Computer graphics parallel system with temporal priority
First Claim
1. A system for processing differing data sets as provided in temporal sequence to be processed as distinct packets, said system comprising:
- a plurality of parallel processors, said processors being allowed differing processing operations on said differing data sets;
an output unit outputting said differing data sets in said temporal sequence;
a plurality of FIFOs coupled to said processors, a distinct FIFO being connected to one of said processors to allow independent operation of said one processor from remaining of said processors for accommodating said differing processing operations, said plurality of FIFOs being commonly coupled to said output unit; and
control means for said differing data sets flowing through said processors and said FIFOs to preserve said temporal sequence.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Front end processors in a graphics architecture execute parallel scan conversion and shading to process individually assigned primitive objects for providing update pixels. A crossbar along with groups of first-in-first-out registers (FIFOs) accommodates data flow to parallel pixel processors with associated memory capabilities (frame buffer banks) where visibility and blending operations are performed on predetermined sequences of update pixels to provide frame buffer pixels and ultimately display pixels. The pixel processors identify with sequences of pixels in the display in patterns designed to equalize processor loads for pixels located along scan lines of a raster, or distributed over an area. Update pixel data is tagged to identify FIFO groups (pixel processors) individual FIFO selection and output sequence. Temporal priority is accomplished so that primitive data is entered in the frame buffer banks (components) restored to the same order as generated at the central processor (CPU) level.
69 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for processing differing data sets as provided in temporal sequence to be processed as distinct packets, said system comprising:
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a plurality of parallel processors, said processors being allowed differing processing operations on said differing data sets; an output unit outputting said differing data sets in said temporal sequence; a plurality of FIFOs coupled to said processors, a distinct FIFO being connected to one of said processors to allow independent operation of said one processor from remaining of said processors for accommodating said differing processing operations, said plurality of FIFOs being commonly coupled to said output unit; and control means for said differing data sets flowing through said processors and said FIFOs to preserve said temporal sequence.
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2. A system for processing data sets as provided in temporal sequence to be processed as distinct packets, said system comprising:
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an input unit presenting an input operation of substantially a first duration, said data sets being provided to said input unit in said temporal sequence; a processor providing a processing operation of substantially a second duration; a plurality of N parallel output units providing output operations of substantially a third duration, said third duration being relatively greater than said first and second durations; a plurality of N FIFOs coupled to said processor and further coupled to said output units in a one-to-one correspondence as between a distinct FIFO and a distinct output unit to isolate said output units from each other for preserving said temporal sequence of said data sets in said output units; and control means for data sets flowing through said processor and said FIFOs to preserve said temporal sequence.
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3. A system for processing data sets as provided in temporal sequence to be processed as distinct packets, said system comprising:
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a plurality of N processors a coupled for parallel operation; a plurality of M output units coupled for parallel operation; an N×
M array of FIFOs coupled to said processors and output units whereby a FIFO distinctly connects one of said processors to one of said output units allowing independent operation of said one output unit from said one processor and from remaining of said output units; andcontrol means for data sets flowing through said processors, FIFOs and output units. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for processing data sets as provided in temporal sequence to be processed as distinct packets, said system comprising:
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a plurality of N processors coupled for parallel operation; a plurality of M output units coupled for parallel operation; an N×
M array of FIFOs coupled to said processors and output units whereby a distinct one of said FIFOs connects one of said processors to one of said output units allowing independent operation of said one processor from said remaining of said processors and from said one output unit; andcontrol means for data sets flowing through said processors and said FIFOs to preserve said temporal sequence.
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8. A graphics system for processing primitive data, as provided in a temporal sequence from a host computer, to provide display data in the form of display pixels related to locations in a display, said graphics system comprising:
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a primitive structure for processing said primitive data to provide representative update pixels and comprising a plurality of primitive processors for iteratively receiving and processing primitive data in parallel for individual primitives, whereby said temporal sequence is altered; a plurality of visibility-and-blend pixel processors, said visibility-and-blend processors each comprising an associated frame buffer bank for storing predetermined pixels related to locations in a display, said visibility-and-blend processors each for iteratively processing said update pixels into said associated frame buffer bank; a switch structure for supplying said update pixels from said primitive structure to said visibility-and-blend pixel processors in accordance with locations in a display; and a distribution structure for supplying said update pixels to said visibility-and-blend pixel processors in said temporal sequence. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of parallel processing computer graphics object data specifying primitives to provide display data comprising the steps of:
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receiving primitive data representative of primitives in a sequence of temporal priority; scan converting said primitive data in a plurality of parallel operations to provide streams of update pixel data disordered with respect to said temporal priority; storing said update pixel data for varying intervals to re-establish said temporal priority; and processing said update pixel data iteratively in a plurality of parallel operations to store frame buffer pixels as display data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification