Illumination and shadow simulation in a computer graphics/imaging system
First Claim
1. A light source subassembly for use in a real-time computer image generator having depth buffer means associated with an observer'"'"'s position for storing data signals representative of observer-visible polygon pixels, the subassembly comprising:
- at least one additional depth buffer means associated with a different light source illuminating a scene to be displayed, for temporarily storing data signals representative of portions of the scene which are illuminated by the light source; and
light processor means receiving the data signals from said at least one additional depth buffer means for adjusting proportionally an intensity of illumination on each pixel displayed to an observer of the scene responsive to each different light source forming the totality of light sources illuminating each pixel rendered by the observer depth buffer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The total illumination of each pixel to be displayed by a real-time computer image generator, is determined for at least one source illuminating a scene to be displayed, by storing in an observer depth buffer data signals representing those portions of object polygons visible to the observer in each pixel of the display, and storing in a source depth buffer, associated with each of the at least one scene-illuminating light sources, data signals representing illumination intensity received by each polygon pixel viewable from that associated source. A data signal, for each displayable pixel in the observer depth buffer, is generated by combining in non-saturating manner the illumination intensity of each light source impingent upon the equivalent pixel in all of the associated source depth buffers.
123 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A light source subassembly for use in a real-time computer image generator having depth buffer means associated with an observer'"'"'s position for storing data signals representative of observer-visible polygon pixels, the subassembly comprising:
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at least one additional depth buffer means associated with a different light source illuminating a scene to be displayed, for temporarily storing data signals representative of portions of the scene which are illuminated by the light source; and light processor means receiving the data signals from said at least one additional depth buffer means for adjusting proportionally an intensity of illumination on each pixel displayed to an observer of the scene responsive to each different light source forming the totality of light sources illuminating each pixel rendered by the observer depth buffer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for determining total illumination of each pixel to be displayed to an observer by a display means in a real-time computer image generator, comprising the steps of:
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storing data signals representative of object polygon pixels visible to the observer in each pixel of the display; storing data signals representing an illumination intensity received from a different light source by each polygon pixel viewable from that source; and generating an illumination intensity data signal for each display pixel visible to the observer, responsive to the stored light source illumination data signals, to obtain an illumination intensity having proportional contributions from said each different light source impingent upon each visible pixel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A light source subassembly for use in a computer imaging system having depth buffer means associated with an observer'"'"'s position for storing data signals representative of observer-visible polygon pixels, the subassembly comprising:
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at least one additional depth buffer means associated with a different light source illuminating a scene to be displayed, for temporarily storing data signals representative of portions of the scene which are illuminated by the light source; and light processor means receiving the data signals from said at least one additional depth buffer means for adjusting proportionally an intensity of illumination on each pixel displayed to an observer of the scene responsive to each different light source forming the totality of light sources illuminating each pixel rendered by the observer depth buffer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 32)
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25. A method for determining total illumination of each pixel to be displayed to an observer by a display means in a computer imaging system, comprising the steps of:
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storing data signals representative of object polygon pixels visible to the observer in each pixel of the display; storing data signals representing an illumination intensity received from a different light source by each polygon pixel viewable from that source; and generating an illumination intensity data signal for each display pixel visible to the observer, responsive to the stored light source illumination data signals, to obtain an illumination intensity having proportional contributions from said each different light source impingent upon each visible pixel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification