Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for tracking and filtering state change methods provided to a graphics pipeline. State shadow circuitry at the start of the graphics pipeline may be configured in different modes. A track mode is used to capture the current state by storing state change methods that are transmitted to the graphics pipeline. A passthrough mode is used to provide different state data to the graphics pipeline without updating the current state stored in the state shadow circuitry. A replay mode is used to restore the current state to the graphics pipeline using the state shadow circuitry. Additionally, the state shadow circuitry may also be configured to filter the state change methods that are transmitted to graphics pipeline by removing redundant state change methods.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting state information associated with at least one graphics command to a graphics processor. The method includes the steps of generating a state object that specifies a set of properties that is needed to execute a first graphics command within the graphics processor, storing in the state object a value associated with a first property included in the set of properties, marking a second property included in the set of properties as a dynamic property, where a value associated with the second property is not stored in the state object and can be updated without having to modify the state object, and transmitting the state object to the graphics processor in order to execute the first graphics command.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method macro expander (MME) coupled to a driver and the processing pipeline of a graphics processing unit. In operation, the MME receives, from the driver, a first packet of work indicating a macro stored in an instruction memory that is to be executed. The MME then executes the commands of the macro in the instruction memory to generate a second packet of work, and the second packet of work is then transmitted to the processing pipeline for further execution.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for accessing, from within a graphics processing unit (GPU), data objects stored in a memory accessible by the GPU. The method comprises the steps of creating a data object in the memory based on a command received from an application program, transmitting an address associated with the data object to the application program for providing data associated with different draw commands to the GPU, receiving a first draw command and the address associated with the data object from the application program, and transmitting the first draw command and the address associated with the data object to the GPU for processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a unified instruction set allow shader programs of different types to use a common instruction set. The unified instruction set provides easy access for new graphics hardware features and faster compile times for shader programs. Programmers may use the unified instruction set to write fragment, vertex, or geometry programs. Functions that use the unified instruction set can be included in shader, vertex, or geometry programs without modification. Existing shader programs may be compiled to produce shader microcode based on the unified instruction set. The shader microcode may then be executed by processing units designed to support the unified instruction set.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a [TODO once claims are reviewed]

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a unified instruction set allow shader programs of different types to use a common instruction set. The unified instruction set provides easy access for new graphics hardware features and faster compile times for shader programs. Programmers may use the unified instruction set to write fragment, vertex, or geometry programs. Functions that use the unified instruction set can be included in shader, vertex, or geometry programs without modification. Existing shader programs may be compiled to produce shader microcode based on the unified instruction set. The shader microcode may then be executed by processing units designed to support the unified instruction set.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting state information associated with at least one graphics command to a graphics processor.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for storing transformed vertex attributes that includes the steps of allocating memory space for a transform feedback buffer, selecting one or more transformed vertex attributes to store in the transform feedback buffer independently of any shader programs executing on any processing units in the graphics rendering pipeline, configuring the transform feedback buffer to store the one or more transformed vertex attributes, and initiating a processing mode wherein vertex data is processed in the graphics rendering pipeline to produce the transformed vertices, the attributes of which are then written to the transform feedback buffer. One advantage is that the transform feedback buffer can be used to store and access transformed vertices, without having to convert the vertex data to a pixel format, store the pixels in a frame buffer, and then convert the pixels back to a vertex format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for tracking and filtering state change methods provided to a graphics pipeline. State shadow circuitry at the start of the graphics pipeline may be configured in different modes. A track mode is used to capture the current state by storing state change methods that are transmitted to the graphics pipeline. A passthrough mode is used to provide different state data to the graphics pipeline without updating the current state stored in the state shadow circuitry. A replay mode is used to restore the current state to the graphics pipeline using the state shadow circuitry. Additionally, the state shadow circuitry may also be configured to filter the state change methods that are transmitted to graphics pipeline by removing redundant state change methods.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method for accessing and updating data in a buffer object during the execution of a shader program. The method includes loading a plurality of data portions in the buffer object, initiating a first execution of a shader program that accesses a first portion of data in the buffer object, receiving a request to update the first portion of data in the buffer object; updating a version of the first portion of data in the buffer object to reflect the update, initiating a second execution of a shader program that accesses the updated version of the first portion of data in the buffer object, wherein the second execution of the shader program occurs without waiting for the execution of the first shader program to complete.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for programmable processing of fragment data in a computer hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, fragment data is received in a hardware graphics pipeline. It is then determined whether the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in a programmable mode. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in the programmable mode, programmable operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output. The programmable operations are performed in a manner/sequence specified in a graphics application program interface. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is not operating in the programmable mode, standard graphics application program interface (API) operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for programmable processing of fragment data in a computer hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, fragment data is received in a hardware graphics pipeline. It is then determined whether the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in a programmable mode. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in the programmable mode, programmable operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output. The programmable operations are performed in a manner/sequence specified in a graphics application program interface. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is not operating in the programmable mode, standard graphics application program interface (API) operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for programmable processing of fragment data in a computer hardware graphics pipeline. Initially, fragment data is received in a hardware graphics pipeline. It is then determined whether the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in a programmable mode. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is operating in the programmable mode, programmable operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output. The programmable operations are performed in a manner/sequence specified in a graphics application program interface. If it is determined that the hardware graphics pipeline is not operating in the programmable mode, standard graphics application program interface (API) operations are performed on the fragment data in order to generate output.