Methods and systems for merging graphics for display on a computing device
First Claim
1. A method for a graphics arbiter, distinct from a first display source and from a second display source, to notify the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on a display device, the first display source providing display information to the second display source, the method comprising:
- notifying the second display source of a second estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device; and
notifying the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device, the first estimated frame time offset from the second estimated frame time, the offset based, at least in part, on an estimated amount of time to be spent by the second display source in processing the display information provided by the first display source.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are methods and systems that allow video applications to merge their outputs for display and to transform the outputs of other applications before display. A graphics arbiter tells applications the estimated time when the next frame will be displayed on a display screen. Applications tailor their output to the estimated display time. When output from a first application is incorporated into a scene produced by a second application, the graphics arbiter “offsets” the estimated display time it gives to the first application in order to compensate for the latency caused by the second application'"'"'s processing of the first application'"'"'s output. A set of overlay buffers parallels the traditional buffers used to prepare frames for the display screen. In composing a frame, the screen merges video information from a traditional buffer with that from an overlay buffer, conserving display resources at the final point in the display composition process.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for a graphics arbiter, distinct from a first display source and from a second display source, to notify the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on a display device, the first display source providing display information to the second display source, the method comprising:
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notifying the second display source of a second estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device; and
notifying the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device, the first estimated frame time offset from the second estimated frame time, the offset based, at least in part, on an estimated amount of time to be spent by the second display source in processing the display information provided by the first display source. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for a graphics arbiter, distinct from a first display source and from a second display source, to notify the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on a display device, the first display source providing display information to the second display source, the method comprising:
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notifying the second display source of a second estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device; and
notifying the first display source of a first estimated time when a future frame will be displayed on the display device, the first estimated frame time offset from the second estimated frame time, the offset based, at least in part, on an estimated amount of time to be spent by the second display source in processing the display information provided by the first display source.
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4. A method for an executable to transform first display information provided by a first display source distinct from the executable, the first display source associated with a first display memory surface set, the first display memory surface set distinct from a presentation surface set associated with a display device, the first display source releasing the first display information in the first display memory surface set, a graphics arbiter transferring second display information from an output display memory surface set to the presentation surface set associated with the display device, the method comprising:
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gathering the first display information from the first display memory surface set associated with the first display source;
transforming the first display information; and
transferring the transformed display information to the output display memory surface set. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for an executable to transform first display information provided by a first display source distinct from the executable, the first display source associated with a first display memory surface set, the first display memory surface set distinct from a presentation surface set associated with a display device, the first display source releasing the first display information in the first display memory surface set, a graphics arbiter transferring second display information from an output display memory surface set to the presentation surface set associated with the display device, the method comprising:
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gathering the first display information from the first display memory surface set associated with the first display source;
transforming the first display information; and
transferring the transformed display information to the output display memory surface set.
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11. An augmented primary surface system for displaying information on a display device, the system comprising:
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a presentation surface set associated with the display device, the presentation surface set comprising a presentation flipping chain and an overlay flipping chain, the presentation flipping chain comprising a primary presentation surface and a presentation back buffer, the overlay flipping chain comprising an overlay primary surface and an overlay back buffer; and
a display interface driver for receiving display information from the primary presentation and overlay primary surfaces, merging the received display information, and transferring the merged information to the display device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for providing an augmented primary surface system for displaying information on a display device, the system comprising:
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a presentation surface set associated with the display device, the presentation surface set comprising a presentation flipping chain and an overlay flipping chain, the presentation flipping chain comprising a primary presentation surface and a presentation back buffer, the overlay flipping chain comprising an overlay primary surface and an overlay back buffer; and
a display interface driver for receiving display information from the primary presentation and overlay primary surfaces, merging the received display information, and transferring the merged information to the display device.
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16. A method for displaying information on a display device, the method comprising:
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receiving display information from a primary presentation surface of a presentation flipping chain of a presentation surface set associated with the display. device;
receiving display information from a primary overlay surface of an overlay flipping chain of the presentation surface set;
merging the display information received from the primary presentation and primary overlay surfaces; and
transferring the merged information to the display device. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for displaying information on a display device, the method comprising:
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receiving display information from a primary presentation surface of a presentation flipping chain of a presentation surface set associated with the display device;
receiving display information from a primary overlay surface of an overlay flipping chain of the presentation surface set;
merging the display information received from the primary presentation and primary overlay surfaces; and
transferring the merged information to the display device.
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Specification