Frame buffer sizing to optimize the performance of on screen graphics in a digital electronic device
In the instant invention an improved method and device is described for utilizing the frame buffer of and electronic device with a display. The frame buffer is enlarged well beyond the dimensions of the display and the user is unable to change which region of the frame buffer is visible on the display. An application of the electronic device is allocated a region for its exclusive use that is within the portion of the frame buffer which is not visible to the user, and draws into it. The application may also take full advantage of accelerated drawing operations offered by the GPU. Compositing may be done by the application or by a window manager between regions of the enlarged frame buffer, visible on-screen, the portion off-screen, or any combination.
1 . A method for use on a display device comprising:
generating a frame buffer larger than the visible area of the display device;
redirecting the contents of an on screen window to an area of the frame buffer outside of the visible area;
compositing contents of the frame buffer, including at least some portion of the frame buffer outside the visible area; and
updating the contents of the visible portion of the frame buffer based on the compositing.
2 . A computer readable medium capable of storing a program facilitating the following steps:
generating a frame buffer larger than the visible area of the display device;
redirecting the contents of an on screen window to an area of the frame buffer outside of the visible area;
compositing contents of the frame buffer, including at least some portion of the frame buffer outside the visible area; and
updating the contents of the visible portion of the frame buffer based on the compositing.