Reuse of static image data from prior image frames to reduce rasterization requirements

A method of rendering images in a data processing system, comprising:

• rendering a first image frame by rasterizing dynamic and static geometry from a three dimensional scene such that the first image frame includes dynamic image data and static image data respectively generated during rasterization of the dynamic and static geometry when rendering the first image frame, wherein rasterizing the static geometry when rendering the first image frame includes storing the static image data generated during rasterization of the static geometry in a static frame buffer, wherein rasterizing the dynamic geometry when rendering the first image frame includes storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in a dynamic frame buffer, and wherein rendering the first image frame includes copying static image data from the static frame buffer to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• determining if new dynamic geometry to be rasterized is provided for a second, subsequent image frame prior to rasterizing any new dynamic geometry for the second, subsequent image frame;
• if so, rendering the second, subsequent image frame by rasterizing dynamic geometry from the scene and reusing static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame such that the second image frame includes dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame and static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame, wherein rasterizing the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame includes storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in the dynamic frame buffer, wherein rendering the second image frame includes copying static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• and
• if not, rendering the second, subsequent image frame by bypassing copying of the static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer and displaying the static image data stored in the static frame buffer.

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• program code configured to be executed by the at least one processor, wherein the program code is configured to:
• render a first image frame by rasterizing dynamic and static geometry from a three dimensional scene such that the first image frame includes dynamic image data and static image data respectively generated during rasterization of the dynamic and static geometry when rendering the first image frame, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the static geometry when rendering the first image frame by storing the static image data generated during rasterization of the static geometry in a static frame buffer, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the dynamic geometry when rendering the first image frame by storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in a dynamic frame buffer, and wherein the program code is configured to render the first image frame by copying static image data from the static frame buffer to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• determine if new dynamic geometry to be rasterized is provided for a second, subsequent image frame prior to rasterizing any new dynamic geometry for the second, subsequent image frame;
• if so, render the second, subsequent image frame by rasterizing dynamic geometry from the scene and reusing static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame such that the second image frame includes dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame and static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame by storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in the dynamic frame buffer, and wherein the program code is configured to render the second image frame by copying static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• and
• if not, render the second, subsequent image frame by bypassing copying of the static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer and displaying the static image data stored in the static frame buffer.

A program product comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium;
• and
• program code stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium and configured upon execution to:
• render a first image frame by rasterizing dynamic and static geometry from a three dimensional scene such that the first image frame includes dynamic image data and static image data respectively generated during rasterization of the dynamic and static geometry when rendering the first image frame, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the static geometry when rendering the first image frame by storing the static image data generated during rasterization of the static geometry in a static frame buffer, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the dynamic geometry when rendering the first image frame by storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in a dynamic frame buffer, and wherein the program code is configured to render the first image frame by copying static image data from the static frame buffer to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• determine if new dynamic geometry to be rasterized is provided for a second, subsequent image frame prior to rasterizing any new dynamic geometry for the second, subsequent image frame;
• if so, render the second, subsequent image frame by rasterizing dynamic geometry from the scene and reusing static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame such that the second image frame includes dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame and static image data generated during rendering of the first image frame, wherein the program code is configured to rasterize the dynamic geometry when rendering the second image frame by storing the dynamic image data generated during rasterization of the dynamic geometry in the dynamic frame buffer, and wherein the program code is configured to render the second image frame by copying static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer prior to storing the dynamic image data in the dynamic frame buffer;
• and
• if not, render the second, subsequent image frame by bypassing copying of the static image data stored in the static frame buffer during rendering of the first image frame to the dynamic frame buffer and displaying the static image data stored in the static frame buffer.