Graphics system with copy out conversions between embedded frame buffer and main memory
First Claim
1. A method of reducing an amount of storage space required for storing image data in main memory in a graphics processing system while increasing main memory bandwidth when displaying image data from a frame buffer located in said main memory, said graphics processing system including a graphics processing chip having an embedded first frame buffer memory and a separate non-embedded second frame buffer in a main memory provided separate from said graphics processing chip, comprising:
- storing RGB format image data in said first embedded frame buffer on the graphics processing chip;
initiating a copy out operation for reading out said image data from the first embedded frame buffer and transferring image data to the separate non-embedded second frame buffer located in the main memory of the graphics processing system;
converting said image data from an RGB format to a YUV display format during the copy out operation after reading out said image data from the embedded first frame buffer and prior to writing said image data to the non-embedded second frame buffer; and
writing the converted image data to the non-embedded second frame buffer located in the main memory of the graphics system, wherein a total amount of memory storage space occupied by said converted image data in said second frame buffer is less than an amount of memory storage space occupied by said RGB format image data in said first frame buffer, and wherein main memory bandwidth is increased when displaying image data from said second frame buffer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A graphics system including a custom graphics and audio processor produces exciting 2D and 3D graphics and surround sound. The system includes a graphics and audio processor including a 3D graphics pipeline and an audio digital signal processor. The graphics processor includes an embedded frame buffer for storing frame data prior to sending the frame data to an external location, such as main memory. A copy pipeline is provided which converts the data from one format to another format prior to writing the data to the external location. The conversion may be from one RGB color format to another RGB color format, from one YUV format to another YUV format, from an RGB color format to a YUV color format, or from a YUV color format to an RGB color format. The formatted data is either transferred to a display buffer, for use by the video interface, or to a texture buffer, for use as a texture by the graphics pipeline in a subsequent rendering process.
583 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of reducing an amount of storage space required for storing image data in main memory in a graphics processing system while increasing main memory bandwidth when displaying image data from a frame buffer located in said main memory, said graphics processing system including a graphics processing chip having an embedded first frame buffer memory and a separate non-embedded second frame buffer in a main memory provided separate from said graphics processing chip, comprising:
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storing RGB format image data in said first embedded frame buffer on the graphics processing chip; initiating a copy out operation for reading out said image data from the first embedded frame buffer and transferring image data to the separate non-embedded second frame buffer located in the main memory of the graphics processing system; converting said image data from an RGB format to a YUV display format during the copy out operation after reading out said image data from the embedded first frame buffer and prior to writing said image data to the non-embedded second frame buffer; and writing the converted image data to the non-embedded second frame buffer located in the main memory of the graphics system, wherein a total amount of memory storage space occupied by said converted image data in said second frame buffer is less than an amount of memory storage space occupied by said RGB format image data in said first frame buffer, and wherein main memory bandwidth is increased when displaying image data from said second frame buffer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A graphics system including a main processor, an associated graphics system main memory and a separate graphics coprocessor chip having graphics processing pipeline circuitry and an on-chip embedded frame buffer memory, said graphics system main memory being separate memory that is not embedded on a same graphics coprocessor chip as graphics processing pipeline circuitry, comprising:
a programmable pixel data post-processing copy-out pipeline that selectively converts pixel data from one image format to another during a reading and transfer of the data from the embedded frame buffer to the separate non-embedded main memory of said graphics system, wherein the copy-out pipeline is operable to selectively transfer the data to either a display buffer area or a texture buffer area within said separate non-embedded main memory and wherein the copy-out pipeline converts the data to a display format if the data is transferred to the display buffer area and converts the data to a texture format if the data is transferred to the texture buffer area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In a graphics system including a main processor and a pipelined architecture graphics coprocessor having an embedded frame buffer memory, the embedded frame buffer memory instantiated on a same semiconductor chip substrate as at least a portion of a graphics processing pipeline, and an external texture buffer residing within a main memory of said graphics system, said main memory being configured on one or more semiconductor chips separate from a semiconductor chip containing said graphics processing pipeline, a pixel data copy-out process for copying pixel data from said embedded frame buffer memory to said external texture buffer wherein said copy-out process performs predetermined pixel data conversion and/or filtering operations during transferring of pixel data from said embedded frame buffer to said external texture buffer, comprising:
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selecting a sub-region of pixels in the embedded frame buffer as a source for a pixel data copy operation; selecting a destination in the external texture buffer in said main memory for the pixel data copy operation; and creating texture tiles within said external texture buffer by converting a selected rectangular sub-region of pixels from a display data format to one of a plurality of texture data formats during a pixel data transfer operation of pixel data from said embedded frame buffer to said external texture buffer.
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Specification