Display Controller with Dual DRM Access Paths for Lower CPU Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating systems restrict access to Direct Rendering Managers (DRMs) to only one user-space program, limiting concurrent access and causing high CPU load, which is inefficient for time-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a display controller with two manager units, one receiving data through a service manager unit and the other directly from a data source, allowing concurrent access to DRMs without passing through the service manager unit, reducing CPU load and enabling faster boot-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only one user-space program can access DRM at a time, then system stability is maintained, but concurrent access capability is limited and CPU load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the DRM access path into two independent segments: one through the service manager unit and another directly to the DRM. This segmentation allows multiple user-space programs to access DRM concurrently through different paths, resolving the contradiction between concurrent access capability and system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The service manager unit acts as an intermediary for one access path while another direct path bypasses it. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled concurrent access where the service manager unit mediates for certain programs while others can access directly, maintaining stability while enabling versatility.
2Reliability
If all data passes through the service manager unit, then centralized control is maintained, but CPU load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the direct access path from the centralized service manager unit control, allowing certain user-space programs to access DRM without passing through the service manager unit. This extraction reduces CPU load by bypassing the intermediary while maintaining reliability through the alternative centralized path for other programs.
3Productivity
If traditional single-access DRM interface is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but boot-up time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the manager unit structure into multiple independent manager units, each capable of handling access requests independently. This segmentation enables parallel processing of boot-up operations, significantly reducing boot-up time while the modular structure keeps the added complexity manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A display controller includes a first manager unit and a second manager unit. The first manager unit receives first display data from a first data source by way of a service manager unit, and produces first composed data using the first display data. The second manager unit receives second display data directly from a second data source, and produces second composed data using the second display data. The display controller provides the first composed data and the second composed data to a graphic processing unit to perform rendering process using the first composed data and the second composed data, and to produce rendered display data to be provided to a display apparatus.