Abstract: A method of dynamic load-balancing in a PC-based computing system employing a multiple GPU-based graphics pipeline architecture supporting multiple modes of GPU parallelization. During the execution of the graphics application, the stream of geometrical data and said graphics commands is analyzed, and the mode of parallelization of the GPUs during each frame, is determined using results of the analysis of the stream of geometrical data and graphics commands, and one or more policies for determining the mode of parallelization. The stream of geometrical data and graphic commands is distributed to the GPUs according to the determined mode of parallelization. During the generation of each frame, one or more of GPUs are used to process the stream of geometrical data and graphic commands, or a portion thereof, while operating in the parallelization mode, so as to generate pixel data corresponding to at least a portion of an image of 3D object.

Abstract: A multiple graphics processing unit (GPU) based parallel graphics system comprising multiple graphics processing pipelines with multiple GPUs supporting a parallel graphics rendering process having an object division mode of operation. Each GPU comprises video memory, a geometry processing subsystem and a pixel processing subsystem. According to the principles of the present invention, pixel (color and z depth) data buffered in the video memory of each GPU is communicated to the video memory of a primary GPU, and the video memory and the pixel processing subsystem in the primary GPU are used to carry out the image recomposition process, without the need for dedicated or specialized apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-pass method of generating an image frame of a 3D scene while eliminating the overdrawing of objects within the multiple graphics processing pipelines (GPPLs) supported on a parallel graphics processing system The GPPLs include a primary GPPL, and each GPPL, includes a color frame buffer and Z depth buffer. The GPPLs support an object-division based parallel graphics rendering process, in which the 3D scene is decomposed into objects that are assigned to particular GPPLs for processing. The multi-pass method involves, during a first pass, locally a Global Depth Map (GDM) which is provided to the Z depth buffer of each GPPL. This step involves the transmission of graphics commands and data for all objects in the image frame, to all GPPLs to be rendered. Then, during subsequent passes, a complementary-type partial image consisting of visible pixels only is generated within the color buffer of each GPPL using the GDM and a Z test filter supported by the Z depth buffer.

Abstract: A parallel graphics rendering system is embodied within a host computing system and includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) and graphics processing modules. The parallel graphics rendering system supports one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division. a plurality of graphic processing pipelines The GPPLs support a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one or more of the object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of the graphics-based application. An automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the parallel graphics rendering system during the run-time of the graphics-based application.

Abstract: A game console system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on game console board, using a graphics hub device, and a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation and having software and hardware implemented components. The game console system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (iv) an automatic mode control module. During the run-time of the graphics-based application, the automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem so that the GPUs are driven in a parallelized manner.

Abstract: A multi-mode parallel 3-D graphics system having multiple graphics processing pipelines with multiple GPUs supporting a parallel graphics rendering process having time, frame and object division modes of operation, wherein each GPU comprises video memory, a geometry processing subsystem and a pixel processing subsystem, and wherein 3D scene profiling is performed in real-time, and the parallelization state/modes of the system are dynamically controlled to meet graphics application requirements. The multiple modes of parallel graphics rendering use real-time graphics application profiling, and dynamic control over time-division, frame-division, and object-division modes of parallel operation, within the same parallel graphics platform, which can be realized on PC-based computing system architectures.

Abstract: A computing system employing a multi-GPU graphics processing and display subsystem supporting single-GPU non-parallel (i.e. multi-tasking) and multi-GPU parallel application-division modes of graphics processing operations, in order to execute graphic commands and process graphics data (GCAD) render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of the multiple graphics-based applications, while managing and conserving electrical power and graphics processing resources. An automatic mode control module (AMCM) analyzes the application profiles assigned to graphics applications running on the computing system, and automatically controls the mode of operation of the multi-GPU graphics processing and display subsystem during the run-time of the multiple graphics-based applications.

Abstract: A method of controlling the mode of parallel operation of a multi-mode parallel graphics processing system (MMPGPS) embodied within a host computing system having (i) host memory space (HMS) for storing one or more graphics-based applications and a graphics library for generating graphics commands and data (GCAD) during the run-time (i.e. execution) of the graphics-based application, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing said graphics-based applications, (iii) a display device for displaying images containing graphics during the execution of said graphics-based applications, and (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division and having a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one of the object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation.

Abstract: A computing system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on a hybrid CPU/GPU fusion-architecture chip and/or on an external graphics card, and employing a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem having software and hardware implemented components. The computing system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation, (iv) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (vi) an automatic mode control module. During the run-time of the graphics-based application, the automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem so that the GPUs are driven in a parallelized manner.

Abstract: A computing system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on an integrated graphic device (IGD) embodied within a bridge circuit, and employing a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem having software and hardware implemented components. The computing system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) an external graphics card supporting at least one GPU and being connected to the bridge circuit by way of a data communication interface, (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation, (v) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (vi) an automatic mode control module.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a bridge chip with a routing unit to distribute geometrical data and graphics commands to multiple GPU-driven pipeline cores supported on a plurality of graphics cards and the bridge chip. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU) supported on a motherboard, for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The routing unit in the bridge chip interfaces with the CPU and the GPU-driven pipeline cores.

Abstract: A high performance graphics processing and display system architecture supporting a cluster of multiple cores of graphic processing units (GPUs) that cooperate to provide a powerful and highly scalable visualization solution supporting photo-realistic graphics capabilities for diverse applications. The present invention eliminates rendering bottlenecks along the graphics pipeline by dynamically managing various parallel rendering techniques and enabling adaptive handling of diverse graphics applications.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a silicon chip having a routing unit and a control unit for parallelizing multiple GPU-driven pipeline cores according to an object division mode of parallel operation, during the running of a graphics application. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The system also includes a CPU/memory interface module, a CPU bus, a silicon chip of monolithic construction interfaced with the CPU/memory interface module by way of the CPU bus.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a silicon chip implementing parallelized GPU-driven pipelines cores supporting multiple modes of parallelization dynamically controlled while running a graphics application. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The system also includes a CPU/memory interface module and a CPU bus. The routing unit (i) routes the stream of geometrical data and graphic commands from the graphics application to one or more of the GPU-driven pipeline cores, and (ii) routes pixel data output from one or more of GPU-driven pipeline cores during the composition of frames of pixel data corresponding to final images for display on the display surface.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system employing a silicon chip having a routing unit, a control unit and profiling unit for parallelizing multiple GPU-driven pipeline cores according to the object division mode of parallelization operation, during a graphics application. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries. The system also includes a CPU/memory interface module and a CPU bus. The routing unit (i) routes the stream of geometrical data and graphic commands from the graphics application to one or more of the GPU-driven pipeline cores, and (ii) routes pixel data output from one or more of GPU-driven pipeline cores during the composition of frames of pixel data corresponding to final images for display on the display surface.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system capable of displaying images of 3-D objects during an interactive process between said computing system and a user thereof. The PC-based computing system includes a system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers. and graphics libraries. The system also includes an CPU interface module, a PC bus, a graphics processing subsystem interfaced with the CPU interface module by way of the PC bus, and a display surface for displaying said images by graphically displaying frames of pixel data produced by the graphics processing subsystem. The graphics processing subsystem includes a plurality of GPUs arranged in a parallel architecture and operating according to a parallelization mode of operation so that the GPUs support multiple graphics pipelines and process data in a parallel manner.

Abstract: PC-based computing system having an integrated graphics subsystem supporting parallel graphics processing operations across a plurality of different graphics processing units (GPUs) supplied from the same or different vendors. The graphics subsystem include a graphics controller hub (GCH) chip located on a CPU bus, and having Multi-Pipeline Core Logic (MP-CL) circuitry including a routing unit and a control unit. The plurality of different GPUs are interfaced with the GCH chip. Each different GPU supports a GPU-driven pipeline core having a frame buffer (FB) for storing a fragment of pixel data. The GPU-driven pipeline cores are arranged in a parallel architecture and operated according to a parallelization mode of operation, so that said GPU-driven pipeline cores process data in a parallel manner.

Abstract: A PC-based computing system capable of displaying images of 3-D objects during an interactive process between said computing system and a user thereof. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers. and graphics libraries. The system also includes an CPU interface module and a PC bus, a graphics processing subsystem interfaced with the CPU interface module by way of the PC bus, and a display surface for displaying said images by graphically displaying frames of pixel data produced by the graphics processing subsystem.

Abstract: A method of providing a PC-based computing system with parallel graphics processing capabilities, wherein the PC-based computing system includes (i) system memory (ii) an operating system (OS, (iii) one or more graphics applications, stored in said system memory, (iv) one or more graphic libraries, (v) a central processing unit (CPU) for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers and graphics libraries, (vi) an CPU interface module for interfacing with the CPU, (vii) a PC bus, and (viii) a display surface for displaying images of 3D objects. The method involves interfacing a hardware hub having a hub router, with the CPU interface module using the PC bus. The hardware hub is interfaced with a plurality of graphic processing units (GPUs), using the PC bus, so that the GPUs are arranged in a parallel architecture and operating according to a parallelization mode of operation so that the GPUs support multiple graphics pipelines and process data in a parallel manner.

Abstract: A graphics hub subsystem for interfacing parallelized graphics processing units (GPUs) with the CPU of a PC-based computing system having a CPU interface module and a PC bus. The PC-based computing system includes system memory for storing software graphics applications, software drivers and graphics libraries, and an operating system (OS), stored in the system memory, and a central processing unit (CPU), for executing the OS, graphics applications, drivers. and graphics libraries. The graphics hub subsystem includes a hardware hub having a hub router for interfacing with the CPU interface module and the GPUs by way of the PC bus, distributing the stream of geometrical data and graphic commands among the GPUs, and transferring pixel data output from one or more of the GPUs during the composition of frames of pixel data corresponding to final images for display on the display surface. The subsystem also includes one or more software hub drivers, stored in the system memory.