Patent ID: 6621495
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A graphics pipeline comprising:an input, wherein the input receives graphics data streams; an output, wherein the output transmits processed graphics data; a plurality of stages, wherein the plurality of stages processes a vertex data structure, wherein the plurality of stages generates the processed graphics data and wherein a last stage within the plurality of stages is connected to the output; and a receiving stage providing a connection between the input and a first stage within the plurality of stages, wherein the receiving stage includes a plurality of modes of operation including: a first mode of operation, responsive to receiving an immediate mode data stream, in which the first stage stores data from the immediate mode data stream in a storage to build the vertex data structure for processing within the plurality of stages; and a second mode of operation, responsive to receiving a signal to transmit the vertex data structure, in which the receiving stage transmits the vertex data structure to the first stage for processing, wherein data for the vertex data structure remains in the storage as default data for a subsequent vertex data structure.