WO2007043130A1

WO2007043130A1 - Drawer, semiconductor integrated circuit, and drawing method

Info

Publication number: WO2007043130A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/018291
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideaki Yamauchi
Original assignee: Fujitsu Limited
Priority date: 2005-10-03
Filing date: 2005-10-03
Publication date: 2007-04-19
Also published as: WO2007043130A9

Abstract

Different threads are efficiently processed. An image drawer (103) performs image-drawing processing according to drawing threads, and a drawing completion detector (104) detects the completion of the drawing processing performed by the image drawer (103) independently for each of the drawing threads and sends a drawing completion detection signal independently for each drawing thread. In this manner, different drawing threads are asynchronously processed. Thus, for example, there is no need for a thread which is desired to be drawn at high speed to be kept in a waiting state until the processing of another thread having a heavy load is completed. This enables the efficient processing of different threads.

Description

Specification

Drawing apparatus, semiconductor integrated circuit device, and drawing method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a drawing device, a semiconductor integrated circuit device, and a drawing method, and more particularly to a drawing device, a semiconductor integrated circuit device, and a drawing method for processing a plurality of drawing threads.

Background art

[0002] Conventionally, 3D computer graphics (3DCG), which has been used in high-performance workstations and game machines, has been rapidly applied to embedded devices. In the LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) for embedded devices, real-time rendering that draws moving objects at high speed and limited processing time is required under limited performance and cost constraints. It is required to perform graphics drawing processing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional basic drawing apparatus.

The drawing apparatus 800 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 801, a drawing module 802, a drawing end detection module 803, a memory controller 804, and a frame buffer 805. For example, the drawing module 802, the drawing end detection module 803, and the memory controller 804 force S1 are integrated as one graphics LSI. Note that here, two different drawing threads (a set of drawing commands and drawing target data, typically one frame of the movie) A and B are shown together, and arrows Sa, The length of Sb schematically shows the processing time in the drawing module 802 of each drawing thread (hereinafter abbreviated as thread) A and B. In the following description, it is assumed that thread A is a thread that requires real-time drawing, and thread B is a thread that requires high-load drawing processing.

[0004] It should be noted that the frame buffer 805 has two buffers 80 5-1 for surface 1 and surface 2 for threads A and B, respectively, in order to realize double buffering that can prevent flickering of the display image. 805-2, 805-3, and 805-4, which hold the image data generated by the threads A and B, and then output them to a display (not shown).

[0005] The operation of the drawing apparatus 800 when processing threads A and B will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the conventional drawing apparatus. T20 to T26 indicate the timing of each process.

[0006] When the drawing process is started, the drawing end flag, which is an interrupt signal from the drawing end detection module 803 to the CPU 801, is cleared in synchronization with the rise of the vertical synchronization signal to the H (High) level (T20). At this time, the drawing module 802 performs the drawing process for the thread 送出 sent from the CPU 801 and writes the image data into the buffer 805-1 of the frame buffer 805. At this time, the image data is output from the buffer 805-2 on the surface 2 of the thread A and displayed on a display (not shown). In addition, the drawing process of the surface 1 of the thread B is in an idle state, and the image data is output from the buffer 805-4 of the surface 2 and displayed on a display (not shown).

[0007] When the drawing process of thread A is completed (T21), the drawing module 802 sets the drawing process of thread A to the idle state, and this time the drawing process of surface 1 of thread B is performed. The image data generated by the drawing process at this time is written into the nota 805-3.

[0008] As described above, the drawing process of the thread B is a high-load drawing process, and therefore takes more time than the drawing process of the thread A (T21 to T22). When the drawing process of thread Β is completed (Τ 22), the drawing module 802 sets the drawing process of surface 1 of thread アイドル to the idle state. At this time, the drawing end detection module 803 turns on the drawing end flag and ends the drawing process of frame 1.

[0009] Then, when the drawing end flag is cleared in synchronization with the rising edge of the next vertical synchronizing signal (Τ23), the drawing process for the next frame 2 is started.

The drawing process for frame 2 in Τ24, Τ25, and Τ26 is almost the same as the drawing process for 121, Τ22, and Τ23 in frame 1. This time, the drawing process for surface 2 of thread Α and Β is performed, and the image data is buffered. Write to 805-2 and 805-4. At this time, the image data of frame 1 drawn by Τ20 to Τ22 is output and displayed on the display (not shown) from the noffers 805-1 and 805-3.

[0010] By the way, a technique that applies the concept of a multi-core CPU that has been attracting attention in recent years to a graphics LSI is known. In this technology, a plurality of independent drawing cores are arranged in the graphics LSI, and a pair of drawing modules and a drawing end detection module as shown in FIG. 9 are provided in each drawing core. As a result, multiple threads sent out CPU power Can be distributed to each drawing core and processed independently.

[0011] However, if the load of multiple threads is different, such as threads A and B shown in Fig. 9, the load balance of each drawing core is not balanced, and a certain drawing core has extra capacity. On the other hand, the performance of other drawing cores is significantly reduced due to overload. Therefore, the following configuration is applied to a conventional high-end graphics LSI (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional drawing apparatus having a plurality of drawing modules.

The drawing apparatus 900 shown here includes a CPU 901, for example, three drawing modules 902-1, 902-2, 902-3, and three corresponding drawing end detection modules 903-1, 903-2, 903— 3, a memory controller 904, a frame buffer 905, and a scheduler 906 that divides a thread into thread pieces (hereinafter referred to as sub-threads) and inputs them in parallel to the respective drawing modules 902-1 to 902-3.

[0013] Here, a case is shown in which three threads A, B, and C issued by the CPU 901 for each frame are processed. The frame buffer 905 consists of these three threads A, B, and C. On the other hand, the sofas 905-1, 905-2, 905-3, 9 05-4, 905-5, 905 — Has 6 and realizes double buffering. The lengths of the arrows Sal, Sa2, Sa3, Sbl, Sb2, Sb3, Scl, Sc2, Sc3 are the processing times of the drawing modules 902-1 to 902-3 for the sub-threads of each thread A, B, C. Show. In FIG. 11, for example, thread A is a thread that requires real-time drawing, thread B is a thread that requires medium-load drawing processing, and thread C requires high-load drawing processing. Is a thread.

[0014] In such a drawing apparatus 900, the scheduler 906 divides threads A, B, and C into sub-threads and distributes them in a balanced manner to the drawing modules 902-1 to 902-3. Can be increased.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-14478

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0015] However, in the conventional drawing apparatus, a plurality of different thread powers and CPU powers each have one frame. When all the threads are issued, there is a problem that it is not possible to shift to the processing of the subsequent frame unless all of these threads finish drawing. As a result, when a thread that requires high-speed drawing and a thread that requires high-load drawing processing are mixed, the thread that requires high-speed drawing will draw the next frame until drawing of the high-load thread is completed. There was a problem that it was impossible to move to processing, and real-time drawing became impossible.

[0016] For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the drawing process of thread A has ended.

(T21) Until the drawing process of the high-load thread B ends, the drawing end flag is turned on (Τ22), and the drawing end flag is cleared in synchronization with the rise of the next vertical synchronization signal (Τ23) I had to wait!

[0017] In addition, if priority is given to a thread that performs real-time drawing and drawing processing of a high-load thread is suppressed, a high-load image cannot be obtained at all, or an incomplete image during drawing may be displayed. was there.

[0018] This problem also occurs when a thread is divided into sub-threads as shown in FIG.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a drawing apparatus capable of efficiently processing a plurality of different threads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device that can efficiently process a plurality of different threads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drawing method capable of efficiently processing a plurality of different threads.

Means for solving the problem

In the present invention, in order to solve the above problem, in a drawing apparatus that processes a plurality of drawing threads, an image drawing unit 103 that performs image drawing processing based on the drawing threads, and a drawing in the image drawing unit 103 There is provided a drawing apparatus 100 comprising: a drawing end detection unit 104 that detects the end of processing independently for each drawing thread and sends an independent drawing end detection signal for each drawing thread. The

According to the above configuration, the image drawing unit 103 performs an image drawing process based on the drawing thread, and the drawing end detection unit 104 indicates the end of the drawing process in the image drawing unit 103. Detection is performed independently for each drawing thread, and an independent drawing end detection signal is transmitted for each drawing thread. The invention's effect

In the present invention, the end of the drawing process in the image drawing means that performs the drawing process of the image based on the drawing thread is detected independently for each drawing thread, and an independent drawing end detection signal for each drawing thread. , So that different drawing threads can proceed with each process asynchronously. As a result, for example, it is not necessary to wait until the processing of a thread with a high load of thread that wants to draw at high speed is completed, and a plurality of different threads can be processed efficiently.

[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are preferred as examples of the present invention, and will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing embodiments.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a digital dashboard.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the drawing apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a thread.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of threads assigned to each drawing module.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the drawing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of a conventional drawing apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional drawing apparatus having a plurality of drawing modules. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The drawing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a CPU 101, a scheduler 102, an image drawing unit 103, a drawing end detection unit 104, a selector 105, a memory controller 106, and a frame buffer 107. Here, for example, scheduler 102, image drawing unit 103, drawing end detection unit 1 04, selector 105, and memory controller 106 are integrated in one graphics LSI.

[0026] In the following, a configuration for processing two different threads A and B will be described as an example.

The CPU 101 controls the sending of threads A and B and the memory controller 106.

[0027] The scheduler 102 sends the threads A and B sent from the CPU 101 to the image drawing unit 103, extracts the identifiers of which the thread A and B forces are identification information, and sends them to the selector 105.

The image drawing unit 103 performs an image drawing process based on the input threads A and B.

The drawing end detection unit 104 detects the end of the drawing process in the image drawing unit 103 independently for each of the threads A and B, and sends an independent drawing end detection signal to the CPU 101 for each of the threads A and B. In the drawing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the drawing end detection unit 104 includes two drawing end detection modules 104a and 104b. The drawing end detection module 104a detects the end of the drawing processing of the thread A and sends a drawing end detection signal. The drawing end detection module 104b detects the end of drawing processing of the thread B and sends a drawing end detection signal. These are processed asynchronously and independently of each other. The drawing end detection signal is cleared independently as well.

The selector 105 selects one of the drawing end detection modules 104a and 104b according to the identifier sent from the scheduler 102, and detects the end of the drawing processing of the threads A and B.

The memory controller 106 outputs the image data processed by the image drawing unit 103 to the frame buffer 107 under the control of the CPU 101.

The frame buffer 107 has two buffers 107-1 for surface 1 and surface 2 for threads A and B, respectively, in order to realize double buffering that can prevent flickering of the displayed image.

107-2, 107-3, 107-4, which hold the image data generated by each thread A and B, and then output it to a display (not shown).

[0031] Although not shown here, for example, the image drawing unit 103 and the drawing end detection unit 104 also receive a vertical synchronization signal as a synchronization signal for frame update control in the external force. . [0032] In the following description, it is assumed that thread A is a thread that requires real-time drawing, and thread B is a thread that requires high-load drawing processing.

An example of using both threads that require real-time drawing and threads that require high-load drawing processing is the automobile digital dashboard, which is being developed in recent years.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a digital dashboard.

On the digital dashboard, the tachometer needle 110 and the speedometer needle 111, etc., require real-time drawing to faithfully reproduce the engine speed and speed while driving. For example, high-speed drawing processing at a frame rate of 60 fps (frame per second) is required. On the other hand, the vehicle body information 112 that is three-dimensionally drawn requires high-load drawing processing. The process is performed at about 8 fps, for example. In addition, the blinker 113, the information display 114, the warning light 115, and the like need to be drawn with threads having different required frame rates (for example, 20 fps). The dial and background are still images.

Here, for example, the operation of the drawing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described assuming that a thread for drawing the tachometer needle 110 is a thread A and a thread for drawing the vehicle body information 112 is a thread B.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the drawing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

T1 to T6 indicate the timing of each process.

When the drawing process starts, the drawing end flag (drawing end detection signal) output to the CPU 101 is cleared by the force of each of the drawing end detection modules 104a and 104b in synchronization with the rising of the vertical synchronization signal to the Η level. (Tl). At this time, the image drawing unit 103 performs a drawing process for the thread 送 sent from the CPU 101 via the scheduler 102, and writes the image data in the buffer 107-1 of the frame buffer 107. At this time, the image data is output from the buffer 107-2 on the surface 2 of the thread A and displayed on a display (not shown). In addition, the drawing process of the surface 1 of the thread B is in an idle state, and the image data is output from the buffer 107-4 of the surface 2 to a display (not shown) and displayed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a thread.

As described above, a thread is a set of drawing commands and drawing target data, and is typically a motion. Handles the processing of one frame of an image. The CPU 101 inputs drawing data 1, 2, 3,..., A drawing end command, and a drawing end detection command to the scheduler 102 in order from the drawing start command, and the scheduler 102 sends these to the image drawing unit 103. Let it be processed. The bit length of each command is 32 bits, for example. The identifier for identifying the thread is embedded using, for example, some empty bits of the drawing end detection command. For example, by using 4 bits, 16 different threads can be identified. The identifier is extracted by the scheduler 102 and sent to the selector 105.

[0037] When the drawing end command is input to the image drawing unit 103 and the drawing process of the thread A is finished (T2), the selector 105 finishes drawing according to the identifier extracted from the drawing end detection command by the scheduler 102. Select the detection destination of the drawing end detection information generated by the detection command. In this case, since the identifier indicates a thread Α, the image drawing unit 103 sends drawing end detection information to the drawing end detection module 104a. As a result, the drawing end detection module 104a turns on the drawing end flag and notifies the CPU 101 that the drawing processing of frame 1 of thread A has ended. Further, the image drawing unit 103 sets the drawing process of the thread A to the idle state, and this time, the drawing process of the surface 1 of the thread B is performed. The CPU 101 issues a thread as shown in FIG. 4, and the image drawing unit 103 similarly performs a drawing process. The image data generated by the drawing process at this time is written into the buffer 107-3.

Next, when the vertical synchronization signal becomes H level (T3), the drawing end detection module 104a clears the drawing end flag related to the thread A drawing processing. Then, the CPU 101 starts drawing the frame 2 of the thread A. At this time, the image drawing unit 103 interrupts drawing of the thread B that is being drawn and yields resources for the drawing process of the thread A. Then, the drawing process for frame 2 of thread A is performed, and the image data is written into the buffer 107-2. At this time, the image data of frame 1 is output from the buffer 107-1 on the surface 1 of the thread A and displayed on the display (not shown).

[0039] When the drawing process for frame 2 of thread A ends again (T4), the selector 105 sends the drawing end detection information generated by the drawing end detection command in the image drawing unit 103 to the drawing end detection module 104a. Send it out. Thus, the drawing end detection module In step 104a, the drawing end flag is turned on to notify the CPU 101 that the drawing process of frame 2 of thread A has been completed. On the other hand, when the drawing process for frame 2 of thread A is completed, the image drawing unit 103 resumes the drawing process for frame 1 of thread B that has been suspended.

In the same manner, the drawing process for frame 3 and frame 4 of thread A is performed.

When the drawing end command of thread B is input to the image drawing unit 103 (T5), the scheduler 102 extracts the identifier of the drawing end detection command of thread B and sends it to the selector 105. Thereby, the drawing end detection information generated by the drawing end detection command of the image drawing unit 103 is sent to the drawing end detection module 104b. The drawing end detection module 104b turns on a drawing end flag which is a drawing end detection signal of the thread B, and notifies the CPU 101 that the drawing process of the frame 1 of the thread B has ended. In addition, the image drawing unit 103 puts the drawing process of the thread B into an idle state.

[0041] Next, when the vertical synchronization signal becomes H level (T6), the drawing end detection module 104b clears the drawing end flag related to the thread B drawing processing, and the thread B frame 2 drawing processing is performed. Is in an idle state. Also, the image data is output from the buffer 103-3 holding the image data of frame 1 of the thread B and displayed on a display (not shown).

[0042] After that, as in the processes of T2 to T6, the drawing process of frame 2 of thread B is interrupted every time the drawing process of thread Α is started, and when the drawing process of thread A ends, The drawing process is resumed.

In this way, in the example of FIG. 3, the thread A proceeds with image processing for one frame using the synchronization signal (vertical synchronization signal) for frame update control as a trigger. On the other hand, thread B, which requires high-load non-real-time processing, performs one frame of drawing processing over four cycles of thread A.

As described above, in the drawing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the drawing end detection unit 104 detects the end of the drawing processing of the threads A and B independently for each of the threads A and B, and the thread Since an independent drawing end detection signal is sent for each of A and B, the processing of different threads A and B can proceed asynchronously.

[0045] Thus, for example, the tachometer needle 110 of the digital dashboard shown in FIG. Thus, when drawing at high speed, it is not necessary for thread A to wait until one frame of high-load thread B such as body information 112 to be three-dimensionally drawn is completed, and real-time drawing is possible. In addition, since the rendering process of thread B can be resumed when the process of thread A is completed, normal image data can be obtained without destroying the information being rendered by thread B.

In the above, thread A that requires real-time drawing is processed as a high-priority thread, thread B that requires high-load drawing processing is a low-priority thread, and high-priority thread. The drawing process of thread B is interrupted during the drawing process of A. These priorities may be distinguished by identifiers, or may be determined by the order in which threads A and B are inserted into the scheduler 102 or the image drawing unit 103. Further, priority information may be added to a drawing start command of each thread. The priority information is represented by, for example, a numerical value or the number of requested frames (frame rate) per second.

In the above description, the identifiers of threads A and B are described as being added to the drawing end detection command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be added to the drawing start command. In that case, the scheduler 102 recognizes the identifier and temporarily stores it when the drawing start command is read. When the drawing end detection command of threads A and B is read, the stored identifier is sent to the selector 105, so that the same effect as when an identifier is added to the drawing end detection command can be obtained. .

[0048] The identifier may be generated and added by the scheduler! For example,

When A and B pass through the scheduler 102, for example, identifiers are added in the order in which threads A and B are inserted.

[0049] Further, in the above description, the force 3 or more described for the two cases of threads A and B may be present. In this case, the drawing end detection unit 104 has a drawing end detection module according to the number of threads.

[0050] Further, the drawing end detection unit 104 does not have a plurality of drawing end detection modules, and directly receives drawing end detection information with an identifier from the image drawing unit 103, and provides an independent drawing end detection signal for each thread. May be sent out.

[0051] Next, a drawing apparatus in which the image drawing unit 103 also has a plurality of drawing module capabilities is implemented in the second embodiment The drawing apparatus will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[0052] The drawing apparatus 200 of the second embodiment includes a CPU 201, a scheduler 202, an image drawing unit 203 having three drawing modules 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, and a drawing end detection unit. 204. The selector 105, the memory controller 106, and the frame buffer 107 shown in FIG. 1 are not shown.

[0053] Also, here, a case is shown in which three threads A, B, and C, which are sequentially issued by the CPU 201 for each frame, are processed. For example, the thread A is a thread that requires real-time drawing, the thread B is a thread that requires a medium-load drawing process, and the thread C is a thread that requires a high-load drawing process.

The scheduler 202 divides the threads A, B, and C sent from the CPU 201 into sub-threads, and distributes them in a balanced manner in parallel to the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3. Arrows Sal, Sa2, Sa3, Sbl, Sb2, Sb3, Scl, Sc2, Sc3 are the lengths of the sub-thread drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 of each thread A, B, and C. Shows

[0055] Identifiers for identifying the threads A, B, and C are added by the power applied to the drawing start command or the drawing end detection command (see FIG. 4) and the scheduler 202. The scheduler 202 generates an identifier for each sub-thread to be divided in accordance with the identifier for each thread A, B, or C. When the drawing end command and the drawing end detection command of the threads A, B, and C input from the CPU 201 are read, each drawing module 203-1 to 203-3 is added to the end of the sub-thread to be processed. A drawing end command and a drawing end detection command are generated. The above-described subthread identifier is added to the drawing end detection command added here.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of threads assigned to each drawing module.

Drawing module 203—1 includes thread A sub-thread data Al,..., Ai, thread B sub-thread data Bl,..., Bi, thread C sub-thread data CI,. Ci is assigned, and after the data Ai, Bi, Ci of the last sub thread of each thread A, B, C, a drawing end command and a drawing end detection command are sent by the scheduler 202. Is added. In addition, the identifiers al, bl, and cl of each sub thread are added to the drawing end detection command.

[0057] Similarly, the drawing module 203-2 is assigned the data A2 of the sub-threads of threads A, B, and C,… ゝ Aj, B2,… ゝ Bj, C2,… ゝ Cj power ij. 203—3, Thread A, B, C sub-thread data A3,… ゝ Ak, B3, ..., Bk, C3, ..., Ck force assigned. Identifiers a2, b2, c2, a3, b3, and c3 are added to the drawing end detection commands.

The drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 input the assigned sub threads in order from the top of FIG. When a drawing end command is detected, each of the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 draws drawing end detection information generated from the drawing end detection command via a selector (not shown) according to the subthread identifier. It is sent to the end detection unit 204.

The drawing end detection unit 204 includes three drawing end detection modules 204-1, 204-2, and 204-3 in order to detect the states of the three threads A, B, and C. The drawing end detection module 204-1 aggregates the drawing end detection information of the sub-threads (identifiers al, a2, and a3) of the thread A assigned to the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3, so that one frame of the thread A When the drawing end detection information is restored, the thread A drawing end detection signal is sent to the CPU 201.

Similarly, the drawing end detection modules 204-2 and 204-3 collect the drawing end detection information of the threads B and C <sub-threads (identifiers bl, b2, and b3 and identifiers cl, c2, and c3), respectively. When the drawing end detection information of one frame of threads B and C is restored, the drawing end detection signals of thread B and thread C are sent to the CPU 201 independently.

The operation of the drawing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the drawing apparatus according to the second embodiment. Here, only the relationship between the drawing processing of threads 8, B, and C in each of the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 and the drawing end detection signal sent from the drawing end detection modules 204-1 to 204-3 is illustrated. The vertical synchronization signal and display timing are not shown. Also, thread A is given high priority (threads that require real-time drawing), and threads B and C Are of the same priority.

As shown in the figure, each of the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 preferentially processes the sub-threads (identifiers al, a2, and a3) of thread A that require real-time drawing (T10). In each drawing module 203-1 to 203-3, when the drawing end command is executed and the processing of thread レ sub-thread is completed (T11), the sub-thread drawing processing related to thread A is set to the idle state. With reference to the sub-thread identifiers al, a2, and a3 attached to the drawing end detection command as shown, the drawing end detection information generated by the drawing end detection command is sent to the drawing end via a selector (not shown). Send to detection module 204-1. When the drawing end detection module 204-1 receives the drawing end detection information of the sub thread of thread A from all the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3, the drawing end detection module 204-1 aggregates them and sends one frame of thread A to the CPU 201 A drawing end detection signal is sent to indicate that the process has been completed (the drawing end flag is turned on).

When the drawing process of thread A is in an idle state, each of the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 performs the drawing process of the sub thread (identifiers bl, b2, b3) of thread B to be input next. When the priority of the thread B and the thread C is the same, for example, the drawing process of the sub thread of the thread B is interrupted when the drawing process of the sub thread of the thread C is started (T12). The drawing process of the sub thread of thread C is interrupted when the drawing end flag related to the drawing process of thread A is cleared and the drawing process of the thread piece of the next frame of thread A starts again (T13). . When the above processing is repeated and each drawing module 203-1 to 203-3 executes the drawing end command for the sub thread of thread B and completes the processing of the sub thread of thread B (T14), The processing related to B is set in the idle state, and the drawing end detection information is sent to the drawing end detection module 204-2 by referring to the sub-thread identifiers bl, b2, and b3 attached to the drawing end detection command as shown in FIG. Sent to. When the drawing end detection module 204-2 receives drawing end detection information of the sub-thread of thread B from all the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3, the drawing end detection module 204-2 saves about one frame of the thread B to the CPU 201. A drawing end detection signal indicating that the process has been completed is sent.

Similarly, the drawing end detection module 204-3 includes all the drawing modules 203-1 to 2-2. When the drawing end detection information of the sub thread of thread C is received from 03-3, these are collected and a drawing end detection signal indicating that processing of one frame of thread C has been completed is sent to the CPU 201 (T15 ).

As described above, according to the drawing apparatus 200 of the second embodiment, the drawing end detection modules 204-1 to 204-3 end drawing of the threads A, B, and C. Since the detection unit 204 detects each thread A, B, and C independently and sends an independent drawing end detection signal for each thread A, B, and C, a plurality of drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 are used. In the high-efficiency drawing apparatus 200 that processes the threads A, B, and C into sub-threads and processes them in parallel, the processing of the different threads A, B, and C can be performed asynchronously.

[0066] This can increase the processing efficiency of thread A that requires real-time drawing, and can also restore normal image data without destroying the information being drawn by thread C that requires high-load drawing processing. Obtainable.

It should be noted that the method of determining the priority and the like are the same as those of the drawing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment.

In the above description, the force has been described for the case where there are three drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3.

[0068] Further, the force described above for the three cases of threads A, B, and C is not limited to this number. The drawing end detection unit 204 has a drawing end detection module corresponding to the number of threads.

[0069] Next, a drawing apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a drawing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

The same components as those of the drawing apparatus 200 of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The drawing apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment processes sub-threads in parallel from a plurality of drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3 like the drawing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. However, unlike the drawing apparatus 200, the drawing end detection unit 304 directly detects the drawing end flag of the sub thread together with the identifier of each sub thread from each of the drawing modules 203-1 to 203-3. For thread A, the drawing end flag “al flag” of the sub-thread with the identifier al from the drawing module 203-1 and the identifier a2 from the drawing module 203-2 If the drawing end flag “a2 flag” of the sub-thread and the drawing end flag “a3 flag” of the sub-thread with the identifier a3 from the drawing module 203-3 are both turned on, the drawing processing of the thread A has ended. Is sent to the CPU 201. The same applies to threads B and C.

[0071] According to such a drawing end detection unit 304, a thread that does not have a plurality of drawing end detection modules is the maximum that can be expressed by the bit width of the identifier added to the drawing start command and the drawing end detection command described above. Recognize up to numbers. This can contribute to the reduction of hardware resources and the reduction of parallel processing capacity due to a lack of hardware resources.

[0072] The above merely illustrates the principle of the present invention. In addition, many variations and modifications are possible to those skilled in the art, and the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and application shown and described above, but all corresponding variations and equivalents are It is regarded as the scope of the present invention by the claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of symbols

[0073] 100 drawing device

101 CPU

102 scheduler

103 Image drawing section

104 Drawing end detector

104a, 104b Drawing end detection module

105 selector

106 Memory controller

107 frame buffer

107—1, 107—2, 107—3, 107—4

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In a drawing device that processes multiple drawing threads,

An image drawing unit for performing an image drawing process based on the drawing thread;

A drawing apparatus, comprising: a drawing end detection unit configured to independently detect the end of drawing processing in the image drawing unit for each drawing thread and to send an independent drawing end detection signal for each drawing thread.

[2] When there are a plurality of drawing threads with different priorities, the image drawing unit interrupts the processing of the drawing thread with a low priority during the processing of the drawing thread with a high priority, and the high priority 2. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the processing of the drawing thread is completed, the processing of the drawing thread having the low priority is resumed.

[3] When the drawing thread that requires real-time drawing at a predetermined frame rate exists, the image drawing unit uses the synchronization signal for frame update control as a trigger, and the drawing thread that requires real-time drawing The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is performed.

[4] When the drawing thread that requires real-time drawing and the drawing thread that is not necessary exist, the image drawing unit sets the drawing thread that performs non-real-time drawing to the drawing thread that requires real-time processing. 4. The drawing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processing is performed for a plurality of cycles of the frame rate.

[5] The plurality of drawing threads each have their own identification information, and the drawing end detection unit identifies the plurality of drawing threads based on the identification information. The drawing apparatus according to item.

[6] An identification information adding unit that adds the identification information to the drawing thread and sends the image information to the image drawing unit. The identification information adding unit includes the drawing thread input from the control processing unit. 6. The drawing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the identification information corresponding to the order is added.

[7] The drawing end detection unit includes a plurality of drawing end detection modules selected according to the identification information of the drawing thread, and the drawing end is independent for each drawing thread. 6. The drawing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection module detects the end of the drawing process.

8. The identification information is added to a drawing end detection command for detecting an end of drawing processing of the drawing thread in the drawing thread in the drawing thread. The drawing device according to claim 5.

9. The drawing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the identification information is added to a drawing start command for starting drawing processing of the drawing thread in the image drawing unit in the drawing thread. .

10. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of drawing threads has priority information indicating its own priority.

11. The drawing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the priority information is a required frame rate.

[12] The image drawing unit includes a plurality of drawing modules;

A drawing thread distributing unit that divides the drawing thread into thread pieces and distributes the drawing thread to the plurality of drawing modules;

The drawing end detection unit detects the end of the drawing process of each of the thread pieces in the plurality of drawing modules and aggregates them to detect the end of the drawing process independently for each drawing thread. 2. The drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an independent drawing end detection signal is sent for each drawing thread.

[13] Each of the plurality of drawing threads and thread pieces has its own identification information, and the drawing end detection unit identifies the plurality of drawing threads and thread pieces based on the identification information. 13. The drawing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the drawing apparatus is characterized.

[14] The drawing end detection unit includes a plurality of drawing end detection modules selected according to the identification information of the thread piece, and each drawing end detection module includes the specific identification information. 14. The drawing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the drawing end detection signal of the drawing process of the specific drawing thread is transmitted by detecting and consolidating the end of the thread piece drawing process.

[15] In a semiconductor integrated circuit device that processes a plurality of drawing threads, An image drawing unit for performing an image drawing process based on the drawing thread;

A drawing end detection unit that independently detects the end of the drawing process in the image drawing unit for each drawing thread and sends out an independent drawing end detection signal for each drawing thread. apparatus.

For a drawing method that handles multiple drawing threads,

The end of the drawing process in the image drawing means for performing the image drawing process based on the drawing thread is detected independently for each drawing thread,

A drawing method, wherein an independent drawing end detection signal is transmitted for each drawing thread.