Ati Technologies Ulc

Anthony W L Koo

Syed Athar Hussain

David I J Glen

Aric Cyr

David I Glen

Krunoslav Kovac

A graphics processing unit (GPU) of a processing system transmits pixel data for a frame to a display in a compressed burst, so that the pixel data is communicated at a rate that is higher than the rate at which the display scans out the pixel data to refresh the frame at a display panel. By transmitting pixel data for the frame in a compressed burst, the GPU shortens the time spent transmitting the pixel data and extends the time before the next frame of pixel data is to be transmitted. During the extended time before the next frame of pixel data is to be transmitted, the GPU saves power by placing portions of the processing system in a reduced power mode.

Accelerated frame transmission

A system is provided that includes a computing device operable to render video content for display on a display device and to periodically refresh that display device. The video content includes at least one application window. A desktop compositor is operable to wake and execute commands to compose video frames that are composited surfaces that include the at least one application window and to initiate a buffer flip to deliver the video frames to the display device. A high resolution timer is operable to cause the desktop compositor to wake and execute the commands in multiple instances between display refreshes.

Method and apparatus for dynamically reducing application render-to-on screen time in a desktop environment

A graphics processing unit (GPU) instructs a display control module to capture content and display captured content in response to the refresh rate of a display exceeding a frame generation rate of the GPU. Rather than re-transmit the same frame multiple times, the GPU instructs the display control module to replay a previously-transmitted frame. During a refresh cycle in which the display control module is replaying captured content, the GPU omits accessing memory to retrieve and resend the frame that is being replayed, and instead sends only invalid data and GPU timing information so that the display control module remains synchronized with the GPU.

Frame replay for variable rate refresh display

A processing system reduces latency and improves predictability of a scan out position to support graphics processing unit (GPU) front buffer rendering with a variable refresh rate (VRR) display. The GPU detects whether front buffer rendering such as inking is occurring on a frame-by-frame basis. In order to maintain a safe distance from the current scan out position and achieve low latency to improve the user experience, the GPU increases the refresh rate of the VRR display to a low-latency (high-frequency) fixed refresh rate in response to detecting front buffer rendering. In some embodiments, the GPU decreases the refresh rate in response to detecting a static screen to save power.

Front buffer rendering for variable refresh rate display

A rendering device signals a display device to capture and replay a current frame to maintain a static image while switching between multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) at a multiplexer (MUX). Replaying the current frame while the MUX switch is in progress smooths the user experience such that no screen blanking or artifacts are observable.

Glitchless GPU switching at a multiplexer

A display system receives first timing information prior to the display system entering a panel self-refresh (PSR) mode. The display system supports a range of refresh rates. Prior to the display system entering the PSR mode, first timing information indicating a first refresh rate that is lower than a maximum refresh rate supported by the display system is received by the display system. The display system then refreshes images at a second refresh rate that is less than or equal to the first refresh rate using a frame stored in a buffer prior to entering the PSR mode. In some cases, the processing unit also receives second timing information from the display system in response to initiating an exit from a panel self-refresh (PSR) mode. The second timing information indicates a current scanout line that is used to schedule transmission of a subsequent frame.

Resynchronization of a display system and GPU after panel self refresh

A GPU is generally configured to detect changes in the rate of frame generation that can result from, for example, changes in the complexity of the frames being generated. In response to detecting the change in the rate of frame generation, the GPU identifies a corresponding change in the refresh rate that would be required to fully synchronize the refresh rate with the rate of frame generation. If the change in the refresh rate falls outside the boundaries of a specified or dynamically generated window, the GPU limits the change in refresh rate to the corresponding boundary.

Frame refresh synchronization with synchronization boundary

A method for dynamic scaling of content luminance and backlight level includes determining, using one or more processors of a display system, an ambient light level of a local environment proximate the display system. Based on the ambient light level being brighter than a first ambient light threshold, it is determined that the display system is in a normal room or a bright environment. A minimum viewable threshold representing a minimum pixel luminance value perceivable by a user in the ambient light level of the local environment is determined. The method further includes generating a modified display image by shifting the pixel luminance values of one or more pixels of an input image such that a darkest pixel value of the modified display image is equal to or greater than the minimum viewable threshold before transmitting the modified display image for display.

Dynamic scaling of content luminance and backlight

A display system includes a rendering device configured to couple to a display monitor. The rendering device includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) configured to render display images for a video stream to be displayed at the display monitor. The rendering device further includes a central processing unit (CPU) configured to obtain display parameters for the display monitor, the display parameters including data identifying a native color gamut, a native luminance range of the display monitor, and one or more backlighting characteristics of the display monitor, and to configure the GPU to render a display image of the video stream that is tone mapped to the native color gamut and the native luminance range and based on the one or more backlighting characteristics. The display monitor is configured to provide the display image for display without tone re-mapping the display image.

Growing community of inventors

Markham, Canada

Anthony W L Koo