Full-scene antialiasing using improved supersampling techniques
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computerized method for rendering an image defined by pixels, the pixels having an allocated memory, the method comprising the steps of:
- selecting subpixel positions in a pixel as sample points;
storing a fragment value associated with a fragment of the image, the fragment covering at least one of the sample points;
linking each covered sample point to the stored fragment value to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment value;
processing a new fragment having a new fragment value, the new fragment being visible at one or more of the sample points of the pixel; and
replacing the stored fragment value with the new fragment value.
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus reduces aliasing artifacts in images defined by pixels. A pixel is partitioned into subpixel locations from which sample points are selected. A fragment of the image is determined to be visible at at least one of the sample points. A fragment value associated with that fragment is stored. Each sample point at which the fragment is visible is linked to the stored fragment value. A color of the pixel is computed from the stored fragment values to reduce the aliasing artifacts in the image.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computerized method for rendering an image defined by pixels, the pixels having an allocated memory, the method comprising the steps of:
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selecting subpixel positions in a pixel as sample points; storing a fragment value associated with a fragment of the image, the fragment covering at least one of the sample points; linking each covered sample point to the stored fragment value to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment value; processing a new fragment having a new fragment value, the new fragment being visible at one or more of the sample points of the pixel; and replacing the stored fragment value with the new fragment value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for reducing aliasing artifacts in an image defined by pixels comprising the steps of:
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selecting subpixel positions in a pixel as sample points; determining that a new fragment of the image is visible at one or more of the sample points of the pixel, the new fragment having a new fragment value; allocating addresses of memory for the pixel for storing a predetermined number of fragment values; replacing a selected one of the stored fragment values with the new fragment value if the predetermined number of fragment values are already stored in the allocated memory when the new fragment is determined to be visible, otherwise, storing the new fragment value; linking each sample point of the pixel at which the new fragment is visible to the stored new fragment value to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment value, the generated color improving the perceived quality of the image by reducing aliasing artifacts.
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13. A method for rendering an image defined by pixels comprising the steps of:
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determining that a fragment of the image is visible at a subpixel position of a pixel, the fragment having fragment data; storing the fragment data; associating a bit pattern with the stored fragment data, the bit pattern having a bit value that indicates the subpixel position is associated with the stored fragment data, to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment data; processing a new fragment having new fragment data, the new fragment being visible at one or more of the subpixel positions of the pixel; and replacing the stored fragment data with the new fragment data.
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14. An apparatus for rendering an image defined by pixels comprising:
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means for selecting subpixel positions in a pixel as sample points; means for storing a fragment value associated with a fragment of the image, the fragment covering one or more of the sample points in the pixel; and means for linking each covered sample point to the stored fragment value to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment value, the generated color improving the perceived quality of the image by reducing aliasing artifacts; means for processing a new fragment having a new fragment value, the new fragment being visible at one or more of the sample points of the pixel; and means for replacing the stored fragment value with the new fragment value.
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15. An apparatus for rendering an image defined by pixels, the apparatus comprising:
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a graphics device configured to select subpixel positions in a pixel as sample points; memory, coupled to the graphics device, for storing a fragment value associated with a fragment of the image, the fragment covering one or more of the sample points in the pixel, the graphics device linking each covered sample point of the pixel to the stored fragment value to enable the generation of a color of the pixel using the fragment value; and wherein; the graphics device is further configured to replace the stored fragment value with a new fragment value, the new fragment value being associated with a new fragment.
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Specification