Multi-User Graphics System with Dynamic Pixel Allocation

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional computer systems are underutilized when configured for single users, leading to inefficiency and a lack of willingness to upgrade due to the additional costs associated with scaling resources such as processing power and storage, as users do not fully utilize increased capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A multi-user computer system architecture that incorporates a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a multi-user manager to allocate pixel processing capabilities among multiple users, along with a central processing unit and disk drive, allowing for efficient resource sharing and support for multiple users with varying display sizes and input devices, while enabling seamless integration of additional users at a reduced cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the computer system is configured with greater processing power, storage capacity, and network communication capacity, then the system resources are improved, but the typical single user underutilizes these resources and is not willing to pay the additional premium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing powerVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the computer system to serve multiple functions by supporting both single-user and multi-user modes. The system architecture allows the same hardware resources to be dynamically allocated to different users, making the system universal enough to justify high-end configurations through multi-user licensing while maintaining single-user functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic resource allocation where computing resources, storage, and network bandwidth are dynamically assigned to different users based on their needs. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying user requirements and maximize resource utilization across multiple users, resolving the contradiction between high power configuration and single-user underutilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the computer system is configured with greater processing power, storage capacity, and network communication capacity, then the system resources are improved, but the additional premium associated with scaling the traditional architecture increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the computer system to serve multiple functions by supporting both single-user and multi-user modes. The system architecture allows the same hardware resources to be dynamically allocated to different users, making the system universal enough to justify high-end configurations through multi-user licensing while maintaining single-user functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the licensing parameter from single-user to multi-user, allowing the same physical hardware configuration to serve multiple users. This parameter change enables organizations to utilize high-capacity storage and processing resources more effectively, justifying the premium cost through increased resource utilization across multiple users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the computer system is configured with greater network communication capacity, then the network communication bandwidth is improved, but the typical single user underutilizes the resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork communication bandwidthVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the computer system to serve multiple functions by supporting both single-user and multi-user modes. The system architecture allows the same hardware resources to be dynamically allocated to different users, making the system universal enough to justify high-end configurations through multi-user licensing while maintaining single-user functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic resource allocation where computing resources, storage, and network bandwidth are dynamically assigned to different users based on their needs. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying user requirements and maximize resource utilization across multiple users, resolving the contradiction between high power configuration and single-user underutilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8893016B2Using a graphics system to enable a multi-user computer system

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

A graphics system and a multi-user computer system are disclosed. The graphics system comprises a graphics processing unit (GPU) for processing pixels. It further includes a multi-user manager for allocating pixel processing capability for each one of a plurality of users, wherein each user uses a display and an input device. Moreover, the graphics system has a plurality of user attributes for each user. The multi-user computer system comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a disk drive configured to support a plurality of users. Further, the multi-user computer system includes the graphics system.