Patent ID: 6088033
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
Method for performing graphics operations on a number of pixels, said pixels being organized as sets of data values indicating at least two types of parameters, wherein at least one of said types contains information concerning whether or not said pixel is to suppressed; said method comprising:receiving said pixels from an external source and storing each one of them into a predetermined address in a storage area;establishing a set of status indicators each having an active state and a passive state, wherein the number of said status indicators at least equals the maximum number of pixels in said storage area;in connection with reception of a number of said pixels, initializing the corresponding ones of said status indicators to said active state;performing a number of predetermined mathematical operations on said pixel stored in said predetermined address, at least some of said mathematical operations comprising a decision of whether or not said pixel is to be suppressed;conditionally rewriting said pixel into said storage area if further mathematical operations are to be carried out on said pixel, and otherwise outputting said pixel to an external destination;in response to said decision indicating that any of said pixels is to be suppressed, changing the corresponding one of said status indicators to said passive state;wherein said predetermined addresses are generatedby skipping the corresponding address in response to the corresponding one of said status indicators being in said passive state; andat substantially equal intervals for several consecutive pixels, regardless of whether or not one or more addresses is/are skipped.