Abstract: The pseudo-linear frame buffer mapping system and method facilitates the clearing of the frame buffer memory of a graphics display system by subdividing the region of the frame buffer which is to be cleared into a plurality of sub-regions and by initiating the clear command concurrently to each of the plurality of sub-regions.

Abstract: A 3D graphics controller configurable to simultaneously copy portions of a pixel region between a back buffer and a front buffer. The 3D graphics controller includes four memory controllers, each controlling a bank of frame buffer memory. A sequence of addresses defining a pixel region is generated. The addresses are distributed to the four memory controllers according to the memory banks (addresses) coupled thereto. Each memory controller is configured to read pixels according to the addresses and a first offset; and write the pixels according to the addresses and a second offset. The offsets are chosen so as not to shift pixels within the banks. Therefore, each memory controller simultaneously and independently copies a portion of the pixel region without accessing any other memory banks resulting in a copy of the entire pixel region.

Abstract: A method of avoiding processor state transitions while rendering frames includes forming a command data buffer and a data structure in response to drawing commands received from a graphics application. The command data buffer includes a list of primitives. The data structure identifies a texture and where in the command data buffer (offset) the texture should be referenced. Multiple texture changes can be accumulated at user level before making a ring transition to kernel mode to process the command data buffer. After the command data buffer and data structure are formed, kernel mode is entered so that a graphics driver can communicate the command data buffer to graphics hardware. While in kernel mode offsets stored in the data structure cause the driver to verify that the texture is present in graphics memory. If not present, the driver causes the texture to be loaded before continuing to communicate the primitives. Thus, multiple textures can be loaded the kernel session.

Abstract: A system and method for virtual device access in a graphics computer is disclosed. The present invention enables applications running on a graphics computer to access the graphics hardware device with no per-transaction performance cost. Each time an application attempts to access the graphics hardware device, a hardware control manager either gives the application access to the graphics hardware device if no other application is currently accessing the hardware, or alternatively, if another application is currently accessing hardware, the hardware control manager instructs a signal handler associated with the application attempting access to perform a graphics context switch with the currently accessing application before the hardware control manager will give permission to the application attempting access to access the graphics hardware device.