Abstract: A graphics pipeline system and associated method are provided with an integrated clipping operation. First included is a transform module positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming graphics data from a first space to a second space. Also provided is a lighting module positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module. The lighting module is adapted for performing lighting operations on the graphics data. A clipping operation is also performed utilizing the single semiconductor platform.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for improving display characteristics in a computer graphics pipeline. Initially, color data is received from memory of the computer graphics pipeline. Thereafter, the saturation and/or sharpness of the color data is altered for improving display characteristics. Next, the color data is outputted for being displayed by a display device.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently rendering and displaying the color intensity information of a pixel in a computer system is disclosed. The pixel includes a plurality of fragments. The method and system comprises providing a weighted average of a preselected number of the plurality of fragments for a pixel for a plurality of the color intensity information to a first portion of a register. The register is within a data structure in the computer system. The method and system also includes providing the color intensity information of a preselected number of fragments, except the one with the largest coverage to at least one additional portion of the register. The method and system further includes sending the information in the first portion and at least one additional portion to a memory in the computer system and sending the information in the first portion and at least one additional portion of the memory to a display.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided with an integrated clipping operation. First included is a transform module adapted for being coupled to a buffer to receive graphics data therefrom. Such transform module is positioned on a single semiconductor platform for transforming the graphics data from a first space to a second space. Also provided is a lighting module coupled to the transform module and positioned on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module. The lighting module is adapted for performing lighting operations on the graphics data received from the transform module. A range clamp inversion function and a clipping operation are performed on the same single semiconductor platform as the transform module and the lighting module.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from a first space to a second space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module. During use, an antialiasing feature is implemented to improve a quality of the graphics rendering.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for being coupled to a vertex attribute buffer for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for being coupled to a vertex attribute buffer for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for being coupled to a vertex attribute buffer for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from a first space to a second space. Further, the transform module of the graphics pipeline system is capable of carrying out a blending operation. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. During use, the lighting module of the graphics pipeline system is capable of carrying out a fog operation.

Abstract: A graphics pipeline system is provided for graphics processing. Such system includes a transform module adapted for being coupled to a vertex attribute buffer for receiving vertex data. The transform module serves to transform the vertex data from object space to screen space. Coupled to the transform module is a lighting module which is positioned on the single semiconductor platform for performing lighting operations on the vertex data received from the transform module. Also included is a rasterizer coupled to the lighting module and positioned on the single semiconductor platform for rendering the vertex data received from the lighting module.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a reflection from a three-dimensional environment map. The apparatus includes a reflection vector generator which receives an eye vector and a normal vector neither of which need be normalized. This reflection vector generator generates a reflection vector without vector normalization. The reflection vector generator then couples to a decoder to supply the generated reflection vector. The decoder, in turn, determines a location where the reflection vector indexes the selected 2-dimensional map which forms part of the environment map.

Abstract: A system for quadratic and higher order interpolation of pixel color and other pixel values into a bitmap image enables enhanced shading for generation of realistic computer graphics images. The system incorporates modules for executing incremental evaluation of pixel values, utilizing forward differencing in N arbitrary directions of incremental evaluation. The system alternatively incorporates non-incremental evaluation elements for directly evaluating polynomials or executing a spline function of control points.

Abstract: Texture mapping apparatus includes a memory for storing input texture values, interpolators for generating illumination values for sets of display pixels, elements for addressing the memory to generate output texture values, and logic elements for combining the output texture values and the illumination values to generate display color values for each pixel.

Abstract: Image display equipment has a memory element for storing a selected combinatorial function of a cursor pattern and image field existing at an addressed cursor position, and has a controllable selector for displaying, at the cursor field, either the image field or the combined cursor field and image pattern. A single display memory can store the image field, the cursor pattern, and the selected combination of cursor pattern and image field. Selection logic addresses the stored combination pattern in lieu of the image field to provide the desired cursor display at the addressed cursor position.