Forward Pixel Killing Graphics Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing graphics processing systems fail to identify graphics fragments that are fully obscured by combinations of other fragments, leading to unnecessary processing due to limitations in depth testing and forward pixel killing techniques.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating obscuration identification circuitry and process killing circuitry to determine if a graphics fragment, in combination with previously received fragments, will obscure others, and preventing further processing on hidden fragments, even if they are not fully obscured by a single fragment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional depth testing and forward pixel killing are used to identify hidden graphics fragments, then processing efficiency is improved by avoiding unnecessary shading operations, but hidden fragments that are obscured by combinations of multiple fragments cannot be identified, leading to wasted processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple graphics fragments to collectively obscure a target fragment. The obscuration identification circuitry determines that a graphics fragment is hidden when the combination of previously received fragments covers the same display location, even if no single fragment fully obscures it. This merging approach enables detection of composite obscuration scenarios that traditional single-fragment depth testing cannot detect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the traditional depth testing from single-fragment comparison to multi-fragment combination analysis. By considering the cumulative coverage of multiple fragments across different dimensions (spatial coverage, depth values, display locations), the system achieves more precise obscuration detection without sacrificing processing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If all graphics fragments are processed through shading operations, then complete rendering accuracy is maintained, but significant unnecessary processing occurs on fragments that will be hidden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs obscuration identification before shading operations through the obscuration identification circuitry. By determining which fragments are hidden by combinations of previously received fragments at earlier stages (rasterization and depth testing), the system prevents unnecessary shading computations while ensuring that only visible fragments undergo expensive rendering operations, thus conserving computational energy without sacrificing rendering accuracy.
3Device complexity
If graphics fragments are processed in strict front-to-back order after full z-sorting, then hidden fragment identification is simplified, but the system complexity and processing time for sorting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the graphics processing system to self-identify hidden fragments during the existing rasterization and depth testing pipeline without requiring external pre-sorting operations. The obscuration identification circuitry utilizes the naturally received fragment order and depth buffer information to detect composite obscuration, allowing the system to perform hidden fragment identification as part of its normal operation rather than as a separate preprocessing step.
Data Source
AI summary
A graphics processing apparatus and method of graphics processing is disclosed. Obscuration identification circuitry is configured to receive graphics fragments from rasterization circuitry and to identify an obscuration condition if a received graphics fragment, in combination with at least one previously received graphics fragment, will obscure at least one further previously received graphics fragment. Process killing circuitry is configured to prevent further processing occurring in the graphics processing apparatus with respect to the at least one further previously received graphics fragment if the obscuration identification circuitry identifies the obscuration condition.