Abstract: In a ray tracer, to prevent any long-running query from hanging the graphics processing unit, a traversal coprocessor provides a preemption mechanism that will allow rays to stop processing or time out early. The example non-limiting implementations described herein provide such a preemption mechanism, including a forward progress guarantee, and additional programmable timeout options that can be time or cycle based. Those programmable options provide a means for quality of service timing guarantees for applications such as virtual reality (VR) that have strict timing requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an efficient and robust multiprocessor-coprocessor interface that may be used between a streaming multiprocessor and an acceleration coprocessor in a GPU are provided. According to an example implementation, in order to perform an acceleration of a particular operation using the coprocessor, the multiprocessor: issues a series of write instructions to write input data for the operation into coprocessor-accessible storage locations, issues an operation instruction to cause the coprocessor to execute the particular operation; and then issues a series of read instructions to read result data of the operation from coprocessor-accessible storage locations to multiprocessor-accessible storage locations.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving the throughput of ray intersection or visibility queries performed by a ray tracing hardware accelerator. Throughput is improved, for example, by releasing allocated resources before ray visibility query results are reported by the hardware accelerator. The allocated resources are released when the ray visibility query results can be stored in a compressed format outside of the allocated resources. When reporting the ray visibility query results, the results are reconstructed based on the results stored in the compressed format. The compressed format storage can be used for ray visibility queries that return no intersections or terminate on any hit ray visibility query. One or more individual components of allocated resources can also be independently deallocated based on the type of data to be returned and/or results of the ray visibility query.

Abstract: In a ray tracer, to prevent any long-running query from hanging the graphics processing unit, a traversal coprocessor provides a preemption mechanism that will allow rays to stop processing or time out early. The example non-limiting implementations described herein provide such a preemption mechanism, including a forward progress guarantee, and additional programmable timeout options that can be time or cycle based. Those programmable options provide a means for quality of service timing guarantees for applications such as virtual reality (VR) that have strict timing requirements.

Abstract: An antenna for wireless communication is integrated into an external member, for example, a molded bumper, on handheld or other portable electronic equipment. The external member is attached to an external surface of electronic equipment, providing shock isolation and protection for the equipment and the antenna. A method of mounting an antenna on portable electronic equipment for enabling wireless communication by the portable electronic equipment comprises mounting on the portable electronic equipment an energy-dissipating structure made of a resilient material, and positioning the antenna in the energy-dissipating structure.

Abstract: A tufting machine hook with a spring clip secured at one end to the hook shank is resiliently engaged on a face of the bill by a flag on the clip adjacent the other end. An intermediate portion of the clip is bent so as to be disposed out of the plane of the face engaged and toward the opposite face. In one embodiment the face to which the clip is secured and the face engaged by the flag are on the same side and the free end of the clip is elongated. In the other embodiment the clip is secured to the shank at the opposite side to the face engaged by the flag and the clip is bent to cross the plane of the hook.

Abstract: A tufting needle for use in a module having a generally flat elongate element including a yarn receiving eye adjacent one end and an enlargement at the other end with the needle having a small twist between the ends.

Abstract: A conveying device having a flexible member with inside and outside surfaces and first and second end positions forming inlet and outlet orifices. Support mechanisms disposed intermediate the inside and outside surfaces and a drive mechanism for engaging the flexible member and propelling it in a continuous closed loop such that the inside surface becomes the outside surface and the outside surface becomes the inside surface; that the relative shape and orientation of the first and second end portion is not altered; and, that the inside surface and the outside surface move in substantially opposite directions.

Abstract: A tufting machine needle module having a body member attachable to the needle bar of the tufting machine. The module has a plurality of longitudinally spaced needles formed integrally with the body member and depending therefrom in parallel relationship. The body member includes co-operable male and female formations on respective front and rear faces thereof spaced at equal distances longitudinally on the respective face with those of one face offset longitudinally relative to those of the other face by a distance equal to an odd number multiple of one-half the pitch of the needles carried by the body member. The modules are arranged in two rows one behind the other with the male and female formations of modules in respective rows cooperating with those of the other row so that the modules in a row are offset from the modules in the other row by one-half the pitch of the needles on each module.