Loading integer-based data into a graphics processing system
US7986325B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 26, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T1/60
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for improving the flexibility and programmability of a graphics pipeline by enabling full access to integer texture maps within a graphics processing unit (GPU). A new mechanism for loading and unloading integer texture images is disclosed that enables the shader units within the GPU to have full access to integer values stored within an integer image buffer in a GPU local memory. New integer formats are added to the graphics API that indicate that data should be loaded and processed without the prior art conversion to a floating-point representation, thereby enabling the use of these new integer data types.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.