Abstract: A method according to the invention conserves host system resources by compressing an image region according to the type of graphics command used to generate or modify the region. As an image is being rendered, a list of modified image regions is maintained. For each modified image region, metadata are associated with the region to identify the type of graphics command that was used to produce the modification. Per-region choices of compression algorithms can then be made responsive to the metadata without regard to the content of the image data itself.

Abstract: Embodiments of graphics systems and methods are disclosed. In one method embodiment, among others, a graphics method comprises receiving a first command having a first screen region, receiving a second command having a second screen region, and replacing the first command and the second command with a single command having one of the first screen region and the second screen region if the first screen region encompasses the second screen region or the second screen region encompasses the first screen region, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of graphics systems and methods are disclosed. In one method embodiment, a graphics method comprises receiving information about a line primitive and segmenting the line primitive with a plurality of bounding areas.

Abstract: A method comprises providing image copy and modify commands to a receiver. Each copy command causes pixel values in an area of a display associated with the receiver to be copied to another area of the display and each modify command causes at least one pixel value in an area of the display to be modified. The method further comprises generating a future copy region if a future copy command that is providable to the receiver is encountered. The future copy region defines one or more rectangles of pixels on the display that are copyable in the future on the display associated with the receiver. The method also comprises using the future copy region to avoid sending a future copy command to the receiver that will copy pixel values that are to be modified on a display associated with a sending system.

Abstract: A second system that comprises a receiver and an emulator. The receiver receives a packet from a first system on which a first operating system executes. The packet comprises information associated with a device driver call that comports with a device protocol of the first system and that originated on the first system. The emulator converts the packet's information associated with the device driver to a device protocol of a second operating system. The second operating system is different than the first operating system.

Abstract: Embodiments of graphics systems and methods are disclosed. In one method embodiment, among others, a graphics method comprises receiving a first command having a first screen region, receiving a second command having a second screen region, and replacing the first command and the second command with a single command having one of the first screen region and the second screen region if the first screen region encompasses the second screen region or the second screen region encompasses the first screen region, respectively.

Abstract: A method comprises providing image copy and modify commands to a receiver. Each copy command causes pixel values in an area of a display associated with the receiver to be copied to another area of the display and each modify command causes at least one pixel value in an area of the display to be modified. The method further comprises generating a future copy region if a future copy command that is providable to the receiver is encountered. The future copy region defines one or more rectangles of pixels on the display that are copyable in the future on the display associated with the receiver. The method also comprises using the future copy region to avoid sending a future copy command to the receiver that will copy pixel values that are to be modified on a display associated with a sending system.

Abstract: Embodiments of graphics systems and methods are disclosed. In one method embodiment, a graphics method comprises receiving information about a line primitive and segmenting the line primitive with a plurality of bounding areas.

Abstract: A method according to the invention conserves host system resources by compressing an image region according to the type of graphics command used to generate or modify the region. As an image is being rendered, a list of modified image regions is maintained. For each modified image region, metadata are associated with the region to identify the type of graphics command that was used to produce the modification. Per-region choices of compression algorithms can then be made responsive to the metadata without regard to the content of the image data itself.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for managing context information in a graphics system having multiple displays configured as a single logical screen (SLS). In accordance with one embodiment a system is provided comprising a single device driver coupled to directly communicate with display hardware of at least two displays, a graphics API (application program interface) for communicating graphics information to the single device driver, a memory configured to store context information, the memory in communication with the single device driver, and a mechanism configured to direct context data from the memory to the display hardware of one of the displays.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system and method for managing context information in a graphics system having multiple displays configured as a single logical screen (SLS). In accordance with one embodiment a system is provided comprising a single device driver coupled to directly communicate with display hardware of at least two displays, a graphics API (application program interface) for communicating graphics information to the single device driver, a memory configured to store context information, the memory in communication with the single device driver, and a mechanism configured to direct context data from the memory to the display hardware of one of the displays.

Abstract: A computer graphics system includes a lighting system that performs lighting efficiently by selecting dynamically the lighting space in which lighting calculations are to be performed to thereby minimize resources required to be expended to perform lighting. A particular preferred lighting coordinate system is then selected, based upon particular criteria, and the light source information is transformed to the selected coordinate system (if necessary) where lighting is performed. The dynamic selection can take many objective indicia into account, such as whether functions other than lighting must be performed in either of the coordinate systems, whether transformation of the lighting information is possible and the relative efficiencies of performing lighting in one coordinate system verses the other coordinate system.

Abstract: Graphics window systems which utilize graphics pipelines and graphics pipeline bypass buses. Hardware solutions for window relative rendering of graphics primitives, block moving of graphics primitives, transfer of large data blocks, and elimination of pipeline flushing are disclosed. The hardware implementations provided in accordance with the invention are interfaced along the pipeline bypass bus, thereby eliminating gross overhead processor time for the graphics pipeline and reducing pipeline latency. Methods and apparatus provided in accordance with the invention exhibit significant pipeline efficiency and reductions in time to render graphics primitives to the screen system.

Abstract: Graphics window systems which utilize graphics pipelines and graphics pipeline bypass buses. Hardware solutions for window relative rendering of graphics primitives, block moving of graphics primitives, transfer of large data blocks, and elimination of pipeline flushing are disclosed. The hardware implementations provided in accordance with the invention are interfaced along the pipeline bypass bus, thereby eliminating gross overhead processor time for the graphics pipeline and reducing pipeline latency. Methods and apparatus provided in accordance with the invention exhibit significant pipeline efficiency and reductions in time to render graphics primitives to the screen system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a computer graphics system for the storage and retrieval of pixel information is described. The computer graphics system includes a screen display. The method and apparatus are implemented in a frame buffer, wherein the frame buffer memory is divided into a first memory section for storage of the pixel information and second and third memory sections. A clipping member provides clipping information for use in the display of the pixel information in a first region of the display screen. The clipping information is stored in the second memory section. A display mode member provides display mode information for use in the display of the pixel information in a second region of the display screen. The display mode information is stored in the third memory section. The clipping information and the display information are stored in the frame buffer memory separate from one another. The frame buffer memory preferably includes an array of VRAM devices.

Abstract: Graphics window systems which utilize graphics pipelines and graphics pipeline bypass buses. Hardware solutions for window relative rendering of graphics primitives, block moving of graphics primitives, transfer of large data blocks, and elimination of pipeline flushing are disclosed. The hardware implementations provided in accordance with the invention are interfaced along the pipeline bypass bus, thereby eliminating gross overhead processor time for the graphics pipeline and reducing pipeline latency. Methods and apparatus provided in accordance with the invention exhibit significant pipeline efficiency and reductions in time to render graphics primitives to the screen system.

Abstract: Graphics window systems which utilize graphics pipelines and graphics pipeline bypass buses. Hardware solutions for window relative rendering of graphics primitives, block moving of graphics primitives, transfer of large data blocks, and elimination of pipeline flushing are disclosed. The hardware implementations provided in accordance with the invention are interfaced along the pipeline bypass bus, thereby eliminating gross overhead processor time for the graphics pipeline and reducing pipeline latency. Methods and apparatus provided in accordance with the invention exhibit significant pipeline efficiency and reductions in time to render graphics primitives to the screen system.