Abstract: A data processing architecture comprising: an input device for receiving an incoming stream of data packets; and a plurality of processing elements which are operable to process data received thereby; wherein the input device is operable to distribute data packets in whole or in part to the processing elements in dependence upon the data processing bandwidth of the processing elements.

Abstract: A parallel data processing apparatus using a SIMD array of processing elements is disclosed. The apparatus makes use of a register in order to control issuance of instructions to the processing elements in the array.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus includes a SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) array (10) of processing elements. The processing elements are operably divided into a plurality of processing blocks, the processing blocks being operable to process respective groups of data items.

Abstract: A method and a system for scaling a digital source image consisting of a grid of X by Y pixels into a target image of a different resolution comprises the steps of/tools for: mapping the source pixels onto the target pixels; scaling the source image in the X or Y direction to produce intermediate pixels that are scaled in one direction by determining contributions to each intermediate pixel using a digital filter and accumulating the contributions for each intermediate pixel, wherein each source pixel contributes to one or more intermediate pixels and each intermediate pixel receives contributions from one or more source pixels; and subsequently scaling the intermediate pixels in the other direction by determining the contributions to each target pixel using the filter and accumulating the contributions for each target pixel; wherein each intermediate pixel contributes to one or more target pixels and each target pixel receives contributions from one or more intermediate pixels.

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a scene including a refractive object includes generating an illumination map, representing the scene. The method creates a first bitmap for the refractive object, the bitmap comprising a plurality of pixels; each of said pixels in the first bitmap is mapped to a pixel in a second bitmap, the mapping representing the effect of refraction on light passing through the object; and the effects of the light illuminating the pixels in the first bitmap are added into said second bitmap.

Abstract: Shading values in a graphics processing system are determined by using approximation techniques. For example, where a Beckmann Distribution Function (BDF) is used, the shading values are determined by reformulating the BDF in terms of the scalar product of the surface normal and the viewpoint-light half-vector to produce a modified BDF. A portion of the BDF is divided into a plurality of intervals, each defined by first and second control points at its boundaries. Each interval is then approximated using a cubic approximation to produce coefficients for use in determining the shading values. In alternative embodiments, other functions are approximated.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory device comprises an array of memory cells each of which has an output line associated therewith. The memory cells are arranged in an array having a width equalling the number of data bits transferred in parallel to and from the device.