Patent ID: 6115047
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A system for rendering 3D graphics data, said system comprising:an input unit coupled to receive a first set of z coordinate values corresponding to a first graphics primitive, wherein said first set of z coordinate values are represented in a first floating point format;a float-to-fixed conversion unit coupled to receive said first set of z coordinate values from said input unit, wherein said float-to-fixed conversion unit is configured to convert said first set of z coordinate values to a fixed point format;a first graphics processing unit coupled to receive a representation of said first set of z coordinate values in said fixed point format, wherein said first graphics processing unit is configured to perform a first set of graphics operations using said first set of z coordinate values represented in said fixed point format, wherein performing said first set of graphics operations generates a second set of z coordinate values;a fixed-to-float conversion unit coupled to receive said second set of coordinate values from said first graphics processing unit, wherein said float-to-fixed conversion unit is configured to convert said second set of z coordinate values to a second floating point format;a second graphics processing unit coupled to receive said second set of z coordinate values represented in said second floating point format, wherein said second graphics processing unit is configured to perform a second set of graphics operations using said second set of z coordinate values represented in said second floating point format, wherein said second floating point format is different than said first floating point format; anda buffer configured to store and output color information generated by said system based on said 3D graphics data, wherein said color information is usable to generate an image.