公开(公告)号：US10726610B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-28

申请号：US16116137

申请日：2018-08-29

Applicant: Arm Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Toni Viki Brkic ,  Christian Vik Grovdal ,  Lars Oskar Flordal

IPC: G06T15/40

Abstract: A graphics processing system maintains a fragment tracking record that stores metadata relating to one or more previously received primitives. The metadata can indicate that the one or more previously received primitives are suitably covered by a subsequently received primitive such that one or more fragment processing operations need not be performed in respect of those one or more previously received primitives. The metadata stored for the one or more previously received primitives can then later be queried by one or more later stages of the graphics processing system to determine whether one or more fragments for the one or more previously received primitives can be at least partially discarded or “killed”.

公开(公告)号：US20200111247A1

公开(公告)日：2020-04-09

申请号：US16153359

申请日：2018-10-05

Applicant: Arm Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Andreas Due Engh-Halstvedt ,  Christian Vik Grovdal

IPC: G06T15/00 ,  G06T15/40 ,  G06T1/20

Abstract: To perform a graphics processing operation for the entirety of an area of a render output being generated by a graphics processor, a command to draw a primitive occupying the entire area of the render output is issued to the graphics processor. The graphics processor draws the primitive by determining the vertices to use for the primitive from the area of the render output. In a tile-based graphics processor at least, the graphics processor in an embodiment also determines whether it is unnecessary to process the graphics processing command for a rendering tile and when it is determined that processing the graphics processing command for the rendering tile is unnecessary, the graphics processor omits processing the graphics processing command for the rendering tile.

公开(公告)号：US09536333B2

公开(公告)日：2017-01-03

申请号：US14056727

申请日：2013-10-17

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Andreas Engh-Halstvedt ,  Jorn Nystad ,  Henrik Ohlsson

IPC: G06T15/40 ,  G06T15/00 ,  G06T11/40

CPC classification number: G06T11/40 ,  G06T15/005 ,  G06T15/40

Abstract: Operating a graphics processing pipeline that includes processing stages including a rasteriser that rasterises input primitives to generate graphics fragments to be processed, each graphics fragment having one or more sampling points associated with it, and a renderer that processes fragments generated by the rasteriser to generate output fragment data for output to a render output, comprising the following steps: (i) determining first information to test whether at least a part of a primitive should be processed further; (ii) using at least some of the first information to decide whether to process at least a part of the primitive further; and if it is decided that at least a part of the primitive is to be processed further: (iii) determining further information to be used in further processing of the primitive; and (iv) further processing at least a part of the primitive using the determined further information.

Abstract translation: 操作图形处理流水线，其中包括处理阶段，包括栅格化输入基元以生成要处理的图形片段的光栅化器，每个图形片段具有与之相关联的一个或多个采样点;以及渲染器，其处理由光栅器产生的片段以产生输出 用于输出到渲染输出的片段数据，包括以下步骤：（i）确定第一信息以测试是否应进一步处理图元的至少一部分; （ii）使用所述第一信息中的至少一些来决定是否进一步处理所述原语的至少一部分; 并且如果确定要进一步处理所述原语的至少一部分：（iii）确定将用于进一步处理所述原语的另外的信息; 以及（iv）使用所确定的进一步的信息进一步处理所述原语的至少一部分。

公开(公告)号：US20140354682A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-04

申请号：US13909556

申请日：2013-06-04

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Jorn Nystad

IPC: G06T1/20

CPC classification number: G06T1/20 ,  G06T11/40

Abstract: A tile-based graphics processing pipeline that uses primitive lists that can encompass plural rendering tiles includes a primitive list reading unit that reads primitive lists for a tile being rendered to determine primitives to be processed for the tile and a rasteriser that rasterises input primitives to generate graphics fragments to be processed. The pipeline further comprises a comparison unit between the primitive list reading unit and the rasteriser that for primitives that have been read from primitive lists that include plural rendering tiles, compares the location of the primitive in the render target to the location of the tile being rendered, and then either sends the primitive onwards to the rasteriser if the comparison determines that the primitive could lie at least partially within the tile, or does not send the primitive to the rasteriser if the comparison determines that the primitive definitely does not lie within the tile.

Abstract translation: 使用可以包含多个渲染瓦片的原始列表的基于瓦片的图形处理流水线包括原始列表读取单元，其读取要渲染的瓦片的原始列表，以确定要为该瓦片处理的图元;以及光栅化器，其将输入图元光栅化以生成 要处理的图形片段。 流水线还包括在原始列表读取单元和光栅器之间的比较单元，对于从包括多个渲染图块的原始列表中读取的图元，将渲染目标中的图元的位置与正在渲染的图块的位置进行比较 ，然后如果比较确定原语可以至少部分地位于瓦片内，则将原始图元发送到光栅化器，或者如果比较确定原始图像绝对不在图块内，则不将原始图像发送到光栅器 。

公开(公告)号：US20140354640A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-04

申请号：US13907550

申请日：2013-05-31

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Jorn Nystad ,  Frode Heggelund

IPC: G06T15/00 ,  G06T15/40

CPC classification number: G06T15/40

Abstract: A graphics processing pipeline 1 includes a rasteriser 3 that tests patches representing respective different regions of a render output against the edges of primitives 2 to determine if the primitive at least partially covers the patch and an early depth test stage 4 that performs early depth tests for primitives in respect of patches of the render output that the primitive has been found by the rasteriser at least partially to cover, by using depth test information 5 associated with a patch indicating the number and distribution of different depth value regions associated with the patch to determine the depth value region or regions associated with the patch that the primitive should be depth tested against, and then performing a depth test or tests for the primitive in respect of the respective determined depth value region or regions associated with the patch.

Abstract translation: 图形处理管线1包括光栅化器3，光栅化器3针对图元2的边缘测试表示渲染输出的相应不同区域的片段，以确定原始图案是否至少部分地覆盖贴片以及早期深度测试阶段4，其进行早期深度测试 通过使用与指示与补丁相关联的不同深度值区域的数量和分布的补丁相关联的深度测试信息5来至少部分地覆盖由光栅化器发现的原始图案的渲染输出的补码的原语，以确定 与补片相关联的深度值区域或区域，该基元应该相对于相应的确定的深度值区域或与该补片相关联的区域进行深度测试，然后对基元进行深度测试或测试。

公开(公告)号：US09286714B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-15

申请号：US13922471

申请日：2013-06-20

Applicant: ARM LIMITED

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Kenneth Edvard Ostby

IPC: G06T15/30 ,  G06T11/40 ,  G06T15/40

CPC classification number: G06T15/40 ,  G06T15/30 ,  G06T2200/28

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes primitive setup circuitry for determining a plurality of functions for an input graphics primitive, including an edge function associated with each edge of the input graphics primitive and a depth function associated with the input graphics primitive. Rasterization circuitry performs a rasterization operation in order to calculate position data for a plurality of graphics fragments to be used to represent the input graphics primitive. In a default mode of operation, depth bound clipping circuitry performs a depth bound clipping operation by determining, for each graphics fragment in said plurality of graphics fragments, a depth value for said graphics fragment using the depth function, and determining whether said depth value resides within a valid depth range of a view frustum, the graphics fragment being discarded from further processing if its depth value does not reside within said valid depth range.

Abstract translation: 方法和装置包括用于确定输入图形原语的多个功能的原始设置电路，包括与输入图形基元的每个边缘相关联的边缘函数和与输入图形基元相关联的深度函数。 栅格化电路执行光栅化操作以便计算要用于表示输入图形原语的多个图形片段的位置数据。 在默认操作模式下，深度限制剪辑电路通过使用深度函数确定所述多个图形片段中的每个图形片段的所述图形片段的深度值，并且确定所述深度值是否位于 在视锥体的有效深度范围内，如果其深度值不在所述有效深度范围内，则图形片段将从进一步处理中被丢弃。

公开(公告)号：US09153070B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-06

申请号：US13716952

申请日：2012-12-17

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Jorn Nystad ,  Edvard Sorgard ,  Frode Heggelund

IPC: G06T15/40 ,  G06T1/20

CPC classification number: G06T15/40 ,  G06T1/20

Abstract: The early depth test stages 4, 13 of a graphics processing pipeline 1 are configured to broadcast information 9, 10, 11, 14 about fragments, etc., that pass those early depth tests to other stages 3, 4, 6, 12 in the pipeline. The other stages in the pipeline then use the early depth test pass information to determine if the processing of any fragments that they are currently processing can be stopped.

Abstract translation: 图形处理流水线1的早期深度测试阶段4,13被配置为将关于通过这些早期深度测试的片段等的信息9,10,11,14广播到其他阶段3,4,6,12中 管道。 管道中的其他阶段然后使用早期深度测试通过信息来确定它们当前处理的任何片段的处理是否可以被停止。

公开(公告)号：US20150161814A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-11

申请号：US14536070

申请日：2014-11-07

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Andreas Due ENGH-HALSTVEDT ,  Frode Heggelund ,  Jørn Nystad

IPC: G06T15/30 ,  G06T15/83 ,  G06T17/10

CPC classification number: G06T15/30 ,  G06T1/20 ,  G06T1/60 ,  G06T15/005 ,  G06T2210/52

Abstract: Techniques for performing clipping of graphics primitives 60 with respect to a clipping boundary 65 are described. The clipping step 10 may be performed separately for each tile of a graphics frame to be rendered, after a primitive list for the tile has been read from a primitive memory 38. Clipping may be performed only for larger primitives whose size exceeds a given threshold. Clipping of a primitive 60 to the clipping boundary 65 may be performed inexactly so that only a single clipped primitive is generated which may extend beyond the clipping boundary. A clipped primitive generated by clipping may be used for a depth function calculation of a primitive setup operation and not for an edge determination.

Abstract translation: 描述用于执行关于剪切边界65的图形基元60的削波的技术。 在从原始存储器38读取瓦片的原始列表之后，可以针对要渲染的图形帧的每个瓦片分别执行限幅步骤10.对于尺寸超过给定阈值的较大图元，可以执行裁剪。 可以精确地执行将原始图像60剪切到剪切边界65，使得仅生成可以延伸超过剪切边界的单个剪切的图元。 由削波产生的剪切原语可用于原始设置操作的深度函数计算，而不用于边缘确定。

公开(公告)号：US08922572B2

公开(公告)日：2014-12-30

申请号：US13623751

申请日：2012-09-20

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Aske Simon Christensen ,  Andreas Engh-Halstvedt

IPC: G06F13/00 ,  G06T1/00 ,  G06F15/16 ,  G06T15/00 ,  G09G5/36 ,  G06T15/40 ,  G06T1/20 ,  G06T11/40

CPC classification number: G06T1/20 ,  G06T1/00 ,  G06T11/40

Abstract: The fragment processing pipeline 10 of a graphics processing core 2 has an associated occlusion query cache 19 that is used to maintain a set of local occlusion counters 21. The occlusion query cache 19 is maintained in a local memory 3 of the graphics processing system and can communicate via an interconnect 7 with a set of master occlusion counters 22 in a main memory 5 for the graphics processing system. When an occlusion query starts, a corresponding occlusion counter 22 is initialised in the main memory 5. A corresponding local occlusion counter 21 is also provided in the occlusion query cache 19 in the local memory 3 of the graphics processor, and is used to count the results of the occlusion query. The local occlusion counter value is written back to the occlusion counter 22 for the query in the main memory 5 at the appropriate time for further processing.

Abstract translation: 图形处理核心2的片段处理流水线10具有关联的遮挡查询高速缓存19，其用于维护一组局部遮挡计数器21.遮挡查询高速缓存19被保存在图形处理系统的本地存储器3中，并且可以 通过互连7与用于图形处理系统的主存储器5中的一组主遮挡计数器22进行通信。 当闭塞查询开始时，在主存储器5中初始化对应的遮挡计数器22.在图形处理器的本地存储器3中的遮挡查询高速缓存19中还提供相应的局部遮挡计数器21，并且用于计数 闭塞查询的结果。 局部遮挡计数器值在适当的时间被写回到主存储器5中的查询的遮挡计数器22用于进一步处理。

公开(公告)号：US20140354654A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-04

申请号：US13909561

申请日：2013-06-04

Applicant: ARM Limited

Inventor： Frode Heggelund ,  Kenneth Ostby

IPC: G06T1/20

CPC classification number: G06T1/20 ,  G06T11/40 ,  G06T15/005 ,  G06T15/40

Abstract: Early depth test stages of a graphics processing pipeline broadcast information about fragments having conditional discard tests associated with them and that pass those early depth tests to other stages in the pipeline. The other stages in the pipeline use the early depth test pass information to determine if the processing of any fragments that they are currently processing can be slowed down. If a fragment that triggered the slowing down of the processing of fragments that are already in the pipeline passes all the conditional discard tests it is to be subjected to, a signal that triggers stopping of the processing of the fragments whose processing it had previously slowed down is sent. If the fragment fails a conditional discard test it is to be subjected to, a signal triggering the reviving of the processing of the fragments whose processing it had previously slowed down is sent.

Abstract translation: 图形处理管道的早期深度测试阶段广播关于具有与它们相关联的条件丢弃测试的片段的信息，并且将那些早期深度测试传递到流水线中的其他阶段。 管道中的其他阶段使用早期深度测试通过信息来确定它们当前处理的任何片段的处理是否可以减慢。 如果触发了已经在流水线中的片段处理速度减慢的片段通过了所有要进行的条件丢弃测试，那么这个信号会触发停止处理之前已经减慢的片段的处理 已发送。 如果片段无法进行条件丢弃测试，则会发生触发恢复处理其先前已减慢的片段的处理的信号。