Computer graphics system with adaptive pixel multisampler

• US 5,943,060 A
• Filed: 03/17/1998
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Drews, Michael D., Cosman, Michael A., Watkins, Gary S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US09/040,031
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 345/431-2, 345/433, 345/112-4, 345/136, 345/149
• US Class Current: 345/613
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/503 Blending, e.g. for anti-aliasing

Abstract

An adaptive pixel multisampler generates pixel data for display by using sub-pixel areas to more broadly define the space of a pixel. A sub-pixel area is defined as having a "hole" within it that is occupied by a portion of each of the adjacent sub-pixel areas. This means that while the sub-pixel areas interlock, they do not overlap which would be wasteful of memory space. Accordingly, a pixel is newly defined as extending over a larger area than a standard contiguous pixel definition of the prior art allows. The larger pixel thus provides a wider sampler area which is then used as a means for generating a higher quality anti-aliased image on the display.

Claims

1. A computer graphics process for generating pixel data to display images on a display device containing an array of pixels, comprising the steps of:

storing primitives representative of said images;

defining non-contiguous sub-pixel areas for said pixels;

processing said primitives using said sub-pixel areas to compute sub-pixel pixel data; and

processing said sub-pixel pixel data to generate composite pixel data to display images on said display device.

2. The computer graphics process of claim 1 wherein said sub-pixel areas for one of said pixels do not overlap any of said sub-pixel areas for another of said pixels.

3. The computer graphics process of claim 2 wherein said sub-pixel areas for one of said pixels interlocks with said sub-pixel areas for another of said pixels.

4. The computer graphics process of claim 1 further including the step of storing, for each of said pixels, said sub-pixel pixel data for each of said primitives that contribute to said each of said pixels.