Abstract: A graphics system comprising a series of calculation units. The calculation units comprise a first subset and a second subset of calculation units. A first calculation unit of the series generates a first digital video stream and a second digital video stream. Each calculation unit of the first subset: (a) passes the second digital video stream to a next calculation unit of the series unmodified; and (b) computes first pixel values, injects or mixes the first pixel values into the first digital video stream, and passes the modified first digital video stream to the next calculation unit. Similarly, each calculation unit of the second subset injects or mixes second pixel values into the second digital video stream, and passes the first digital video stream unmodified. A last calculation unit of the series drives one or more display devices in response to the first and second digital video streams.

Abstract: A sample-to-pixel calculation unit in a graphics system may comprise an adder tree. The adder tree includes a plurality of adder cells coupled in a tree configuration. Input values are presented to a first layer of adder cells. Each input value may have two associated control signals: a data valid signal and a winner-take-all signal. The final output of the adder tree equals (a) a sum of those input values whose data valid signals are asserted provided that none of the winner-take-all signals are asserted, or (b) a selected one of the input values if one of the winner-take-all bits is asserted. The selected input value is the one whose winner-take-all bit is set. The adder tree may be used to perform sums of weighted sample attributes and/or sums of coefficients values as part of pixel value computations.

Abstract: A dithering system comprising a dithering unit, a storage medium, and an averaging unit. The dithering unit is configured to receive a set of data values, to add dither values to the data values, and to truncate the resultant addition values to L-bit truncated values. The storage medium is configured to store the L-bit truncated values. The averaging unit is configured to read the L-bit truncated values from the storage medium, and to compute an average value using at least a subset of the L-bit truncated values. The dither values may have an average value of approximately one-half. The dither values may approximate a uniform distribution of numbers between ?A+½ and A+½, wherein A is greater than or equal to one. Alternatively, the dithering unit may receive a temporal stream of data values, and the average unit may perform a temporal average (e.g. an FIR filter). The dithering system may be incorporated in a graphics system. In this case, data values may represent rendered sample values (e.g.

Abstract: A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer at computed positions or locations in the sample buffer. The graphics system may utilize a window ID that specifies attributes of pixels on a per object basis. The window ID may specify one or more of a sample mode, filter type, color attributes, or source attributes. The sample mode may include single sample per pixel mode and multiple samples per pixel mode. In implementing a single sample per pixel mode, the graphics system may be further operable to generate a single sample per pixel for certain windows of the screen in order to, for example, provide backwards compatibility with legacy systems with no multi-sampling support.

Abstract: A computer graphics system may comprise a graphics processor, a sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer in response to received graphics data. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit generates a plurality of output pixels by filtering the rendered samples based on a filter function. The pixels may be computed by generating a weighted sum of sample values (e.g. red sample values) for samples falling within the filter support. The coefficients used in the weighted sum may be added to form a normalization factor. One weighted sum of sample values may be computed per pixel attribute such as red, green, blue and alpha. The normalization factor may be computed in parallel with one or more of the weighted sums. Normalized pixel values may be obtained by dividing the weighted-sums by the normalization factor.

Abstract: A graphics system comprising a series of calculation units. The calculation units comprise a first subset and a second subset of calculation units. A first calculation unit of the series generates a first digital video stream and a second digital video stream. Each calculation unit of the first subset: (a) passes the second digital video stream to a next calculation unit of the series unmodified; and (b) computes first pixel values, injects or mixes the first pixel values into the first digital video stream, and passes the modified first digital video stream to the next calculation unit. Similarly, each calculation unit of the second subset injects or mixes second pixel values into the second digital video stream, and passes the first digital video stream unmodified. A last calculation unit of the series drives one or more display devices in response to the first and second digital video streams.

Abstract: A sample-to-pixel calculation unit in a graphics system may comprise an adder tree. The adder tree includes a plurality of adder cells coupled in a tree configuration. Input values are presented to a first layer of adder cells. Each input value may have two associated control signals: a data valid signal and a winner-take all signal. The final output of the adder tree equals (a) a sum of those input values whose data valid signals are asserted provided that none of the winner-take all signals are asserted, or (b) a selected one of the input values if one of the winner-take-all bits is asserted. The selected input value is the one whose winner-take-all bit is set. The adder tree may be used to perform sums of weighted sample attributes and/or sums of coefficients values as part of pixel value computations.

Abstract: A dithering system comprising a dithering unit, a storage medium, and an averaging unit. The dithering unit is configured to receive a set of data values, to add dither values to the data values, and to truncate the resultant addition values to L-bit truncated values. The storage medium is configured to store the L-bit truncated values. The averaging unit is configured to read the L-bit truncated values from the storage medium, and to compute an average value using at least a subset of the L-bit truncated values. The dither values may have an average value of approximately one-half. The dither values may approximate a uniform distribution of numbers between −A+½ and A+½, wherein A is greater than or equal to one. Alternatively, the dithering unit may receive a temporal stream of data values, and the average unit may perform a temporal average (e.g. an FIR filter). The dithering system may be incorporated in a graphics system.

Abstract: A computer graphics system may comprise a graphics processor, a sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer in response to received graphics data. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit generates a plurality of output pixels by filtering the rendered samples based on a filter function. The pixels may be computed by generating a weighted sum of sample values (e.g. red sample values) for samples falling within the filter support. The coefficients used in the weighted sum may be added to form a normalization factor. One weighted sum of sample values may be computed per pixel attribute such as red, green, blue and alpha. The normalization factor may be computed in parallel with one or more of the weighted sums. Normalized pixel values may be obtained by dividing the weighted-sums by the normalization factor.

Abstract: A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer and may utilize a window ID that specifies attributes of pixels on a per object basis. The window ID may specify one or more of a sample mode, filter type, color attributes, or source attributes. The sample mode may include single sample per pixel mode and multiple samples per pixel mode. The graphics system may be further operable to generate a single sample per pixel for certain windows of the screen in order to provide backwards compatibility with legacy systems.

Abstract: A computer graphics system that utilizes a super-sampled sample buffer and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit for refreshing the display. The graphics system may have a graphics processor, a super-sampled sample buffer, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The graphics processor renders samples into the sample buffer at computed positions or locations in the sample buffer. The graphics system may utilize a window ID that specifies attributes of pixels on a per object basis. The window ID may specify one or more of a sample mode, filter type, color attributes, or source attributes. The sample mode may include single sample per pixel mode and multiple samples per pixel mode. In implementing a single sample per pixel mode, the graphics system may be further operable to generate a single sample per pixel for certain windows of the screen in order to, for example, provide backwards compatibility with legacy systems with no multi-sampling support.