Methods and apparatus for processing graphics data using multiple processing circuits

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 coupling discrete graphics processing configured to process graphics data with a bridge circuit having integrated graphics processing; and   processing at least a portion of the graphics data with the integrated graphics processing in the bridge circuit and processing at least another portion of the data with the discrete graphics processor unit, the portions of the data being associated with respective graphics tasks of a graphics job.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 enabling functionality of the integrated graphics processing whenever the discrete graphics processing is coupled with the bridge circuit.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein enabling functionality of the integrated processing includes:
 establishing separate data paths enabling the integrated graphics processing and the discrete graphics processing to independently access system resources.   
     
     
         4 . A method for processing at least one graphics job comprising:
 processing at least one task of a graphics job using integrated graphics processing circuitry in the bridge circuit; and   processing at least another task of the graphics job using a discrete graphics processor unit.   
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 enabling functionality of the integrated graphics processing circuitry whenever the discrete graphics processing is coupled with the integrated graphics processing circuitry.   
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , wherein enabling functionality of the integrated processing circuitry includes:
 establishing separate data paths enabling the integrated graphics processing circuitry and the discrete graphics processor to independently access at least one of system processing circuitry and system memory.   
     
     
         7 . A bridge circuit comprising:
 an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs from an application run on a processor;   an interface operable to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit;   a controller configured to detect when a discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface and to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to be operable to process at least one task of a graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process at least one other task of the graphics job.   
     
     
         8 . The bridge circuit as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to enable functionality of the integrated processing circuitry whenever a discrete graphics processor is coupled to the bridge circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The bridge circuit as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to establish separate data paths enabling the integrated graphics processing circuit and the discrete graphics processor to independently access at least one of system processing circuitry and a system memory. 
     
     
         10 . A graphics processing circuit comprising:
 a first graphics processing circuitry configured to process graphics jobs from an application and to couple with an interface operable to interface with at least a second graphics processing circuitry; and   a controller responsive to the coupling of the second external graphics processing circuitry to the interface and configured to cause the first graphics processing circuitry to be operable to process at least a task of a graphics job in conjunction with operation of the second graphics processing circuitry that is operable to process at least one other task of the graphics job.   
     
     
         11 . The graphics processing circuit as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to enable functionality of the first graphics processing circuitry whenever the second graphics processing circuitry is coupled to the first graphics processing circuitry.