Abstract: A device includes a controller that is operative to dynamically control rendering quality of an output image when the device is in a reduced power mode based on data representing a desired runtime length of an application. Memory containing data representing quality of rendering control information may be utilized by the controller to control graphics processing circuitry to change a quality of graphics rendering based on the quality of rendering control information. The quality of control information may include, by way of example, and not limitation, data representing a number of vertices per object to use for rendering objects, a texture size to use per frame, a degree or type of anti-aliasing to employ, whether to use alpha blending, a tessellation level to employ, and playback frame rate information. A user interface may be employed that provides a selectable desired application runtime duration setting that is used when the device or portion of the device is in a low power mode.

Abstract: A technique for adjusting or modifying content delivery to devices is provided, thereby offering a degree of power consumption control in such devices. The device can determine a need to modify power consumption, either in response to an input or via detection of an unfavorable power supply condition. In response, the device sends a request to an infrastructure for at least one reduced rate data stream. Because the at least one reduced rate data stream requires less processing power when undergoing decoding operations, the device subsequently consumes less power. In one embodiment of the present invention, the determination of the unfavorable power supply condition may be based on a configurable power condition profile. Furthermore, subsequent to receiving the at least one reduced rate data stream, the device may provide a request to the infrastructure for at least one increased rate data stream.

Abstract: A technique for recording information in a battery operated device is provided such that quality level of the recorded information may be changed “on the fly.” In one embodiment, while persistently recording information at a first quality level, the battery operated device may, in response to an input a desire or need to change recording quality level, thereafter persistently record the information at a second quality level different from the first quality level, without interrupting the continuity of the recording session. In a presently preferred embodiment, the information being recorded may comprise video information or audio information. Subsequent inputs indicating the need to change recording quality level yet again may also be received thereby causing the battery operated device to persistently record the information at yet another quality level, which quality level may be the same as the first quality level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an error compares a hardwired reference value to a corresponding predetermined value and generates an error indication in response to a change in the predetermined value. In one embodiment, the predetermined value is set to be the same as the hardwired reference value and in response to an electrostatic discharge event or any other suitable cause of error, the predetermined value changes so that a comparison indicates that an error has occurred. An error indication is then generated which may be, for example, an interrupt to recovery logic that generates recovery control information to reset a functional block that was corrupted or to perform in an entire chip reset if desired.

Abstract: An error detection apparatus and method compares a first hardwired value such as a first clock threshold, and a second hardwired value such as a second clock threshold, and generates an indication that there is an error in a clock signal based on a comparison of the first hardwired value and the second hardwired value to the clock signal. If an error is detected, the error detection apparatus will, for example, interrupt clock recovery logic to take proper action for recovery of a clock generation circuit that generated the clock signal. The clock signal may be generated based on, for example, a reference clock signal that may be provided by an external source clock, or any other suitable source.

Abstract: To provide reduced power consumption of a co-processor, a low power dedicated memory is provided. During a low power state, a processing component of the co-processor is instructed to use the low power dedicated memory and a first memory device, normally used by the processing component, is thereafter operated in a reduced power mode for the duration of the low power state. Preferably, the low power dedicated memory has a storage capacity that is significantly less than the storage capacity of the first memory. When an operating state other than the low power state is detected, normal power consumption by the first memory is resumed and the co-processor is directed to use the first memory once again. In this manner, the present invention allows co-processors, and preferably graphics co-processors, to operate in a beneficial low power mode thereby reducing power consumption.

Abstract: A system for generating and applying alpha values is discussed. Different sets of alpha values are generated and stored for each color component of a set of image data associated with a foreground object. A graphics-processing engine processes the foreground object with respect to a background object to be displayed in the same location. Red components of the foreground object are blended with red components of the background object using red-specific alpha values. Blue components of the foreground object are blended with blue components of the background object using blue-specific alpha values and green components of the foreground object are blended with green components of the background object using green-specific alpha values.

Abstract: A system for generating and applying alpha values is discussed. Different sets of alpha values are generated and stored for each color component of a set of image data associated with a foreground object. A graphics-processing engine processes the foreground object with respect to a background object to be displayed in the same location. Red components of the foreground object are blended with red components of the background object using red-specific alpha values. Blue components of the foreground object are blended with blue components of the background object using blue-specific alpha values and green components of the foreground object are blended with green components of the background object using green-specific alpha values.

Abstract: An impedance compensation circuit and method for an input/output buffer provides dynamic impedance compensation by using programmable impedance arrays and a dynamically adjustable on-chip load. Accordingly, among other advantages, only a single off-chip or external calibrated impedance resistor is used and only a single test pad is necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping a linear address to a tiled address that reduces latency between retrieval of pages of data is accomplished when a video graphics processor receives a linear address from the central processing unit and determines whether the linear address is referencing a tiled surface, which is one of up to four portions of the memory. If so, the video graphics processor obtains parameters of the tiled surface. Having obtained the parameters, the video graphics processor determines a normalized linear address based on at least one of the parameters and the linear address. Having done this, the video graphics processor determines a band pointer of the tiled surface based on at least one of the parameters, the normalized linear address and a modular function. In essence, the band pointer points to a normalized initial address of a band of a tiled surface, which includes a plurality of bands.