Method and system for defining and controlling algorithmic elements in a graphics display system
First Claim
1. A graphics chip having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions for specifying a declaration array for a procedural shader, the declaration array setting forth procedural shader instructions accessible by a developer through an application programming interface (API) and comprising:
- a plurality of DWORDs wherein each of the plurality of DWORDs includes at least one token selected from a list of tokens that is interpretable by the graphics chip and provides an instruction to be performed by the procedural shader; and
at least an algorithmic element that is an instruction set packed into the plurality of DWORDs by the API and represents an already programmed algorithm that provides functionality for the procedural shader below or inside the API, the algorithmic element being accessible by a developer via the API and being formed by mapping the plurality of DWORDs to corresponding locations of the procedural shader for implementing the instructions for the at least one token.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An API is provided that enables programmability of a 3D chip, wherein programming or algorithmic elements written by the developer can be downloaded to the chip, thereby programming the chip to perform those algorithms. A developer writes a routine that is downloadable to a 3D graphics chip. There are also a set of algorithmic elements that are provided in connection with the API that have already been programmed for the developer, that are downloadable to the programmable chip for improved performance. Thus, a developer may download preexisting API objects to a 3D graphics chip. A developer adheres to a specific format for packing up an algorithmic element, or set of instructions, for implementation by a 3D graphics chip. The developer packs the instruction set into an array of numbers, by referring to a list of ‘tokens’ understood by the 3D graphics chip. This array of numbers in turn is mapped correctly to the 3D graphics chip for implementation of the algorithmic element by the 3D graphics chip.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A graphics chip having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions for specifying a declaration array for a procedural shader, the declaration array setting forth procedural shader instructions accessible by a developer through an application programming interface (API) and comprising:
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a plurality of DWORDs wherein each of the plurality of DWORDs includes at least one token selected from a list of tokens that is interpretable by the graphics chip and provides an instruction to be performed by the procedural shader; and at least an algorithmic element that is an instruction set packed into the plurality of DWORDs by the API and represents an already programmed algorithm that provides functionality for the procedural shader below or inside the API, the algorithmic element being accessible by a developer via the API and being formed by mapping the plurality of DWORDs to corresponding locations of the procedural shader for implementing the instructions for the at least one token. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A video card comprising:
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a video memory that stores input data stream elements; and a graphics chip having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, the computer-executable instructions for specifying a declaration array for a procedural shader that processes the input data stream elements, the declaration array setting forth procedural shader instructions accessible by a developer through an application programming interface (API) and comprising; a plurality of DWORDs wherein each of the plurality of DWORDs includes at least one token selected from a list of tokens that is interpretable by the graphics chip and provides an instruction to be performed by the procedural shader; and at least an algorithmic element that is an instruction set packed into the plurality of DWORDs by the API that represents an already programmed algorithm that provides functionality for the procedural shader below or inside the API, the algorithmic element being accessible by a developer via the API and being formed by mapping the plurality of DWORDs to corresponding locations of the procedural shader for implementing the instructions for the at least one token. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification