Method and apparatus for accelerating occlusion culling in a graphics computer
AssigneeBroadizon, Inc.
InventorKat-Fung Tjew
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for accelerating occlusion culling in a graphics computer is disclosed. A depth test is performed on a fragment for a first time to determine if the fragment is visible. The fragment can be marked as potentially visible if the depth test concluded that the fragment is visible. Subsequently, the depth test is performed on the fragment for a second time to determine if the fragment is visible. If the depth test concludes that the fragment is visible, graphics processing for the fragment can be stopped at this point.
Claims18
A method for accelerating occlusion culling within a graphics processing system, said method comprising:
- performing a depth test on a fragment for a first time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- marking said fragment as potentially visible if said depth test concluded said fragment is visible;
- performing said depth test on said fragment for a second time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- and
- ceasing processing said fragment before performing fragment shading on said fragment if said depth test concluded said fragment is not visible.
A computer program product residing on a computer usable medium for accelerating occlusion culling within a graphics processing system, said computer program product comprising:
- program code means for performing a depth test on a fragment for a first time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- program code means for marking said fragment as potentially visible if said depth test concluded said fragment is visible;
- program code means for performing said depth test on said fragment for a second time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- and
- program code means for ceasing processing said fragment before performing fragment shading on said fragment if said depth test concluded said fragment is not visible.
A graphics adapter capable of accelerating occlusion culling, said graphics adapter comprising:
- means for performing a depth test on a fragment for a first time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- means for marking said fragment as potentially visible if said depth test concluded said fragment is visible;
- means for performing said depth test on said fragment for a second time to determine if said fragment is visible;
- and
- means for ceasing processing said fragment before performing fragment shading on said fragment if said depth test concluded said fragment is not visible.
A method for accelerating occlusion culling within a graphics processing system, said method comprising:
- performing a depth test on a plurality of fragments within a primitive for a first time to determine if any of said of plurality of fragments is visible;
- marking said primitive as potentially visible if said depth test concluded at least one of said plurality of fragments within said primitive is visible;
- performing said depth test on said plurality of fragments within said primitive for a second time to determine if any of said plurality of fragments is visible;
- and
- ceasing processing said primitive before performing vertex shading on said primitive if said depth test concluded none of said plurality of fragments within said primitive is visible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.