Main Processor Data Buffering for Graphics Wait Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information processing apparatuses, the main processor configured as a multiprocessor often has to wait for graphic processor operations to complete, leading to potential degradation in image quality due to real-time graphics output requirements, such as video discontinuity or dropped frames, especially in complex image processing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The main processor unit saves data related to a first task until the graphic processor unit completes a different second task, allowing efficient task switching and ensuring that the graphic processor can perform operations without interruption, thereby reducing wait times and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main processor waits for graphic processor operations to complete before transmitting new data, then processing order is maintained and system control is simplified, but processing speed decreases and image quality degrades due to video discontinuity or dropped frames
Solution Approach 1:
The main processor saves task data in advance (before the graphic processor completes its current task) so that when the graphic processor becomes available, the data is already prepared and can be immediately processed without waiting for the current task to finish. This preliminary data preparation resolves the contradiction by enabling faster processing while maintaining reliability through proper data management.
Solution Approach 2:
A data buffer or storage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the main processor and graphic processor, allowing the main processor to save and hold task data independently of the graphic processor's current operation status. This intermediary enables asynchronous operation where the main processor can prepare data without waiting for graphic processor completion, thereby improving processing speed while maintaining system reliability.
2Productivity
If the main processor transmits data immediately without waiting for graphic processor completion, then processing speed increases, but the graphic processor may be interrupted causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The main processor performs preliminary data saving actions while the graphic processor is still working on its current task. This allows the data to be prepared in advance without interrupting the graphic processor's current operation, thus maintaining image quality continuity while enabling faster overall processing when the graphic processor becomes available.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by allowing the graphic processor to complete its current task without interruption while the main processor simultaneously prepares the next task's data. This continuity ensures that the graphic processor's current operation is not disrupted (maintaining image quality) while processing speed is improved through parallel data preparation.
3Loss of time
If the main processor saves data for later restoration, then task switching efficiency improves and graphic processor wait time is reduced, but memory management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main processor performs preliminary data saving to a buffer or storage area before the graphic processor completes its current task. This preliminary action reduces the graphic processor's wait time by having data ready in advance, while the complexity of memory management is handled systematically through structured data saving and restoration protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary storage mechanism (buffer or memory area) is introduced to hold task data between the main processor and graphic processor. This intermediary simplifies memory management by providing a dedicated storage area that automatically manages data retention and restoration, reducing the complexity of coordinating between processors while minimizing wait time.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of sub-processors and a management processor process the first task. A graphic processor unit executes image processing corresponding to the first task processed by the management processor. One of the sub-processors performs a second task different from the first task. An image process related to the first task and originated in the sub-processor is accepted by the graphic processor unit and associated first rendering data is transferred to the graphic processor unit. Meanwhile, when the need arises in the one of the sub-processors for a second image process related to the second task, the one of the sub-processor saves second rendering data for the second image process in a main memory. Subsequently, when the graphic processor unit starts the second image process corresponding to the second task, the second rendering data is transferred from the main memory to a graphic memory.