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Sharing a graphical processing unit between a plurality of programs

DC
  • US 8,203,568 B2
  • Filed: 11/16/2011
  • Issued: 06/19/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of sharing a graphics processing unit (GPU) between a plurality of programs, the method comprising the steps of:

  • a) outputting instructions by a first program of the plurality of programs to create a first set of instructions for generating a first frame;

    b) outputting instructions by a second program of the plurality of programs to create a second set of instructions for generating a second frame;

    c) providing control instructions to control how the GPU processes instructions of the first set of instructions and instructions of the second set of instructions;

    d) processing at least part of the first set of instructions by the GPU to produce the first frame;

    e) processing at least part of the second set of instructions by the GPU to produce the second frame;

    f) signalling to an encoder when the GPU has completed rendering the first frame;

    g) compressing at least part of the first frame by the encoder into a first compressed data signal and transmitting the first compressed data signal to a first remote processing device;

    h) compressing at least part of the second frame by the encoder into a second compressed data signal and transmitting the second compressed data signal to a second remote processing device;

    wherein the control instructions comprise instructions to cause the GPU to store a majority or all of the first frame in different GPU accessible memory locations than GPU accessible memory locations of the second frame.

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