Patent ID: 6118453
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A graphics processor comprising:a light source table holding light source data;a conversion unit for converting the light source data to be set in the light source table from a float type (single precision floating point real number type) into an int type (integer type);an inner product calculation unit for calculating the inner products of normal directions, light source directions and sight line directions at the vertices of at least a three-dimensional figure based on the light source data; anda color calculation unit for performing light source computations based on the calculated inner products to determine colors of the vertices, wherein the light source data held in the light source table includes: common data for all light sources that includes a normal line vector N, the sum of a radial reflection light component and the overall background reflection light component K, and the mirror surface index of a material SM; and unique data for individual light sources i (i=1 to m) which includes a light source direction vector L.i, a halfway vector H.i, a product AtSp.i of an attenuation coefficient At.i and a spot light source effect Sp.i, a coefficient of background reflection light component Ca.i, a coefficient of diffuse reflection light component Cd.i, and a coefficient of mirror surface reflection light component Cs.i; wherein the inner product calculation unit calculates the inner product (N.i) and the inner product (N.i); and wherein the color calculation unit performs calculation using Equation 1 to determine the colors of the vertices, ##EQU5## where (N.multidot.H.i).sup.SM is the SM power of (N.multidot.H.i), m is the number of light sources, i (i=1 to m) is a light source and I=(I.r, I.g, I.b) is a color calculated by the light source computation.