Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low.

Abstract: Display data and video data are stored within a graphics processing unit to reduce power consumed by the computing device during video playback. Storing display data and video data within the GPU reduces power consumption, because bus transaction activity is reduced and the need to read data from a larger, common main memory is avoided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low.

Abstract: Display data and video data are stored within a graphics processing unit to reduce power consumed by the computing device during video playback. Storing display data and video data within the GPU reduces power consumption, because bus transaction activity is reduced and the need to read data from a larger, common main memory is avoided.

Abstract: Display data and video data are stored within a graphics processing unit to reduce power consumed by the computing device during video playback. Storing display data and video data within the GPU reduces power consumption, because bus transaction activity is reduced and the need to read data from a larger, common main memory is avoided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for compressing and storing display data and optionally compressing and storing cursor data in a memory that is local to a graphics processing unit to reduce the power consumed by a mobile computing device when refreshing the screen. Compressing the display data and optionally the cursor data also reduces the relative cost of the invention by reducing the size of the local memory relative to the size that would be necessary if the display data were stored locally in uncompressed form. Thus, the invention may improve mobile computing device battery life, while keeping additional costs low.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes monitoring a data stream. The method also includes partitioning a cache into two sub-caches based on monitoring the data stream.

Abstract: A method for controlling processing of overlay requests is disclosed. The method comprises the step of disabling an overlay request to a memory. The overlay request to system memory has expedited processing priority over requests to a system memory by other devices. The overlay request is disabled for a predetermined time period and enabled after the predetermined time period has elapsed.

Abstract: An apparatus for an efficient display flip is disclosed. The apparatus has a computer readable medium having a graphics driver. The execution of the graphics driver is configured to generate instructions for checking status of a graphics device to determine whether the graphics device is ready to display a next frame data on a display device. The graphics device is coupled to a system memory. The graphics device is configured to forwarding a display flip status to the system memory for access by the graphics driver in response to the instructions.

Abstract: A method for mutual exclusion of drawing engine execution on a graphics device is disclosed. The method checks a busy signal of an executing drawing engine. The executing drawing engine is one of a plurality of drawing engines of the graphics device and the only drawing engine executing out of the plurality of drawing engines. The method forwards a graphics instruction and associated data packet to a next drawing engine to execute after the executing drawing engine has completed execution. The next drawing engine to execute is one of the plurality of drawing engines.

Abstract: A method for communicating graphics device status information to a graphics driver. Status of a graphics device is checked to determine whether the graphics device is ready to process a next instruction. A location in cacheable memory accessible to a graphics driver is updated with the status. The graphics driver reads the status to determine when to generate the next instruction for processing by the graphics data. A first instruction to be forwarded to the graphics device is generated. A status in an operating register in the graphics device is updated indicating that an event is being monitored. The updating is performed in response to receipt of the first instruction by the graphics device. The status is written to a second cacheable location in system memory accessible to the graphics driver. A second instruction is generated by the graphics driver to provide a predetermined address and instruction completion data to the graphics device.