Method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system

A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS),

• wherein said MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division,
• wherein each said mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages,
• wherein said MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application,
• wherein said MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and
• wherein each said GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a geometry processing subsystem provided with a programmable vertex shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively,
• said method comprising the steps of:
• (a) during the recomposition stage of the object division mode, moving the pixel depth and color values from said frame buffers in said secondary GPPL, to said frame buffer in said primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication;
• and
• (b) merging said pixel depth and color values with their counterparts, within said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, using said programmable vertex shader supported in said pixel processing subsystem.

A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS),

• wherein said MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division,
• wherein each said mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages,
• wherein said MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application,
• wherein said MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and
• wherein each said GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a geometry processing subsystem provided with a programmable vertex shader, and a pixel processing subsystem provided with a programmable fragment shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively,
• said method comprising the steps of:
• (a) during the recomposition stage of the object division mode, moving the pixel depth and color values from said frame buffers in said secondary GPPL, to said frame buffers in said primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication;
• and
• (b) merging said pixel depth and color values with their counterparts, within said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, using both said programmable vertex shader provided in said geometry processing subsystem and said programmable fragment shader provided in said pixel processing subsystem.