Abstract: In graphics processing data is received representing one or more vertices for a scene in a virtual space. Primitive assembly is performed on the vertices to compute projections of the vertices from virtual space onto a viewport of the scene in a screen space of a display device containing a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels being subdivided into a plurality of subsections. Scan conversion determines which pixels of the plurality of pixels are part of each primitive that has been converted to screen space coordinates. Coarse rasterization for each primitive determines which subsection or subsections the primitive overlaps. Metadata associated with the subsection a primitive overlaps determines a pixel resolution for the subsection. The metadata is used in processing pixels for the subsection to generate final pixel values for the viewport of the scene that is displayed on the display device in such a way that parts of the scene in two different subsections have different pixel resolution.

Abstract: In a computer graphics processing unit (GPU) having a shader and a texture unit the pixel shader is configured to receive or generate one or more sets of texture coordinates per pixel sample location. The pixel shader and texture unit between them are configured to calculate texture space gradient values for one or more primitives and generate and apply per-pixel gradient scale factors configured to modify the gradient values to smoothly transition them between regions of a display device having different pixel resolutions.

Abstract: A device may be run in a timing testing mode in which the device is configured to disrupt timing of processing that takes place on the one or more processors while running an application with the one or more processors.

Abstract: In a computer graphics processing unit (GPU) having a texture unit, when pixel sample locations are based on a non-orthonormal grid in scene space, the texture unit receives texture space gradient values directly, e.g., from a shader unit or generates them from texture coordinates supplied, e.g., by a shader unit, and then applies a transformation to the gradient values configured to adjust the gradient values to those which would arise from the use of a orthonormal screen space grid.

Abstract: A new device executing an application on a new central processing unit (CPU), determines whether the application is for a legacy device having a legacy CPU. When the new device determines that the application is for the legacy device, it executes the application on the new CPU with selected available resources of the new device restricted to approximate or match a processing behavior of the legacy CPU.

Abstract: A new device executing an application on a new CPU determines whether the application is for a legacy device having a legacy CPU. When the application is for the legacy device, the new CPU executes the application with selected features of the new CPU that are not present on the legacy CPU disabled, or with a latency of instruction execution of the new CPUs altered to match or approximate a latency of the legacy CPU, or with algorithmic details of operation of one or more units of the new CPU altered to match or approximate algorithmic details of operation of corresponding units of the legacy CPU.

Abstract: In a computer graphics processing unit (GPU) having a texture unit, when pixel sample locations are based on a non-orthonormal grid in scene space, the texture unit receives texture space gradient values directly, e.g., from a shader unit or generates them from texture coordinates supplied, e.g., by a shader unit, and then applies a transformation to the gradient values configured to adjust the gradient values to those which would arise from the use of a orthonormal screen space grid.

Abstract: An application runs at a first operating frequency if the application is designed for a current version of a system and runs at a second operating frequency if the application is designed for a prior version of the system that operates at a lower frequency than the first operating frequency. The second operating frequency may be higher than the operating frequency of the prior version of the system to account for differences in latency, throughput or other processing characteristics between the two systems. Software readable cycle counters are based on a spoof clock running at the operating frequency of the prior version of the system, rather than the true operating frequency. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In a computer graphics processing unit (GPU) having a texture unit, when pixel sample locations are based on a non-orthonormal grid in scene space, the texture unit receives texture space gradient values directly, e.g., from a shader unit or generates them from texture coordinates supplied, e.g., by a shader unit, and then applies a transformation to the gradient values configured to adjust the gradient values to those which would arise from the use of a orthonormal screen space grid.

Abstract: In graphics processing data is received representing one or more vertices for a scene in a virtual space. A projection of the vertices onto a screen space of a display device is performed. The projection approximates a projection of the vertices onto a curved viewport. Primitive assembly is performed on the vertices to generate a one or more primitives in screen space from the projection of the vertices onto the screen space. Scan conversion is performed on the one or more primitives to determine which pixel or pixels of the plurality of pixels are part of corresponding primitives of the one or more primitives. A finished frame is then generated by performing pixel processing to assign pixel values to the pixel or pixels that are part of the corresponding primitives. In some implementations, the finished frame can be stored in the memory or displayed on the display device.

Abstract: In graphics processing data is received representing one or more vertices for a scene in a virtual space. Primitive assembly is performed on the vertices to compute projections of the vertices from virtual space onto a viewport of the scene in a screen space of a display device containing a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels being subdivided into a plurality of subsections. Scan conversion determines which pixels of the plurality of pixels are part of each primitive that has been converted to screen space coordinates. Coarse rasterization for each primitive determines which subsection or subsections the primitive overlaps. Metadata associated with the subsection a primitive overlaps determines a pixel resolution for the subsection. The metadata is used in processing pixels for the subsection to generate final pixel values for the viewport of the scene that is displayed on the display device in such a way that parts of the scene in two different subsections have different pixel resolution.

Abstract: Graphics processing renders a scene with a plurality of different rendering parameters for different locations on a screen area. A rendering parameter context is set up for each of a plurality of zones and each zone is assigned a zone index. An object covering at least two zones of the screen area is set up in memory. These zones are assigned to corresponding zone indices as part of setting up the object. A draw is issued for the object. Alternatively, graphics depicting one or more objects mapped to a screen area are processed. The screen area includes a plurality of zones, each having a different set of rendering parameters. Primitives belonging to one of the objects that covers at least two of the zones are received. Each primitive is assembled to screen space by iterating each primitive over each zone it covers using the rendering parameters of the respective zone with each iteration.

Abstract: In a computer graphics processing unit (GPU) having a shader and a texture unit the pixel shader is configured to receive or generate one or more sets of texture coordinates per pixel sample location. The pixel shader and texture unit between them are configured to calculate texture space gradient values for one or more primitives and generate and apply per-pixel gradient scale factors configured to modify the gradient values to smoothly transition them between regions of a display device having different pixel resolutions.

Abstract: Graphics processing may include implementing a vertex shader and a pixel shader with the GPU. Vertex indices output from a vertex shader may be written to a cache. The vertex indices written to the cache may be accessed with the pixel shader and vertex parameter values associated with the vertex indices may be accessed from a memory unit with the pixel shader. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A set of graphics primitive information for a virtual object may be processed with compute shader running on a graphics processing unit (GPU) to generate a modified set of primitive information. The modified set of primitive information may be passed to a vertex shader running on the GPU. The vertex shader may perform vertex shading on the modified set of primitive information. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A GPU is configured to read and process data produced by a compute shader via the one or more ring buffers and pass the resulting processed data to a vertex shader as input. The GPU is further configured to allow the compute shader and vertex shader to write through a cache. Each ring buffer is configured to synchronize the compute shader and the vertex shader to prevent processed data generated by the compute shader that is written to a particular ring buffer from being overwritten before the data is accessed by the vertex shader. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A graphics processing may include implementing a vertex shader and a pixel shader with a GPU. Vertex parameter values may be compressed with the vertex shader and compressed vertex parameter values may be written to a cache. The pixel shader may access the compressed vertex parameter values that were written to the cache and decompress the compressed vertex parameter values. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A system and method for environment mapping determines a computer-generated object's reflective appearance, based upon position and orientation of a camera with respect to the object's location. An embodiment of the present invention is implemented as a real-time environment mapping for polygon rendering, however, the scope of the invention covers other rendering schemes. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vector processing unit (VPU) uses a modified reflection formula—r=e?(e·(n+eo))(n+eo)/(1?nz)=e?(e·[nx, ny, nz?1])[nx, ny, nz?1]/(1?nz), wherein eo=[0,0,?1], and nx, ny, and nz are the components of the surface normal vector n—to compute reflective properties of an object.

Abstract: There is provided a graphics processing system that includes a main processing unit and a graphics processing unit (GPU). The main processing unit puts rendering commands generated using a graphics library in the queue of a command buffer in a main memory. In this process, the library function offered by the graphics library is converted into the rendering commands, without any rendering attributes retained in the library. The GPU reads and executes the rendering commands stacked in the command buffer, and generates rendering data in a frame buffer.

Abstract: A method for control over the level of detail within a rendered object is provided. The method may be a program embodied on a machine readable medium. The method identifies a set of parent vertices defining a polygon within a rendered object. A child vertex of the set of parent vertices is generated and pushed toward a predetermined location within the anticipated contours of the rendered object. One of the parent vertices is then connected to the child vertex to generate an additional polygon. A graphics engine configured to control a level of detail in a rendered object through the generation of additional polygons in the rendered object is also provided.