Apple Inc.

Phillip J Churchill

Ian C Hendry

David J Redman

Adrian T Sheppard

Changki Min

Unmesh Sahasrabuddhe

Eve Brasfield

David A Leech

Systems and methods are disclosed to enable switching of graphics processing unit (GPU) resources based on different factors. Embodiments include a virtual graphics driver as an interface between GPU drivers and the applications or graphics framework executing on an electronic device. The virtual graphics driver may switch GPU resources from a first GPU to a second GPU by routing function calls to the first GPU or the second GPU. The switching of GPU resources may be based on power management, system events such as hot-plug events, load management, user requests, any other factor, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, a virtual frame buffer driver is provided that interfaces with the frame buffer of the GPU and provides a virtual view of the frame buffer to manage additional system application programming interfaces (APIs) during the switch.

Virtual graphics device driver

Growing community of inventors

Hubbardston, MA, United States of America

Phillip J Churchill