System for monitoring performance of advanced graphics driver in

Details System for monitoring performance of advanced graphics driver in System for monitoring performance of advanced graphics driver in

1994-12-15

1997-11-11

Shin, Christopher B.

395500, 395828, 395835, G06F 1314, G06F 314

Patent

active

056873760

ABSTRACT:
Disclosed is a support architecture that facilitates use of display device drivers containing a minimum of hardware-specific software code. A driver need support only a relatively few common functions, which act as building blocks for the larger, more complex operations typically requested by graphics engines. In order to mediate between the limited-instruction-set device driver and the various higher-level graphics engines, the invention includes a series of translation modules that simplify engine-originated instructions into simpler graphic components. A video manager supervises routing of instructions to the specific drivers they designate, and serializes access to hardware components so that graphic commands execute atomically (i.e., without interruption). The invention also includes a graphics library containing device-level instruction sets, as well as the on-board capability to execute those commands, for a broad range of graphic operations, and one or more filter module interposed between the video manager and each device driver. The filter modules can enhance driver functionality without the need to rewrite or risk corruption of driver code; preprocess parameter information or instructions from the video manager before they reach the driver; intercept function calls or data before they reach a device driver for purposes of modification, analysis or mere viewing (e.g., for debugging purposes); or adapt device drivers to the environment of the present invention.

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