METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR RENDERING AN IMAGE BASED ON COST OF TRACKING BAND EDGES

A method of rendering an image as a plurality of bands is disclosed. A plurality of edge tracking conditions for at least one of the bands is determined, the edge tracking conditions comprising waiting for at least one other band. A plurality of distinct rendering schedules is determined for the image, each rendering schedule specifying an edge tracking condition for each of the bands, the edge tracking condition for each band being selected from the corresponding plurality of edge tracking conditions for the band. A cost for a rendering schedule is determined. The rendering schedule cost is based on an edge tracking condition specified for each of the bands using a tracking cost of edges associated with the band through at least one intermediate band positioned between the band and the band specified in the edge tracking condition. The image is rendered in accordance with a selected rendering schedule, the rendering schedule being selected based on the cost determined for the rendering schedule.