Method and apparatus for updating state data
US6943800B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F5/06
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a graphics processing circuit, up to N sets of state data are stored in a buffer such that a total length of the N sets of state data does not exceed the total length of the buffer. When a length of additional state data would exceed a length of available space in the buffer, storage of the additional set of state data in the buffer is delayed until at least M of the N sets of state data are no longer being used to process graphics primitives, wherein M is less than or equal to N. The buffer is preferably implemented as a ring buffer, thereby minimizing the impact of state data updates. To further prevent corruption of state data, additional sets of state data are prohibited from being added to the buffer if a maximum number of allowed states is already stored in the buffer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.