Buffer management in vector graphics hardware
First Claim
1. A processor unit for processing vector graphics primitives, the 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
determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve the counter value and whether to retrieve the counter value from an external memory or from a second internal buffer based on the indicator bit values.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A processor unit for processing vector graphics primitives, the processor unit comprising:
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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 determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve the counter value and whether to retrieve the counter value from an external memory or from a second internal buffer based on the indicator bit values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A processor unit for processing vector graphics primitives, the processor unit comprising:
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an internal memory configured to store a portion of vector graphics primitives; and 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, wherein said value indicates status of the counters indicating the state of the fill rule and indicates whether to retrieve filling information from an external memory; wherein said portion of vector graphics primitives is a tile corresponding to a portion of the internal memory wherein said vector graphics primitives are stored.
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15. A handheld device, comprising:
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a display; an external memory; and a processing unit operatively coupled to the external memory for processing vector graphics primitives, and 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 determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve the counter value and whether to retrieve the counter value from the external memory or from a second internal buffer based on the indicator bit values. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for processing vector graphics primitives, the apparatus comprising:
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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 determination logic configured to determine whether or not to retrieve the counter value and whether to retrieve the counter value from an external memory or from a second internal buffer based on the indicator bit values, wherein the apparatus is further configured to clear said external memory by resetting said indicator bit values from said first internal buffer. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32)
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Specification