Method and system for optimally sharing memory between a host processor and graphics processor

A method comprising:

• (a) allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• (b) using said shared memory in a first mode favorable to an operating efficiency of said CPU;
• and
• (c) using said shared memory in a second mode favorable to an operating efficiency of said graphics processor.

A method comprising:

• allocating a memory region for shared usage by a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said memory region one of two alternative attributes, said two alternative attributes being favorable, respectively, to either a performance of said CPU or a performance of said graphics processor;
• accessing said memory region using either said CPU or said graphics processor while said memory region has the corresponding favorable attribute;
• and
• changing said assigned attribute to the alternative attribute when usage of said memory region changes between said CPU and said graphics processor.

A method comprising:

• allocating a memory region for shared usage by a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said memory region a cached attribute;
• accessing said shared memory region using said CPU;
• making said shared memory region coherent;
• and
• handing off said shared memory region for usage by said graphics processor.

A method comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning a cached attribute to said memory region;
• executing an application on said CPU which reads, modifies or writes data in said shared memory region;
• making said shared memory region coherent;
• changing said attribute to an uncached attribute;
• and
• handing off said shared memory region to a graphics processor for rendering of said data.

A system comprising:

• a CPU;
• a graphics processor;
• a memory region shared between said CPU and graphics processor;
• and
• computer-executable instructions for changing a caching attribute of said memory region depending on which of said CPU or said graphics processor is using said memory region.

A computer-usable medium storing computer-executable instructions, said instructions when executed by a processor implementing a process comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said shared memory region an attribute favorable to an operating efficiency of said CPU;
• performing a transition from a first mode wherein said CPU is using said memory region to a second mode wherein said graphics processor is using said memory region;
• and
• during said transition from said first mode to said second mode, changing said attribute to one favorable to an operating efficiency of said graphics processor.

A method comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said shared memory region a cached attribute;
• performing a transition from a first mode wherein said CPU is using said memory region to a second mode wherein said graphics processor is using said memory region;
• and
• in said second mode, causing said graphics processor to treat said shared memory region as though it were uncached.

A method comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said memory region a cached attribute;
• executing an application on said CPU which reads, modifies or writes data in said shared memory region;
• making said shared memory region coherent;
• handing off said shared memory region to a graphics processor for rendering of said data;
• and
• causing said graphics processor to treat said shared memory region as though it were uncached.

A computer-usable medium storing computer-executable instructions, said instructions when executed by a processor implementing a process comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said shared memory region a cached attribute;
• performing a transition from a first mode wherein said CPU is using said memory region to a second mode wherein said graphics processor is using said memory region;
• and
• in said second mode, causing said graphics processor to treat said shared memory region as though it were uncached.

A computer-usable medium storing computer-executable instructions, said instructions when executed by a processor implementing a process comprising:

• allocating a memory region for sharing between a CPU and a graphics processor;
• assigning said memory region a cached attribute;
• executing an application on said CPU which reads, modifies or writes data in said shared memory region;
• making said shared memory region coherent;
• handing off said shared memory region to a graphics processor for rendering of said data;
• and
• causing said graphics processor to treat said shared memory region as though it were uncached.