System and method for improving pixel update performance
US5841447A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2340/10
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method improves pixel update performance in computer graphics systems. Pixel sample coverage masks and data record memory locations are assigned to each pixel. The data record memory locations store pixel sample data for one or more pixel samples. A coverage mask is associated with each data record and contains mask bits which identify the pixel samples that are assigned the data contained in the data record memory location. In another embodiment, the pixels are also assigned versions which are compared with a current version. In response to the version comparison, predefined alternate pixel data or pixel data stored in a frame buffer is blended with new pixel data. The blended pixel data is written to the frame buffer from which it is retrieved and displayed by a display device. In another embodiment, pixel data memory is dynamically allocated to reduce the dedicated memory requirements while still providing high quality images.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.