US5701444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Three-dimensional graphics subsystem with enhanced support for graphical user interface
Assignee: ZiiLabs Inc Ltd
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Filing: 1995-03-24
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2015-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A rendering subsystem with enhanced capability for handling both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks. Since the 2D rendering tasks may be generated by the operating system (or other user-interfacing software), it is highly desirable not to interfere with rapid performance of 2D rendering, even if substantial 3D rendering tasks have been loaded into the pipeline. To avoid this, the innovative system uses dual independent contexts, and suspends 3D rendering operation during periods of 2D rendering demand. Moreover, a certain percentage of cycles is reserved, as a minimum, to be available for 2D operations if any have been requested. Window ownership identifiers are maintained for each pixel, but these identifiers are only updated when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended. Moreover, the window position (offset) values are only updated during periods when 3D rendering has been suspended.
Inventors
- 👤 David Robert Baldwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface; wherein said input interface prioritizes the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that the 2D rendering tasks are not excessively delayed by requests for 3D rendering tasks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface; wherein said input interface prioritizes the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that the 2D rendering tasks are not excessively delayed by requests for 3D rendering tasks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
126 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface; wherein said input interface prioritizes the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that said rendering processor units provide a known minimum percentage of cycles for 2D rendering tasks, if any 2D rendering tasks have been requested, regardless of the number of 3D rendering tasks which have been requested.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface; wherein said input interface prioritizes the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that said rendering processor units provide a known minimum percentage of cycles for 2D rendering tasks, if any 2D rendering tasks have been requested, regardless of the number of 3D rendering tasks which have been requested.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 5, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface, and suspend execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for each pixel, and update said window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface, and suspend execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for each pixel, and update said window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface, and suspend execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
A rendering subsystem, comprising: a plurality of rendering processor units, each having capability and local storage for switching between two independent contexts; an input interface, which receives external commands and passes both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; wherein plural ones of said rendering processor units maintain independent contexts for 2D rendering and for 3D rendering, and switch between said independent contexts to accommodate tasks passed by said input interface, and suspend execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks, and switching between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks; and prioritizing the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that the 2D rendering tasks are not excessively delayed by requests for 3D rendering tasks.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks, and switching between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks; and prioritizing the 2D and 3D rendering tasks to ensure that the 2D rendering tasks are not excessively delayed by requests for 3D rendering tasks.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: receiving rendering tasks in an input interface, and passing both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks, and switching between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks; and prioritizing the 2D and 3D rendering tasks, in said input interface logic, so that said rendering processor units provide a known minimum percentage of cycles for 2D rendering tasks, if any 2D rendering tasks have been requested, regardless of the number of 3D rendering tasks which have been requested.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: receiving rendering tasks in an input interface, and passing both 2D rendering tasks and 3D rendering tasks to said rendering processor units accordingly; maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks, and switching between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks; and prioritizing the 2D and 3D rendering tasks, in said input interface logic, so that said rendering processor units provide a known minimum percentage of cycles for 2D rendering tasks, if any 2D rendering tasks have been requested, regardless of the number of 3D rendering tasks which have been requested.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks; switching individual ones of said rendering units between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks, and suspending execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and in at least one said rendering processor unit, maintaining window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and updating said window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks; switching individual ones of said rendering units between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks, and suspending execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and in at least one said rendering processor unit, maintaining window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and updating said window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks; switching individual ones of said rendering units between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks, and suspending execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and in at least one said rendering processor unit, maintaining window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintaining a position value for each window, and updating said window position values only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for performing both 2D rendering and 3D rendering tasks in a rendering subsystem which includes multiple rendering units, comprising the steps of: maintaining, in multiple ones of said rendering units, multiple independent contexts in local storage, including at least one context for 2D rendering tasks and one context for 3D rendering tasks; switching individual ones of said rendering units between said independent contexts to accommodate successive rendering tasks, and suspending execution of 3D rendering tasks when 2D rendering tasks are requested; and in at least one said rendering processor unit, maintaining window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintaining a position value for each window, and updating said window position values only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said input interface and all said rendering processor units are integrated into a single integrated circuit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said rendering processor units are interconnected in a pipelined configuration.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said rendering processor units collectively maintain window ownership identifiers for individual pixels, and maintain a position value for each window, and update said window position values and window ownership identifiers only when the 3D rendering operations have been suspended.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |