Abstract: A method and apparatus antialias a region of a two-dimensional distance field representing an object. The two-dimensional distance field is partitioned into cells where each cell includes a method for reconstructing the two-dimensional distance field within the cell. A set of cells of the two-dimensional distance field associated with the region is identified and a set of pixels associated with the region is located. For each pixel, a set of components is specified. For each component, a distance is determined from the set of cells and then mapped to the antialiased intensity of the component of the pixel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dropout control in which one or more samples are added to adjacent samples that fall within an image outline. The samples are used in sub-pixel rendering to compensate for unnaturally thin or faint object stems. Horizontal dropout control operations are provided to add samples to sets of horizontally adjacent samples such that each set of samples comprises a minimum number of samples. Vertical dropout control operations are provided to position samples such that the weighted anti-aliasing filtering will take sufficient account of the samples. In one embodiment, an associative table is utilized to calculate alternative patterns of samples. In another embodiment, the baseline of an object is used in the dropout control operations to reduce artifacts that can be created by the addition of samples in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A system, device and method are disclosed for predicting the opacity of primitives used to produce an image using one or more equations, prior to producing an image. More specifically, the present invention relates to a 3D device adapted to produce an image comprising an opacity estimate predictor adapted to predict opacity of at least one primitive using at least one first equation and further adapted to reject the primitive if the predicted opacity is equal to a minimum value.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for rendering a plurality of triangles. Information regarding the triangle may first be received. The method may then determine the longest edge or major edge of the triangle and also determine the direction or axis of the longest edge of the triangle. The method may then perform edge walking on the major edge (e.g., along the axis of the major edge) of the triangle, followed by span walking. The edge walking is preferably always performed on the major or longest edge of the triangle, prior to the span walking, and regardless of the orientation of the major edge of the triangle. This operates to load balance the edge walker and the span walker for the plurality of triangles.

Abstract: Hybrid sampling of pixels of an image involves generating shading values at multiple shading sample locations and generating depth values at multiple depth sample locations, with the number of depth sample locations exceeding the number of shading sample locations. Each shading sample location is associated with one or more of the depth sample locations. Generation and filtering of hybrid sampled pixel data can be done within a graphics processing system, transparent to an application that provides image data.

Abstract: A method for is provided for antialiasing a computer graphics image using filtering. The method comprises the steps of defining a plurality of regions having samples from pixels in the computer graphics image, where the regions are associated with a pixel of interest and adjacent pixels to form an antialiasing filter. Another step is determining a contrast for each region. A further step is blending the regions that form the filter based on the contrast for each region.

Abstract: A method for determining device-specific information for pixels to obtain an optimal display of fine structure monochrome images on an output display device, the method comprising determining a set of device-specific pixel input values that will cause the display system to display a corresponding set of target visual output intensities relative to the output display device, and determining a device-specific sub-pixel geometry for all the pixels of the output display device. Displaying for each of the pixels a selected visual output intensity relative to the output display device at a sub-pixel position according to a corresponding pixel input value will cause an optimal display of fine structure monochrome images to be displayed on the output display device.

Abstract: An interface for a World Wide Web (WWW) browser is described which recognizes HyperText Markup Language (HTML) links embedded in WWW pages. Normally, such links are highlighted on a graphics screen and are activated using a pointing device such as a computer mouse. When each HTML link is recognized by the interface, it is assigned an identifier which can be selected by a user of a system incorporating the interface by means defined by the interface other than a mouse, for example by a keypad.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an anisotropic filtering configuration where a ratio value is computed as the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of a pixel projection on a texture map. The number of subpixels generated and sampled is based upon the value of the ratio. For four-way anisotropic filtering, subpixels are generated that move as the computed ratio between the major and minor axis increases. Subpixels may be placed anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 texel distance from the pixel center depending on the computed ratio. The contribution of the subpixels is equally weighted.

Abstract: A polygon rendering system for receiving geometric data defining a polygon in an image being generated. The polygon rendering system renders the geometric data as pixel data. The pixel data defines pixels used to display the image. The system comprises a first memory buffer for storing the pixel data. It also comprises a second memory buffer for storing additional pixel data used to render edge pixels at a higher resolution than pixels that are not the edge pixels. Edge pixels are pixels that are located on an edge of the polygon in the image. The system also comprises a display controller for outputting the pixel data in the first memory buffer to output circuitry. The polygon rendering system identifies which of the pixels are the edge pixels and the display controller updates contents of the first buffer with data based on contents of the second buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus antialias a region of a set of objects. The set of objects is represented by a set of two-dimensional distance fields. Each distance field is partitioned into cells, where each cell is associated with a method for reconstructing the distance field within the cell. For each distance field, a set of cells associated with the region is identified. A set of pixels associated with the region is located and a set of components is specified for each pixel. For each component of each pixel, a corresponding distance for the component is determined for each distance field using the corresponding set of cells and the corresponding distances are combined to determine a combined distance. The combined distance is mapped to an antialiased intensity of the component of the pixel.

Abstract: A de-convolution process is applied to an MR, CT or other image (25) of a scanned-object (23) to derive the point-spread function (22?) at an object-edge and to pin-point from the mid-point of its full-width-half-maximum FWHM, the location (30) of the true image-edge. With the object-image (25?) overlying the PSF function (22?) in the de-convolution space, sub-pixels which follow location (30) are transferred to before it to re-construct the image-edge (25?) for sharper conformity to the object-edge (23). Sharp definition of image-contour (37) facilitates accurate determination of area and volume of image profiles (35) and their segmentation. The accurate image-edge definition enables viable correction of geometrical distortion in stand-alone MR diagnosis and treatment planning.

Abstract: A sample filtering system and method for concurrently filtering sample data for two or more sequential pixels (in a scan-line) are disclosed. The system may include a sample cache, a control register, a read cache controller, and a sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The read cache controller reads a first set of S samples from the sample cache, and outputs a second set of S samples to the sample-to-pixel calculation unit. The second set of samples may have one or more subsets of samples, with each subset of samples selected to cover the filter region for one of the sequential pixels. The sample-to-pixel calculation unit may process each subset separately and concurrently.

Abstract: A method of generating pixels in a graphics system including providing a plurality of sub-samples, and providing a source pixel. It is determined which of the plurality of sub-samples are covered by the source pixel, and which of the plurality of sub-samples are not covered. The sub-samples which are covered by the source pixel are filtered. The filtered sub-samples are blended with the source pixel to create a blended sub-sample, followed by the filtering of the sub-samples which are not covered by the source pixel together with the blended sub-sample.

Abstract: A fast text/graphics resolution improvement algorithm is based on boundary parameterization and uses chain-code table look-up. Given an input representation containing text/graphics objects, the boundary of each object is traced, parameterized, smoothed, and subsequently rendered. Instructions for the critical operations are stored in one or more pre-computed look-up tables (LUTs) which is/are accessed during on-line operation, resulting in an algorithm that is fast and computationally inexpensive with low memory requirements. A very flexible framework is presented which can be utilized in a variety of applications requiring resolution improvement.

Abstract: A circuit for outputting area pattern bits from an area pattern array. The circuit includes a first stage, second stage and third stage. The first stage is configured to output N adjacent scan lines from a 2N×2N area pattern array based on a first address. N is a positive integer. The second stage is configured to receive the N adjacent scanlines and to select an N×N block from the N adjacent scanlines based on a second address. The third stage is configured to (a) select an (N/2)×N region of bits from the N×N block and load bits of the (N/2)×N region into a set of pixel tag outputs in a first mode, and (b) select an N×(N/2) region of bits from the N×N block and load bits of the N×(N/2) region into the set of pixel tag outputs in a second mode.

Abstract: A graphics system comprises pixel calculation units and a sample buffer which stores a two-dimensional field of samples. Each pixel calculation unit selects positions in the two-dimensional field at which pixel values (e.g. red, green, blue) are computed. The pixel computation positions are selected to compensate for image distortions introduced by a display device and/or display surface. Non-uniformities in a viewer's perceived intensity distribution from a display surface (e.g. hot spots, overlap brightness) are corrected by appropriately scaling pixel values prior to transmission to display devices. Two or more sets of pixel calculation units driving two or more display devices adjust their respective pixel computation centers to align the edges of two or more displayed images. Physical barriers prevent light spillage at the interface between any two of the display images. Separate pixel computation positions may be used for distinct colors to compensate for color distortions.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for improving the off-normal axis viewing angle by applying different filters if one colored sub-pixel data is driven close to 100% luminance while other colored sub-pixel data is driven close to 50% luminance values. Systems and methods for adjusting the viewing characteristics of the display system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A graphic display apparatus for displaying a graphic which is represented by binary bit map data includes: a display device including a plurality of sub-pixels; and a control section for controlling the display device, wherein the plurality of sub-pixels form a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of groups includes a predetermined plural number of sub-pixels, and the control section assigns each of bits included in the bit map data to one of the plurality of groups and displays the graphic by controlling sub-pixels included in the one of the plurality of groups based on information about bits located in the vicinity of the bit assigned to the one of the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A system and method for generating sample points that can generate the sample points in parallel. The sample points can be used in processing in parallel, with the results subsequently collected and used as necessary in subsequent rendering operations. Sample points are generated using a coarse Halton sequence, which makes use of coarse radical inverse values ?bi,M(j) as follows: ?bi,M(j)=?b(jM+i) where base “b” is preferably a prime number, but not a divisor of “M,” and “i” is an integer. Using this definition, the s-dimensional coarse Halton sequence USCHal,i,M, which may be used to define sample points for use in evaluating integrals, is defined as UsCHal,i,M=(?b1i,M(j), . . . , ?bsi,M(j)) where b1, . . . , bs are the first “s” prime numbers that are not divisors of “M.” Each value of “i” defines a subsequence that is a low-discrepancy sequence, and so can be used in connection with processing.

Abstract: Hardware acceleration of the rending and animation of characters that treat each pixel sub-component as a distinct luminance intensity source. A bit-map representation of the sub-component-oriented character is generated by using a single image sample to generate each pixel sub-component. This may be accomplished by, for example overscaling a representation of the character, placing the overscaled representation of the character on grid, and then assigning a luminance and possibly a transparency value to each grid position based on the property of the overscaled character at the grid position. The, the character is rendered by interfacing with a hardware graphic unit that perform the final rendering and animation of the character.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting different anti-aliasing filters to be applied to objects of image data rendered with pixel sub-component precision based on the attributes of the objects of the graphics image. For example, when rendering a character traditional anti-aliasing applied in the direction parallel to the striping of the pixel sub-components is adapted to the unique requirements of different character font sizes such that a large amount of anti-aliasing is applied to large font sizes while a small amount of anti-aliasing is provided for characters at small font sizes. Displaced sampling is utilized to determine the alpha values for a plurality of vertical samples for each RGB pixel sub-component. The selected anti-aliasing filter is applied to the alpha values to determine the luminous intensity values of the RGB pixel sub-components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dropout control in which one or more samples are added to adjacent samples that fall within an image outline. The samples are used in sub-pixel rendering to compensate for unnaturally thin or faint object stems. Horizontal dropout control operations are provided to add samples to sets of horizontally adjacent samples such that each set of samples comprises a minimum number of samples. Vertical dropout control operations are provided to position samples such that the weighted anti-aliasing filtering will take sufficient account of the samples. In one embodiment, an associative table is utilized to calculate alternative patterns of samples. In another embodiment, the baseline of an object is used in the dropout control operations to reduce artifacts that can be created by the addition of samples in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reproducing a pre-selected larger 2-D sample location pattern from a smaller one by means of X,Y address permutation. This method, for example, allows hardware to effectively reproduce a pre-selected set of sample locations for an array of 128×128 sample bins from a smaller set of pre-selected sample locations for an array of 2×2 sample bins. A permutation logic unit may use a first portion of an address for a sample bin B to identify a corresponding 2-D transformation, apply the inverse of the transformation to a second portion of the sample bin address to identify the corresponding bin of the 2×2 array of sample bins, and apply the transformation to the sample locations stored in the corresponding bin to reproduce the sample locations pre-selected for sample bin B.

Abstract: Procedure for digital picture edge-smoothing refers to a method of smoothing the rough edges, around the objects, in a digital picture, as a result of enlargement. The procedure consists of detecting the rough edges and removing some pixel(s), so that edge will become smoother. If the edge has a 45 degrees angle, made of 2 by 2 pixels, will become an edge of 1 by 1 pixel. If the edge has 4 by 2 pixels, it will become a 2 by 1 pixel edge.

Abstract: An integer arithmetic graphic line scan-conversion procedure sub-divides a pixel grid into a 1/N sub-pixel grid, where N is a positive integer selected to provide a desired precision. A line segment is defined by a pair of vertices relative to the sub-pixel grid. The vertices are ordered such that the line segment is in one of the first and the second quadrants, depending upon the slope of the line segment. An integer estimate is made of the slope of the line segment relative to the sub-pixel grid. The scan progresses along a major axis at pixel intervals, while best-fit integer projections of the line segment are made along an orthogonal axis relative to the sub-pixel grid. A resulting array of integer line-scan points relative to the sub-pixel grid are used to adjust color and brightness attributes of display pixels, and the resulting adjusted pixels are output to a display device to create an image of the scanned line segment. In a preferred embodiment, N is a positive power of 2.

Abstract: A method for determining areas of sub-pixel regions formed by edges in a pixel includes receiving a first fill style to a first side of an edge, a second fill style to a second side of the edge, and a projected area of the edge to the second side of the edge. The method further includes determining if there is a sub-pixel region in the cell having the first fill style. If so, the method further includes (1) incrementing an area of the sub-pixel region by the difference between the unit area of the pixel and the projected area, and (2) modularizing the area by the unit area of the pixel. If not, the method further includes saving in the cell a sub-pixel region having (1) the first fill style and (2) an area equal to a difference between a unit area of the pixel and the projected area.

Abstract: A graphics processing system performs filtering of oversampled data during a scanout operation. Sample values are read from an oversampled frame buffer and filtered during scanout; the filtered color values (one per pixel) are provided to a display device without an intervening step of storing the filtered data in a frame buffer. In one embodiment, the filtering circuit includes a memory interface configured to read data values corresponding to sample points from a frame buffer containing the oversampled data; and a filter configured to receive the data values provided by the memory interface, to compute a pixel value from the data values, and to transmit the pixel value for displaying by a display device, wherein the filter computes the pixel value during a scanout operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, including a computer program apparatus, implementing techniques for reducing aliasing artifacts when shaping a digital image such as a digital matte. Prior to shaping the image, the computer program generates a set of subpixel data values as a function of the pixels of the digital image. Each subpixel data value has an integer component and a fractional component and represents an interpolation between the corresponding pixel and one or more adjacent pixels. After generating the subpixel data values, the computer program maps the subpixel data values to new subpixel data values. The computer program adjusts the original pixel data according to the new subpixel data values, thereby shaping the image. In one configuration, the computer program applies additional lookup tables or image processing operations, such as image shading, directly to the new subpixel data values before updating the pixel data.

Abstract: To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems.

Abstract: A value for expressing the fraction of the area occupied by a polygon within a pixel and a value for expressing the degree of transparency of the pixel are multiplied together for each pixel. The multiplied product is reset as the degree of transparency for each pixel, according to which a color preset for each pixel composing the polygon is mixed with the colors of other pixels rendered on a two-dimensional coordinate which is substantially the same as that for the pixels composing the polygon. This allows semi-transparent polygons to be processed by anti-aliasing without being changed into opaque polygons.

Abstract: Character data to be displayed is obtained. The obtained character data is boldfaced by increasing a character line width of the obtained character data in a first direction by an amount corresponding to at least a width of a light-emitting element. A boldfaced character is displayed on a display screen in accordance with data derived from the boldfaced character data. In boldfacing the character data, a character line width-increasing pattern is selected in accordance with a degree to which the luminous intensity of the light-emitting elements contributes. In particular, the step of increasing the character line width in order to boldface the character data avoids a pattern in which a B-light (blue) emitting element is located at a next-to-endmost inner position of the increased character line width. A light-emitting pattern is selected in order to eliminate an isolated sub-pixel spot, which otherwise would objectionably be visible in the boldfaced character.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for management of sample data to enable video rate anti-aliasing convolution for interlaced video frames. Sample data may be moved simultaneously from a sample buffer to a bin scanline cache and from the bin scanline cache to an array of N2 processor—memory units (e.g., 25 for N=5). Pixel data may be convolved from an N×N sample bin array that may be approximately centered on the pixel location. Since each sample bin contains Ns/b samples, Ns/b×N2 samples may be filtered for each pixel (e.g., 400 for N=5 and Ns/b=16). Each processor—memory unit convolves the sample data for one sample bin in the N×N sample bin array and supports a variety of filter functions. Pixel data may be output to a real time video data stream.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for preventing the occurrence of aliasing at the edges of polygons in 3D graphics. The system may detect both polygon geometric edges and Z edges due to intersection of multiple polygons. In one embodiment, the system includes an edge anti-aliasing module configured to selectively super-sample edge portions of primitives. The system further includes a coarse memory for storing information of pixels that are not super-sampled and a fine memory for storing information of pixels that are super-sampled by the edge anti-aliasing module.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics intensive software program for graphics acceleration hardware. This system and method encompasses a procedure that validates the different functions of a 3D acceleration capable video card, decides whether to use the acceleration hardware and optimizes the software application to selectively use the functions that work on the specific video acceleration card. Functions checked include sub-pixel positioning, opacity, color replacement and fog. If these tests are successful, then the graphics acceleration is used by the software application. However, if the tests are not successful the decision is made not to use graphics accelerator. Those with ordinary skill in the art will realize that it is not necessary to perform all of the tests in a specific order.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for storing pixel values into or reading pixel values from a sample buffer, wherein the sample buffer is configured to store a plurality of samples for each of a plurality of pixels. The graphics system comprises a sample buffer, a programmable register, and a graphics processor. The programmable register stores a value indicating a method for pixel to sample conversion, and is preferably software programmable (e.g., user programmable). The graphics processor accesses the memory to determine a method for pixel to sample conversion and stores the pixel values in the sample buffer according to the determined method. A first method for pixel to sample conversion may specify a pixel write to all of the pixel's supporting samples. A second method for pixel to sample conversion may specify a pixel write to a selected one of the pixel's supporting samples.

Abstract: A system (10) for display distortion correction includes a database (18) that stores one or more pixel correction vectors (40) and one or more sub-pixel correction vectors (42). The system (10) also includes a buffer (14) that receives and stores an input image data unit (32) including a plurality of pixels. Furthermore, the system includes a system controller (12) that is coupled to the database and to the buffer. The system controller (12) generates a coarsely-corrected image data unit by mapping one or more pixels of the coarsely-corrected image data unit to corresponding pixels of the input image data unit (32) according to corresponding pixel correction vectors (40). Each pixel correction vector (40) is associated with a particular pixel of the coarsely-corrected image data unit. The system also includes an interpolation filter (16) that is coupled to the system controller (12) and the database (18).

Abstract: An antialiased mask generation technique where a patch of pixels is tested in parallel for fragment membership, and this test is looped with successive subpixel vector offsets from a programmed set. Antialiasing smoothness can be traded off for throughput by varying the size of the programmed set.

Abstract: An anisotropic filtering technique includes defining pixel elements in two dimensions and defining at least one object having three dimensional surfaces in a three-dimensional model space and storing texel elements in two dimensions defining a texture map bearing a relationship to the three dimensional surfaces of the at least one object. Each pixel element to be texture mapped is divided into a group of sub-pixel elements and the sub-pixel elements are separately texture mapped. The resultant textures of the sub-pixel elements are averaged to obtain a texture for their respective pixel element.

Abstract: A pseudo-contour noise detecting device for detecting pseudo-contour noise is provided. The pseudo-contour noise is embodied as contour lines appearing spuriously in a motion picture displayed such that a gradation display is performed by using a plurality of weighted subfields into which one field of an input image, including a plurality of pixels, is divided. The device includes a pseudo-contour noise calculating unit in which, a logic operation is performed, for each subfield, on each pixel of at least a portion of the input image using a value of the each pixel and values of at least one of the pixels surrounding the each pixel. Further, a value corresponding to an amount of pseudo-contour noise is calculated according to a number of subfields in which a difference is detected between the value of the each pixel and the values of the at least one of the pixels surrounding the each pixel.

Abstract: Various imaging processing techniques are disclosed for displaying a pre-subpixel rendered image. The pre-subpixel rendered image can be transmitted directly to a display capable of displaying a subpixel rendered image. The pre-subpixel rendered image can also be stored for later transmission for output to the display. Additionally, the pre-subpixel rendered image can be embedded in an image data stream and later extracted and displayed. Furthermore, various techniques have been disclosed to embed and extract the pre-subpixel rendered image.

Abstract: A filtering method and filtering system is applied to an edge orientation map obtained from an edge direction detection system in order to keep accurate edge directions and filter out false edges or edges with wrong directions. If an edge direction does not have a certain minimum length, then that direction is filtered out and a default direction is provided. Additional assurances can be obtained by insuring that the edge direction has a certain minimum width. If an edge direction does not have the minimum width, then that edge direction is filtered out and the default direction is provided. A direction smoother can be applied to the directions in the edge orientation map to smooth the changing of neighboring edge directions. This process is found to be effective in improving the visual quality of an image that is interpolated based on edge directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an autostereoscopic method and a device for the three-dimensional representation of information according to a barrier-, lenticular-, prismatic mask-, or similar method using flat-panel displays (liquid crystal-, plasma-, electroluminescent- or other displays) for use in the computer and video technology, games and advertising, medical engineering, virtual reality applications, and other fields. According to the invention, the image points are proportionally tracked to lateral movement of the observer by shifting, for each colored subpixel, of the intensities of the colored subpixels to horizontally adjacent colored subpixels. The method can be used with known devices. It becomes especially useful when, for each image point, n+1 adjacent colored subpixels are addressed. Observers moving sideways continue to see the image in practically consistently high quality.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for motion adaptive filtering. The systems detect movement of text or areas of high spatial frequency in one frame to another frame. If such movement is detected and meets a certain level or threshold, the subpixel rendering processing of such text or areas of high spatial frequency can be changed.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a data zone expansion circuit and an image processing circuit. The data zone expansion circuit receives input data, increases a number of data bits of the input data, and provides data with the increased number of data bits. The image processing circuit performs image processing on the data with the increased number of data bits.

Abstract: A device for improving pixel rendering performance in a computer graphics system. The device includes a pixel resolution buffer containing a plurality of pixel storage locations to store pixel values. A depth value is provided for each pixel storage location in the pixel resolution buffer, to store a closest depth for polygons that cover the pixel. A subpixel resolution buffer is also included with a least two subpixels corresponding to each pixel storage location in the pixel resolution buffer.

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 method and system for providing antialiasing of a graphical image on a display from data describing at least one object is disclosed. The display includes a plurality of pixels. The method and system include providing a plurality of fragments for the at least one object. A portion of the plurality of fragments intersects a pixel of the plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of fragments includes a depth value, a slope of the depth value, and an indication of a portion of a corresponding pixel that is intersected. The method and system include calculating a plurality of subpixel depth values for a fragment of the plurality of fragments. The plurality of subpixel depth values is calculated using the depth value and the slope of the depth value of the fragment. The method and system include determining whether to store a portion of the fragment based on the plurality of subpixel depth values for the fragment and the indication of the extent the corresponding pixel is intersected by the fragment.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for calculating the centroid of a fragment to be rendered is disclosed. The method calls for moving the sampling point of a pixel from its initial center point to the center of the fragment containing a portion of an image to be rendered. The method comprises the steps of receiving a coverage mask containing at least one sample point of the pixel fragment under consideration; determining which of the sample points are within the fragment; determining a value representative of the number of sample points that are within the fragment; determining offset values of the fragment centroid based on the number of sample points within the fragment; and determining the barycentric coordinates of the centroid of the fragment. The centroid of the fragment is where sampling of the primitive will occur. By sampling at the centroid of the fragment, rendered image quality is improved due to the reduced anti-aliasing effects at the edges of the primitive.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a display system are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a panel having a set of drivers connected to a subpixel rendering circuit in which the number of data lines going to the drivers is less than the different number of color data sets generated by the subpixel rendering circuit. In another embodiment, the driver circuits and/or the subpixel rendering circuit are constructed on the panel, using the panel's thin film transistors.