Apple Inc.

Robert P Esser

Timothy John Millet

Manu Gulati

Gurjeet S Saund

Arthur L Spence

Nikolay N Stoimenov

Systems, methods, and computer readable media to improve the operation of electronic devices that use integrated cache systems are described. In general, techniques are disclosed to manage the leakage power attributable to an integrated cache memory by dynamically resizing the cache during device operations. More particularly, run-time cache operating parameters may be used to dynamically determine if the cache may be resized. If effective use of the cache may be maintained using a smaller cache, a portion of the cache may be power-gated (e.g., turned off). The power loss attributable to that portion of the cache power-gated may thereby be avoided. Such power reduction may extend a mobile device's battery runtime. Cache portions previously turned off may be brought back online as processing needs increase so that device performance does not degrade.

Automatic cache partitioning

One embodiment may include media circuits, an application processor, a direct memory access circuit (DMA), and a media managing circuit. The application processor may issue media commands into a queue. The media managing circuit may retrieve a first media command, set the DMA to copy data associated with the first media command to the first media circuit, and send the first media command to the first media circuit. While the first media command is being executed, the media managing circuit may also retrieve a second media command, determine that the second media command utilizes data that is dependent on a completion of the first media command, and set the DMA to copy data from the first media circuit to the second media circuit. After the first media command has been completed, the media managing circuit may also send the second media command to the second media circuit.

Method for chaining media processing

An embodiment of a system may include a plurality of media units, a processor, and circuitry. Each media unit may be configured to execute one or more commands to process a display image. The processor may be configured to store a plurality of media processing commands in a queue. The circuitry may be configured to retrieve a first media processing command from the queue and send the first media processing command to a first media unit. The circuitry may also be configured to retrieve a second media processing from the queue and send the second media processing command to a second media unit in response to receiving an interrupt from the first media unit. The circuitry may then copy data from the first media unit to the second media unit in response to receiving the interrupt from the first media unit.

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Campbell, CA, United States of America

Robert P Esser