Abstract: Mechanisms for extracting data dependencies during runtime are provided. The mechanisms execute a portion of code having a loop and generate, for the loop, a first parallel execution group comprising a subset of iterations of the loop less than a total number of iterations of the loop. The mechanisms further execute the first parallel execution group and determining, for each iteration in the subset of iterations, whether the iteration has a data dependence. Moreover, the mechanisms commit store data to system memory only for stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which no data dependence is determined. Store data of stores performed by iterations in the subset of iterations for which a data dependence is determined is not committed to the system memory.

Abstract: Mechanisms for performing data parallel function calls in code during runtime are provided. These mechanisms may operate to execute, in the processor, a portion of code having a data parallel function call to a target portion of code. The mechanisms may further operate to determine, at runtime by the processor, whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code and determine whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code. Moreover, the mechanisms may operate to execute the target portion of code based on the determination of whether the target portion of code is a data parallel portion of code or a scalar portion of code, and the determination of whether the calling code is data parallel code or scalar code.

Abstract: Mechanisms for extracting data dependencies during runtime are provided. With these mechanisms, a portion of code having a loop is executed. A first parallel execution group is generated for the loop, the group comprising a subset of iterations of the loop less than a total number of iterations of the loop. The first parallel execution group is executed by executing each iteration in parallel. Store data for iterations are stored in corresponding store caches of the processor. Dependency checking logic of the processor determines, for each iteration, whether the iteration has a data dependence. Only the store data for stores where there was no data dependence determined are committed to memory.

Abstract: A graphics client receives a frame, the frame comprising scene model data. A server load balancing factor is set based on the scene model data. A prospective rendering factor is set based on the scene model data. The frame is partitioned into a plurality of server bands based on the server load balancing factor and the prospective rendering factor. The server bands are distributed to a plurality of compute servers. Processed server bands are received from the compute servers. A processed frame is assembled based on the received processed server bands. The processed frame is transmitted for display to a user as an image.

Abstract: Scene model data, including a scene geometry model and a plurality of pixel data describing objects arranged in a scene, is received. A first pixel data of the plurality of pixel data is selected. A primary pixel color and a primary ray are generated based on the first pixel data. If the primary ray intersects an object in the scene, an intersection point, P is determined. A surface normal, N, is determined based on the object intersected and the intersection point, P. A primary hit color is determined based on the intersection point, P. The primary pixel color is modified based on the primary hit color. A plurality of ambient occlusion (AO) rays are generated based on the intersection point, P and the surface normal, N, with each AO ray having a direction, D. For each AO ray, the AO ray direction is reversed, D, the AO ray origin, O, is set to a point outside the scene. Each AO ray is marched from the AO ray origin into the scene to the intersection point, P.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving scene model data including a scene geometry model and a plurality of pixel data describing objects arranged in a scene. The method generates a primary ray based on a selected first pixel data. In the event the primary ray intersects an object in the scene, the method determines primary hit color data and generates a plurality of secondary rays. The method groups the secondary packets and arranges the packets in a queue based on the octant of each direction vector in the secondary ray packet. The method generates secondary color data based on the secondary ray packets in the queue and generates a pixel color based on the primary hit color data, and the secondary color data. The method generates an image based on the pixel color for the pixel data.

Abstract: A method for implementing a software-managed cache comprises determining an object identifier (ID) for each of a first set of objects of a plurality of objects resident in a local memory, to generate a first cache table, the first cache table comprising a plurality of entries. Each object comprises an object ID and an effective address. The method receives a request for an object, the request comprising an object ID. The method compares the received object ID with the entries in the first cache table. In the event the received object ID matches an entry in the first cache table, the method returns the matching entry in response to the request. In the event the received object ID does not match an entry in the first cache table, the method calculates an effective address in the local memory of the object associated with the object ID.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for efficient communication of producer/consumer buffer status are provided. With the apparatus and method, devices in a data processing system notify each other of updates to head and tail pointers of a shared buffer region when the devices perform operations on the shared buffer region using signal notification channels of the devices. Thus, when a producer device that produces data to the shared buffer region writes data to the shared buffer region, an update to the head pointer is written to a signal notification channel of a consumer device. When a consumer device reads data from the shared buffer region, the consumer device writes a tail pointer update to a signal notification channel of the producer device. In addition, channels may operate in a blocking mode so that the corresponding device is kept in a low power state until an update is received over the channel.

Abstract: A method is provided for accessing, by an application running on a first processor, operating system services from an operating system running on a second processor by performing an assisted call. A data plane processor first constructs a parameter area based on the input and output parameters for the function that requires control processor assistance. The current values for the input parameters are copied into the parameter area. An assisted call message is generated based on a combination of a pointer to the parameter area and a specific library function opcode for the library function that is being called. The assisted call message is placed into the processor's stack immediately following a stop-and-signal instruction. The control plane processor is signaled to perform the library function corresponding to the opcode on behalf of the data plane processor by executing a stop and signal instruction.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for accessing, by an application running on a first processor, operating system services from an operating system running on a second processor by performing an assisted call. A data plane processor first constructs a parameter area based on the input and output parameters for the function that requires control processor assistance. The current values for the input parameters are copied into the parameter area. An assisted call message is generated based on a combination of a pointer to the parameter area and a specific library function opcode for the library function that is being called. The assisted call message is placed into the processor's stack immediately following a stop-and-signal instruction. The control plane processor is signaled to perform the library function corresponding to the opcode on behalf of the data plane processor by executing a stop and signal instruction.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for generating event notifications for offline characters from within a persistent world online game. A player agent for an offline player runs in a secondary partition in a video game console while a primary application runs in a main partition. The offline player agent includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent composes an event notification message and presents the message to the offline player through speech or through an interface within the primary application. Event notification messages may include images, voice (text-to-speech), sound, or video.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for automatically waking a game client responsive to game events occurring within a persistent world online game. An event monitor monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent automatically activates execution of game client software. The player agent may also automatically log the player into the game server through the game client software. The player agent may generate and present a launcher dialog prompting the user whether to launch the game client software. Alternatively, the player agent may send a message to a messaging device of the offline player with instructions for launching the game client software remotely. Responsive to a message including a launch command, the player agent automatically launches the game client software on a game client device associated with the offline player.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for logical partitioning and virtualization in heterogeneous computer architecture. In one illustrative embodiment, a portion of a first set of processors of a first type is allocated to a partition in a heterogeneous logically partitioned system and a portion of a second set of processors of a second type is allocated to the partition.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for configuring offline player behavior within a persistent world game. A player agent for an offline player includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent may generate game events on behalf of the offline player. The player agent may also receive messages from an offline player. The messages may include commands for adding, removing, or editing offline player rules. A message may also include a command to view a list of rules or fire a one-time execution of a rule upon receipt. Therefore, a player may contribute to the persistent virtual world even when offline by sending commands using a messaging client or Web browser.