Abstract: This disclosure describes area-based rasterization techniques that can improve the performance of a graphics processor. The techniques may include selecting a rasterization mode for a graphics primitive from a set of at least two candidate rasterization modes based on a metric indicative of an area of the graphics primitive. The techniques may further include performing, with fixed function scan conversion hardware of the graphics processor, scan conversion for the graphics primitive when a first candidate rasterization mode is selected as the rasterization mode for the graphics primitive. The techniques may further include performing, with a programmable shader unit of the graphics processor, scan conversion for the graphics primitive when a second candidate rasterization mode is selected as the rasterization mode for the graphics primitive.

Abstract: The example techniques described in this disclosure may be directed to interaction between a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a system memory. For example, the GPU may include a memory copy engine that handles tasks related to accessing data that is stored or is to be stored in the system memory. In addition, in some examples, the memory copy engine may perform additional tasks such as modification tasks to increase the performance of the GPU.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of processing graphics that includes organizing graphics data into a plurality of polygons and assigning to each of the polygons a polygon index value that indicates an order in which each polygon will be rendered. The method also includes associating pixels of graphics data with one of the polygon index values and determining when the pixels of graphics data will finish rendering based at least partially on the association of the pixels to the one of the polygon index values. The method also includes resolving the pixels of video data based on the determination.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling a graphics processing unit. In an example, the method includes receiving one or more tasks from a host processor, and scheduling, independently from the host processor, the one or more tasks to be selectively executed by a shader processor and one or more fixed function hardware units, wherein the shader processor is configured to execute a plurality of instructions in parallel, and the one or more fixed function hardware units are configured to render graphics data.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of controlling a graphics processing unit. In an example, the method includes receiving one or more tasks from a host processor, and scheduling, independently from the host processor, the one or more tasks to be selectively executed by a shader processor and one or more fixed function hardware units, wherein the shader processor is configured to execute a plurality of instructions in parallel, and the one or more fixed function hardware units are configured to render graphics data.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of processing graphics that includes organizing graphics data into a plurality of polygons and assigning to each of the polygons a polygon index value that indicates an order in which each polygon will be rendered. The method also includes associating pixels of graphics data with one of the polygon index values and determining when the pixels of graphics data will finish rendering based at least partially on the association of the pixels to the one of the polygon index values. The method also includes resolving the pixels of video data based on the determination.

Abstract: The example techniques described in this disclosure may be directed to interaction between a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a system memory. For example, the GPU may include a memory copy engine that handles tasks related to accessing data that is stored or is to be stored in the system memory. In addition, in some examples, the memory copy engine may perform additional tasks such as modification tasks to increase the performance of the GPU.

Abstract: This disclosure describes area-based rasterization techniques that can improve the performance of a graphics processor. The techniques may include selecting a rasterization mode for a graphics primitive from a set of at least two candidate rasterization modes based on a metric indicative of an area of the graphics primitive. The techniques may further include performing, with fixed function scan conversion hardware of the graphics processor, scan conversion for the graphics primitive when a first candidate rasterization mode is selected as the rasterization mode for the graphics primitive. The techniques may further include performing, with a programmable shader unit of the graphics processor, scan conversion for the graphics primitive when a second candidate rasterization mode is selected as the rasterization mode for the graphics primitive.

Abstract: Antialiasing method and apparatus for video applications. A method for antialiasing a video graphic. A determination is first made as to the relative position of a desired pixel being within the polygon and proximate to the edge of the polygon. Once the relative position is known, then a determination is made as to whether it meets a first predetermined condition or a second predetermined condition. If the relative position meets the first condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion. If the relative position meets the second predetermined condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion.

Abstract: Antialiasing method and apparatus for video applications. A method for antialiasing a video graphic. First, the processor renders the pixels and, during the step of rendering, determines if an edge pixel of a polygon is being rendered. If so, a sample point is defined within each pixel and a determination made if the sample point lies within the polygon or outside of the polygon. If the sample point lies within the polygon, the color of the edge pixel is set to the color of the polygon. If the sample point lies outside of the polygon, the color of the edge pixel is set to the color of the background. The percentage of the pixel that lies in the space associated with the sampling point is then calculated. The color of the pixel is stored in a frame buffer in association with the percent value that lies in the space associated with the sample point and in association with an indication that the sample point lies within the polygon or outside of the polygon.

Abstract: Present invention teaches a method and a system for enhanced visibility test in three-dimensional computer graphics. In the invention two separate visibility tests (22, 25) are applied. The visibility tests harness a Z-buffer (21). First test (22) is applied directly after geometry processing (20). After first test the occlusion information of the primitives is computed and stored to an occlusion buffer (24). The occlusion cache (24) may be compressed. The second visibility test (25) is applied for buffered primitives. Visible primitives are rasterized and moved to the frame buffer. The content of the frame buffer is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: Antialiasing method and apparatus for video applications. A method for antialiasing a video graphic. A determination is first made as to the relative position of a desired pixel being within the polygon and proximate to the edge of the polygon. Once the relative position is known, then a determination is made as to whether it meets a first predetermined condition or a second predetermined condition. If the relative position meets the first condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion. If the relative position meets the second predetermined condition, then the color of at least an adjacent pixel is blended with the color of the desired pixel in a predetermined proportion.