Methods of and apparatus for processing computer graphics

US8044971B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ARM Norway AS · NO

Inventor

• Jørn Nystad · Trondheim, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 31, 2008
• Grant date: Oct 25, 2011
• Expiry date: Mar 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09G3/2074
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

When an alpha test is performed as part of the rendering process in a multisampled graphics processing pipeline, rather than taking the single alpha value initially defined for each fragment an individual alpha value is generated in respect of each of covered sampling position that the fragment in question is being used to render. The individual alpha values estimated for each sample position are then individually compared with a threshold alpha value defined for the alpha test, and the result of this alpha test comparison is used to decide either keep or discard the sample position from further processing.