Patent ID: 6356264
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
An image processing device comprising:a pixel data generation unit for generating position data and depth data in a display screen for pixels of first ordinary polygons, and generating position data and depth data in a display screen for pixels of shadow polygons which specify a shadow space produced by second ordinary polygon block light from a light source; a depth buffer for storing the depth data for pixels of the first ordinary polygons with the shortest depth at each pixel position; a shadow determination unit for detecting whether said shadow polygons exist between a depth position of pixels stored in said depth buffer and an infinite position for each pixel position, detecting either an odd or even number of shadow polygons existing between the two positions, and determining that a shadow exists at said pixel when the number of shadow polygons is an odd number without determining whether the viewpoint lies within a shadow and; a rendering process unit for carrying out a shadowing process for pixels judged to have shadow by said shadow determination unit.