Patent ID: 6674841
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method in a data processing system for asynchronous context switching, the method comprising:providing a graphics adapter that is capable of processing graphics data; generating a first plurality of commands utilizing a first graphics application for producing a first graphical depiction; generating a second plurality of commands utilizing a second graphics application for producing a second graphical depiction; including a queue in said graphics adapter, said queue for storing commands, said queue receiving and processing commands continuously with no wait period; providing access to said queue to said first application for processing said first plurality of commands; receiving a context switch command within said queue to switch from a first context that is associated with said first graphics application to a second context that is associated with said second graphics application; in response to a receipt of said context switch command, providing access to said queue to said second application for processing said second plurality of commands regardless of whether said context switch has been completed; and receiving, by said queue, said second plurality of commands before all of said first plurality of commands have finished being processed by said queue, said queue not having to empty before accepting said second plurality of commands.