High performance low cost video game system with coprocessor providing high speed efficient 3D graphics and digital audio signal processing

A system for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for generating at least one set color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 110111 to 111011,
• a red component parameter,
• a green component parameter, and
• a blue component parameter.

In a 3D graphics system , a process for interpreting at least one set color command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 110111 to 111011,
• (b) interpreting a red component parameter,
• (c) interpreting a green component parameter,
• (d) interpreting a blue component parameter, and
• (e) generating an image based at least in part on steps (a)-(e).

A 3D graphics system for interpreting at least one set color command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 110111 to 111011, the system including:

• means for interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 110111 to 111011,
• means for interpreting a red component parameter,
• means for interpreting a green component parameter,
• means for interpreting a blue component parameter, and
• a display circuit that generates an image based at least in part on the parameters.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium storing at least one set color command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 110111 to 111011,
• a red component parameter,
• a green component parameter, and
• a blue component parameter.

A process for generating at least one display mode control command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one set mode command having:

• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111100, and
• at least one of the following additional fields:
• at least one combiner subtract mode control field that specifies subtracting at least one color space value from a color combiner,
• at least one combiner multiply mode control field that specifies multiplying a color combiner input by at least one color space value, and
• at least one combiner add control field that specifies a color combiner adder input.

A system for generating at least one display mode control command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one set mode command having:
• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111100, and
• at least one of the following additional fields:
• at least one combiner subtract mode control field that specifies subtracting at least one color space value from a color combiner,
• at least one combiner multiply mode control field that specifies multiplying a color combiner input by at least one color space value, and
• at least one combiner add control field that specifies a color combiner adder input.

In a 3D graphics display system, a process for interpreting at least one set mode command comprising:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111100,
• (b) interpreting at least one of the following additional fields:
• at least one combiner subtract mode control field that specifies subtracting at least one color space value from a color combiner,
• at least one combiner multiply mode control field that specifies multiplying a color combiner input by at least one color space value, and
• at least one combiner add control field that specifies a color combiner adder input, and
• (c) generating an image based at least in part on step (b).

A 3D graphics display system for interpreting at least one set mode command including a six-bit binary value of 111100, the system comprising:

• (a) means for interpreting a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111100,
• (b) means for generating at least one control signal based on at least one of the following additional fields:
• at least one combiner subtract mode control field that specifies subtracting at least one color space value from a color combiner,
• at least one combiner multiply mode control field that specifies multiplying a color combiner input by at least one color space value, and
• at least one combiner add control field that specifies a color combiner adder input, and
• (c) means for generating an image based at least in part on the control signal.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium storing at least one display mode control command having:

• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111100, and
• at least one of the following additional fields:
• at least one combiner subtract mode control field that specifies subtracting at least one color space value from a color combiner,
• at least one combiner multiply mode control field that specifies multiplying a color combiner input by at least one color space value, and
• at least one combiner add control field that specifies a color combiner adder input.

A process for generating at least one color image mode command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one command including:

• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101;
• an image data format parameter;
• a color element size parameter;
• an image width parameter;
• and
• a base address parameter.

A system for providing at least one color image mode command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for generating at least one command including:
• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101;
• an image data format parameter;
• a color element size parameter;
• an image width parameter;
• and
• a base address parameter.

In a 3D graphics system, a process of executing at least one color image mode command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101 as corresponding to color image mode;
• (b) interpreting at least one of the following:
• an image data format parameter;
• a color element size parameter;
• an image width parameter;
• and
• a base address parameter;
• and
• (c) generating a color image display based at least in part on step (b).

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one color image mode command having a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101 as corresponding to color image mode, the system including:

• a command identifier decoder for interpreting a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101 as corresponding to color image mode;
• a command parameter decoder for interpreting at least one of the following:
• an image data format parameter;
• a color element size parameter;
• an image width parameter;
• and
• a base address parameter;
• and
• a display circuit that generates a color image display based at least in part on parameters.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one color image mode command including:

• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value within the set of 111111 and 111101;
• an image data format parameter;
• a color element size parameter;
• an image width parameter;
• and
• a base address parameter.

A system for providing at least one mask image mode command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one set mask image command including:
• a command identifier field including a six-bit binary value of 111110, and
• a base address specifying the memory address of a top left corner of at least one depth image.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011,
• a set of edge coefficients,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients, and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one triangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011,
• a set of edge coefficients,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients, and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011,
• (b) interpreting a set of edge coefficients,
• (c) interpreting a set of texture coefficients,
• (c) interpreting a set of z buffer coefficients, and
• (e) rendering at least one triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients, and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one triangle drawing command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011, the system including:

• (a) means for interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011,
• (b) means for interpreting a set of edge coefficients,
• (c) means for interpreting a set of texture coefficients,
• (c) means for interpreting a set of z buffer coefficients, and
• means coupled to the above-mentioned means for rendering at least one triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients, and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of at least one of 001111 and 001011,
• a set of edge coefficients,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients, and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of texture coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients.

A system for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for generating at least one triangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of texture coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110,
• (b) interpreting a set of edge coefficients,
• (c) interpreting a set of texture coefficients, and
• (d) drawing at least one triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients.

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one triangle drawing command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110, the system including:

• a command identifier field decoder that interprets a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110,
• a rasterizer that interprets a set of edge coefficients,
• a texture coordinate unit that interprets a set of texture coefficients, and
• a display processor that draws at least one triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value selected from the set of 001010 and 001110,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of texture coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one non-shaded triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one triangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one non-shaded triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001,
• (b) interpreting a set of edge coefficients,
• (c) interpreting a set of z buffer coefficients, and
• (d) drawing at least one non-shaded triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one triangle drawing command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001, the system including:

• a decoder that interprets a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001,
• an edge walker that interprets a set of edge coefficients,
• a z buffer controller that interprets a set of z buffer coefficients, and
• a display processor that draws at least one non-shaded triangle in accordance with the set of edge coefficients and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium storing at least one triangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value selected from the set of 001001,
• a set of edge coefficients, and
• a set of z buffer coefficients,
• the triangle drawing command format specifying at least one non-shaded triangle to be drawn in accordance with the set of edge coefficients and z buffered based at least in part on the set of z buffer coefficients.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one textured rectangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101,
• at least two x coordinate values,
• at least two y coordinate values,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a tile descriptor index value,
• the textured rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients and the tile descriptor index value.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one textured rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101,
• at least two x coordinate values,
• at least two y coordinate values,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a tile descriptor index value,
• the textured rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients and the tile descriptor index value.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one textured rectangle drawing command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101,
• (b) interpreting at least two x coordinate values,
• (c) interpreting at least two y coordinate values,
• (d) interpreting a set of texture coefficients,
• (e) interpreting a tile descriptor index value, and
• (f) rendering at least one rectangle in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients and the tile descriptor index value.

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one textured rectangle drawing command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101, the system including:

• a decoder that interprets a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101,
• a processor that interprets at least two x coordinate values and at least two y coordinate values,
• a texture coordinate unit that interprets a set of texture coefficients, and a tile descriptor index value, and
• a display processor that renders at least one rectangle in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients and the tile descriptor index value.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one textured rectangle drawing command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value within the range of 100100 and 100101,
• at least two x coordinate values,
• at least two y coordinate values,
• a set of texture coefficients, and
• a tile descriptor index value,
• the textured rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a texture based at least in part on the set of texture coefficients and the tile descriptor index value.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the steps of:

• (a) generating at least one set primitive color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, and
• a set of color coordinates;
• and
• (b) generating at least one filled rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110110,
• at least two x coordinate values, and
• at least two y coordinate values,
• the filled rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a color based at least in part on the color coordinates.

A system for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for generating:
• (a) at least one set primitive color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, and
• a set of color coordinates;
• and
• (b) at least one filled rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110110,
• at least two x coordinate values, and
• at least two y coordinate values,
• the filled rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a color based at least in part on the color coordinates.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the steps of:

• (a) interpreting at least one set primitive color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, and
• a set of color coordinates;
• (b) interpreting at least one filled rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110110,
• at least two x coordinate values, and
• at least two y coordinate values;
• and
• (c) drawing at least one rectangle in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a color based at least in part on the color coordinates.

In a 3D graphics system, an apparatus for executing at least one display command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, the apparatus including the following structures:

• means for interpreting at least one set primitive color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, and
• a set of color coordinates;
• means for interpreting at least one filled rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110110,
• at least two x coordinate values, and
• at least two y coordinate values;
• and
• means for drawing at least one rectangle in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a color based at least in part on the color coordinates.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing:

• (a) at least one set primitive color command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 111010, and
• a set of color coordinates;
• and
• (b) at least one filled rectangle drawing command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110110,
• at least two x coordinate values, and
• at least two y coordinate values,
• the filled rectangle drawing command format specifying at least one rectangle to be drawn in accordance with the x and y coordinate values, and filled with a color based at least in part on the color coordinates.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one texture defining command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value of 110101,
• an image data format parameter,
• a color element size parameter,
• a tile line size parameter,
• a starting texture memory address,
• a tile descriptor index,
• a palette number,
• at least one texture coordinate clamp enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate mirror enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate wrapping/mirroring mask, and
• at least one texture coordinate level of detail shift parameter.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for
• providing at least one texture defining command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value of 110101,
• an image data format parameter,
• a color element size parameter,
• a tile line size parameter,
• a starting texture memory address,
• a tile descriptor index,
• a palette number,
• at least one texture coordinate clamp enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate mirror enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate wrapping/mirroring mask, and
• at least one texture coordinate level of detail shift parameter.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for processing at least one texture defining command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value of 110101,
• (b) interpreting an image data format parameter,
• (c) interpreting a color element size parameter,
• (d) interpreting a tile line size parameter,
• (e) interpreting a starting texture memory address,
• (f) interpreting a tile descriptor index,
• (g) interpreting a palette number,
• (h) interpreting at least one texture coordinate clamp enable parameter,
• (i) interpreting at least one texture coordinate mirror enable parameter,
• (j) interpreting at least one texture coordinate wrapping/mirroring mask,
• (k) interpreting at least one texture coordinate level of detail shift parameter, and
• (l) generating at least one image based at least in part on the above-mentioned steps.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one texture defining command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value of 110101,
• an image data format parameter,
• a color element size parameter,
• a tile line size parameter,
• a starting texture memory address,
• a tile descriptor index,
• a palette number,
• at least one texture coordinate clamp enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate mirror enable parameter,
• at least one texture coordinate wrapping/mirroring mask, and
• at least one texture coordinate level of detail shift parameter.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one texture tile command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010,
• low and high tile S coordinates,
• low and high tile T coordinates, and
• a tile descriptor index.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for
• providing at least one texture tile command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010,
• low and high tile S coordinates,
• low and high tile T coordinates, and
• a tile descriptor index.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one texture tile command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010,
• (b) interpreting low and high tile S coordinates,
• (c) interpreting low and high tile T coordinates,
• (d) interpreting a tile descriptor index, and
• (e) generating a display based at least in part on steps (a)-(d).

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one texture tile command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010, the system including:

• a decoder that interprets a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010,
• a texture unit that interprets low and high tile S coordinates, low and high tile T coordinates, a tile descriptor index;
• and
• a display processor circuit that generates a display based at least in part on the coordinates identifier and command identifier.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one texture tile command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of a value within the set of 110100 and 110010,
• low and high tile S coordinates,
• low and high tile T coordinates, and
• a tile descriptor index.

A process for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the process including the step of generating at least one texture memory block loading command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011,
• low and high tile S coordinate parameters,
• a low tile T coordinate parameter,
• a T increment value, and
• a tile descriptor index.

A system for generating at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for generating at least one texture memory block loading command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011,
• low and high tile S coordinate parameters,
• a low tile T coordinate parameter,
• a T increment value, and
• a tile descriptor index.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one texture memory block loading command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011,
• (b) interpreting low and high tile S coordinate parameters,
• (c) interpreting a low tile T coordinate parameter,
• (d) interpreting a T increment value,
• (e) interpreting a tile descriptor index, and
• (f) displaying at least one textured primitive based at least in part on steps (a)-(e).

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one texture memory block loading command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011, the system including:

• means for interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011,
• means for interpreting low and high tile S coordinate parameters,
• means for interpreting a low tile T coordinate parameter,
• means for interpreting a T increment value,
• means for interpreting a tile descriptor index, and
• a display circuit for displaying at least one textured primitive based at least in part on the S and T coordinate parameters, the T increment value, and the tile descriptor index.

A storage medium for use with a 3D graphics system, the storage medium for storing at least one texture memory block loading command including:

• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110011,
• low and high tile S coordinate parameters,
• a low tile T coordinate parameter,
• a T increment value, and
• a tile descriptor index.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• circuitry coupled to the processor and to the memory for
• providing at least one load texture look up table command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110000,
• low and high indices into the table, and
• a tile descriptor index.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for executing at least one load texture look up table command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110000,
• (b) interpreting low and high indices into the table,
• (c) a tile descriptor index, and
• (d) loading a texture look up table into a memory based at least in part on steps (a)-(c).

A 3D graphics system for executing at least one load texture look up table command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110000, the system including:

• a texture memory means for interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 110000,
• means for interpreting low and high indices into the table,
• means for interpreting a tile descriptor index, and
• means for loading a texture look up table into the texture memory based at least in part on the command identifier field and the indices.

A system for providing at least one display command for processing by a 3D graphics system, the system including:

• at least one processor,
• at least one memory, and
• means coupled to the processor and to the memory for providing at least one set primitive depth command including:
• a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 101110,
• a primitive depth parameter, and
• a primitive delta depth parameter.

In a 3D graphics system, a process for processing at least one set primitive depth command including:

• (a) interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 101110,
• (b) interpreting a primitive depth parameter,
• (c) interpreting a primitive delta depth parameter, and
• (d) generating at least one image based at least in part on steps (a)-(c).

A 3D graphics system for processing at least one set primitive depth command having a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 101110, the system including:

• means for interpreting a command identifier field having a six-bit binary value of 101110,
• means for interpreting a primitive depth parameter,
• means for interpreting a primitive delta depth parameter, and
• a display circuit that generates at least one image based at least in part on the parameters.