Coalescing Graphics Element for Multi-Interface Memory Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computing devices with multiple graphics interfaces face challenges in efficiently cooperating to perform drawing operations, particularly when memory resources cannot be shared, leading to inefficiencies in graphics rendering and output.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a coalescing graphics element or a temporary graphics element is introduced, allowing applications to set attributes for graphics operations, either by reusing a shared memory resource or copying display areas, enabling cooperation between multiple graphics interfaces for drawing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a computing device is reconfigured to include an updated graphics interface, then graphics performance is improved, but compatibility with applications requiring the previous graphics interface is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphics performanceVSAvoidinterface compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a unified graphics interface that can function as both the previous graphics interface and the updated graphics interface. This universal interface receives drawing operation requests and routes them to the appropriate graphics interface implementation, allowing the system to maintain compatibility with legacy applications while supporting modern graphics capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A mediating graphics interface layer is introduced between applications and the actual graphics hardware. This intermediary layer translates drawing operation requests from applications into commands that can be executed by either the previous or updated graphics interface, depending on the specific request and available resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple graphics interfaces are provided for compatibility, then application support is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication supportVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The graphics interface functionality is segmented into distinct layers: a unified interface layer that handles application requests, and underlying implementation layers that provide specific graphics interface functionality. This segmentation allows each layer to be developed and maintained independently, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of maintaining completely separate graphics interface systems, a single universal graphics interface is provided that can adapt to support multiple graphics interface protocols and standards, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If drawing operation attributes are converted for each graphics interface, then interface-specific compatibility is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface-specific compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The unified graphics interface pre-processes and standardizes drawing operation attributes before routing them to specific graphics interface implementations. By performing preliminary conversion and normalization of attributes, the system avoids redundant conversion operations and reduces processing time for subsequent graphics operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Common drawing operation attribute conversion and processing functionality is merged into the unified graphics interface layer, eliminating duplicate conversion code across multiple interface implementations. This consolidation reduces overall processing time and improves efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8976189B2Drawing operations using multiple graphics interfaces

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments provide techniques for enabling multiple graphics interfaces to be accessed to perform graphics-related operations. In at least some embodiments, techniques determine if the multiple graphics interfaces can share a memory resource for performing graphics operations. If the multiple graphics interfaces can share the memory resource, a coalescing graphics element is provided that can be used by applications to perform multiple graphics operations.