Method and system for processing graphics data streams utilizing scalable processing nodes

A data processing system having a plurality of processing nodes and a graphics display device for processing a graphics data stream, said data processing system comprising:

• partitioning means for partitioning a graphics data stream into a plurality of data segments for processing by a plurality of processing nodes;
• distributing means for distributing said plurality of data segments for processing to said plurality of processing nodes, wherein said distribution means includes means for attaching a synchronization tag to a data segment within said plurality of data segments before said data segment is distributed to a processing node within said plurality of processing nodes, wherein said synchronization tag indicates an order in which a processed data segment is to be recombined with other processed data segments in a plurality of processed data segments;
• processing means for processing said plurality of data segments to produce a plurality of processed data segments in response to receiving said plurality of data segments at said plurality of processing nodes;
• recombining means, coupled to said graphics display device, for recombining said plurality of processed data segments processed by said plurality of processing nodes into a processed graphics data stream;
• and
• coupling means for coupling said processed graphics data stream to said graphics display device.

A graphics processing system for efficiently processing a graphics data stream, said graphics processing system having a plurality of processing nodes for processing said graphics data stream, said graphics processing system comprising:

• control means comprising partitioning means for partitioning a graphics data stream into a plurality of work groups for processing in response to receiving said graphics data stream and distribution means for distributing said plurality of work groups for processing after partitioning said graphics data stream into said plurality of work groups;
• processing means coupled to said distribution means comprising a plurality of processing nodes for processing said plurality of work groups, wherein a plurality of processed work groups is created by processing said plurality of work groups;
• recombination means coupled to said plurality of processing nodes for recombining said plurality of processed work groups into a processed graphics data stream;
• and
• storage means coupled to said plurality processing nodes, for storing attribute data wherein said plurality of processing nodes process a work group with respect to attributes preceding that work group and wherein said control means further comprises copying means, coupled to said storage means, for copying attribute data from said graphics data stream into said storage means.

A graphics processing system for efficiently processing a graphics data stream, said graphics processing system having a plurality of processing nodes for processing said graphics data stream, said graphics processing system comprising:

• control means comprising partitioning means for partitioning a graphics data stream into a plurality of work groups for processing in response to receiving said graphics data stream and distribution means for distributing said plurality of work groups for processing after partitioning said graphics data stream into said plurality of work groups, wherein said control means includes means for attaching a synchronization tag to a work group before distributing said work group to a processing node, wherein said synchronization tag indicates an order in which a work group is to be recombined with other work groups in said plurality of work groups after processing by said plurality of processing means;
• processing means coupled to said distribution means comprising a plurality of processing nodes for processing said plurality of work groups, wherein a plurality of processed work groups is created by processing said plurality of work groups;
• and
• recombination means coupled to said plurality of processing nodes for recombining said plurality of processed work groups into a processed graphics data stream.