IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,555,315
Granted Patent B2
US 12,555,315 · App. 18/271,836 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Heuristic-based variable rate shading for mobile games

Inventors: Caiqin Li (Shanghai, CN); Yanshan Wen (Shanghai, CN); Yunzhen Li (Shenzhen, CN); Yutong Liu (Shenzhen, CN); Xiandang Li (Shenzhen, CN)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
G06T15/80
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,555,315
App. No.
18/271,836
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for heuristic-based variable rate shading for mobile games. A CPU that includes a GPU driver may obtain draw call information for a first frame of a plurality of frames. The first frame may be shaded based on a default shading rate (e.g., full shading rate). The draw call information may be associated with per shader frame states of the first frame. The CPU may estimate/detect one or more heavy draws for one or more subsequent frames of the plurality of frames based on the per shader states. The CPU may indicate, on a per draw basis, a reduced shading rate (e.g., half-shading rate) to a GPU that generates the one or more subsequent frames of the plurality of frames, when the plurality of frames is estimated to include the one or more heavy draws.

Claims (35)

1 . An apparatus for graphics processing, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

obtain draw call information for a first frame of a plurality of frames, the first frame being shaded based on a full shading rate, the draw call information associated with per shader frame states of the first frame;

estimate, based on the per shader frame states of the first frame, whether at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more heavy draws; and

indicate a reduced shading rate, when the at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames is estimated to include the one or more heavy draws, the reduced shading rate being less than the full shading rate.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reduced shading rate is indicated on a per draw basis to a graphics processing unit (GPU).

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine that at least one precondition is satisfied for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine, based on the at least one precondition being satisfied, that at least one rule is satisfied for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one rule for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate is associated with the per shader frame states of the first frame.

6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one rule for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate is independent of the per shader frame states of the first frame.

7 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to reduce the full shading rate to the reduced shading rate based on the at least one rule being satisfied.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to indicate, on a per draw basis, the full shading rate to a graphics processing unit (GPU), when the at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames is not estimated to include the one or more heavy draws.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one subsequent frame is rendered after indicating the full shading rate or the reduced shading rate.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the draw call information is associated with the per shader frame states at an end of the first frame.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reduced shading rate corresponds to a half-shading rate or a quarter-shading rate.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a wireless communication device.

13 . A method of graphics processing, comprising:

obtaining draw call information for a first frame of a plurality of frames, the first frame being shaded based on a full shading rate, the draw call information associated with per shader frame states of the first frame;

estimating, based on the per shader frame states of the first frame, whether at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more heavy draws; and

indicating a reduced shading rate, when the at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames is estimated to include the one or more heavy draws, the reduced shading rate being less than the full shading rate.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the reduced shading rate is indicated on a per draw basis to a graphics processing unit (GPU).

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising determining that at least one precondition is satisfied for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining, based on the at least one precondition being satisfied, that at least one rule is satisfied for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one rule for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate is associated with the per shader frame states of the first frame.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the at least one rule for executing the one or more heavy draws based on the reduced shading rate is independent of the per shader frame states of the first frame.

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising reducing the full shading rate to the reduced shading rate based on the at least one rule being satisfied.

20 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising indicating, on a per draw basis, the full shading rate to a graphics processing unit (GPU), when the at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames is not estimated to include the one or more heavy draws.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the at least one subsequent frame is rendered after indicating the full shading rate or the reduced shading rate.

22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the draw call information is associated with the per shader frame states at an end of the first frame.

23 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the reduced shading rate corresponds to a half-shading rate or a quarter-shading rate.

24 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code, the code when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:

obtain draw call information for a first frame of a plurality of frames, the first frame being shaded based on a full shading rate, the draw call information associated with per shader frame states of the first frame;

estimate, based on the per shader frame states of the first frame, whether at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more heavy draws; and

indicate a reduced shading rate, when the at least one subsequent frame of the plurality of frames is estimated to include the one or more heavy draws, the reduced shading rate being less than the full shading rate.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY AND EXECUTION DATE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064218 FRAME: 0373. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNOR'S ASSIGNMENT OF INTEREST TO ASSIGNEE. Recorded Jul 20, 2023
From: LI, CAIQIN; WEN, YANSHAN; LI, YUNZHEN; LIU, YUTONG; LI, XIANDANG
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 064351/0603 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2023
From: LI, CAIQIN; WEN, YANSHAN; LI, YUNZHEN; LIU, YUTONG
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 064218/0373 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240320905A1 · Sep 26, 2024
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