Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC

Other

Advanced Micro Devices Corporation

David Simpson

Mark Evan Cerny

Jason Scanlin

Tobias Berghoff

Michael Mantor

A method, system and computer readable medium for running a legacy application on a non-legacy device. Operating parameters of the non-legacy device when running the legacy application are set based on one or more pre-determined heuristics for adjustment of operating parameters of the newer system when running the legacy application on the non-legacy device from one or more performance metrics and other performance information.

Running a legacy application on a non-legacy device with application-specific operating parameters for backwards compatibility

A method including rendering graphics for an application using graphics processing units (GPUs). The method including dividing responsibility for processing pieces of geometry of an image frame during an analysis pre-pass phase of rendering between the plurality of GPUs, wherein each of the pieces of geometry is assigned to a corresponding GPU. The method including determining in the analysis pre-pass phase overlap of each of the pieces of geometry with each screen regions. The method including generating information at the GPUs regarding the pieces of geometry and their relations to the screen regions based on the overlap of each of the pieces of geometry with each of the screen regions. The method including assigning the screen regions to the GPUs based on the information for purposes of rendering the pieces of geometry during a subsequent phase of rendering.

Performing geometry analysis before multi-GPU rendering of geometry

A method for graphics processing. The method including rendering graphics for an application using a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs). The method including using the plurality of GPUs in collaboration to render an image frame including a plurality of pieces of geometry. The method including during a pre-pass phase of rendering, generating information at the GPUs regarding the plurality of pieces of geometry and their relation to a plurality of screen regions. The method including assigning the plurality of screen regions to the plurality of GPUs based on the information for purposes of rendering the plurality of pieces of geometry in a subsequent phase of rendering.

System and method for efficient multi-GPU rendering of geometry by performing geometry analysis while rendering

A device having a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) may be configured to selectively run in a normal mode or a timing testing mode. In the timing testing mode the device is configured to disrupt timing of processing that takes place on the GPU while running an application with the GPU and test the application for errors in device hardware component and/or software component synchronization while the device is running in the timing testing mode.

Backward compatibility testing of software in a mode that disrupts timing

A new device executing an application on a new central processing unit (CPU), determines whether the application is for a legacy device having a legacy CPU. When the new device determines that the application is for the legacy device, it executes the application on the new CPU with selected available resources of the new device restricted to approximate or match a processing behavior of the legacy CPU, e.g., by reducing a usable portion of a return address stack of the new CPU and thereby reducing a number of calls and associated returns that can be tracked.

Backward compatibility by restriction of hardware resources

An application designed for the current version of a system runs at a standard clock frequency of a current version of the system. Running the application at the standard clock frequency includes synchronizing operation of a processor of the current version of the system with the standard clock frequency. An application designed for a different version of the system characterized by a different standard clock frequency runs at a second clock frequency that is different than the standard clock frequency. Running the application at the second clock frequency includes synchronizing operation of the processor of the current version of the system with the second clock frequency.

Backward compatibility through use of spoof clock and fine grain frequency control

A method for graphics processing. The method including rendering graphics for an application using graphics processing units (GPUs). The method including dividing responsibility for processing a plurality of pieces of geometry of an image frame during an analysis pre-pass phase of rendering between the plurality of GPUs, wherein each of the plurality of pieces of geometry is assigned to a corresponding GPU. The method including determining in the analysis pre-pass phase overlap of each the plurality of pieces of geometry with each of a plurality of screen regions. The method including generating information at the plurality of GPUs regarding the plurality of pieces of geometry and their relations to the plurality of screen regions based on the overlap of each the plurality of pieces of geometry with each of the plurality of screen regions. The method including assigning the plurality of screen regions to the plurality of GPUs based on the information for purposes of rendering the plurality of pieces of geometry during a subsequent phase of rendering.

System and method for efficient multi-GPU rendering of geometry by performing geometry analysis before rendering

Performance of a legacy application may be characterized for subsequent adjustment of operating parameters when running the legacy application on a newer system. The legacy application is run on an older system and one or more key performance metrics that must be met when the legacy application is run on the newer system are determined along with other performance information useful for later adjustment of operating parameters of the newer system when running the legacy application on the newer system.

Deriving application-specific operating parameters for backwards compatibility

A new device executing an application on a new central processing unit (CPU), determines whether the application is for a legacy device having a legacy CPU. When the new device determines that the application is for the legacy device, it executes the application on the new CPU with selected available resources of the new device restricted to approximate or match a processing behavior of the legacy CPU.

A graphics processing may include implementing a vertex shader and a pixel shader with a GPU. Vertex parameter values generated by the vertex shader may be stored in a memory. The pixel shader may access the vertex parameter values stored in the memory. Accessing the vertex parameter values may include disabling or bypassing hardware that performs interpolation on vertex parameter values. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Scheme for compressing vertex shader output parameters

An airboat rudder that results in increased turning force on the airboat while also being easily controlled by the airboat driver is disclosed. Airboats can be configured to run on both water and dry ground. Many times, somewhat dry mud and some types of grass are very difficult to run over and will cause an airboat to get stuck. One way of getting an airboat free is to oscillate the one or more airboat rudders from a hard right hand turn to a hard left hand turn. Doing so creates lateral forces on the airboat from both directions at different times causing the back of the airboat to move to the side and slightly forward as well. The airboat rudder disclosed herein increases the amount of lateral force generated on the airboat without increasing the horsepower of the airboat engine, which is highly desirable.

Airboat rudder

An application runs at a first operating frequency if the application is designed for a current version of a system and runs at a second operating frequency if the application is designed for a prior version of the system that operates at a lower frequency than the first operating frequency. The second operating frequency may be higher than the operating frequency of the prior version of the system to account for differences in latency, throughput or other processing characteristics between the two systems. Software readable cycle counters are based on a spoof clock running at the operating frequency of the prior version of the system, rather than the true operating frequency. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

A device may be run in a timing testing mode in which the device is configured to disrupt timing of processing that takes place on the one or more processors while running an application with the one or more processors. The application may be tested for errors while the device is running in the timing testing mode.

Performance of a legacy application may be characterized for subsequent adjustment of operating parameters when running the legacy application on a new system. The legacy application is run on the legacy system and one or more key performance metrics that must be met when the legacy application is run on the new system are determined along with other performance information useful for later adjustment of operating parameters of the new system when running the legacy application on the new system.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

David Simpson