Computing system having a multiple graphics processing pipeline (GPPL) architecture supported on multiple external graphics cards connected to an integrated graphics device (IGD) embodied within a bridge circuit
US7940274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2210/52
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computing system capable of parallelizing the operation of multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) supported on an integrated graphic device (IGD) embodied within a bridge circuit, and employing a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem having software and hardware implemented components. The computing system includes (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing the graphics-based applications, (iii) an external graphics card supporting at least one GPU and being connected to the bridge circuit by way of a data communication interface, (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation, (v) a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs), implemented using the GPUs, and (vi) an automatic mode control module. During the run-time of the graphics-based application, the automatic mode control module automatically controls the mode of parallel operation of the multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem so that the multiple GPUs on the external graphics cards are driven in a parallelized manner, or the single GPU in the IGD is controlled during disp…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.