Patent ID: 6961057
Filing Date: 2005-11-01
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A computer graphics system for processing image data including Z data for use in displaying three dimensional images on a display unit, comprising: a depth buffer providing for temporary storage of Z data; and a graphics processing unit having a graphics engine for generating image data including Z data, and a memory interface unit communicatively coupled to the graphics engine and communicatively coupled to the depth buffer via a depth buffer interface, the graphics processing unit being operative to compress at least a portion of the generated Z data, to write the compressed portion of Z data to the depth buffer via the depth buffer interface in a compressed format, to read portions of compressed Z data from the depth buffer via the depth buffer interface, and to decompress the compressed Z data read from the buffer; wherein the graphics engine comprises: whereby effective Z data bandwidth through the depth buffer interface is maximized in order to facilitate fast depth buffer access operations.