Methods and systems to selectively batch-cull graphics primitives in response to sample cull results

A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer program logic stored therein to cause a processor to perform operations in response thereto, the computer program logic including:

• cull code logic to cause the processor to compute cull/no-cull decisions for graphics primitives from corresponding 2-dimensional vertex pixel space positions of the graphics primitives;
• sample logic to cause the processor to invoke the cull code logic with respect to a sample set of graphics primitives from a batch of graphics primitives;
• and
• decision logic to cause the processor to invoke the cull code logic with respect to the batch of primitives when the cull code logic generates a cull decision with respect to at least a threshold number of graphics primitives within the sample set of graphics primitives, and to associate a no-cull decision with the batch of primitives when the cull code logic generates a cull decision with respect to less than the threshold number of graphics primitives within the sample set of primitives.

A system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer program product including a computer readable medium having computer program logic stored therein to cause the processor to perform operations in response thereto, the computer program logic including;
• cull code logic to cause the processor to compute cull/no-cull decisions for graphics primitives from corresponding 2-dimensional vertex pixel space positions of the graphics primitives,
• sample logic to cause the processor to invoke the cull code logic with respect to a sample set of graphics primitives from a batch of graphics primitives, and
• decision logic to cause the processor to invoke the cull code logic with respect to the batch of graphics primitives when the cull code logic generates a cull decision with respect to at least a threshold number of graphics primitives within the sample set of graphics primitives, and to associate a no-cull decision with the batch of graphics primitives when the cull code logic generates a cull decision with respect to less than the threshold number of graphics primitives within the sample set of graphics primitives.