Abstract: A method for performing a ray tracing node traversal operation in an image rendering process includes traversing a plurality of nodes within spatial hierarchy that represents a scene which is to be rendered, the spatial hierarchy including two or more hierarchy levels, each hierarchy level including one or more nodes. A number representing the number of nodes traversed in each one of a plurality of different hierarchy levels is stored, wherein each number is represented by at least one bit in a multi-bit binary sequence.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 17, 2010
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2013
Assignee:
NVIDIA Corporation
Inventors:
Timo Aila, Samuli Laine, John Erik Lindholm
Abstract: An approach to decoding variable length code (VLC) symbols is described. In one embodiment, a method of decoding VLC symbols is detailed. This method involves obtaining a bitstream sample from a bitstream, and comparing the bitstream sample against a threshold value, to obtain a VLC group number. Information associated with a VLC group is retrieved, using this VLC group number. The current VLC symbol is extracted from the bitstream, using the VLC group information, and the corresponding symbol value is obtained, using the current VLC symbol and the VLC group information.
Abstract: A system and method for buffering intermediate data in a processing pipeline architecture stores the intermediate data in a shared cache that is coupled between one or more pipeline processing units and an external memory. The shared cache provides storage that is used by multiple pipeline processing units. The storage capacity of the shared cache is dynamically allocated to the different pipeline processing units as needed, to avoid stalling the upstream units, thereby improving overall system throughput.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 2, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2013
Assignee:
Nvidia Corporation
Inventors:
David B. Glasco, Peter B. Holmqvist, George R. Lynch, Patrick R. Marchand, James Roberts
Abstract: A method includes performing a task in response to a request of a secondary user interface of a secondary device. The method also includes calculating a utilization of a graphics processing unit of a machine based on the task performed by the graphics processing unit. The method further includes determining the utilization, through a processor, based on a comparison of a consumption of a computing resource of the graphics processing unit and a sum of the computing resource available. The method furthermore includes performing another task in response to the request of another secondary user interface of another secondary device. The method furthermore includes calculating another utilization of another graphics processing unit based on the another task performed by the another graphics processing unit. The method furthermore includes determining the another utilization based on the comparison of a consumption of the computing resource of the another graphics processing unit.
Abstract: A method for tracking a surface representation includes providing an initial mesh representing a surface, the initial mesh comprising a plurality of mesh faces. A grid is constructed, the grid having a plurality of grid edges, whereby each grid edge is connected between two grid nodes, and each grid node has a predefined value associated therewith. The grid overlaps the initial mesh, such that at least one mesh face intersects at least one grid edge. A new value for a grid node connected to the intersected grid edge is computed based upon its intersection by the mesh face, and the initial mesh is modified based upon the new value of the grid node to produce a modified mesh, the modified mesh providing an updated representation of the surface.
Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting a viewing experience associated with a display device. During use, a user interface capable of being used for adjusting the viewing experience associated with the display device is automatically displayed, in response to an event that potentially affects the viewing experience associated with the display device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 29, 2009
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2013
Assignee:
NVIDIA Corporation
Inventors:
Andrew C. Fear, Jennifer R. Ramos, David Lee Eng
Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided. In one embodiment, at least one parameter associated with at least one contact is received. In addition, at least one operator is received. Further, a contact set is generated based on the at least one parameter and the at least one operator. In another embodiment, an expression is received. Moreover, a contact set is generated from a plurality of contacts utilizing the expression.
Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for outputting content during a boot-up period. In use, content is independently processed, utilizing a graphics processor. During a boot-up period, such content is outputted.
Abstract: A memory management system and method are described. In one embodiment, a memory management system includes a memory management unit for virtualizing context memory storage and independently controlling access to the context memory without interference from other engine activities. The shared resource management unit overrides a stream of access denials (e.g., NACKs) associated with an access problem. The memory management system and method facilitate access to memory while controlling translation between virtual and physical memory “spaces”. In one embodiment the memory management system includes a translation lookaside buffer and a fill component. The translation lookaside buffer tracks information associating a virtual memory space with a physical memory space. The fill component tracks the status of an access request progress from a plurality of engines independently and faults that occur in attempting to access a memory space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 1, 2006
Date of Patent:
August 6, 2013
Assignee:
Nvidia Corporation
Inventors:
David B. Glasco, John S. Montrym, Lingfeng Yuan, Robert C. Keller
Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mechanism for transmitting and receiving ground-referenced single-ended signals. A transmitter combines a direct current (DC) to DC converter including a flying capacitor with a 2:1 clocked multiplexer to drive a single-ended signaling line. The transmitter drives a pair of voltages that are symmetric about the ground power supply level. Signaling currents are returned to the ground plane to minimize the generation of noise that is a source of crosstalk between different signaling lines. Noise introduced through the power supply is correlated with the switching rate of the data and may be reduced using an equalizer circuit.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 26, 2012
Publication date:
August 1, 2013
Applicant:
NVIDIA Corporation
Inventors:
John W. POULTON, Thomas Hastings Greer, III, William J. Dally
Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mechanism for transmitting and receiving differential signals. A transmitter combines a direct current (DC) to DC converter including a capacitor with a 2:1 multiplexer to drive a pair of differential signaling lines. The transmitter drives a pair of voltages that are symmetric about the ground power supply level. Signaling currents are returned to the ground plane to minimize the generation of noise that is a source of crosstalk between different differential signaling pairs. Noise introduced through the power supply is correlated with the switching rate of the data and may be reduced using an equalizer circuit.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 30, 2012
Publication date:
August 1, 2013
Applicant:
NVIDIA Corporation
Inventors:
John W. POULTON, Thomas Hastings Greer, III, William J. Dally
Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and a system that allow for deterministic parallel low discrepancy sampling, which can be efficient processed, and are effective in removing transitionary artifacts that occur in low-dimensional projections generated in low discrepancy sequences. Embodiments of the claimed subject matter further provide improvements upon the low-dimensional projections and thus the visual quality when using the Sobol' sequence for image synthesis.
Abstract: A mobile communication device comprises receiver circuitry operable to receive broadcast real-time media data over a communication interface, and signal processing logic operable to extract real-time media content from the broadcast real-time media data, and output the extracted real-time media content via a user interface of the mobile communication device. In response to determining a partial loss of data for the broadcast real-time media data, the signal processing logic is operable to retrieve stored media content from a memory element of the mobile communication device, and output the retrieved media content via the user interface of the communication device.
Abstract: Embodiments related to controlling power distribution within a microprocessor are provided. In one example, a microprocessor comprising a power supply is provided. The example microprocessor also includes a plurality of power gate zones configured to receive power from the power supply, each power gate zone including a plurality of power gates, where the power gates within any given one of the power gate zones are controlled by the microprocessor independently of its control of power gates within any other of the power gate zones. The example microprocessor is operative to cause power initially to be supplied to a first power gate in a first one of the power gate zones, power then to be supplied to a second power gate in a second one of the power gate zones, and power then to be supplied to a third power gate in the first one of the power gate zones.
Abstract: The invention provides an eyewear device for transmitting a signal and a communication method thereof. The eyewear device comprises a receiving unit, a shutter and a transmitting unit. For example, the receiving unit is capable of receiving a synchronization signal, and the shutter performs an operation in response to the synchronization signal. Meanwhile, the transmitting unit transmits the synchronization signal to another eyewear device. By this way, each eyewear device is capable of receiving the synchronization signal, and re-transmits the synchronization signal to another eyewear device.
Abstract: Techniques for the discovery of a topology of varying complexity and discovery of the capability of the devices of the topology include querying a plurality of node devices for node data. At least an initial portion of node data of one or more node devices is received in response to the query. In addition, previously determined node data is retrieved from a cache. The initial portion of node data is correlated to the previously determined node data to deduce node data for one or more node devices within a predetermined period of time. It is to be appreciated that the deduced node data may include node data beyond the initial portion of node data and/or node data for other node devices beyond the initially responding node devices. The deduced node data may then be reported to an operating system.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 23, 2012
Publication date:
July 25, 2013
Applicant:
NVIDIA CORPORATION
Inventors:
Adrian Muntianu, Rajat Agarwal, Cameron Scott Buschardt, Yi-Shing (Michael) Chu
Abstract: A method for using a state machine to control a pipelined L2 cache to implement memory transfers for a video processor. The method includes accessing a queue of read requests from a video processor, and tracking each of a plurality of cache lines stored within the cache using a least recently used variable. For each a cache line hit out of the plurality of cache lines and corresponding to one of the read requests, the least recently used variable is adjusted for a remainder of the plurality of cache lines. A replacement cache line is determined by examining the least recently used variables for each of the plurality of cache lines. For each cache line miss, a cache line slot corresponding to the replacement cache line is allocated to store a new cache line responsive to the cache line miss.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2013
Assignee:
Nvidia Corporation
Inventors:
Zhiqiang Jonathan Su, Ashish Karandikar
Abstract: A memory controller includes first and second output modules for driving first and second data, respectively, to be written to a memory device. The memory controller also includes a clock module for providing an internal clock signal and a timing control module for producing a first and second timing control signals. The first and second timing control signals are supplied to the first and second output modules, respectively.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 4, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2013
Assignee:
Nvidia Corporation
Inventors:
Sean Jeffrey Treichler, Barry Alan Wagner
Abstract: A multidimensional datapath processing system for a video processor for executing video processing operations. The video processor includes a scalar execution unit configured to execute scalar video processing operations and a vector execution unit configured to execute vector video processing operations. A data store memory is included for storing data for the vector execution unit. The data store memory includes a plurality of tiles having symmetrical bank data structures arranged in an array. The bank data structures are configured to support accesses to different tiles of each bank.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 4, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 23, 2013
Assignee:
Nvidia Corporation
Inventors:
Ashish Karandikar, Shirish Gadre, Stephen D. Lew, Christopher T. Cheng
Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method, which includes the steps of detecting the presence of an external graphics subsystem after the external graphics subsystem is attached to the mobile computing device, transmitting a power enable signal to the external graphics subsystem, and activating PCIe signaling channels after having received a ready signal from the external graphics subsystem to enable data communications between the mobile computing device and the external graphics subsystem.