US5982373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dynamic enhancement/reduction of graphical image data resolution
Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
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Filing: 1996-11-12
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2016-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of rendering 3-D graphical image data suitable for use in interactive 3-D applications is provided, which reduces the amount of time required to perform the rendering. This is achieved by dynamically adjusting the resolution of the image depending upon the type of operation being performed. 3-D operations are performed at a reduced resolution, while 2-D operations (including display) are performed at full resolution. A method of dynamically enhancing/reducing resolution for image depth information (z-buffer data) is also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Jennifer F. Inman
- 👤 Wade K. Smith
- 👤 Sanford S. Lum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/403; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/391
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first image comprising: rendering the first image at a first resolution; for each pixel of the first image, generating a plurality of pixels of a second image, said second image having a second resolution, wherein each pixel of the first image has a same number of bits as each pixel of the second image; and performing a 2-D graphical operation on the second image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first image comprising: rendering the first image at a first resolution; for each pixel of the first image, generating a plurality of pixels of a second image, said second image having a second resolution, wherein each pixel of the first image has a same number of bits as each pixel of the second image; and performing a 2-D graphical operation on the second image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second image generated for the pixel of the first image further comprises a pixel block, the pixel of the first image being replicated in each pixel of the pixel block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second image generated for the pixel of the first image are determined by bilinear center-biased interpolation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second image generated for the pixel of the first image are determined by bilinear filtering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second image generated for the pixel of the first image are determined by subpixel correction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first image rendered at a first resolution comprising: performing a 2-D graphical operation on the first image; subdividing the first image into a plurality of pixel blocks, each pixel block comprising a plurality of pixels; for each pixel block of the first image, generating only one pixel of a second image, said second image having a second resolution.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first image rendered at a first resolution comprising: performing a 2-D graphical operation on the first image; subdividing the first image into a plurality of pixel blocks, each pixel block comprising a plurality of pixels; for each pixel block of the first image, generating only one pixel of a second image, said second image having a second resolution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 6, wherein each of said pixels has a value, the value of the pixel of the second image generated for the pixel block of the first image being determined by averaging the values of all pixels in the pixel block of the first image.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for rendering 3-D graphical images on a memory of a computer comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image; determining a type of the graphical operation; upon determining that the graphical operation is of a first type, generating a second image having a second resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image and performing the graphical operation on the second image; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a second type, performing the graphical operation on the first image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for rendering 3-D graphical images on a memory of a computer comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image; determining a type of the graphical operation; upon determining that the graphical operation is of a first type, generating a second image having a second resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image and performing the graphical operation on the second image; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a second type, performing the graphical operation on the first image.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for rendering 3-D graphical images on a memory of a computer comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; rendering a second image at a second resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image and the second image; determining a type of the graphical operation; upon determining that the graphical operation is of a first type, generating a third image having a third resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image and performing the graphical operation on the second and the third images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a second type, generating a fourth image having a fourth resolution by enhancing the resolution of the second image and performing the graphical operation on the first and the fourth images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a third type, generating a third image having a third resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image, generating a fourth image having a fourth resolution by enhancing the resolution of the second image, and performing the graphical operation on the third and the fourth images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a fourth type, performing the graphical operation on the first and the second images.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for rendering 3-D graphical images on a memory of a computer comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; rendering a second image at a second resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image and the second image; determining a type of the graphical operation; upon determining that the graphical operation is of a first type, generating a third image having a third resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image and performing the graphical operation on the second and the third images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a second type, generating a fourth image having a fourth resolution by enhancing the resolution of the second image and performing the graphical operation on the first and the fourth images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a third type, generating a third image having a third resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image, generating a fourth image having a fourth resolution by enhancing the resolution of the second image, and performing the graphical operation on the third and the fourth images; and upon determining that the graphical operation is of a fourth type, performing the graphical operation on the first and the second images.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of rendering 3-D graphical images by dynamically adjusting a resolution of an image, comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image; generating a second image having a second resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image using a predetermined technique; and performing the operation on the second image.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
64 words
A method of rendering 3-D graphical images by dynamically adjusting a resolution of an image, comprising: rendering a first image at a first resolution; receiving a request to perform a graphical operation on the first image; generating a second image having a second resolution by enhancing the resolution of the first image using a predetermined technique; and performing the operation on the second image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined technique comprises bilinear center-biased interpolation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined technique comprises bilinear filtering.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined technique comprises subpixel correction.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first z-buffer comprising: rendering the first z-buffer at a first resolution; for each pixel of the first z-buffer, generating a plurality of pixels of a second z-buffer, said second z-buffer having a second resolution; and performing a 2-D graphical operation on the second z-buffer.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first z-buffer comprising: rendering the first z-buffer at a first resolution; for each pixel of the first z-buffer, generating a plurality of pixels of a second z-buffer, said second z-buffer having a second resolution; and performing a 2-D graphical operation on the second z-buffer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second z-buffer generated for the pixel of the first z-buffer further comprises a pixel block, the pixel of the first z-buffer being replicated in each pixel of the pixel block.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first z-buffer rendered at a first resolution comprising: performing a 2-D graphical operation on the first z-buffer; subdividing the first z-buffer into a plurality of pixel blocks, each pixel block comprising a plurality of pixels; for each pixel block of the first z-buffer, generating only one pixel of a second z-buffer, said second z-buffer having a second resolution.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of dynamically adjusting a resolution of a first z-buffer rendered at a first resolution comprising: performing a 2-D graphical operation on the first z-buffer; subdividing the first z-buffer into a plurality of pixel blocks, each pixel block comprising a plurality of pixels; for each pixel block of the first z-buffer, generating only one pixel of a second z-buffer, said second z-buffer having a second resolution.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 16, wherein each of said pixels has a value, the value of the pixel of the second z-buffer generated for the pixel block of the first z-buffer being determined by using subpixel correction to move the center of the pixel of the first z-buffer to the upper left corner of the pixel of the first z-buffer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |