High resolution graphics system architecture
AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorsRobert W. Miller, John H. Spicer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A graphics generation system includes a column-interleaved distributed frame buffer and data routing apparatus which directs graphics commands to only a selected group of rendering processing elements (RPEs) required to render a given object to be displayed. In one embodiment, the system specifies this selected group of processing elements using a starting and ending RPE number. This starting and ending RPE number is used to selectively enable only those processing elements needed to process the object data and render the object to be displayed.
Claims16
A graphics generation system comprising
- means for assigning columns of pixels of a prestored image to successive rendering processor elements of a group of processor elements on a cyclically recurring basis,
- means for routing object data, representing an object extending over several columns in said image, to selected processor elements of said group of processor elements for concurrent processing thereat, said selected processor elements being selected to include all processor elements necessary to process any scan line of said object, each of said selected processor elements assigned to render a column of pixels of said object, each of said selected processor elements being used to concurrently process all scan lines of said object.
A method of operating a graphics operation system comprising the steps of
- assigning columns of pixels of a prestored image to successive rendering processor elements of a group of processor elements on a cyclically recurring basis, and
- routing object data, representing an object extending over several columns in said image, to selected processor elements of said processor element group for concurrent processing thereat, said selected processor elements being selected to include all processor elements necessary to process any scan line of said object, each of said selected processor elements assigned to render a column of pixels of said object, each of said selected processor elements being used to concurrently process all scan lines of said object.
A display system comprising
- means for assigning columns of pixels of a prestored image to successive rendering processor elements of a group of processor elements on a cyclically recurring basis,
- means for routing object data, representing an object extending over several columns in said image, to selected processor elements of said group of processor elements for concurrent processing thereat, said selected processor elements being selected to include all processor elements necessary to process any scan line of said object, each of said selected processor elements assigned to render a column of pixels of said object, each of said selected processor elements being used to concurrently process all scan lines of said object,
- means for outputting an image signal from said selected processor elements and
- means for displaying said output image signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.