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Method and apparatus for compositing colors of images with memory constraints for storing pixel data

  • US 6,204,859 B1
  • Filed: 10/15/1997
  • Issued: 03/20/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computerized method for determining a color of a pixel of an image, the pixel being associated with a set of subpixel samples, the set of subpixel samples having a plurality of subpixel samples, the set of subpixel samples having a number of subpixel samples, comprising:

  • storing a plurality of distinct fragment values for the pixel up to a predetermined maximum number of distinct fragment values, each stored fragment value being associated with at least one subpixel sample, each stored fragment value being associated with a fragment that is visible in the pixel, the predetermined maximum number of fragment values being less than the number of subpixel samples;

    determining that a new fragment is visible in the pixel with at least one other fragment with a stored fragment value still being visible in the pixel, the new fragment having a new fragment value;

    selecting one of the visible stored fragment values; and

    replacing the selected fragment value with the new fragment value wherein the stored fragment values are subsequently used to generate the color of the pixel.

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