Display system with improved graphics abilities while switching graphics processing units
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsKapil V. Sakariya, Victor H. Yin, Michael F. Culbert
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for improving graphics abilities while switching between graphics processing units (GPUs). Some embodiments may include a display system, including a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs) and a memory buffer coupled to the GPUs via a timing controller, where the memory buffer stores data associated with a first video frame from a first GPU within the plurality of GPUs and where the timing controller is switching between the first GPU and a second GPU within the plurality.
Claims16
A system, comprising:
- a display;
- a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs);
- a memory buffer;
- and
- a timing controller configured to:
- receive first video data from a first GPU of the plurality of GPUs, wherein the first video data includes a first plurality of frames;
- send one or more frames of the first plurality of frames to the display;
- and
- store at least one frame of the first plurality of frames in the memory buffer in response to receiving an indication that a switch from the first GPU to a second GPU of the plurality of GPUs is to occur;
- wherein the memory buffer is configured to send an acknowledgement signal to the timing controller in response to a determination that storage of the at least one frame of data has completed;
- wherein the timing controller is further configured to:
- send, to the display, the at least one frame from the memory buffer in response to a determination that the first video data is no longer being received from the first GPU and the acknowledgement signal has been received;
- and
- receive second video data from the second GPU of the plurality of GPUs in response to sending, to the display, the at least one frame from the memory buffer.
A method comprising:
- receiving first video data from a first graphics processing unit (GPU) of a plurality of GPUs, wherein the first video data includes a first plurality of frames;
- storing, in a memory buffer, one or more frames of the first plurality of frames in response to receiving an indication that a switch from the first GPU to a second GPU of the plurality of GPUs is to occur;
- sending, by the memory buffer, an acknowledgement signal in response to determining that storage of the at least one frame of data has completed;
- sending, to a display, at least one frame from the memory buffer in response to determining that the first video data is no longer being received from the first GPU and the acknowledgement signal has been received;
- and
- receiving second video data from the second GPU of the plurality of GPUs in response to sending, to the display, the at least one frame from the memory buffer, wherein the second video data includes a second plurality of frames.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to:
- receive first video data from a first graphics processing unit (GPU) in a plurality of GPUs, wherein the first video data includes a first plurality of frames;
- store, in a memory buffer, one or more frames of the first plurality of frames in response to receiving an indication that a switch from the first GPU to a second GPU of the plurality of GPUs is to occur;
- send, by the memory buffer, an acknowledgement signal in response to determining that storage of the at least one frame of data has completed;
- send, to a display, at least one frame from the memory buffer in response to determining that the first video data is no longer being received from the first GPU and the acknowledgement signal has been received;
- and
- receive second video data from the second GPU of the plurality of GPUs in response to sending, to the display, that at least one frame from the memory buffer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.