摘要:
An image processing system for producing an image from three-dimensional image data. The system uses a command generator to generate one or more plotting commands for producing the image, and features a coordinate calculator for transforming the three-dimensional data into two-dimensional data. The coordinate calculator operates as a coprocessor of the command generator, and as such does not require use of the system bus to perform its functions.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for generating image data are provided. A memory and a data processor are coupled with a system bus. In certain embodiments a data expanding apparatus is also coupled to the system bus and compressed data are transferred to the data expanding apparatus via the system bus and decompressed data are transferred therefrom to the memory without passing the compressed data through the data processor. Also in certain embodiments, an image data generation command string is transferred from the memory to an image data generation device via the system bus without passing the image data generation command string through the data processor.
摘要:
The present invention relates to the architecture and use of a computer system optimized for the efficient modeling of graphics. The computer system has a primary processor and a graphics processor. The primary processor has two vector processor units within it, one which is closely connected to central processor unit. Simultaneously performing complex modeling calculations on the first vector processor and CPU, and geometry transformation calculations on the second vector processor, allows for efficient modeling of graphics. Furthermore, the graphics processor is optimized to rapidly switch between data flow from the two vector processors. In addition, the graphics processor is able to render many pixels simultaneously, and has a local memory on the graphics processor chip that acts as a frame buffer, texture buffer, and z buffer. This allows a high fill rate to the frame buffer.
摘要:
The present invention relates to the architecture and use of a computer processor optimized for instruction and data processing. The computer processor includes a main processor element in operative communication with a main memory for storing data, and sub-processor elements in operative communication with the main processor element for processing the data. Each of the sub-processor elements including a dedicated local memory for storing instructions and data. The main processor desirably comprises a primary processor core, and the sub-processor elements desirably include a set of coprocessors. One of the coprocessors may be an embedded coprocessor that performs error checking in the primary processor core. Another one of the coprocessors may be a vector processing unit. A program can directly control the vector processing unit or may indirectly control it via the primary processor core.
摘要:
A data format is provided capable of assigning a desired color lookup table (CLUT) to a texture pattern of each polygon drawn on a two-dimensional display screen. Assuming that TPF represents a pixel depth of the texture pattern, when TPF is 00, 01, and 10, the format (CLUT) is applied of a 4-bit mode, an 8-bit mode, and 16-bit mode respectively, whereby its related command is decreased in word length and thus requires less storage in a source video memory.
摘要:
There is provided an image generation apparatus which requires a small amount of data for a draw command and a small capacity for a mixing ratio memory and which is capable of performing full transparent and full opaque processes utilizing a semitransparent process at high speed. The image generation apparatus includes a read circuit for reading the pixel data of the image which has been previously drawn from a frame buffer, a mixing circuit for mixing the pixel data read from the frame buffer and the pixel data of the corresponding position where the next drawing operation is to be performed in a specified mixing ratio, a write circuit for writing pixel data as a result of the mixing at the mixing circuit in the corresponding pixel position in the frame buffer, a mixing ratio memory portion for storing a plurality of mixing ratios, and an index memory for selecting the mixing ratio to be supplied to the mixing circuit from the mixing ratio memory portion according to mixing ratio selection information included in the draw command.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for generating images wherein access to a main memory is minimized during a translation of an image of a 3D object or the like on a display screen to increase the speed of the translation process. A string of draw commands for drawing an image is preceded by an offset draw command which indicates offset values for the coordinates of the vertices of the image, and the image is translated on the display screen in accordance with the offset draw command. A header portion of each of the offset draw command and the draw commands that constitute the draw command string includes data indicating the address on the main memory of the next draw command to be executed. The image generation apparatus includes a frame buffer in which an image is drawn, a CPU for generating a string of draw commands to draw the image and an offset draw command indicating offset values for the coordinates of the vertices of the image, a main memory for storing the string of draw commands and offset draw command generated by the CPU, and a drawing device portion for executing the string of draw commands and offset draw command from the main memory to draw a translated image on the frame buffer.
摘要:
In an apparatus provided with a frame memory for sequentially reading image data written in the frame memory for image display data, an image processing apparatus includes: a recognizing section for recognizing whether the image data written in the frame memory are image data in which each pixel is written with a first bit number or image data in which each pixel is written with a second bit number that is different from the first bit number; a first image data reading section for reading the image data from the frame memory, regarding each pixel as being expressed by the first bit number; a second image data reading section for reading the image data from the frame memory, regarding each pixel as being expressed by the second bit number; and a switching section for switching the first image data reading section and the second image data reading section on the basis of the recognition information from the recognizing section.
摘要:
Apparatus and method which map a texture image onto a polygonal area in which the mapped image can have a dynamic brightness range greater than the dynamic brightness range of the original texture image. The brightness levels of the pixels of the texture image are ascertained and reduced, and the polygonal area onto which the texture image is mapped is shaded by multiplying the reduced brightness levels of the pixels by a shading factor, wherein a shading factor greater than 1 produces a mapped texture image which has a dynamic brightness range that is greater than the dynamic brightness range of the texture image.
摘要:
An entertainment apparatus is configured to enable a program for an older version of the apparatus to be executed. In a normal mode, a main processing unit (MPU) operates as a main CPU, a graphics processor (GP) operates as a graphics processor, and an input/output subprocessor (IOP) operates as a subprocessor for input and output. In a compatible mode in which a program for an older version of the apparatus is executed, the IOP capable of executing the program for the older version of the apparatus operates as a main CPU, and the MPU and GP emulate a graphics processor for the older version of the apparatus.