the plurality of samples using the position information and storing the samples into the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in a sample buffer; rendering the plurality of samples using the position information and storing the samples into the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said rendering includes using the one or more offset values to generate positions of the samples; wherein said rendering includes using the positions to calculate sample information for the samples; wherein said generating output pixels includes using the one or more offset values to generate positions of the samples; wherein said generating output pixels uses the positions in selecting samples for filtering.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein, for each sample, the one or more offset values comprise an x-offset and a y-offset.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a pre-defined grid.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the one or more offset values are useable to generate positions of the samples; wherein the positions are calculated by combining the one or more offset values with coordinates selected from the group comprising: pre-determined bin coordinates and pre-determined pixel center coordinates.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising: storing the offset values for each of the samples in a memory; wherein said rendering includes accessing the memory to determine the offset values of the samples; wherein said generating output pixels includes accessing the memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the memory is a look-up table memory; wherein said generating output pixels includes indexing into the look-up table memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 50 , wherein the memory is addressable using addresses; wherein said storing the offset values comprises storing a number of offset values which is less than a number of samples stored in the sample buffer; wherein said generating output pixels includes manipulating bits in the addresses to obtain different offset values for samples in said bins.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising: storing the position information for each of the samples in a first memory; wherein said rendering includes accessing the position information from the first memory in rendering the samples into the sample buffer; storing the position information for each of the samples in a second memory; wherein said generating output pixels includes accessing the position information from the second memory to determine the position information of the samples.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 53 , further comprising: the first memory transferring current position information for a current frame to the second memory; said generating output pixels accessing the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples; wherein said storing the position information for each of the samples in the first memory comprises storing subsequent position information for a subsequent frame into the first memory contemporaneously with said generating output pixels accessing the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples for the current frame.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said storing comprises storing the samples in the sample buffer according to bins; wherein the one or more offset values comprise offset values relative to a bin.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein each respective bin defines a region in the sample buffer in which samples in the respective bin are located; wherein a position of each sample within a respective bin is determined by using the one or more offsets associated with the sample and the sample's bin position.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein said storing comprises storing the samples in the sample buffer according to a bin ordering, wherein the bin ordering indicates a position of the samples in respective bins; wherein, for a respective sample, said generating output pixels includes generating the position of the respective sample based at least partly on the bin ordering of the respective sample within its bin.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 57 , further comprising: storing the offset values for each of the samples in a memory, wherein the offset values are stored in the memory according to said bin ordering of the samples; wherein said generating output pixels includes using the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the memory to determine the offset values of the samples.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein the memory is addressable using addresses; wherein said storing the offset values comprises storing a number of offset values which is less than a number of samples stored in the sample buffer; wherein said generating output pixels includes manipulating bits in said addresses to obtain different offset values for samples in said bins.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 58 , wherein said storing the offset values comprises storing a number of offset values corresponding to one bin of the sample buffer; wherein said generating output pixels includes reusing said offset values for each bin of the sample buffer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising: storing the position information with the samples in the sample buffer.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 45 , further comprising: storing the position information in a sample position memory; and programming the sample position memory to receive new position information on a per frame basis.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein said generating output pixels includes selecting and filtering stored samples and generating output pixels which are provided directly to a display with no frame buffer therebetween.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples; rendering the plurality of samples into a sample buffer according to the position information; storing the position information with the samples in the sample buffer, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples; rendering the plurality of samples into a sample buffer according to the position information; storing the position information with the samples in the sample buffer, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples; rendering the plurality of samples into a sample buffer according to the position information; storing the position information in a sample position memory, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined locations in the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising: generating position information for each of a plurality of samples; rendering the plurality of samples into a sample buffer according to the position information; storing the position information in a sample position memory, wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined locations in the sample buffer; generating output pixels in response to the plurality of samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting samples using the position information and filtering the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
108 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples; a sample buffer coupled to said graphics processor for storing the samples; wherein the graphics processor is operable to store samples into the sample buffer according to bins; wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to a bin ordering, wherein the bin ordering indicates a position of the samples in the respective bin; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to said sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples according to the position of the samples and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
108 words
A graphics system comprising: a graphics processor operable to render a plurality of samples; a sample buffer coupled to said graphics processor for storing the samples; wherein the graphics processor is operable to store samples into the sample buffer according to bins; wherein the samples are stored in the sample buffer according to a bin ordering, wherein the bin ordering indicates a position of the samples in the respective bin; and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to said sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select samples according to the position of the samples and filter the selected samples to generate output pixels for display.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
42 words
The graphics system of claim 66 , wherein, for a respective sample, the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to generate the position of the respective sample at least partly based on the bin ordering of the respective sample within the respective bin.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
75 words
The graphics system of claim 66 , further comprising: a memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores position information for each of the samples according to said bin ordering; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the memory to determine the position information of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the position information to select the samples.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
33 words
The graphics system of claim 68 , wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to pre-defined positions in the sample buffer.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
29 words
The graphics system of claim 68 , wherein, for each sample, the position information comprises one or more offset values, wherein the offset values are relative to the bins.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
96 words
The graphics system of claim 66 , further comprising: a memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores offset values for each of the samples, wherein the offset values are relative to the bins, wherein the offset values are stored in the memory according to said bin ordering of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the memory to determine the offset values of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the position information to select the samples.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
59 words
The graphics system of claim 71 , wherein the memory is addressable using addresses; wherein the memory stores a number of offset values which is less than a number of samples stored in the sample buffer; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to manipulate bits in said addresses to obtain different offset values for samples in said bins.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
43 words
The graphics system of claim 71 , wherein the memory stores a number of offset values corresponding to one bin of the sample buffer; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to reuse said offset values for each bin of the sample buffer.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
121 words
The graphics system of claim 66 , further comprising: a first memory coupled to the graphics processor which stores position information for each of the samples according to said bin ordering; wherein the graphics processor uses the first memory in rendering the samples into the sample buffer according to said bin ordering; a second memory coupled to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit which stores the position information for each of the samples according to said bin ordering; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the bin ordering of the samples in the bins to index into the second memory to determine the position information of the samples; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit uses the position information to select the samples.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
88 words
The graphics system of claim 74 , wherein the first memory is operable to transfer current position information for a current frame to the second memory; wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to use the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples; wherein the graphics processor is operable to store position information for a subsequent frame into the first memory contemporaneously with the sample-to-pixel calculation unit using the second memory to determine the current position information of the samples for the current frame.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
36 words
The graphics system of claim 66 , wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select and filter stored samples and generate output pixels which are provided directly to a display with no frame buffer therebetween.
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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) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |