Point-to-point bus bridging without a bridge controller
First Claim
1. A computer system comprising:
- a central processing unit;
a computer core logic controller adapted to coordinate communications over a data communications bus;
an integrated graphics subsystem adapted to generate display data in response to a set of rendering information;
a graphics connector adapted to communicate with an auxiliary graphics subsystem;
a data communications bus connected with the computer core logic controller and including a first bus connection adapted to communicate a set of rendering information from the computer core logic controller to the integrated graphics subsystem, a second bus connection adapted to communicate information between the integrated graphic graphics subsystem and the graphics connector, and a third bus connection adapted to communicate information from the graphics connector to the computer core logic controller;
wherein the integrated graphics subsystem includes a normal operation mode adapted to communicate information to the computer core logic via the second bus connection and the third bus connection, and also includes a data forwarding mode adapted to communicate a set of rendering information received via the first bus connection with an auxiliary graphics subsystem via the second bus connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system includes an integrated graphics subsystem and a graphics connector for attaching either an auxiliary graphics subsystem or a loopback card. A first bus connection communicates data from the computer system to the integrated graphics subsystem. With a loopback card in place, data travels from the integrated graphics subsystem back to the computer system via a second bus connection. When the auxiliary graphics subsystem is attached, the integrated graphics subsystem operates in a data forwarding mode. Data is communicated to the integrated graphics subsystem via the first bus connection. The integrated graphics subsystem then forwards data to the auxiliary graphics subsystem. A portion of the second bus connection communicates data from the auxiliary graphics subsystem back to the computer system. The auxiliary graphics subsystem communicates display information back to the integrated graphics subsystem, where it is used to control a display device.
85 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a central processing unit;
a computer core logic controller adapted to coordinate communications over a data communications bus;
an integrated graphics subsystem adapted to generate display data in response to a set of rendering information;
a graphics connector adapted to communicate with an auxiliary graphics subsystem;
a data communications bus connected with the computer core logic controller and including a first bus connection adapted to communicate a set of rendering information from the computer core logic controller to the integrated graphics subsystem, a second bus connection adapted to communicate information between the integrated graphic graphics subsystem and the graphics connector, and a third bus connection adapted to communicate information from the graphics connector to the computer core logic controller;
wherein the integrated graphics subsystem includes a normal operation mode adapted to communicate information to the computer core logic via the second bus connection and the third bus connection, and also includes a data forwarding mode adapted to communicate a set of rendering information received via the first bus connection with an auxiliary graphics subsystem via the second bus connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A graphics processing unit adapted to be included in an integrated graphics subsystem of a computer system, comprising:
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a first data bus connection interface adapted to receive a set of rendering information from a first data bus connection; and
a second data bus connection interface adapted to communicate information with a computer system via a second data bus connection;
wherein the graphics processing unit includes a first mode of operation adapted to generate display data in response to a set of rendering information, and a second mode of operation adapted to forward a set of rendering information received via the first data bus connection interface to an auxiliary graphics processing subsystem via the second data bus connection interface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computer core logic controller, comprising:
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a first data bus connection interface adapted to send a set of rendering information via a first data bus connection to an integrated graphics subsystem; and
a second data bus connection interface adapted to receive information via a second data bus connection connected with a graphics connector;
wherein the computer core logic controller is adapted to detect a connection between the graphics connector and an auxiliary graphics subsystem, and in response, to send a command to the integrated graphics subsystem indicating that the integrated graphics subsystem should forward the set of rendering information to the auxiliary graphics subsystem via a third data bus connection between the integrated graphics subsystem and the graphics connector. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification