Abstract: In a specific embodiment of the present invention RGB video data is converted to a YUV video data representation. The YUV video data is compressed and transmitted over a data bus to a memory device. Also transmitted is a compression indicator. The memory device buffers arid decompresses the compressed data. The decompressed data is converted back into uncompressed RGB video, and stored in a memory array. During a read cycle, the RGB data is converted into YUV video data, and compressed at the memory before being transmitted to the graphics processor along with a compression indicator. The graphics processor decompresses the data and provides it to the requesting client.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for an anti-aliasing process that allows for super-sampling at a high subpixel resolution, but does not require the process and memory resources typically required for conventional super-sampling at this subpixel resolution. Each pixel is partitioned into an array that provides for a large number of subpixels, and a smaller set of super-samples from this set of subpixels are sampled and used to determine the resultant pixel values. Because the set of super-samples is substantially smaller in number (less than half) than the number of subpixels, the processing and memory requirements are substantially reduced. The set of super-samples are preferably determined so as to provide for a uniform sampling frequency in each of the major axes, and along each diagonal, even though the super-samples may not provide an uniform sampling of each pixel area.

Abstract: A memory system and method uses common memory for multiple controllers associated with, for example, differing data manipulation functions, such as video graphics related functions or other suitable functions. A multiplexer, configured as a time slicer, selects data for transfer with the memory over a first bus at a first rate. The multichannel serializer is coupled between the multiplexer and a plurality of controllers through a plurality of second buses. Each of the second buses is associated with a different channel. The multichannel serializer has a serializer for each of the plurality of second buses wherein each of the serializers transfers data associated with a channel at a second rate associated with a corresponding controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing line anti-aliasing begins by walking a mathematical line based on the Bresenham technique. While walking the mathematical line at each pixel along the mathematical line- pixel coverage area is determined for each pixel of a set of pixels, where the set of pixels traverse a minor direction of the mathematical line. Note that for the mathematical line, the minor direction is the X direction when &Dgr;Y is greater than &Dgr;X and is in the Y direction when &Dgr;X is greater than &Dgr;Y. Once the coverage pixel coverage area of each pixel in the set of pixels has been determined, the intensity for each pixel in the set of pixels is determined. The intensity corresponds to the particular RGB value being generated for subsequent display.

Abstract: An anti-aliasing technique for sampling an image for display on a pixel based display is presented. The image, or set of objects forming an image, is sampled at a resolution higher than the pixel spatial resolution. The resultant multiple sampled values for each pixel are accumulated, and the accumulated value is used to determine an average pixel value that is used for the display of the pixel. To minimize memory requirements, the rendering plane is used to temporarily store a portion of the accumulated value for each pixel. To minimize processing, the multiple of samples per pixel is a power of 2, and the portion of the accumulated value that is stored in the rendering plane is the most significant bits (MSB) of the accumulated value. Because of the use of a power of 2 as the number of samples, the MSB of the accumulated value is equal to the average of the accumulated value, and therefore the need for an explicit computation of an average for each pixel is eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing line anti-aliasing begins by walking a mathematical line based on the Bresenham technique. While walking the mathematical line—at each pixel along the mathematical line—pixel coverage area is determined for each pixel of a set of pixels, where the set of pixels traverse a minor direction of the mathematical line. Note that for the mathematical line, the minor direction is the X direction when &Dgr;Y is greater than &Dgr;X and is in the Y direction when &Dgr;X is greater than &Dgr;Y. Once the coverage pixel coverage area of each pixel in the set of pixels has been determined, the intensity for each pixel in the set of pixels is determined. The intensity corresponds to the particular RGB value being generated for subsequent display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing video graphics processing that includes anti-aliasing begins when a video graphics processor receives vertex parameters of an object-element and walks a first edge of the object element and a second edge of the object element. The video graphics processor walks the first and second edges based on calculations involving a decision corner and an error term. The calculations indicate which direction to walk on a pixel by pixel basis, i.e., whether the walking should be in the major direction or the minor direction. The calculations also identify pixels that contain fragment pixel information, i.e., the pixels along the edges of the object element. For each fragment pixel, subpixel masks are created for each object element that is present in the fragmented pixel. From the subpixel masks, subpixel sequences are determined, which are used to produce pixel information of the fragment pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing video graphics processing that includes anti-aliasing begins when a video graphics processor receives vertex parameters of an object-element and walks a first edge of the object element and a second edge of the object element. The video graphics processor walks the first and second edges based on calculations involving a decision corner and an error turn. The calculations indicate which direction to walk on a pixel by pixel basis, i.e., whether the walking should be in the major direction or the minor direction. The calculations also identify pixels that contain fragment pixel information, i.e., the pixels along the edges of the object element. For each fragment pixel, subpixel masks are created for each object element that is present in the fragmented pixel. From the subpixel masks, subpixel sequences are determined, which are used to produce pixel information of the fragment pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deferred rendering of pixel information is accomplished by receiving at least a portion of an object element list (Eg. triangle descriptor list) which contains object element descriptor information for each object to be displayed on at least a portion of the display. Upon receiving this information, z-components of each object element (Eg. triangle) is compared with the other object elements based on pixel location. As the comparisons are being made, the identity of an object element that is visible at a particular pixel location (Eg. in the foreground with respect to other objects) is stored in a manner that corresponds with the particular pixel location. Once the z-components for all of the object elements have been compared, the object elements identified in the memory have pixel information generated therefor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is used in a graphics system to scan a polygon that minimizes the number of pixels scanned outside of the polygon. A direction (e.g., the direction of the major scan axis) is chosen so that once inside the polygon, advancements along the direction do not take the scanning outside of the polygon until substantially all of the interior pixels of the polygon have been scanned. The direction is selected based on the angular orientations of the edges of the polygon. During the scanning, advancements along the direction result in starting points from which lines are pixels are scanned (e.g., lines following a minor scan axis). Each line of pixels ends at one of the edges of the polygon.