Abstract: Systems and methods provide a more efficient and effective gradient computation. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is provided for calculating a texture-mapping gradient, which comprises calculating constant values for use in a gradient-calculating equation, passing the constant values to logic configured to calculate the gradient, and computing the gradient using barycentric coordinates and the calculated constant values. In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for calculating a texture-mapping gradient, which comprises logic for calculating constant values for use in a gradient-calculating equation, and logic for computing the gradient-calculating equation using barycentric coordinates and the calculated constant values. In accordance with another embodiment, a computer-readable medium is also provided that contains code (e.g., RTL logic) for generating the computational logic mentioned above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable-width object builder for use in a graphics memory system of a computer graphics display system. The ratio of tile size to object size is variable. The tile size to object size ratio for the object builder can be 1:1 or greater. The frame buffer controller of the graphics memory system preferably comprises three memory controllers. The object builder preferably outputs either two 32-bit words or two 24-bit words. The object builder preferably utilizes a general purpose object building algorithm that eliminates stalls in the incoming stage of the object builder, thereby eliminating the potential for wasted states at the output of the object builder. A side effect of reducing the complexity of the object building algorithm is that a variety of tile and object sizes can be accommodated. The ratio of tile size to object size can range from 1 to 2 without any significant change in architecture, and higher ratios can be accommodated by adding additional backup registers.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a more efficient and effective gradient computation. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is provided for calculating a texture-mapping gradient, which comprises calculating constant values for use in a gradient-calculating equation, passing the constant values to logic configured to calculate the gradient, and computing the gradient using barycentric coordinates and the calculated constant values. In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for calculating a texture-mapping gradient, which comprises logic for calculating constant values for use in a gradient-calculating equation, and logic for computing the gradient-calculating equation using barycentric coordinates and the calculated constant values. In accordance with another embodiment, a computer-readable medium is also provided that contains code (e.g., RTL logic) for generating the computational logic mentioned above.