Patent ID: 6266753
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A memory manager for use in a multi-media system including a host processor, a system semiconductor memory. a plurality of multimedia data processing units, and a local semiconductor memory, said memory manager comprising:a memory mapping controller coupled to the plurality of multimedia data processing units, the system semiconductor memory, and the local semiconductor memory, the memory mapping controller receiving memory access requests from the plurality of multimedia data processing units and mapping memory access requests from the plurality of multimedia data processing units to corresponding portions of the system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory;a memory map storage means, coupled to the memory mapping controller, for storing a memory map translating memory addresses for memory space for the plurality of multimedia data processing units to physical memory addresses in the system semiconductor memory and a local semiconductor memory; andmeans for compressing and decompressing data stored in the system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory,wherein said memory map storage means further includes means for indicating whether data stored in a portion of said system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory is in compressed or decompressed form,wherein said means for compressing and decompressing data stored in the system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory accesses said memory map storage means to determine whether data to be stored in an accessed portion of said system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory is to be compressed and compresses data written to the portion of said system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory, andwherein said means for compressing and decompressing data stored in the system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory accesses said memory map storage means to determine whether data to be retrieved from an accessed portion of said system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory is compressed and decompresses data read from the portion of said system semiconductor memory and the local semiconductor memory.