Patent ID: 6172678
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
A 3D image processing apparatus comprising:storage means for storing polygon X, Y vertex information, mapping pattern vertex information and polygon Z-value information;geometric transformation means for performing a geometric transformation operation on vertex information from said storage means;polygon outline shape processing means for using transformed vertex information from said geometric transformation means and, for each scan-line, converting said polygon X, Y vertex information, mapping pattern vertex information and polygon Z-value information into polygon outline information, wherein said polygon X, Y vertex information is only converted between a Y start point address and a Y end point address corresponding to each polygon side;horizontal interpolation means for interpolating for the polygon interior, for each scan-line, using said polygon outline information provided by said polygon outline shape processing means;hidden surface removal means for performing a hidden surface removal operation as a result of comparing Z-values of dots on a scan-line with Z-values of corresponding dots previously stored in a Z-value line memory, said horizontal interpolation means and said hidden surface removal means performing operations in parallel on each of a plurality of dots of one scan-line;pixel drawing means for determining mapping pattern information of dots on a scan-line, using polygon interior information provided by said horizontal interpolation means;said pixel drawing means writing in a pixel line memory said mapping pattern information of said dots on said scan-line when the result of said hidden surface removal operation allows said dots to be drawn; anda mapping pattern memory comprising a lookup table of basic patterns;said pixel drawing means using said mapping pattern information from said pixel line memory, accessing said mapping pattern memory, reading corresponding image information comprising said basic patterns, and transferring said image information to a display device.