Device, method, and system for generating per-pixel light values using texture parameters

A device for generating per-pixel values of pixels in a primitive by using texture parameters, the pixel values of the pixels in the primitive being partially defined by a plurality of parameters, where a pixel value is not such a parameter, the device comprising:

• a texture memory for storing a set of texture maps;
• a texture unit for receiving texture coordinates for accessing a set of selected texture maps in the texture memory, the set of selected texture maps being associated with a set of selected parameters wherein the selected parameters are selected from among the plurality of parameters that partially define a pixel value in the primitive, the texture unit generating a texture value associated with the pixel from each of the selected texture maps, and wherein at least one other parameter in the plurality of parameters are not selected and the at least one other parameter that is not selected from the plurality of parameters define a set of unselected parameters;
• and
• a rendering unit for generating the pixel value in response to the generated texture values and the set of unselected parameters;
• and a frame buffer in communication with said rendering unit, said frame buffer accepting said generated pixel value for storage.

A computer graphics system for generating per-pixel values for pixels in a primitive by using texture parameters, the pixel values being defined by a plurality of parameters, the system comprising:

• a bus;
• a processor coupled to a the bus;
• a main memory coupled to the bus;
• a storage unit coupled to the bus;
• and
• a graphics subsystem coupled to receive a plurality of parameters defining the pixel values for the pixels in the primitive, the graphics subsystem including:
• means for selecting parameters from the plurality of parameters to generate selected parameters and unselected parameters where the unselected parameters are the plurality of parameters that are not selected;
• means for substituting a texture value from a texture map in place of at least one selected parameter used in an algorithm that uses the selected parameter to determine a pixel value, the texture value varying over the primitive;
• and
• means for determining the pixel value by using the unselected parameters and the texture value varying over the primitive, wherein the set of unselected parameters are not a texture value and the texture value is associated with the selected parameters;
• and a frame buffer in communication with said rendering unit, said frame buffer accepting said generated pixel value for storage.