Method and apparatus for storage and retrieval of a texture map in a graphics display system

摘要

A method and apparatus for simultaneous retrieval of multiple pixels from a texture map storage means. Multiple texture maps are generated and stored in a modified M/P (multum in pravo-many things in a small space) map form. Even and odd numbered pixels are stored in different memory banks so that adjacent odd and even pixels may be retrieved simultaneously. The MIP maps are stored so that the pages of the MIP maps having the same resolution are stored contiguously. This arrangement has the effect of reducing the number of unique address signals needed for accessing any two adjacent pixels in the texture map and simplifying the generation of texture map pixel addresses.