Abstract: A graphics processing unit and associated graphics processing method are provided. The graphics processing unit includes: an execution unit, for performing shader execution and texture loading; a fixed-function unit, for executing a graphics rendering pipeline; a memory-access unit; a texture unit, for reading texture data from a memory via the memory-access unit according to the data requirement of the execution unit or the fixed-function unit; and a command stream parser, for receiving a draw command from a display driver, and transmitting the draw command to the execution unit or the fixed-function unit to perform graphics processing according to the type of draw command. When the command stream parser determines that the draw command is a specific draw command, the command stream parser transmits the draw command only to the fixed-function unit to perform graphics processing, and turns off power to the execution unit.

Abstract: An on-chip sensor hub fabricated on a chip with a main processor of a mobile device, and the mobile device, and a method for multi-sensor management on the mobile device. An on-chip sensor hub includes a co-processor and uses an inter-process communication interface. The co-processor and main processor of the mobile device are fabricated on the same chip and communicate with each other via the inter-process communication interface. The co-processor controls a plurality of sensors in the mobile device in accordance with requests issued from the main processor. The co-processor further collects and manages sensor data from the sensors to be processed by the main processor.

Abstract: A method implemented in a graphics engine for decoding image blocks to derive an original image is provided. The method comprises receiving at least one encoded image data block at a block decoder, the at least one encoded image data block comprising a plurality of codewords and a bitmap. The method further comprises determining a block type based on the plurality of codewords and selecting a decoder unit among a plurality of decoder units in accordance with the block type.

Abstract: A method implemented in a graphics engine for decoding image blocks to derive an original image is provided. The method comprises receiving at least one encoded image data block at a block decoder, the at least one encoded image data block comprising a plurality of codewords and a bitmap. The method further comprises determining a block type based on the plurality of codewords and selecting a decoder unit among a plurality of decoder units in accordance with the block type.

Abstract: A method implemented in a graphics engine for decoding image blocks to derive an original image is provided. The method comprises receiving at least one encoded image data block at a block decoder, the at least one encoded image data block comprising a plurality of codewords and a bitmap. The method further comprises determining a block type based on the plurality of codewords and selecting a decoder unit among a plurality of decoder units in accordance with the block type.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering a graphic primitive by linear or perspective interpolation from vertex points. An interpolation engine is employed to interpolate channel values along edges of the primitive to determine values along a scan line containing a selected point. The interpolation engine is then employed to interpolate along the scan line. Processing time may further be reduced by the use of an improved adder/subtractor as a component of the interpolation engine to reduce sequential steps and improve parallelism.

Abstract: A graphics processing system has a cache which is partitionable into two or more slots. Once partitioned, the slots are dynamically allocatable to one or more texture maps. First, number of texture maps needed to render a given scene is determined. Then, available slots of the cache are allocated to the texture maps. Sometimes, more slots are allocated to the largest texture map. At other times, more slots are allocated to the texture map which is likely to be used most often. The slots can also be allocated equally to all of the texture maps needed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing shadow information for 3D computer graphics objects on a display for a graphic computer system are disclosed. The 3D objects are processed only once and the rendering and shadow generation information is stored in memory. In a subsequent two-dimensional pass, the shadow information is used to provide the color value at each rendered pixel. Thus, the latency and the need for storage capacity due to the multiple 3D pass processing are eliminated.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering a non-zero thickness line on a pixel-limited output device such that aliasing of the line is reduced. The edges defining a line segment are expanded to insure that any pixel touched by the line segment has its center included in the bounds of the line segment. The area of any pixel partially or fully covered by the expanded line is determined. If one edge of the line traverses the pixel, the area is determined according to whether a triangular or triangular plus parallelogram area is covered. If more than one edge of the line segment traverses a pixel, the area covered is computed based on the single edge case. With the area covered by the line segment known, the color or shading of the pixel is determined by linear interpolation between the line and the background.

Abstract: A method of cubic mapping with texturing is described. Neighboring pixels on an object are mapped to adjacent faces of the cube, but these adjacent faces do not guarantee continuity in the texture mip-map associated with each face. Therefore, the u and v texture map coordinates are adjusted after mapping to adjacent faces to make a continuity adjustment that insures that the LOD for the texture mip-map is the same for each adjacent face. The continuity adjustment includes either switching the u coordinate with the v coordinate or negating one of the coordinates or both. Additionally, if the u and v coordinates are normalized, the normalization may be compensated by adding or subtracting unity from the adjusted coordinate. After the continuity adjustment is made an approximation to the derivative is computed and used to determine the LOD for the mip-map. Texturing can then proceed using the LOD.

Abstract: A system and method for providing shadow information for 3D computer graphics objects on a display for a graphic computer system are disclosed. The 3D objects are processed only once and the rendering and shadow generation information is stored in memory. In a subsequent two-dimensional pass, the shadow information is used to provide the color value at each rendered pixel. Thus, the latency and the need for storage capacity due to the multiple 3D pass processing are eliminated.

Abstract: A graphics processing system has a cache which is partitionable into two or more slots. Once partitioned, the slots are dynamically allocatable to one or more texture maps. First, number of texture maps needed to render a given scene is determined. Then, available slots of the cache are allocated to the texture maps. Sometimes, more slots are allocated to the largest texture map. At other times, more slots are allocated to the texture map which is likely to be used most often. The slots can also be allocated equally to all of the texture maps needed.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: An image processing system including an image encoder and image decoding system is provided. The image encoder system includes an image decomposer, a block encoder, and an encoded image composer. The image decomposer decomposes the image into blocks. The block encoder, which includes a selection module, a codeword generation module and a construction module, processes the blocks. Specifically, the selection module computes a set of parameters from image data values of a set of image elements in the image block. The codeword generation module generates codewords, which the construction module uses to derive a set of quantized image data values. The construction module then maps each of the image element's original image data values to an index to one of the derived image data values. The image decoding system reverses this process to reorder decompressed image blocks in an output data file.

Abstract: An improved target and initiator. The initiator provides a starting address and length information on a bus synchronously with a clock signal. While the starting address and length information are present on the bus, the initiator provides a write or a read request signal that is activated and deactivated synchronously. The initiator then receives from the target unit a grant signal that is activated and deactivated synchronously. After the grant signal is deactivated, for a write operation, the initiator provides a number of write data items on the bus synchronously for capture by the target unit. For a read operation, the target provides a number of read data items on the bus synchronously for capture by the initiator unit. One data item provided in each clock cycle of the clock signal and the number of data items is determined by the length information provided.

Abstract: A system and method for providing shadow information for 3D computer graphics objects on a display for a graphic computer system are disclosed. The 3D objects are processed only once and the rendering and shadow generation information is stored in memory. In a subsequent two-dimensional pass, the shadow information is used to provide the color value at each rendered pixel. Thus, the latency and the need for storage capacity due to the multiple 3D pass processing are eliminated.