An Efficient Graphics Data Retrieval Method Based on Data Conversion Schemes

Modern computer graphics systems usually manage a set of internal data to store control parameters and all kind of graphics data. The behind problem on these graphics system data is that they are frequently updated and retrieved with variety of data types, even they are initially stored as specific data types. To support these updates and retrievals with various data types, modern graphics systems typically use data type conversion features, and even in the worst cases, they should provide all combinations of internally stored data types and newly provided or retrieved data types. In this paper, we show how to efficiently provide all the required combinations of data type conversions, with motivations, analysis, and overall designs. We also show typical type conversion scenarios, with specific API function examples. Our design shows that it can improve the internal architecture and the internal efficiency of modern computer graphics systems. In its implementation, we use C++std:: map container for fast lookup of the best-suitable conversion function. This overall scheme was integrated in our existing systems, and shows its feasibility and correctness.