Method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system
A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS). The MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division. Each mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages. The MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application. The MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and wherein each GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a geometry processing subsystem provided with a programmable vertex shader, and a pixel processing subsystem provided with a programmable fragment shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively. During the recomposition stage of the object division mode, the pixel depth and color values are moved from the frame buffers in the secondary GPPL, to the frame buffers in the primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication, and thereafter, the pixel depth and color values are merged with their counterparts, within the frame buffer of the primary GPPL, using the programmable vertex shader provided in the geometry processing subsystem and/or the programmable fragment shader provided in the pixel processing subsystem.
1 . A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS),
wherein said MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division,
wherein each said mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages,
wherein said MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application,
wherein said MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and
wherein each said GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a pixel processing subsystem provided with a programmable fragment shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively,
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) during said recomposition stage of the object division mode, moving the pixel depth and color values from said frame buffers in said secondary GPPL, to said frame buffers in said primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication; and
(b) merging said pixel depth and color values with their counterparts, within said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, using said programmable fragment shader provided in said pixel processing subsystem.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out transparently to said graphics-based application.
3 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises after step (b),
(c) moving the composited pixel data in said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, to said display device for displaying said pixel-composited images during the run-time of said graphics-based application.
4 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said display device is a device selected from the group consisting of an flat-type display panel, a projection-type display panel, and other image display devices.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said computing system is a machine selected from the group consisting of a PC-level computer, information server, laptop, game console system, portable computing system, and any computational-based machine supporting the real-time generation and display of 3D graphics.
6 . A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS),
wherein said MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division,
wherein each said mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages,
wherein said MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application,
wherein said MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and
wherein each said GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a geometry processing subsystem provided with a programmable vertex shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively,
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) during the recomposition stage of the object division mode, moving the pixel depth and color values from said frame buffers in said secondary GPPL, to said frame buffer in said primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication; and
(b) merging said pixel depth and color values with their counterparts, within said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, using said programmable vertex shader supported in said pixel processing subsystem.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out transparently to said graphics-based application.
8 . The method of claim 6 , which further comprises after step (b),
(c) moving the composited pixel data in said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, to said display device for displaying said pixel-composited images during the run-time of said graphics-based application.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein said display device is a device selected from the group consisting of an flat-type display panel, a projection-type display panel, and other image display devices.
10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said computing system is a machine selected from the group consisting of a PC-level computer, information server, laptop, game console system, portable computing system, and any computational-based machine supporting the real-time generation and display of 3D graphics.
11 . A method of rendering pixel-composited images for a graphics-based application running on a computing system embodying a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS),
wherein said MMPGRS includes a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process employing one or more modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division,
wherein each said mode of parallel operation has decomposition, distribution and recomposition stages,
wherein said MMPGRS employs one or more modes of said parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands, and process graphics data, and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application,
wherein said MMPGRS further includes a primary GPPL and at least one secondary GPPL, and
wherein each said GPPL includes (i) a GPU having a geometry processing subsystem provided with a programmable vertex shader, and a pixel processing subsystem provided with a programmable fragment shader, and (ii) video memory including a frame buffer (FB) having depth and color frame buffers for buffering pixel depth and color value, respectively,
said method comprising the steps of:
(a) during the recomposition stage of the object division mode, moving the pixel depth and color values from said frame buffers in said secondary GPPL, to said frame buffers in said primary GPPL, by way of inter-GPPL communication; and
(b) merging said pixel depth and color values with their counterparts, within said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, using both said programmable vertex shader provided in said geometry processing subsystem and said programmable fragment shader provided in said pixel processing subsystem.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out transparently to said graphics-based application.
13 . The method of claim 11 , which further comprises after step (b),
(c) moving the composited pixel data in said frame buffer of said primary GPPL, to said display device for displaying said pixel-composited images during the run-time of said graphics-based application.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said display device is a device selected from the group consisting of an flat-type display panel, a projection-type display panel, and other image display devices.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said computing system is a machine selected from the group consisting of a PC-level computer, information server, laptop, game console system, portable computing system, and any computational-based machine supporting the real-time generation and display of 3D graphics.