Ati International Srl

Matthew P Radecki

Timothy Kelley

Philip J Rogers

Phillip J Rogers

A video graphics system employs a method and apparatus for improving throughput of the system. The video graphics system includes a graphics driver, a graphics processor, and a memory. Responsive to receiving a drawing command from an application, the graphics driver determines whether the graphics processor can begin executing the drawing command within a desired period of time. When the graphics processor is heavily loaded and cannot begin executing the command within the desired period of time, the graphics driver partially processes stored vertex information associated with the drawing command, and preferably stores the pre-processed vertex information in the memory. The graphics driver then preferably issues a new drawing command relating to the stored pre-processed information and instructing the graphics processor not to perform any of the processing already performed by the graphics driver. The graphics driver is preferably implemented in software and stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

Method and apparatus for improving processing throughput in a video graphics system

A video graphics system ( ) employs a method and apparatus for efficiently processing vertex information required to render graphics primitives requested for display by an application ( ), such as a video game. The video graphics system includes a graphics driver ( ), a graphics processor ( ), a memory component ( ) that is accessible by the graphics processor, and a memory component ( ) that is inaccessible by the graphics processor. After receiving, from the application, a drawing command that includes vertex indices and a reference to a vertex buffer ( ) stored in the graphics processor-inaccessible memory component, the graphics driver allocates a new temporary vertex buffer ( ) in the graphics processor-accessible memory component and copies the contents of the graphics processor-inaccessible vertex buffer into the temporary vertex buffer. The graphics driver then generates a new drawing command including the vertex indices and a reference to the temporary vertex buffer, and provides the new drawing command to the graphics processor to enable the graphics processor to retrieve and process the vertex information contained in the temporary vertex buffer. After vertex information processing has been completed, the graphics processor preferably notifies the graphics driver to facilitate de-allocation of the temporary vertex buffer. In a preferred embodiment, the graphics driver is implemented in software and stored on a computer-readable storage medium ( ).

Method and apparatus for efficiently processing vertex information in a video graphics system

A video graphics system employs a method and apparatus for selectively providing drawing commands to a graphics processor to improve the processing efficiency of the system. The video graphics system includes a graphics driver, a graphics processor, and a memory. The graphics driver is operably coupled to an application that issues drawing commands to be processed by the video graphics system. Each drawing command includes an address of a location within the memory that includes vertex information for the vertices of one or more graphics primitives to be displayed on a display device operably coupled to the graphics processor. The vertex information is stored in the memory by the application prior to issuance of a drawing command referencing the location in memory of the stored vertex information. Some time after the application stores the vertex information in memory, but preferably not later than responsive to receipt of a drawing command referencing the memory location of the stored vertex information, the graphics driver determines a boundary defining a volume containing the vertices corresponding to the stored vertex information. Responsive to receiving the drawing command, the graphics driver determines whether at least a portion of the boundary intersects a viewing volume of the display device. When at least a portion of the boundary intersects the viewing volume, the graphics driver provides the drawing command to the graphics processor; otherwise, the graphics driver preferably discards the command. The graphics driver is preferably implemented in software and stored on a computer-readable storage medium.

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Oviedo, FL, United States of America

Matthew P Radecki