Patents by Inventor Bengt-Olaf Schneider
Bengt-Olaf Schneider has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9946666Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for coalescing memory access requests. A plurality of memory access requests is received in a thread execution order and a portion of the memory access requests are coalesced into memory order, where memory access requests included in the portion are generated by threads in a thread block. A memory operation is generated that is transmitted to a memory system, where the memory operation represents the coalesced portion of memory access requests.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Steven James Heinrich, Ramesh Jandhyala, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 9390464Abstract: A raster operations (ROP) unit is configured to compress stencil values included in a stencil buffer. The ROP unit divides the stencil values into groups, subdivides each group into two halves, and selects an anchor value for each half. If the difference between each of the stencil values and the corresponding anchor lies within an offset range, and the difference between the two anchors lies within a delta range, then the group is compressible. For a compressible group, the ROP unit encodes the anchor value, offsets from anchors, and an anchor delta. This encoding enables the ROP unit to operate on the compressed group instead of the uncompressed stencil values, reducing the number of memory and computational operations associated with the stencil values. Consequently, the ROP unit reduces memory bandwidth use, reduces power consumption, and increases rendering rate compared to conventional ROP units that implement less flexible compression techniques.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Christian Amsinck, Bengt-olaf Schneider, Jeffrey A. Bolz
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Patent number: 9230362Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product enable compression with programmable sample locations, where the compression is a function of the programmable sample locations. The method includes the steps of storing a first value specifying a programmed sample location within a pixel in a sample pattern table and storing, in a memory, geometric surface parameters corresponding to a first attribute at the programmed sample location within a first pixel of a display surface. An instruction to store a second value specifying the programmed sample location within the pixel in the sample pattern table is received. The attribute is reconstructed based on the geometric surface parameters and the first value.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Eric B. Lum, Jeffrey Alan Bolz, Rui Manuel Bastos, Andrei Khodakovsky, Christian Johannes Amsinck, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 9230363Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product enable compression with programmable sample locations, where the compression is a function of the programmable sample locations. The method includes the steps of storing a first value specifying a programmed sample location within a pixel in a first sample pattern table that is associated with a first display surface and storing, in a memory, geometric surface parameters corresponding to a first attribute at the programmed sample location within a first pixel of the first display surface. A second value specifying the programmed sample location within the pixel in a second sample pattern table that is associated with a second display surface is also stored and the first attribute is reconstructed based on the geometric surface parameters and the first value.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Eric B. Lum, Jeffrey Alan Bolz, Rui Manuel Bastos, Andrei Khodakovsky, Christian Johannes Amsinck, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 9105250Abstract: A method for compressing graphics data, the method comprising sorting a plurality of coverage masks into an order of descending number of samples covered by the plurality of coverage masks. A first coverage mask is identified. The first coverage mask comprises a greatest number of covered samples. Additional coverage masks of the plurality of coverage masks are compacted in the order of descending number of samples covered. Compacting additional coverage masks comprises removing samples from the coverage mask that are covered by any other compacted coverage mask.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATIONInventor: Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Publication number: 20150154733Abstract: A raster operations (ROP) unit is configured to compress stencil values included in a stencil buffer. The ROP unit divides the stencil values into groups, subdivides each group into two halves, and selects an anchor value for each half. If the difference between each of the stencil values and the corresponding anchor lies within an offset range, and the difference between the two anchors lies within a delta range, then the group is compressible. For a compressible group, the ROP unit encodes the anchor value, offsets from anchors, and an anchor delta. This encoding enables the ROP unit to operate on the compressed group instead of the uncompressed stencil values, reducing the number of memory and computational operations associated with the stencil values. Consequently, the ROP unit reduces memory bandwidth use, reduces power consumption, and increases rendering rate compared to conventional ROP units that implement less flexible compression techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATIONInventors: Christian AMSINCK, Bengt-olaf SCHNEIDER, Jeffrey A. BOLZ
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Patent number: 9002125Abstract: A method for compressing graphics data comprises selecting z-planes from a plurality of z-planes. The selected z-planes are predictor z-planes. A residual is determined for each sample not covered by one of the predictor z-planes. A sample is covered by one of the predictor z-planes when the predictor z-plane correctly defines a z-value of the sample. A residual comprises a value that is a difference between a predicted z-value provided by one of the predictor z-planes and an actual z-value for the sample. The predictor z-planes and the residuals are stored in a z-buffer.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Christian Amsinck
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Publication number: 20150070381Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for using compression with programmable sample locations, where the compression is a function of the programmable sample locations. The method includes the steps of storing a first value specifying a programmed sample location within a pixel in a first sample pattern table that is associated with a first display surface and storing, in a memory, geometric surface parameters corresponding to a first attribute at the programmed sample location within a first pixel of the first display surface. A second value specifying the programmed sample location within the pixel in a second sample pattern table that is associated with a second display surface is also stored and the first attribute is reconstructed based on the geometric surface parameters and the first value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Eric B. Lum, Jeffrey Alan Bolz, Rui Manuel Bastos, Andrei Khodakovsky, Christian Johannes Amsinck, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Publication number: 20150070380Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for using compression with programmable sample locations, where the compression is a function of the programmable sample locations. The method includes the steps of storing a first value specifying a programmed sample location within a pixel in a sample pattern table and storing, in a memory, geometric surface parameters corresponding to a first attribute at the programmed sample location within a first pixel of a display surface. An instruction to store a second value specifying the programmed sample location within the pixel in the sample pattern table is received. The attribute is reconstructed based on the geometric surface parameters and the first value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Eric B. Lum, Jeffrey Alan Bolz, Rui Manuel Bastos, Andrei Khodakovsky, Christian Johannes Amsinck, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Publication number: 20150046662Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for coalescing memory access requests. A plurality of memory access requests is received in a thread execution order and a portion of the memory access requests are coalesced into memory order, where memory access requests included in the portion are generated by threads in a thread block. A memory operation is generated that is transmitted to a memory system, where the memory operation represents the coalesced portion of memory access requests.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Steven James Heinrich, Ramesh Jandhyala, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Publication number: 20140105513Abstract: A method for compressing graphics data comprises selecting z-planes from a plurality of z-planes. The selected z-planes are predictor z-planes. A residual is determined for each sample not covered by one of the predictor z-planes. A sample is covered by one of the predictor z-planes when the predictor z-plane correctly defines a z-value of the sample. A residual comprises a value that is a difference between a predicted z-value provided by one of the predictor z-planes and an actual z-value for the sample. The predictor z-planes and the residuals are stored in a z-buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATIONInventors: Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Christian Amsinck
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Publication number: 20140035939Abstract: A method for compressing graphics data, the method comprising sorting a plurality of coverage masks into an order of descending number of samples covered by the plurality of coverage masks. A first coverage mask is identified. The first coverage mask comprises a greatest number of covered samples. Additional coverage masks of the plurality of coverage masks are compacted in the order of descending number of samples covered. Compacting additional coverage masks comprises removing samples from the coverage mask that are covered by any other compacted coverage mask.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATIONInventor: Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 7880747Abstract: A technique for handling floating-point special values, e.g., Infinity, NaN, ?Zero, and denorms, during blend operations is provided so that blend operations on fragment color values that contain special values can be performed in compliance with special value handling rules. In particular, the presence of special values is detected or the potential presence of special values is detected. This information is used to qualify when blend optimizations may be performed, so that floating point blend operations can remain conformant to special value handling rules.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Steven E. Molnar, Jerome F. Duluk, Jr., Henry P. Moreton, Daniel P. Wilde, Mark J. French, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Jonathan J. Dunaisky, Weizhong Xu
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Patent number: 7868901Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention sets forth a method and system for reducing memory bandwidth requirements for an anti-aliasing operation. The first virtual coverage information for a pixel involved in an anti-aliasing operation is maintained in memory. If a certain operating condition of the anti-aliasing operation deterministically implies the second virtual coverage information for this pixel, the second virtual coverage information, as opposed to the first virtual coverage information, is used in the anti-aliasing operation. In such situations, since the virtual coverage information is implied, it does not have to be accessed from memory, thereby improving overall system performance.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: John H. Edmondson, Steven E. Molnar, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Gary C. King, Michael J. M. Toksvig, Peter B. Holmqvist, James M. O'Connor
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Patent number: 7382368Abstract: A z buffer stores compressed z data represented in a planar format for one or more tiles. The compressed format includes a set of tile specific coefficients defining a plane equation for each z tested primitive intersecting the tile. The z buffer stores a maximum number of sets of tile specific coefficients for each tile, and when the maximum number of sets is exceeded for a particular tile, an uncompressed format is used to store the z data for the particular tile.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Steven E. Molnar, Mark J. French, John S. Montrym, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Daniel P. Wilde
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Patent number: 7237101Abstract: Methods and arrangements for facilitating the integration of devices, such as hardware components, with a computer operating system or the like. Contemplated herein are self-describing devices that serve to eliminate one or more intermediate steps commonly encountered heretofore.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2000Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nicholas R. Dono, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 7089593Abstract: There is furnished a method for providing an individual temporary access to a commonly accessible computer processing system (CA computer). The CA computer has a plurality of application programs associated therewith. The method includes the step of detecting the coupling of a portable storage device to the CA computer. The storage device has stored therein an access code for indicating whether the user is authorized to temporarily access the CA computer and information including computing preferences of the individual. It is determined whether the individual is authorized to temporarily access the CA computer, based on the access code. The CA computer is modified in accordance with the information stored in the storage device and temporary access is provided to the CA computer, when the individual is authorized to temporarily access the CA computer. The activity of at least one of the individual and the CA computer is monitored, until the storage device is de-coupled from the CA computer.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Nicholas R. Dono, Bengt-Olaf Schneider
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Patent number: 6825847Abstract: A system and method are provided for the compression of pixel data for communicating the same with a frame buffer. Initially, a plurality of samples is received. It is first determined whether the samples are reducible, in that a single sample value can take the place of a plurality of sample values. If it is determined that the samples are capable of being reduced, the samples are reduced. Reduction is a first stage of compression. It is then determined whether the samples are capable of being compacted. The samples are then compacted if it is determined that the samples are capable of being compacted. Compaction is a second stage of compression. The samples are then communicated with a frame buffer, in compressed form, if possible, in uncompressed form if not. Subsequent reading of frame buffer data takes advantage of the smaller transfer size of compressed data. Compressed data is uncompacted and expanded as necessary for further processing or display.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: NVIDIA CorporationInventors: Steven E. Molnar, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, John Montrym, James M. Van Dyke, Stephen D. Lew
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Patent number: 6823415Abstract: A computer system, includes a mobile computer, a docking station for receiving the mobile computer, a bridge having a first side coupled to the mobile computer and a second side coupled to the docking station, and a flat panel display formed with the docking station for being coupled to the mobile computer via the docking station. The docking station includes a dock housing coupled to a desktop display and including a first bus, and a bridge coupled between the first bus and a second bus, the first bus residing in the dock housing and the second bus for being coupled to the mobile computer.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Sameh W. Asaad, Nicholas R. Dono, Ernest Nelson Mandese, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Kevin W. Warren
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Patent number: RE38865Abstract: A method of optimizing the operation of a computer system in running application programs in accordance with system capabilities, user preferences and configuration parameters of the application program. More specifically, with this invention, an optimizing program gathers information on the system capabilities, user preferences and configuration parameters of the application program to maximize the operation of the application program or computer system. Further, user selected rules of operation can be selected by dragging rule icons to target optimizer icon.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel Peter Dumarot, David Alan Stevenson, Nicolas Richard Dono, James Randall Moulic, Clifford Alan Pickover, Bengt-Olaf Schneider, Adelbert Smith