Buffer management in vector graphics hardware
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for processing vector graphics primitives, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor unit comprising;
counters configured to store a value indicating a current state of a fill rule for each of a sub-pixel sampling point for a pixel;
a first internal buffer configured to store at least one indicator bit value for each pixel, wherein said at least one indicator bit indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve limited counter values from a second buffer or complete counter values from an external memory; and
determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve and to retrieve the counter value from the external memory or the second buffer based on the indicator bit values;
the apparatus further comprising a bus operatively coupled to the processor unit and the external memory.
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Abstract
A graphics processor or a graphics block for use in a processor includes a type buffer used for determining if a currently processed pixel requires further processing. Each pixel has a number of sub-pixels and each sub-pixel line includes at least one counter that is stored in an edge buffer. A limited edge buffer that can store edge buffer values in a limited range can be employed. Each buffer can include information regarding the whole screen or a portion of thereof. The edge buffer also can be an external or internal buffer, and when implemented internally, the graphics processor or graphics block need not employ a bi-directional bus.
33 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for processing vector graphics primitives, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor unit comprising; counters configured to store a value indicating a current state of a fill rule for each of a sub-pixel sampling point for a pixel; a first internal buffer configured to store at least one indicator bit value for each pixel, wherein said at least one indicator bit indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve limited counter values from a second buffer or complete counter values from an external memory; and determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve and to retrieve the counter value from the external memory or the second buffer based on the indicator bit values; the apparatus further comprising a bus operatively coupled to the processor unit and the external memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for processing vector graphics primitives, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor unit comprising; counters configured to store a value indicating a current state of a fill rule for each of a sub-pixel sampling point for a pixel; a first internal buffer configured to store at least one indicator bit value for each pixel, wherein said at least one indicator bit indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve filling information from a second internal buffer; the second internal buffer configured to store counter values; and determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve and to retrieve the counter value from the second internal buffer or from an external memory based on the indicator bit values; the apparatus further comprising a unidirectional bus operatively coupled to the processor unit and configured to receive instructions and data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A graphics processing device, comprising:
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a display; an external memory; a processing unit operatively coupled to the external memory for processing vector graphics primitives, including; counters configured to store a value indicating a current state of a fill rule for each of a sub-pixel sampling point for a pixel, a first internal buffer configured to store at least one indicator bit value for each pixel, wherein said at least one indicator bit indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve limited counter values from a second buffer or complete counter values from the external memory, and determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve and to retrieve the counter value from the external memory or the second buffer based on the indicator bit values; and a bus operatively coupled to the processing unit and the external memory. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A graphics processing device, comprising:
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a display; a processing unit for processing vector graphics primitives, including; counters configured to store a value indicating a current state of a fill rule for each of a sub-pixel sampling point for a pixel, a first internal buffer configured to store at least one indicator bit value for each pixel, wherein said at least one indicator bit indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve filling information from a second internal buffer, the second internal buffer configured to store limited counter values, and determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve and to retrieve the limited counter values from the second internal buffer based on the indicator bit values or complete counter values from an external memory; and a unidirectional bus operatively coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive instructions and data.
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Specification