Software methods in a GPU
US9734545B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G5/363
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for executing a software method within a graphics processing unit (GPU) that minimizes the number of clock cycles during which the graphics engine is idled. The function of the software method is performed by a firmware method that is executed by a processor within the GPU. The firmware method is executed to access and optionally update the state stored in the GPU. Unlike execution of a conventional software method, execution of the firmware method does not require an exchange of information between a CPU and the GPU. Therefore, the CPU is not interrupted and throughput of the CPU is not reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.