Facilitating efficient switching between graphics-processing units
US8797334B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.