Multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS) supporting real-time transition between multiple states of parallel rendering operation in response to the automatic detection of predetermined operating conditions

1 . A multi-mode parallel graphics rendering system (MMPGRS) embodied within a computing system having (i) CPU memory space for storing one or more graphics-based applications and a graphics library for generating graphics commands and data (GCAD) during the run-time of the graphics-based application, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing said graphics-based applications, and (iii) a display device for displaying images containing graphics during the execution of said graphics-based applications, said MMPGRS comprising:

a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division;

a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one or more of said object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation in order to execute graphic commands and process graphics data (GCAD), and render pixel-composited images containing graphics for display on a display device during the run-time of said graphics-based application; and

an automatic mode control module for automatically controlling the mode of parallel operation of said MMPGRS during the run-time of said graphics-based application, and mode transitions during said run-time of said graphics-based application;

wherein said automatic mode control module comprises

a first submodule for automatically determining the preferred mode of parallel operation to be used at any instant in time within said MMPGRS, and

a second submodule for automatically controlling the mode of parallel operation of said MMPGRS at any instant in time, automatically determined by said first submodule module.

2 . The MMPGRS of claim 1 , wherein said MMPGRS has system states selected from the group consisting of (i) parallel graphics rendering states, (ii) a non-parallel graphics rendering state, (iii) an application identification state, and (iv) a trial & error cycle state.

3 . The MMPGRS of claim 2 , wherein said parallel graphics rendering states include two or more states selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an image division state attained when said MMPGRS is operating in said image division mode;

(i) an object division state attained when said MMPGRS is operating in said object division mode; and

(iii) a time division state attained when said MMPGRS is operating in said time division mode.

4 . The MMPGRS of claim 2 , wherein said non-parallel graphics rendering state is attained only when a single GPPL is operational during the graphics rendering process.

5 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein during the course of said graphics-based application, said first submodule collects and analyzes a plurality of the following parameters when determining a state transition decision:

pixel processing load;

screen resolution;

depth complexity of the scene;

polygon count;

video-memory usage;

frame/second rate;

change of frames/second rate;

tolerance of latency;

use of the same frame buffer (FB) in successive frame; and

user-system interaction during the run-time of said graphics-based application.

6 . The MMPGRS of claim 5 , wherein transition from said object division state to said image division state follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

an increase in pixel processing load;

an increase in screen resolution;

an increase in scene depth complexity; and

a decrease in polygon count.

6 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein transition from said image division state to said object division state follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

an increase of polygon count;

an increase of video memory footprint; and

a decrease of scene depth complexity.

7 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein transition from said object division state to said time division state follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

Demand for higher frame/second rate

Higher latency is tolerated

There is no use of the frame buffer (FB) for successive frame

No predefined input activity is detected by said UID Subsystem

8 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein transition from said time division state to said object division state follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

latency is not tolerable;

the frame buffer (FB) is used for successive frame;

high polygon count; and

input activity is detected by a system/user interaction detection (UID) subsystem.

9 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein transition from said time division state to said image division state follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

latency is not tolerable;

the frame buffer (FB) is used for successive frame;

high pixel processing load; and

input activity is detected by a system/user interaction detection (UID) subsystem.

10 . The MMPGRS of claim 3 , wherein transition from Image Division to Time Division follows a combination of one or more of the following conditions:

demand for higher frame/second rate;

latency is tolerable;

high polygon count; and

no predefined input activity is detected by said UID Subsystem.

11 . The MMPGRS of claim 1 , wherein said display unit is a device selected from the group consisting of an flat-type display panel, a projection-type display panel, and other image display devices.

12 . The MMPGRS 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.