Graphics Processor Task Overlap for Rendering Dependencies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphics processing systems face inefficiencies due to strict processing barriers between rendering jobs, leading to underutilization of processing cores and prolonged completion times when data dependencies exist between jobs in a sequence.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism is introduced to allow overlapping processing of rendering tasks across different jobs by maintaining a record of task processing status and enforcing data dependencies at a finer granularity, enabling concurrent execution of tasks without introducing artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strict processing barriers are enforced between rendering jobs to ensure data dependency correctness, then processing reliability is maintained, but processing core utilization deteriorates and completion time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata dependency correctnessVSAvoidprocessing core utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rendering job processing into independent tasks that can be individually tracked and managed. By dividing the rendering workload into discrete tasks with identifiable dependencies, the system can selectively overlap execution of tasks from different jobs without compromising data correctness. This segmentation enables fine-grained control over when tasks can be safely executed in parallel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic task scheduling where the processing barriers between jobs are not fixed but adapt based on the actual completion status of dependent tasks. The system dynamically determines which tasks from subsequent jobs can be issued to processing cores by checking the completion state of predecessor tasks, allowing the processing pipeline to flexibly overlap job execution while maintaining correctness where possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If strict processing barriers are enforced between rendering jobs, then data dependency correctness is maintained, but completion time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata dependency correctnessVSAvoidjob completion time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary tracking of task completion status as tasks are issued to processing cores. By maintaining records of which tasks have completed before attempting to issue dependent tasks from subsequent jobs, the system proactively identifies opportunities for overlap execution. This preliminary action eliminates unnecessary waiting time while ensuring data correctness is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous utilization of processing cores by allowing tasks from subsequent rendering jobs to be issued as soon as their data dependencies are satisfied, rather than waiting for entire previous jobs to complete. This continuous action maximizes processor utilization and reduces idle time, thereby decreasing overall job completion time while maintaining correctness through dependency tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12450681B2Graphics processing
Publication Date: 2025.10.21 ARM LTD
  • US12450681B2 patent drawing
  • US12450681B2 patent drawing
  • US12450681B2 patent drawing

AI summary

When performing a sequence of rendering jobs, rendering tasks for separate rendering jobs are permitted to overlap within the graphics processor's processing (shader) cores. A record is maintained of which rendering tasks are currently being processed by the graphics processor's processing (shader) cores which record can then be used to enforce any data (processing) dependencies between different rendering jobs.