Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique to perform fine-grained rendering predication using an IGPU and a DGPU. A graphics driver divides a 3D object into batches of triangles. The IGPU processes each batch of triangles through a modified rendering pipeline to determine if the batch is culled. The IGPU writes bits into a bitstream corresponding to the visibility of the batches. The DGPU reads bits from the bitstream and performs full-blown rendering, including shading, but only on the batches of triangles whose bit indicates that the batch is visible. Advantageously, this approach to rendering predication provides fine-grained culling without adding unnecessary overhead, thereby optimizing both hardware resources and performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods to improve performance in a graphics processing unit are described herein. Embodiments achieve power saving in a graphics processing unit by dynamically activating/deactivating individual SIMDs in a shader complex that comprises multiple SIMD units. On-the-fly dynamic disabling and enabling of individual SIMDs provides flexibility in achieving a required performance and power level for a given processing application. Embodiments of the invention also achieve dynamic medium grain clock gating of SIMDs in a shader complex. Embodiments reduce switching power by shutting down clock trees to unused logic by providing a clock on demand mechanism. In this way, embodiments enhance clock gating to save more switching power for the duration of time when SIMDs are idle (or assigned no work). Embodiments can also save leakage power by power gating SIMDs for a duration when SIMDs are idle for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for automatically testing a raster image processor. The method may identify the correctness of the bitmap output by the raster image processor to be tested by comparing an abstract code of a bitmap generated by the RIP to be tested with that generated by a reference RIP to determine whether they are consistent with each other, so as to identify the correctness and stability of the RIP to be tested. Furthermore, the test samples can be submitted automatically. Thus, the convenience and efficiency are improved with respect to the manual submitting.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for processing sequences of video images involve receiving, on a computer, data corresponding to a sequence of video images detected by an image sensor. The received data is processed using a graphics processor to adjust one or more visual characteristics of the video images corresponding to the received data. The received data can include video data defining pixel values and ancillary data relating to settings on the image sensor. The video data can be processed in accordance with ancillary data to adjust the visual characteristics, which can include filtering the images, blending images, and/or other processing operations.

Abstract: Graphics resources are virtualized through an interlace between graphics hardware and graphics clients. The interface allocates the graphics resources across multiple graphics clients, processes commands for access to the graphics resources from the graphics clients, and resolves conflicts for the graphics resources among the clients.

Abstract: An on-vehicle display control unit includes a CPU to which vehicle data of various kinds are inputted and a graphic LSI arranged to generate display data to be outputted to a display. The graphic LSI is arranged to generate predetermined display data from image data generated by a meter ECU. However, if there is a problem in a state of the meter ECU or an input status of 3D moving picture data, the graphic LSI receives a fail safe control from the CPU (4), thereby to generate fail safe display data corresponding to the predetermined display data. This realizes an on-vehicle display system capable of stably displaying important vehicle information.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved mapping and navigational system. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a system for defining and assigning geographical boundaries to points of interests on a graphical map, where the geographical boundaries preferably correlate to spatially defined boundaries of the respective points of interests. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the points of interest, along with the respective defined geographical boundaries, can be transferred from a personal computing device to a telecommunication device, such as a portable communication device, so as to be used for mapping purposes and to set off proximity alerts when the portable communication device, equipped with a GPS unit, enters or exits the geographical boundary of a particular point of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data in a system comprising a central processing unit (CPU), a system memory, and a graphics processing unit (GPU) includes determining whether the GPU is an integrated graphics processor (IGP). Based upon a determination that the GPU is an IGP, data stored in the system memory is accessed by the GPU without copying the data to a memory on the GPU. Processing is performed on the data in the GPU.

Abstract: Graphics resources are virtualized through an interface between graphics hardware and graphics clients. The interface allocates the graphics resources across multiple graphics clients, processes commands for access to the graphics resources from the graphics clients, and resolves conflicts for the graphics resources among the clients.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, rays may be stochastically culled before they are issued into the three-dimensional scene. Stochastically culling rays may reduce the number of rays which need to be traced by the image processing system. Furthermore, by stochastically culling rays before they are issued into the three-dimensional scene, minor imperfections may be added to the final rendered image, thereby improving the realism of the rendered image. Therefore, stochastic culling of rays may improve the performance of the image processing system by reducing workload imposed on the image processing system and improving the realism of the images rendered by the image processing system. According to another embodiment of the invention, the realism of images rendered by the image processing system may also be improved by stochastically adding secondary rays after ray-primitive intersections have occurred.

Abstract: To provide an information terminal device contributing to prevention of an operation not intended by a user. A communication management unit (512) of an SVG processing unit (510) displays an image (confirmation image) for requesting a user to perform a confirmation input to confirm whether to be connected to the network before performing network connection according to the definition of a link definition unit (630) in the SVG content (600). When the user rejects the network connection, the link defined by the link definition unit (630) is not referenced. On the other hand, when the user permits the network connection, the communication management unit (512) requests the data of the address defined by the link definition unit (630) from the HTTP server (10) or the like specified in the address. Upon reception of a response to this, a communication state display unit (513) displays the data reception state according to the report from a communication state report unit (121).

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the performance of a graphics intensive software program for graphics acceleration hardware. This system and method encompasses a procedure that validates the different functions of a 3D acceleration capable video card, decides whether to use the acceleration hardware and optimizes the software application to selectively use the functions that work on the specific video acceleration card. Functions checked include sub-pixel positioning, opacity, color replacement and fog. If these tests are successful, then the graphics acceleration is used by the software application. However, if the tests are not successful the decision is made not to use graphics accelerator. Those with ordinary skill in the art will realize that it is not necessary to perform all of the tests in a specific order.

Abstract: A centralised game server in a bank (50) of game servers runs a game program for use by a user at a remote terminal (52, 56, 58). In the game server, the game program sends a first set of graphics instructions to a first graphics processing unit (76) which is intercepted by an instruction interception module (74). The first set of instructions, including vertex data, transformation data and texture data are passed to the first graphics processing unit (76) while a specially manipulated version of the instructions is generated and passed to a second graphics processing unit (78). The first graphics processing unit (76) renders the image data as the game intended while the second graphics processing unit (78) is used to render specially adapted graphics data from which to extract compression assistance data used for compression, e.g. motion vectors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wallpaper image generation method and a portable electric device thereof. The portable electric device comprises an image capture module, an image analysis module, a data processing module and a display module. The image capture module is operable to capture a digital image. The image analysis module is operable to analyze the digital image to obtain a first color data. The data processing module is operable to execute an operating system and generate a wallpaper image for an operation interface of the operating system. The display module is operable to display the operation interface and the wallpaper image. In embodiment, the image analysis module randomly selects a pixel of which color is set as the first color data, and the data processing module generates the wallpaper image according to the first color data, other similar color and a predefined pattern.

Abstract: A graphics processing system comprises at least one memory device storing a plurality of pixel command threads and a plurality of vertex command threads. An arbiter coupled to the at least one memory device is provided that selects a command thread from either the plurality of pixel or vertex command threads based on relative priorities of the plurality of pixel command threads and the plurality of vertex command threads. The selected command thread is provided to a command processing engine capable of processing pixel command threads and vertex command threads.

Abstract: A display control device includes an image data generating section and a control section. The image data generating section is configured to perform generation processing for generating image data in a predetermined processing sequence for each of a plurality of predetermined data units of the image data. The control section is configured to control a display unit to execute display processing based on the image data in the processing sequence for each of the predetermined data units. The control section is configured to control the display unit so that the longer a first time relating to the generation processing for one of the predetermined data units of the image data is, the longer a second time until the display processing starts for the one of the predetermined data units of the image data is.

Abstract: Methods, systems and data structures produce a rasterizer. A graphical state is detected on a machine architecture. The graphical state is used for assembling a shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selecting replacement logic that replaces portions of shell logic in the shell rasterizer. The machine architecture is used for selectively inserting memory management logic into portions of the shell logic to produce.

Abstract: A remote displaying method for monitor apparatus, comprises: converting step, for converting a plurality of graphic elements which constitute a displayed graphic on the monitor apparatus into a plurality of corresponding display instructions; transmitting step, for transmitting the display instructions to a remote display apparatus; receiving step, for receiving the display instructions on the remote display apparatus; and displaying step, for displaying on the remote display apparatus in accordance with the display instructions.

Abstract: An image signal processing system is presented, which includes a computer, a master image processing device, and at least one slave image processing device. The master image processing device is used for receiving an image signal. The master image processing device includes a master signal conversion device and a master signal output device. The master signal conversion device is used for converting the image signal into an instruction signal, and the master signal output device is used for outputting the instruction signal. The slave image processing device includes a slave signal input device, a slave signal conversion device, and a GPU. The slave signal input device is used for receiving the instruction signal. The slave signal conversion device is used for selectively converting the instruction signal into an image signal according to the instruction signal. The GPU is used for receiving the image signal and generating a broadcasting signal.

Abstract: Intermediate target(s) are utilized in connection with computer graphics in a computer system. In various embodiments, intermediate memory buffers in video memory are utilized to allow serialized programs from graphics APIs to support algorithms that exceed the instruction limits of procedural shaders for single programs. The intermediate buffers may also allow sharing of data between programs for other purposes as well, and are atomically accessible. The size of the buffers, i.e., the amount of data stored in the intermediate targets, can be variably set for a varying amount of resolution with respect to the graphics data. In this regard, a single program generates intermediate data, which can then be used, and re-used, by an extension of the same program and/or any number of other programs any number of times, enabling considerable flexibility and complexity of shading programs, while maintaining the speed of modern graphics chips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing selectable hardware accelerators in a data driven architecture are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of processing elements (PEs). A plurality of hardware accelerators are coupled to a selection unit. A register is coupled to the selection unit and the plurality of processing elements. In one embodiment, the register includes a plurality of general purpose registers (GPR), which are accessible by the plurality of processing elements, as well as the plurality of hardware accelerators. In one embodiment, at least one of the GPRs includes a bit to enable a processing element to enable access a selected hardware accelerator via the selection unit.

Abstract: A method to perform compositing of three-dimensional images includes, on a Central Processing Unit (CPU), automatically assembling a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) program for each element of a plurality of image elements. The GPU program for each element is to apply at least one effect to the respective image element. The plurality of image elements, and the associated GPU programs, is communicated from the CPU to a GPU.

Abstract: A graphics processing method, which is applied to a plurality of buffers at least including a first buffer served as an on-screen buffer and a second buffer served as an on-drawing buffer, includes the steps of: sending a drawing command related to the second buffer to a drawing engine; when the drawing command related to the second buffer are received, drawing graphic data stored in the second buffer; sending an asynchronous flush command related to the second buffer to the drawing engine in order to confirm whether the drawing command related to the second buffer is completed; flushing the second buffer; and after the second buffer is flushed, sending a first notice signal to notify a display engine that the second buffer is capable of being flipped.

Abstract: A method and system for rendering a desktop on a computer using a composited desktop model operating system are disclosed. A composited desktop window manager, upon receiving content information from application programs, draws the window to a buffer memory for future reference, and takes advantage of advanced graphics hardware and visual effects to render windows based on content on which they are drawn. The windows may also be rendered based on environment variables including virtual light sources. The frame portion of each window may be generated by pixel shading a bitmap having the appearance of frosted glass based on the content of the desktop on top of which the frame is displayed. Legacy support is provided so that the operating system can draw and render windows generated by legacy applications to look consistent with non-legacy application windows.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes directing a kernel-mode driver to process at least a portion of a command stream configured to cause a graphics processing unit to perform an operation. The kernel-mode driver is used to issue a request to trigger creation of an asynchronous thread for processing the portion of the command stream.

Abstract: Execution units process commands from one or more command queues. Once a command is available on the queue, each unit participating in the execution of the command atomically decrements the command's work groups remaining counter by the work group reservation size and processes a corresponding number of work groups within a work group range. Once all work groups within a range are processed, an execution unit increments a work group processed counter. The unit that increments the work group processed counter to the value stored in a work groups to be executed counter signals completion of the command. Each execution unit that access a command also marks a work group seen counter. Once the work groups processed counter equals the work groups to be executed counter and the work group seen counter equals the number of execution units, the command may be removed or overwritten on the command queue.

Abstract: A system and method for applying non-homogeneous properties to multiple video processing units (VPUs) in a multiple VPU system are described. Respective VPUs in the system cooperate to produce a frame to be displayed. In various embodiments, data output by different VPUs in the system is combined, or merged, or composited to produce a frame to be displayed. In load balancing modes, each VPU in the system performs different tasks as part of rendering a same frame, and therefore typically executes different commands. In various embodiments, efficiency of the system is enhanced by forming a single command buffer for execution by all of the VPUs in the system even though each VPU may have a different set of commands to execute in the command buffer.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer software application for the delivery and display of third-party multi-media content in a public space on locally managed display devices, wherein the delivery and presentation of the third-party multi-media content is manageable remotely from the public space, sale of display time for display on the locally managed display devices is manageable independently from local management, and the display and remote-management of the third-party content can co-operate with an incumbent multi-media management and display application operating on the locally managed display devices without requiring a re-tooling or custom programming of the incumbent multi-media management and display application.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer software application for the delivery and display of third-party multi-media content in a public space on locally managed display devices, wherein the delivery and presentation of the third-party multi-media content is manageable remotely from the public space, sale of display time for display on the locally managed display devices is manageable independently from local management, and the display and remote-management of the third-party content can co-operate and communicate with an incumbent multi-media management and display application operating on the locally managed display devices without requiring a re-tooling or custom programming of the incumbent multi-media management and display application.

Abstract: A method of playing an original 3D content on a 3D enabled monitor, where the 3D enabled monitor does not support the original 3D format type of the original 3D content. The method includes the steps of automatically reading a portion the original 3D content to obtain an identity of the original 3D format type, this portion may or may not be a tag, and reading this portion may include playing multiple frames of the 3D content. The preferred method further includes automatically detecting a monitor and its 3D display format type. If no match is found between the original 3D format type and the display format type, then the method deconstruct the original image content and reconstruct the image content into a 3D format type supported by the 3D display format type.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes implementations for performing register accesses and operations in a graphics processing apparatus. In one implementation, a graphics processing apparatus comprises an execution unit for processing programmed shader operations, wherein the execution unit is configured for processing operations of a plurality of threads. The apparatus further comprises memory forming a register file that accommodates all register operations for all the threads executed by the execution unit, the memory being organized in a plurality of banks, with a first plurality of banks being allocated to a first plurality of the threads and a second plurality of banks being allocated to the remaining threads. In addition, the apparatus comprises address translation logic configured to translate logical register identifiers into physical register addresses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for producing images including emulation techniques using multiple processors. The system provides for emulation of graphics processing resources such that a central processing unit may provide graphics support. Disclosed embodiments include emulation of selected graphics calls as well as emulation of a programmable graphics processor for compatibility with systems having no compatible GPU. Embodiments also include optimization of graphics code for a particular kind of processor.

Abstract: Techniques are described that can be used to manage drawing requests from applications based in part on whether the drawing requests can be displayed and in part on the power consumption states of hardware in the system. If the drawing request can not be displayed, then a number of responses can take place. For example, instead of providing the drawing request to hardware and the driver provides a zero pixel region to the hardware. In some cases, the driver saves the state changes that would have resulted had the drawing request been performed and the drawing request is rendered to a buffer instead of the hardware being powered-on. Other examples are described herein.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for list texturing being performed over a data path of a graphics pipeline. Input data is received at a graphics pipeline of a graphics processing unit to be processed and generated into a final image to be displayed on a display device of a computer system. Geographic primitives are obtained from processing the input data, and neighbor aggregation of pixels within the geographic primitives is performed. The neighbor aggregation of the pixels includes rendering list texture of the pixels by merging the geographic primitives.

Abstract: A state display device capable of reducing a processing load applied to a microcomputer by performing part of a GUI process by hardware and a display method of the state display device are obtained. A rendering processing device starts a process in response to a rendering request stored in a rendering request region when a starting command is stored in a start/end instruction register. When a rendering request specified by an instruction address is a rendering termination request, the rendering processing means terminates the process performed in response to the rendering request, stores a termination factor in an interruption factor register, and issues an interruption to a central processing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downloading algorithmic elements to a coprocessor and corresponding processing and communication techniques are provided. For an improved graphics pipeline, the invention provides a class of co-processing device, such as a graphics processor unit (GPU), providing improved capabilities for an abstract or virtual machine for performing graphics calculations and rendering.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for rendering a scene with a simulated depth of field blur. In one embodiment, the scene comprises a plurality of polygons, each polygon comprises a respective plurality of vertices, and each of the vertices has a respective depth. A respective blur radius may be determined for each vertex of each polygon as a function of the depth of the vertex. A respective blur radius may be determined for each pixel in each polygon based on the blur radii for the vertices of the polygon. Each pixel in each polygon may be rendered using the respective blur radius determined for the pixel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets for a method for accessing data objects stored in a memory that is accessible by a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method comprises the steps of creating a data object in the memory based on a command received from an application program, transmitting a first handle associated with the data object to the application program such that data associated with different graphics commands can be accessed by the GPU, wherein the first handle includes a memory address that provides access to only a particular portion of the data object, receiving a first graphics command as well as the first handle from the application program, wherein the first graphics command includes a draw command or a compute grid launch, and transmitting the first graphics command and the first handle to the GPU for processing.

Abstract: Techniques are described that track the lines and pixels in a frame buffer in the host system that are being modified and transmit these modified scan lines and modified pixel locations to the self refresh display instead of entire contents of the frame buffer. The graphics adapter informs the self refresh display of the modified scan lines or pixel information and then sends the pixel data over the communications channel to the display. Custom codes can be used to identify and transmit modified scan lines and pixels to the self refresh display logic.

Abstract: A method for performing image signal processing (ISP) with the aid of a graphics processing unit (GPU) includes: utilizing an ISP pipeline to perform pre-processing on source data of at least one portion of at least one source frame image to generate intermediate data of at least one portion of at least one intermediate frame image, where the ISP pipeline stores the intermediate data into a memory; and utilizing the GPU to retrieve the intermediate data from the memory and perform specific processing on the intermediate data to generate processed data, where the GPU stores the processed data into the external/on-chip memory. In particular, at least one of the intermediate data and the processed data complies with a specific color format. In addition, an associated apparatus is further provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for generating work to be processed by a graphics pipeline residing within a graphics processor. The method includes the steps of receiving an indication that a first graphics workload is to be submitted to a command queue associated with the graphics processor, allocating a first portion of shader accessible memory for one or more units of state information that are necessary for processing the first graphics workload, populating the first portion of shader accessible memory with the one or more units of state information, and transmitting to the command queue of the graphics processor the one or more units of state information stored within the first portion of shader accessible memory, wherein the first graphics workload is processed within the graphics pipeline based on the one or more units of state information.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets for a method for accessing data objects stored in a memory that is accessible by a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method comprises the steps of creating a data object in the memory based on a command received from an application program, wherein the data object is organized non-linearly in the memory, transmitting a first handle associated with the data object to the application program such that data associated with different draw commands can be accessed by the GPU, wherein the first handle includes an address related to the location of the data object in the memory, receiving a first draw command as well as the first handle from the application program, and transmitting the first draw command and the first handle to the GPU for processing.

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: An apparatus and method for servicing multiple graphics processing channels are described. In one embodiment, a graphics processing apparatus includes a scheduler configured to direct servicing of a graphics processing channel by issuing an index related to the graphics processing channel. The graphics processing apparatus also includes a processing core connected to the scheduler. The processing core is configured to service the graphics processing channel by: (i) correlating the index with a memory location at which an instance block for the graphics processing channel is stored; and (ii) accessing the instance block stored at the memory location.

Abstract: A display which includes a plurality of sub-pixels each split into a plurality of sub-regions. Each sub-pixel includes a single gate line and a single signal line, and each sub-region within a given sub-pixel includes a corresponding storage capacitor line. An optical element cooperatively combines with the plurality of sub-pixels to create distinct angularly dependent brightness functions in association with corresponding sub-regions within the sub-pixels. Control electronics are configured to provide image data levels in the form of signal data voltages to each sub-region included within each sub-pixel via the gate line and signal line included within the sub-pixel; and to independently modify the signal data voltages provided to each sub-region within the sub-pixels via the corresponding storage capacitor lines whereby the display operates in accordance with at least two different image functions.

Abstract: A display controller device includes: a display data storage unit configured to store therein a plurality of display images; an operation unit configured to accept a page change operation for changing the display images; a page turning processing unit configured to update the display images; a working unit configured to update the display data storage unit by changing a display image to be displayed on a second display area to a second display image produced on the basis of a first display image updated by the page turning processing unit and stored in the display data storage unit; and a display instruction unit configured to refer to the display data storage unit so as to display individually the display images individually stored in relation to the plural display areas on the respective plural display areas of the display unit.

Abstract: An operation terminal for remotely operating an electronic apparatus includes a processing unit for remotely communicating with the electronic apparatus in accordance with a program, a memory on which the processing unit performs writing or reading of data, a nonvolatile memory for storing a basic screen image drawing command for drawing a basic screen image that is displayed before the operation terminal is operated, a drawing processor for creating a bitmapped image of the basic screen image in accordance with the basic screen image drawing command, and a display unit for displaying the bitmapped image on a screen.

Abstract: Herein described is a method and system of vertically filtering a graphics image such that an enhanced image is provided to a display. Filtering of the graphics image may be accomplished by using one or more window descriptors. The method may be implemented by computing a weighted average of one or more pixel intensities. The system may comprise a memory, a processor, and a graphics engine. The graphics engine may comprise a graphics blender. The graphics blender may comprise one or more multipliers and one or more adders. The processor may execute software resident in the memory, such that the one or more window descriptors may be used to compute the weighted average.

Abstract: Methods and systems for applying visual effects to active content, such as buttons, comboboxes, video, edit fields, etc., wherein interactivity of the active content are retained thereafter. Also, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for developers to build new visual effects and have them applied to active content.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided including assets defining 3D models, including 3D icons and scenes, and animations of the 3D models. An offline optimization engine is provided to process data to be acted upon by a graphics engine of a target embedded device. A graphics engine simulator is provided to simulate, on a computer platform other than a target embedded device, select functions of a target embedded device running a graphics engine including API calls that directly calls API functions of a hardware level API of the target embedded device.