Patents by Inventor David J. Redman
David J. Redman 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: 10504203Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Phillip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Patent number: 10152444Abstract: Information is provided to a source device during link training regarding the state of a remote link when an intermediate device using a different protocol is connected between source and sink devices. The intermediate device includes two controllers connected by a cable, the first controller being connected to the source device and the second controller being connected to the sink device. State information regarding the remote device may be provided by a state machine that stores data to a register on the intermediate device. Based on the state of the remote link, the source device is able to generate a representation of the end to end link between the source and sink device, and to perform link training accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alexander Naidich, David J. Redman
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Patent number: 10126999Abstract: Display control of a sink device is provided. The sink device has tiles forming a display and is connected to a source device via interfaces. Each interface provides a video stream to a respective tile. The source device includes a policy engine, and a GPU (graphics processing unit). The policy engine obtains link training data provided by the driver of the GPU, including information regarding a negotiated link configuration for the interfaces. The policy engine generates configuration data based on the synchronous link training data, the configuration data including a set of configurations each of which associated with a resolution of the display. The policy engine provides driving data to the GPU derived by mapping a resolution to a configuration implementation on the interfaces based on the synchronous link training data and the configuration data.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David J. Redman, Chengchung Chen
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Publication number: 20160328818Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Phillip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Patent number: 9477437Abstract: An electronic device selectively couples a head with links in a graphics processing unit to a currently selected display port in a pair of display ports. During operation, control logic in the electronic device monitors a pair of configuration signals from the pair of display ports, where the pair of configuration signals correspond to physical connections to the pair of display ports. Then, the control logic determines a selection control signal based on the monitored pair of configuration signals, a policy setting and a default display port, where the selection control signal specifies the currently selected display port. Moreover, the control logic provides the selection control signal to a multiplexer in the electronic device. Next, the multiplexer selectively couples the head with the links in the graphics processing unit to the currently selected display port based on the selection control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William O. Ferry, David J. Redman, Adrian T. Sheppard, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Patent number: 9336560Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Costa, Simon M. Douglas, David J. Redman
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Patent number: 9336028Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Philip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Publication number: 20150286455Abstract: An electronic device selectively couples a head with links in a graphics processing unit to a currently selected display port in a pair of display ports. During operation, control logic in the electronic device monitors a pair of configuration signals from the pair of display ports, where the pair of configuration signals correspond to physical connections to the pair of display ports. Then, the control logic determines a selection control signal based on the monitored pair of configuration signals, a policy setting and a default display port, where the selection control signal specifies the currently selected display port. Moreover, the control logic provides the selection control signal to a multiplexer in the electronic device. Next, the multiplexer selectively couples the head with the links in the graphics processing unit to the currently selected display port based on the selection control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: William O. Ferry, David J. Redman, Adrian T. Sheppard, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Patent number: 9153179Abstract: A system may include a graphics controller and a display. The graphics controller may generate video data to display on the display. The display may include a display panel for displaying the video data, a backlight unit for providing the display panel with backlight, and a display timing controller for communicating with the graphics controller over a communications path. The communications path may include a video data path for conveying video data bits, an interrupt path for conveying interrupts, and a sideband control path for conveying control signals such as a backlight enable signal for the backlight unit. The graphics controller and timing controller may perform link training operations to assess link quality between the graphics controller and timing controller. The timing controller may use interrupts to inform the graphics controller of system status. Use of the interrupts may help the system minimize the time consumed during display power-up operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Apple, Inc.Inventors: Paolo Sacchetto, David J. Redman, Colin Witby-Strevens
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Patent number: 9070199Abstract: An electronic device selectively couples a head with links in a graphics processing unit to a currently selected display port in a pair of display ports. During operation, control logic in the electronic device monitors a pair of configuration signals from the pair of display ports, where the pair of configuration signals correspond to physical connections to the pair of display ports. Then, the control logic determines a selection control signal based on the monitored pair of configuration signals, a policy setting and a default display port, where the selection control signal specifies the currently selected display port. Moreover, the control logic provides the selection control signal to a multiplexer in the electronic device. Next, the multiplexer selectively couples the head with the links in the graphics processing unit to the currently selected display port based on the selection control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: William O. Ferry, David J. Redman, Adrian T. Sheppard, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Publication number: 20140340411Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Thomas W. Costa, Simon M. Douglas, David J. Redman
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Publication number: 20140253564Abstract: Systems and methods include an electronic device having multiple GPUs and a GPU power control process that controls switching between a first GPU and a second GPU, such as a high performance GPU. The electronic device uses the first GPU when an external device is coupled to an adapter connected to the electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: David J. Redman, Wai Yu Trevor Tsang
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Patent number: 8797334Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Thomas W. Costa, Simon M. Douglas, David J. Redman
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Patent number: 8736618Abstract: Systems and methods include an electronic device having multiple GPUs and a GPU power control process that controls switching between a first GPU and a second GPU, such as a high performance GPU. The electronic device may be coupled to an external display by a passive adapter or an active adapter. The GPU power control process may determine if the second GPU is active and switch to the second GPU upon connection of the external display through either the passive adapter or the active adapter. Upon connection of an active adapter, the GPU power control process may use hot plug functionality to determine connection of the external display to the active adapter and provide appropriate switching in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David J. Redman, Wai Yu Trevor Tsang
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Publication number: 20140092107Abstract: An electronic device selectively couples a head with links in a graphics processing unit to a currently selected display port in a pair of display ports. During operation, control logic in the electronic device monitors a pair of configuration signals from the pair of display ports, where the pair of configuration signals correspond to physical connections to the pair of display ports. Then, the control logic determines a selection control signal based on the monitored pair of configuration signals, a policy setting and a default display port, where the selection control signal specifies the currently selected display port. Moreover, the control logic provides the selection control signal to a multiplexer in the electronic device. Next, the multiplexer selectively couples the head with the links in the graphics processing unit to the currently selected display port based on the selection control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: William O. Ferry, David J. Redman, Adrian T. Sheppard, Sreeraman Anantharaman
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Publication number: 20140049572Abstract: A system may include a graphics controller and a display. The graphics controller may generate video data to display on the display. The display may include a display panel for displaying the video data, a backlight unit for providing the display panel with backlight, and a display timing controller for communicating with the graphics controller over a communications path. The communications path may include a video data path for conveying video data bits, an interrupt path for conveying interrupts, and a sideband control path for conveying control signals such as a backlight enable signal for the backlight unit. The graphics controller and timing controller may perform link training operations to assess link quality between the graphics controller and timing controller. The timing controller may use interrupts to inform the graphics controller of system status. Use of the interrupts may help the system minimize the time consumed during display power-up operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paolo Sacchetto, David J. Redman, Colin Whitby-Strevens
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Publication number: 20110267359Abstract: Systems and methods include an electronic device having multiple GPUs and a GPU power control process that controls switching between a first GPU and a second GPU, such as a high performance GPU. The electronic device may be coupled to an external display by a passive adapter or an active adapter. The GPU power control process may determine if the second GPU is active and switch to the second GPU upon connection of the external display through either the passive adapter or the active adapter. Upon connection of an active adapter, the GPU power control process may use hot plug functionality to determine connection of the external display to the active adapter and provide appropriate switching in response thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Wai Yu Trevor Tsang
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Publication number: 20110164045Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Thomas W. Costa, Simon M. Douglas, David J. Redman
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Publication number: 20100328323Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: David J. Redman, Changki Min, Philip J. Churchill, Adrian T. Sheppard, David A. Leech, Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe, Ian Hendry, Eve Brasfield
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Publication number: 20080266563Abstract: Embodiments including color filter arrays are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: David J. Redman, Steve A. Jacob, Randall G. Guay