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WO2023075791A1 - Switching display port connected to external display between discrete and integrated graphics processors - Google Patents

Switching display port connected to external display between discrete and integrated graphics processors Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023075791A1
WO2023075791A1 PCT/US2021/057334 US2021057334W WO2023075791A1 WO 2023075791 A1 WO2023075791 A1 WO 2023075791A1 US 2021057334 W US2021057334 W US 2021057334W WO 2023075791 A1 WO2023075791 A1 WO 2023075791A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computing device
graphics processor
graphics
performance mode
discrete
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2021/057334
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Chia-Cheng Lin
Thong Thai
Tsue-Yi HUANG
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Development Co LP filed Critical Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority to PCT/US2021/057334 priority Critical patent/WO2023075791A1/en
Publication of WO2023075791A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023075791A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • G09G5/003—Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D10/00—Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Definitions

  • Computing devices such as desktop, laptop, notebook, and all-in- one (AIO) computers, can include integrated graphics processors and/or dedicated graphics processors to drive internal and/or external displays.
  • Integrated graphics processors can also be referred to as integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs), or simply as integrated or internal graphics.
  • iGPUs integrated graphics processing units
  • An iGPU is built into the same silicon chip as the central or main processor of a computing device, and shares the same memory as this processor.
  • An iGPU typically uses less power and generates less heat than a discrete graphics processor, which can result in longer battery life in the case of portable computers like laptop and notebook computers, but usually at the cost of worse performance.
  • Discrete graphics processors can also be referred to as dedicated graphics processors, discrete graphics processing units (dGPUs), or simply as discrete or dedicate graphics.
  • a dGPU has a processor separate from the central or main processor of a computing device, and has its own dedicated memory that it does not share with the central or main processor.
  • a dGPU may be implemented as a separate silicon chip on the same logic board of a computer as the central or main processor, or may be implemented on a separate logic board that is plugged in as a graphics card into a corresponding card slot of the computer.
  • a dGPU typically uses more power and generates more heat than an integrated graphics processor, but usually provides better performance.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example computing device having both integrated and discrete graphics processors that can drive an internal display and an external display connected to a display port of the computing device.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of the example computing device of FIG. 1 in detail, depicting how the display port can be switchably connected between the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for switching the display port of the computing device of FIG. 2 between the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor depending on whether the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for determining whether to operate the computing device of FIG. 2 in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode, and which can be used in conjunction with the method of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example non-transitory computer- readable data storage medium storing program code executable by a computing device.
  • a computing device such as a computer can include both an integrated graphics processor and a dedicated graphics processor.
  • a computer such as a laptop or notebook computer or an all-in-one (AIO) computers includes an internal display, which may be driven by the integrated graphics processor or the dedicated graphics processor.
  • a computer having an internal display may also have a display port to which an external display can be connected.
  • the dedicated graphics processor may drive the display. This can be the case regardless of whether a currently run application would benefit from the higher graphics performance afforded by the dedicated graphics processor. Therefore, the computer may unnecessarily run hotter, consume more power, and create more fan noise than if the integrated graphics processor were used to drive the external display.
  • Techniques described herein provide for switching a display port connected to an external display between discrete and integrated graphics processors. If the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode, the discrete graphics processor is turned on and the display port is switched to the discrete graphics processor. By comparison, if the computing device is to operate in a low graphics performance mode, the display port is switched to the integrated graphics processor and the discrete graphics processor is turned off.
  • the graphics performance of a computing device is better than in the low graphics performance mode.
  • the graphics performance of the computing device is worse than in the high graphics performance mode.
  • the graphics performance of the computing device can be measured using a variety of different parameters.
  • the number of frames per second (fps) that a graphics processor can render can be indicative of graphics performance.
  • the frame rate that a graphics processor is capable of rendering may be dependent upon the number of triangles or vertices that can be calculated per second and the pixel fill rate in which a frame can be rasterized.
  • Graphics performance can also or instead be indicated by whether a graphics processor is able to provide for certain graphics-oriented features, such as full scene anti-aliasing (FSAA), anisotropic filtering (AF), and real-time physics and particle effects.
  • FSAA full scene anti-aliasing
  • AF anisotropic filtering
  • real-time physics and particle effects real-time physics and particle effects.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example computing device 100.
  • the computing device 100 includes an internal display 102, an integrated graphics processor 104, a discrete graphics processor 106, and a display port 108 that is communicatively connected to an external display 110 of an external device 112.
  • the computing device 100 can include other hardware components as well, such as one or multiple main or central processors, semiconductor memory such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and storage devices like hard disk drives and solid-state drives (SSDs), among other types of hardware components. Whereas one display port 108 is depicted in the example, the computing device 100 may have multiple display ports 108 for communicative connection to the same or different external displays 110.
  • DRAM dynamic random-access memory
  • SSDs solid-state drives
  • the computing device 100 may be a computer, such as a portable computer like a laptop or notebook computer that can operate either on battery power or by being plugged into an external power source such as a wall outlet.
  • the internal display 102 is integrated within the same housing or case as the aforementioned hardware components, as well as other hardware components including input devices like a keyboard and a touchpad.
  • the computer may instead be an AIO device, which is a type of desktop computer in which the aforementioned hardware components and other hardware components, besides input devices like a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a touchpad, are integrated within the same housing or case as the internal display 102.
  • the internal display 102 may be a flat-panel display (FPD), such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or another type of display.
  • the integrated graphics processor 104 may be integrated within the same semiconductor chip as the main or central processor of the computing device 100, and shares the same memory as the main or central processor.
  • the discrete graphics processor 106 may include a processor separate from the main or central processor, which accesses dedicated memory separate from the memory used by the main or central processor, and which is integrated within a different semiconductor chip than the main or central processor.
  • the integrated graphics processor 104 may drive the internal display 102, either by default or exclusively.
  • the integrated graphics processor 104 driving the internal display 102 means that the processor 104 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 102.
  • the discrete graphics processor 106 may also drive the display 102.
  • the discrete graphics processor 106 driving the internal display 102 means that the processor 106 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 102.
  • the display port 108 may be one of a variety of different display ports, such as a DisplayPort (DP) port, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-C or Thunderbolt port that can transfer DP signals in a DP Alt Mode and thus can be referred to as a USB-C DisplayPort.
  • the external display 110 is communicatively connected to the display port 108 via a corresponding port of the device 112 of which the external display 110 is a part.
  • the device 112 may be an external monitor having a housing or case separate from the housing or case of the computing device 100.
  • a cable may be used to directly or indirectly connect the display port 108 to the corresponding port of the device 112.
  • both the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 of the computing device 100 are capable of driving the external display 110.
  • the graphics processor 104 or 106 driving the external display 110 means that the processor 104 or 106 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 110.
  • the graphics processor 104 is switchably connected to the display port 108.
  • the discrete graphics processor 106 is to drive the external display 110, the graphics processor 106 is switchably connected to the display port 108.
  • FIG. 2 shows the computing device 100 in example detail.
  • the computing device 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 as including the integrated graphics processor 104, the discrete graphics processor 106, and the display port 108.
  • the internal display 102 and the external display 110 that is part of the external device 112 of FIG. 1 are not depicted in FIG. 2 for illustrative clarity and convenience.
  • the computing device 100 includes firmware 202, which may be in the form of a basic input/output system (BIOS).
  • the firmware 202 refers to hardware or hardware and instructions to initialize, control, or operate the computing device 100, including prior to execution of an operating system 210 of the computing device 100.
  • Instructions included within the firmware 202 may be software, firmware, microcode, or other programming that defines or controls functionality or operation of the firmware 202.
  • the firmware 202 may be implemented using instructions, such as platform firmware of the computing device 100, executable by a processor 204.
  • the firmware 202 may initialize, control, or operate components such as hardware components of the computing device 100, and may load or boot the operating system 210 of the computing device 100.
  • the firmware 202 may provide or establish an interface between the hardware devices or platform firmware of the computing device 100 and the operating system 210 of the computing device 100.
  • the operating system 210 may control or operate the hardware devices or platform firmware via this interface.
  • the firmware 202 may implement the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification or another specification or standard for initializing, controlling, or operating the computing device 100.
  • UEFI Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
  • the computing device 100 includes the processor 204, which can be the main or central processor of the computing device 100. There may be more than one processor 204, and each processor 204 may include multiple processing cores.
  • the computing device 100 includes memory 206, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) or another type of volatile memory, and which may be integrated with the processor 204 as a system on chip (SoC) or may be one or multiple semiconductor chips separate from the processor 204.
  • the memory 206 may be on the same logic board as the processor 204, or may be on a separate logic board, such as in the form of memory modules such as dual inline memory modules (DIMMs), which are inserted into corresponding memory slots or sockets on the logic board.
  • DIMMs dual inline memory modules
  • the memory 206 stores program code 208 executable by the processor 204.
  • the program code 208 includes the operating system 210.
  • the operating system 210 is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common drivers, including a graphics driver 212, and services for computer programs such as the application 214.
  • a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to or that is part of the computing device 100, and provides abstraction by acting as a translator between a hardware device and the operating system 210 and the application 214.
  • the graphics driver 212 is specifically a device driver for the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106.
  • the application 214 runs in the context of the operating system 210. Whereas one such application 214 is depicted, in actuality there can be multiple applications 214 that can each be loaded from an internal or external non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk drive or an SSD, into the memory 206 for execution.
  • the application 214 may also be referred to an application program, and is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computing device 100 itself. Examples of applications 214 include word processors, media players, and accounting software.
  • Software that runs on the computing device 100 can thus be classified as application software, system software such as the operating system 210 and the graphics driver 212, and utility software, or utilities, which are designed to help analyze, configure, optimize, or maintain the computing device
  • the computing device 100 includes circuitry 216.
  • the circuitry 216 is a type of hardware, and can be or include a chipset of the computing device.
  • the chipset is a set of electronic components that manages the data flow among the processor 204, the memory 206, and peripheral devices such as the external display 110, data flow to and from the latter occurs via the graphics processor 104 or 106.
  • the circuitry 216 may be in the form of a single-chip chipset, such as a Platform Controller Hub (PCH).
  • PCH Platform Controller Hub
  • the circuitry 216 includes two or more than two registers, including an interrupt register 218 and a select register 220, information regarding which is provided later in the detailed description.
  • the computing device 100 includes a multiplexer 222, which is more generally a switch.
  • the multiplexer 222 or mux, switchably connects the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110.
  • the multiplexer 222 has a first input line 224 connected to the integrated graphics processor 104, a second input line 226 connected to the discrete graphics processor 106, and an output line 228 connected to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110.
  • the multiplexer 222 has a select line 230 that governs whether the first input line 224 is connected to the output line 228 or whether the second input line 226 is connected to the output line 228.
  • the select line 230 therefore governs whether the integrated graphics processor 104 or the discrete graphics processor 104 is connected to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110.
  • the circuitry 216 controls the multiplexer 222 via connection to the input lines 224 and 226 and the select line 230. If the select register 220 is set to a first value, then the circuitry 216 specifies via the select line 230 that the multiplexer 222 is to connect the first input line 224 to the output line 228. Similarly, if the select register 220 is set to a second value, then the circuitry 216 specifies via the select line 230 that the multiplexer 222 is to connect the second input line 226 to the output line 228.
  • the firmware 202 may write the first value or the second value to the select register 220 so that the integrated graphics processor 104 or the discrete graphics processor 106 is connected to the display port 108 and thus drives the external display 110.
  • the circuitry 216 further controls connection of the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226 of the multiplexer 222. If the interrupt register 218 undergoes a first transition, such as from high (i.e., logic one) to low (i.e., logic zero), then the circuitry 216 may disconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 from their respective input lines 224 and 226. If the interrupt register 218 undergoes a second transition, such as from low to high, then the circuitry 216 may reconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226.
  • a first transition such as from high (i.e., logic one) to low (i.e., logic zero)
  • the circuitry 216 may reconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226.
  • the firmware 202 may issue a corresponding interrupt to cause the interrupt register 218 to transition from high to low to simulate disconnection of the external display 110 from the computing device 100 or to cause the register 218 to transition from low to high to simulate reconnection of the display 110 to the device 100.
  • the external display 110 is not actually physically disconnected from the display port 108, but because neither graphics processor 104 or 106 is connected to the display port 108 (since neither is connected to its corresponding input line 224 or 226), the display 110 is in effect disconnected from the computing device 100.
  • the external display 110 is not physically reconnected to the display port 108 (since it is already connected to the port 108), but because either graphics processor 104 or 106 is again connected to the display port 108 (since both are again connected to their corresponding input lines 224 and 226), the display 110 is in effect reconnected to the computing device 100.
  • FIG. 3 shows an example method 300 for switching the display port 108 between the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 depending on whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode.
  • the method 300 is performed so long as an external display 110 is connected to the display port 108.
  • the method 300 may be implemented as program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium and executable by a processor such as the processor 204.
  • the program code may include the program code 208 implementing the operating system 210 and the graphics driver 212, as well as the program code of the firmware 202.
  • the operating system 210, the graphics driver 212, and the firmware 202 thus in conjunction with one another can perform the method 300.
  • the operating system 210 can determine whether the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode or the low graphics performance mode (302). For example, this determination may be based on an application-level setting of the operating system 210 for the application 214 that is currently running on the computing device 100, such as the application 214 that is in the foreground of the graphical user interface (GUI) provided by the operating system 210 and/or that has focus within the GUI. The determination may also or instead be based on a computing device-level setting of the graphics driver 212, which has priority over the application-level setting. A specific implementation as to how to determine whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a low or high graphics performance mode is presented later in the detailed description.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the operating system 210 determines whether the device 100 is currently operating in this mode (304), in which case the method 300 proceeds back to part 302. However, if the computing device 100 is currently operating in the low graphics performance mode, then this means that discrete graphics processor 106 has been turned (i.e., powered) off, and the integrated graphics processor 104 is connected to the display port 108 and is currently driving the external display 110. Therefore, the discrete graphics processor 106 has to be turned (i.e., powered) on and the discrete graphics processor 106 connected to the display port 108 to drive the external display 110.
  • the operating system 210 calls a discrete graphics processor turn-on sequence of the graphics driver 212 (306).
  • This may be considered a discrete graphics processor runtime device 3 (RTD3) power-on sequence, which is a sequence that provides power to the discrete graphics processor 106 so that the graphics processor 106 can transition to a D3 power state in which it is actively running.
  • RTD3 discrete graphics processor runtime device 3
  • the graphics driver 212 turns on the discrete graphics processor 106 (308).
  • the graphics driver 212 also initiates or issues an event to the firmware 202 for or corresponding to the high graphics performance mode (310).
  • the event may be an extension to or a part of the Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) specification.
  • ACPI Advanced Configuration Power Interface
  • the firmware 202 simulates disconnection of the external display 110 from the integrated graphics processor 104 (312).
  • the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a first transition. Such an interrupt transition causes the circuitry 216 to responsively disconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 from their respective input lines 224 and 226 and thus from the multiplexer 222, the display port 108, and the external display 110.
  • the firmware 202 then configures the multiplexer 222 (i.e., the switch) to connect the display port 108 to the discrete graphics processor 106 (314).
  • the firmware 202 may select the input line 226 corresponding to the discrete graphics processor 106 by writing a corresponding value in the select register 220 of the circuitry 216.
  • the circuitry 216 responsively controls the select line 230 of the multiplexer 222 to connect the output line 228 and thus the display port 108 to the input line 226 and thus to the discrete graphics processor 106 when the graphics processor 106 is reconnected to the input line 226.
  • the firmware 202 finally simulates connection of the external display 110 to the discrete graphics processor 106 (316).
  • the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a second transition. Such an interrupt transition causes the circuitry 216 to responsively reconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226 and thus to the multiplexer 222. Because the input line 226 has been selected via the select line 230, the discrete graphics processor 106 is connected to the output line 228 and thus to the display port 108 and to the external display 110. The method 300 then proceeds back to part 302.
  • the operating system 210 determines whether the device 100 is currently operating in this mode (318), in which case the method 300 proceeds back to part 302.
  • the computing device 100 is currently operating in the high graphics performance mode, then this means that the discrete graphics processor 106 has been turned (i.e., powered) on, is connected to the display port 108, and is currently driving the external display 110. Therefore, the integrated graphics processor 104 has to be connected to the display port 108 to drive the external display 110, and the discrete graphics processor 106 turned off.
  • the graphics driver 212 thus initiates an event to the firmware 202 for or corresponding to the low graphics performance mode (322). This event may also be an extension to or a part of the ACPI specification.
  • the firmware 202 simulates disconnection of the external display 110 from the discrete graphics processor
  • the firmware 202 transitions an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a first transition.
  • the firmware 202 then configures the multiplexer 222 (i.e., the switch) to connect the display port 108 to the integrated graphics processor 104 (326).
  • the firmware 202 may select the input line 224 corresponding to the integrated graphics processor 104 by writing a corresponding value to the select register 220.
  • the circuitry 216 responsively controls the select line 230 of the multiplexer 222 to connect the output line 228 and thus the display port 108 to the input line 224 and thus to the integrated graphics processor 104 when the graphics processor 104 is reconnected to the input line 224.
  • the firmware 202 finally simulates connection of the external display 110 to the integrated graphics processor 104 (328). For instance, the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a second transition. Because the input line 224 has been selected via the select line 230, the integrated graphics processor 104 is connected to the output line 228 and thus to the display port 108 and to the external display 110.
  • the operating system 210 then calls a discrete graphics processor turn-off sequence of the graphics driver 212 (320).
  • This may be considered a discrete graphics processor RTD3 power-off sequence, which is a sequence that removes power from the discrete graphics processor 106 so that the graphics processor 106 can transition out of the D3 state in which it is actively running.
  • the graphics driver 212 in response to the discrete graphics processor turn-off sequence being called by the operating system 210, then turns off the discrete graphics processor 106 (330).
  • the method 300 then proceeds back to part 302.
  • the disconnection of the external display 110 from the graphics processor 104 or 106 and the connection of the display 110 to the other graphics processor 106 or 104 are respectively simulated before and after the display port 108 is switched between the graphics processors 104 and 106. Simulating disconnection of the external display 110 can ensure that the external display 110 does not operate in an unintended or incorrect manner as a result of switching the graphics processor 104 or 106 that is currently driving the display 110 to the other processor 106 or 104. Simulating connection of the external display 110 then allows the newly selected graphics processor 104 or 106 to drive the display 110. Between disconnection and reconnection being simulated, the external display 110 may momentarily flicker, such as for one frame, however.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example method 400 for determining whether to operate the computing device 100 in the high graphics performance mode in which the discrete graphics processor 106 is used to drive the external display 110 or in the low graphics performance mode in which the integrated graphics processor 104 is used to drive the display 110.
  • the method 400 may be performed to implement part 302 of the method 300.
  • the method 400 may be implemented as program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium and executable by a processor.
  • the method 400 realizes the case in which determining the graphics performance mode is based on two settings.
  • the first setting is an application-level setting of the operating system 210 for the application 214 that is currently running on the computing device 100.
  • the second setting is computing device-level setting of the graphics driver 212.
  • the second, computing device-level setting has priority over the first, application-level setting.
  • the driver (i.e., computing device-level) setting indicates the high graphics performance mode is to be used (402)
  • the high graphics performance mode is selected (404). That is, the method 400 concludes that the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode in which the discrete graphics processor 106 is used to drive the external display 110.
  • the driver i.e., computing device-level
  • the low graphics performance mode is selected (408). That is, the method 400 concludes that the computing device 100 is to operate in the low graphics performance mode in which the integrated graphics processor 104 is used to drive the external display 110.
  • the driver i.e., computing device-level
  • the operating system 210 selects the graphics performance mode.
  • the operating system 210 may or may not have an application-level setting for the currently running application 214. A user may have to manually specify this setting for desired applications, such that if the user does not for the application 214, then there will be no such setting for the application 214. T
  • the operating system setting for the application 214 may specify that the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, the low graphics performance mode, or in a graphics performance mode selected by the operating system 210. Therefore, if the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 is present (412) and indicates that the high graphics performance mode is to be used for the application 214 (414), then the high graphics performance mode is selected (404). If the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 indicates that the low graphics performance mode is to be used for the application 214 (416), then the low graphics performance mode is selected (408).
  • the operating system 210 may determine whether the application 214 is a 3D application (420). The operating system 210 may also make this determination if the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 is not present (that is, if the application 214 is not specified within the operating system setting regarding which graphics performance mode should be used at an application level).
  • a 3D application is an application that employs or displays 3D graphics, and which can thus benefit from the higher performance afforded by the discrete graphics processor 106. If the application 214 is a 3D application, then the high graphics performance mode is selected (406). If the application 214 is not a 3D application, then the low graphics performance mode is selected (408).
  • FIG. 5 shows an example non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium 500 storing program code 502 executable by the computing device 100 to perform processing, such as the methods 300 and 400 that have been described.
  • the processing includes detecting that the display port 108 is connected to an external display 110 (504).
  • the processing includes responsively determining whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode (506).
  • the processing includes turning on the discrete graphics processor 106 and switching the display port 108 to the graphics processor 106 (508).
  • the processing includes switching the display port 108 to the integrated graphics processor 104 and turning off the discrete graphics processor 106 (510).

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Abstract

A display port of the computing device is connected to an external display. In response to determining that the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode, the computing device turns on a discrete graphics processor of the computing device and switches the display port to the discrete graphics processor. In response to determining that the computing device is to operate in a low graphics performance mode, the computing device switches the display port to an integrated graphics processor of the computing device and turns off the discrete graphics processor.

Description

SWITCHING DISPLAY PORT CONNECTED TO EXTERNAL DISPLAY BETWEEN DISCRETE AND INTEGRATED GRAPHICS PROCESSORS
BACKGROUND
[0001] Computing devices, such as desktop, laptop, notebook, and all-in- one (AIO) computers, can include integrated graphics processors and/or dedicated graphics processors to drive internal and/or external displays. Integrated graphics processors can also be referred to as integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs), or simply as integrated or internal graphics. An iGPU is built into the same silicon chip as the central or main processor of a computing device, and shares the same memory as this processor. An iGPU typically uses less power and generates less heat than a discrete graphics processor, which can result in longer battery life in the case of portable computers like laptop and notebook computers, but usually at the cost of worse performance.
[0002] Discrete graphics processors can also be referred to as dedicated graphics processors, discrete graphics processing units (dGPUs), or simply as discrete or dedicate graphics. A dGPU has a processor separate from the central or main processor of a computing device, and has its own dedicated memory that it does not share with the central or main processor. A dGPU may be implemented as a separate silicon chip on the same logic board of a computer as the central or main processor, or may be implemented on a separate logic board that is plugged in as a graphics card into a corresponding card slot of the computer. A dGPU typically uses more power and generates more heat than an integrated graphics processor, but usually provides better performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example computing device having both integrated and discrete graphics processors that can drive an internal display and an external display connected to a display port of the computing device.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the example computing device of FIG. 1 in detail, depicting how the display port can be switchably connected between the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor.
[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for switching the display port of the computing device of FIG. 2 between the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor depending on whether the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method for determining whether to operate the computing device of FIG. 2 in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode, and which can be used in conjunction with the method of FIG. 3.
[0007] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example non-transitory computer- readable data storage medium storing program code executable by a computing device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] As noted in the background, a computing device such as a computer can include both an integrated graphics processor and a dedicated graphics processor. A computer such as a laptop or notebook computer or an all-in-one (AIO) computers includes an internal display, which may be driven by the integrated graphics processor or the dedicated graphics processor. A computer having an internal display may also have a display port to which an external display can be connected.
[0009] When an external display is connected to the display port, the dedicated graphics processor may drive the display. This can be the case regardless of whether a currently run application would benefit from the higher graphics performance afforded by the dedicated graphics processor. Therefore, the computer may unnecessarily run hotter, consume more power, and create more fan noise than if the integrated graphics processor were used to drive the external display.
[0010] Techniques described herein provide for switching a display port connected to an external display between discrete and integrated graphics processors. If the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode, the discrete graphics processor is turned on and the display port is switched to the discrete graphics processor. By comparison, if the computing device is to operate in a low graphics performance mode, the display port is switched to the integrated graphics processor and the discrete graphics processor is turned off.
[0011] In the high graphics performance mode, the graphics performance of a computing device is better than in the low graphics performance mode.
Similarly, in the low graphics performance mode, the graphics performance of the computing device is worse than in the high graphics performance mode. The graphics performance of the computing device can be measured using a variety of different parameters.
[0012] For example, the number of frames per second (fps) that a graphics processor can render can be indicative of graphics performance. The frame rate that a graphics processor is capable of rendering may be dependent upon the number of triangles or vertices that can be calculated per second and the pixel fill rate in which a frame can be rasterized. Graphics performance can also or instead be indicated by whether a graphics processor is able to provide for certain graphics-oriented features, such as full scene anti-aliasing (FSAA), anisotropic filtering (AF), and real-time physics and particle effects.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an example computing device 100. The computing device 100 includes an internal display 102, an integrated graphics processor 104, a discrete graphics processor 106, and a display port 108 that is communicatively connected to an external display 110 of an external device 112. The computing device 100 can include other hardware components as well, such as one or multiple main or central processors, semiconductor memory such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and storage devices like hard disk drives and solid-state drives (SSDs), among other types of hardware components. Whereas one display port 108 is depicted in the example, the computing device 100 may have multiple display ports 108 for communicative connection to the same or different external displays 110.
[0014] The computing device 100 may be a computer, such as a portable computer like a laptop or notebook computer that can operate either on battery power or by being plugged into an external power source such as a wall outlet. In such a portable computer, the internal display 102 is integrated within the same housing or case as the aforementioned hardware components, as well as other hardware components including input devices like a keyboard and a touchpad. The computer may instead be an AIO device, which is a type of desktop computer in which the aforementioned hardware components and other hardware components, besides input devices like a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse or a touchpad, are integrated within the same housing or case as the internal display 102.
[0015] The internal display 102 may be a flat-panel display (FPD), such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or another type of display. The integrated graphics processor 104 may be integrated within the same semiconductor chip as the main or central processor of the computing device 100, and shares the same memory as the main or central processor. The discrete graphics processor 106 may include a processor separate from the main or central processor, which accesses dedicated memory separate from the memory used by the main or central processor, and which is integrated within a different semiconductor chip than the main or central processor. This chip may be on the same logic board as the main or central processor, or may be on a separate logic board inserted as a card into a corresponding card slot of the logic board including the main or central processor. [0016] The integrated graphics processor 104 may drive the internal display 102, either by default or exclusively. The integrated graphics processor 104 driving the internal display 102 means that the processor 104 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 102. In the implementation in which the integrated graphics processor 104 does not exclusively drive the internal display 102, such as in the case in which the integrated graphics processor 104 drives the internal display 102 just by default, the discrete graphics processor 106 may also drive the display 102. The discrete graphics processor 106 driving the internal display 102 means that the processor 106 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 102.
[0017] The display port 108 may be one of a variety of different display ports, such as a DisplayPort (DP) port, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-C or Thunderbolt port that can transfer DP signals in a DP Alt Mode and thus can be referred to as a USB-C DisplayPort. The external display 110 is communicatively connected to the display port 108 via a corresponding port of the device 112 of which the external display 110 is a part. For example, the device 112 may be an external monitor having a housing or case separate from the housing or case of the computing device 100. A cable may be used to directly or indirectly connect the display port 108 to the corresponding port of the device 112.
[0018] In the example, both the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 of the computing device 100 are capable of driving the external display 110. As with the internal display 102, the graphics processor 104 or 106 driving the external display 110 means that the processor 104 or 106 is responsible for rendering the images displayed on the display 110. When the integrated graphics processor 104 is to drive the external display 110, the graphics processor 104 is switchably connected to the display port 108. Similarly, when the discrete graphics processor 106 is to drive the external display 110, the graphics processor 106 is switchably connected to the display port 108.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the computing device 100 in example detail. As in FIG. 1 , the computing device 100 is depicted in FIG. 2 as including the integrated graphics processor 104, the discrete graphics processor 106, and the display port 108. The internal display 102 and the external display 110 that is part of the external device 112 of FIG. 1 are not depicted in FIG. 2 for illustrative clarity and convenience.
[0020] The computing device 100 includes firmware 202, which may be in the form of a basic input/output system (BIOS). The firmware 202 refers to hardware or hardware and instructions to initialize, control, or operate the computing device 100, including prior to execution of an operating system 210 of the computing device 100. Instructions included within the firmware 202 may be software, firmware, microcode, or other programming that defines or controls functionality or operation of the firmware 202. As one example, the firmware 202 may be implemented using instructions, such as platform firmware of the computing device 100, executable by a processor 204. [0021] The firmware 202 may initialize, control, or operate components such as hardware components of the computing device 100, and may load or boot the operating system 210 of the computing device 100. The firmware 202 may provide or establish an interface between the hardware devices or platform firmware of the computing device 100 and the operating system 210 of the computing device 100. The operating system 210 may control or operate the hardware devices or platform firmware via this interface. In some examples, the firmware 202 may implement the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) specification or another specification or standard for initializing, controlling, or operating the computing device 100.
[0022] The computing device 100 includes the processor 204, which can be the main or central processor of the computing device 100. There may be more than one processor 204, and each processor 204 may include multiple processing cores. The computing device 100 includes memory 206, such as dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) or another type of volatile memory, and which may be integrated with the processor 204 as a system on chip (SoC) or may be one or multiple semiconductor chips separate from the processor 204. The memory 206 may be on the same logic board as the processor 204, or may be on a separate logic board, such as in the form of memory modules such as dual inline memory modules (DIMMs), which are inserted into corresponding memory slots or sockets on the logic board.
[0023] The memory 206 stores program code 208 executable by the processor 204. The program code 208 includes the operating system 210. The operating system 210 is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common drivers, including a graphics driver 212, and services for computer programs such as the application 214. A device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to or that is part of the computing device 100, and provides abstraction by acting as a translator between a hardware device and the operating system 210 and the application 214. The graphics driver 212 is specifically a device driver for the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106.
[0024] The application 214 runs in the context of the operating system 210. Whereas one such application 214 is depicted, in actuality there can be multiple applications 214 that can each be loaded from an internal or external non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk drive or an SSD, into the memory 206 for execution. The application 214 may also be referred to an application program, and is a computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computing device 100 itself. Examples of applications 214 include word processors, media players, and accounting software. Software that runs on the computing device 100 can thus be classified as application software, system software such as the operating system 210 and the graphics driver 212, and utility software, or utilities, which are designed to help analyze, configure, optimize, or maintain the computing device
100. [0025] The computing device 100 includes circuitry 216. The circuitry 216 is a type of hardware, and can be or include a chipset of the computing device. The chipset is a set of electronic components that manages the data flow among the processor 204, the memory 206, and peripheral devices such as the external display 110, data flow to and from the latter occurs via the graphics processor 104 or 106. The circuitry 216 may be in the form of a single-chip chipset, such as a Platform Controller Hub (PCH). The circuitry 216 includes two or more than two registers, including an interrupt register 218 and a select register 220, information regarding which is provided later in the detailed description.
[0026] The computing device 100 includes a multiplexer 222, which is more generally a switch. The multiplexer 222, or mux, switchably connects the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110. The multiplexer 222 has a first input line 224 connected to the integrated graphics processor 104, a second input line 226 connected to the discrete graphics processor 106, and an output line 228 connected to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110. The multiplexer 222 has a select line 230 that governs whether the first input line 224 is connected to the output line 228 or whether the second input line 226 is connected to the output line 228. The select line 230 therefore governs whether the integrated graphics processor 104 or the discrete graphics processor 104 is connected to the display port 108 and thus to the external display 110.
[0027] The circuitry 216 controls the multiplexer 222 via connection to the input lines 224 and 226 and the select line 230. If the select register 220 is set to a first value, then the circuitry 216 specifies via the select line 230 that the multiplexer 222 is to connect the first input line 224 to the output line 228. Similarly, if the select register 220 is set to a second value, then the circuitry 216 specifies via the select line 230 that the multiplexer 222 is to connect the second input line 226 to the output line 228. The firmware 202 may write the first value or the second value to the select register 220 so that the integrated graphics processor 104 or the discrete graphics processor 106 is connected to the display port 108 and thus drives the external display 110.
[0028] The circuitry 216 further controls connection of the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226 of the multiplexer 222. If the interrupt register 218 undergoes a first transition, such as from high (i.e., logic one) to low (i.e., logic zero), then the circuitry 216 may disconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 from their respective input lines 224 and 226. If the interrupt register 218 undergoes a second transition, such as from low to high, then the circuitry 216 may reconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226.
[0029] The firmware 202 may issue a corresponding interrupt to cause the interrupt register 218 to transition from high to low to simulate disconnection of the external display 110 from the computing device 100 or to cause the register 218 to transition from low to high to simulate reconnection of the display 110 to the device 100. In the former case, the external display 110 is not actually physically disconnected from the display port 108, but because neither graphics processor 104 or 106 is connected to the display port 108 (since neither is connected to its corresponding input line 224 or 226), the display 110 is in effect disconnected from the computing device 100. In the latter case, the external display 110 is not physically reconnected to the display port 108 (since it is already connected to the port 108), but because either graphics processor 104 or 106 is again connected to the display port 108 (since both are again connected to their corresponding input lines 224 and 226), the display 110 is in effect reconnected to the computing device 100.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows an example method 300 for switching the display port 108 between the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 depending on whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode. The method 300 is performed so long as an external display 110 is connected to the display port 108. The method 300 may be implemented as program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium and executable by a processor such as the processor 204. The program code may include the program code 208 implementing the operating system 210 and the graphics driver 212, as well as the program code of the firmware 202. The operating system 210, the graphics driver 212, and the firmware 202 thus in conjunction with one another can perform the method 300.
[0031] The operating system 210 can determine whether the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode or the low graphics performance mode (302). For example, this determination may be based on an application-level setting of the operating system 210 for the application 214 that is currently running on the computing device 100, such as the application 214 that is in the foreground of the graphical user interface (GUI) provided by the operating system 210 and/or that has focus within the GUI. The determination may also or instead be based on a computing device-level setting of the graphics driver 212, which has priority over the application-level setting. A specific implementation as to how to determine whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a low or high graphics performance mode is presented later in the detailed description.
[0032] If the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, the operating system 210 determines whether the device 100 is currently operating in this mode (304), in which case the method 300 proceeds back to part 302. However, if the computing device 100 is currently operating in the low graphics performance mode, then this means that discrete graphics processor 106 has been turned (i.e., powered) off, and the integrated graphics processor 104 is connected to the display port 108 and is currently driving the external display 110. Therefore, the discrete graphics processor 106 has to be turned (i.e., powered) on and the discrete graphics processor 106 connected to the display port 108 to drive the external display 110.
[0033] Specifically, the operating system 210 calls a discrete graphics processor turn-on sequence of the graphics driver 212 (306). This may be considered a discrete graphics processor runtime device 3 (RTD3) power-on sequence, which is a sequence that provides power to the discrete graphics processor 106 so that the graphics processor 106 can transition to a D3 power state in which it is actively running. In response to this sequence being called, the graphics driver 212 turns on the discrete graphics processor 106 (308). The graphics driver 212 also initiates or issues an event to the firmware 202 for or corresponding to the high graphics performance mode (310). The event may be an extension to or a part of the Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) specification.
[0034] In response to initiation of this event, the firmware 202 simulates disconnection of the external display 110 from the integrated graphics processor 104 (312). As noted, the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a first transition. Such an interrupt transition causes the circuitry 216 to responsively disconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 from their respective input lines 224 and 226 and thus from the multiplexer 222, the display port 108, and the external display 110.
[0035] The firmware 202 then configures the multiplexer 222 (i.e., the switch) to connect the display port 108 to the discrete graphics processor 106 (314). As noted, the firmware 202 may select the input line 226 corresponding to the discrete graphics processor 106 by writing a corresponding value in the select register 220 of the circuitry 216. The circuitry 216 responsively controls the select line 230 of the multiplexer 222 to connect the output line 228 and thus the display port 108 to the input line 226 and thus to the discrete graphics processor 106 when the graphics processor 106 is reconnected to the input line 226. [0036] The firmware 202 finally simulates connection of the external display 110 to the discrete graphics processor 106 (316). As noted, the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a second transition. Such an interrupt transition causes the circuitry 216 to responsively reconnect the graphics processors 104 and 106 to their respective input lines 224 and 226 and thus to the multiplexer 222. Because the input line 226 has been selected via the select line 230, the discrete graphics processor 106 is connected to the output line 228 and thus to the display port 108 and to the external display 110. The method 300 then proceeds back to part 302.
[0037] If the computing device 100 is instead to operate in the low graphics performance mode, however, the operating system 210 determines whether the device 100 is currently operating in this mode (318), in which case the method 300 proceeds back to part 302. However, if the computing device 100 is currently operating in the high graphics performance mode, then this means that the discrete graphics processor 106 has been turned (i.e., powered) on, is connected to the display port 108, and is currently driving the external display 110. Therefore, the integrated graphics processor 104 has to be connected to the display port 108 to drive the external display 110, and the discrete graphics processor 106 turned off. The graphics driver 212 thus initiates an event to the firmware 202 for or corresponding to the low graphics performance mode (322). This event may also be an extension to or a part of the ACPI specification. [0038] In response to initiation of the event, the firmware 202 simulates disconnection of the external display 110 from the discrete graphics processor
106 (324), such as by the firmware 202 transitioning an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a first transition. The firmware 202 then configures the multiplexer 222 (i.e., the switch) to connect the display port 108 to the integrated graphics processor 104 (326). As noted, the firmware 202 may select the input line 224 corresponding to the integrated graphics processor 104 by writing a corresponding value to the select register 220. The circuitry 216 responsively controls the select line 230 of the multiplexer 222 to connect the output line 228 and thus the display port 108 to the input line 224 and thus to the integrated graphics processor 104 when the graphics processor 104 is reconnected to the input line 224.
[0039] The firmware 202 finally simulates connection of the external display 110 to the integrated graphics processor 104 (328). For instance, the firmware 202 may transition an interrupt via the interrupt register 218 of the circuitry 216 according to a second transition. Because the input line 224 has been selected via the select line 230, the integrated graphics processor 104 is connected to the output line 228 and thus to the display port 108 and to the external display 110.
[0040] The operating system 210 then calls a discrete graphics processor turn-off sequence of the graphics driver 212 (320). This may be considered a discrete graphics processor RTD3 power-off sequence, which is a sequence that removes power from the discrete graphics processor 106 so that the graphics processor 106 can transition out of the D3 state in which it is actively running. The graphics driver 212, in response to the discrete graphics processor turn-off sequence being called by the operating system 210, then turns off the discrete graphics processor 106 (330). The method 300 then proceeds back to part 302. [0041] In the method 300, the disconnection of the external display 110 from the graphics processor 104 or 106 and the connection of the display 110 to the other graphics processor 106 or 104 are respectively simulated before and after the display port 108 is switched between the graphics processors 104 and 106. Simulating disconnection of the external display 110 can ensure that the external display 110 does not operate in an unintended or incorrect manner as a result of switching the graphics processor 104 or 106 that is currently driving the display 110 to the other processor 106 or 104. Simulating connection of the external display 110 then allows the newly selected graphics processor 104 or 106 to drive the display 110. Between disconnection and reconnection being simulated, the external display 110 may momentarily flicker, such as for one frame, however.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows an example method 400 for determining whether to operate the computing device 100 in the high graphics performance mode in which the discrete graphics processor 106 is used to drive the external display 110 or in the low graphics performance mode in which the integrated graphics processor 104 is used to drive the display 110. The method 400 may be performed to implement part 302 of the method 300. Like the method 300, the method 400 may be implemented as program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium and executable by a processor.
[0043] In general, the method 400 realizes the case in which determining the graphics performance mode is based on two settings. The first setting is an application-level setting of the operating system 210 for the application 214 that is currently running on the computing device 100. The second setting is computing device-level setting of the graphics driver 212. The second, computing device-level setting has priority over the first, application-level setting. [0044] Therefore, if the driver (i.e., computing device-level) setting indicates the high graphics performance mode is to be used (402), the high graphics performance mode is selected (404). That is, the method 400 concludes that the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode in which the discrete graphics processor 106 is used to drive the external display 110. If the driver (i.e., computing device-level) setting indicates the low graphics performance mode is to be used (406), the low graphics performance mode is selected (408). That is, the method 400 concludes that the computing device 100 is to operate in the low graphics performance mode in which the integrated graphics processor 104 is used to drive the external display 110.
[0045] If the driver (i.e., computing device-level) setting indicates that the operating system 210 is to select the graphics performance mode to be used (410), then the the operating system 210 selects the graphics performance mode. The operating system 210 may or may not have an application-level setting for the currently running application 214. A user may have to manually specify this setting for desired applications, such that if the user does not for the application 214, then there will be no such setting for the application 214. T
[0046] The operating system setting for the application 214 may specify that the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, the low graphics performance mode, or in a graphics performance mode selected by the operating system 210. Therefore, if the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 is present (412) and indicates that the high graphics performance mode is to be used for the application 214 (414), then the high graphics performance mode is selected (404). If the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 indicates that the low graphics performance mode is to be used for the application 214 (416), then the low graphics performance mode is selected (408).
[0047] If the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 is present (412) and indicates that the operating system 210 is to select whether the high or low graphics performance mode is to be used for the application 214 (418), then the operating system 210 may determine whether the application 214 is a 3D application (420). The operating system 210 may also make this determination if the operating system (i.e., application-level) setting for the application 214 is not present (that is, if the application 214 is not specified within the operating system setting regarding which graphics performance mode should be used at an application level). [0048] A 3D application is an application that employs or displays 3D graphics, and which can thus benefit from the higher performance afforded by the discrete graphics processor 106. If the application 214 is a 3D application, then the high graphics performance mode is selected (406). If the application 214 is not a 3D application, then the low graphics performance mode is selected (408).
[0049] FIG. 5 shows an example non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium 500 storing program code 502 executable by the computing device 100 to perform processing, such as the methods 300 and 400 that have been described. The processing includes detecting that the display port 108 is connected to an external display 110 (504). The processing includes responsively determining whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode (506). In response to determining that the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, the processing includes turning on the discrete graphics processor 106 and switching the display port 108 to the graphics processor 106 (508). In response to determining that the computing device 100 is to operate in a low graphics performance mode, the processing includes switching the display port 108 to the integrated graphics processor 104 and turning off the discrete graphics processor 106 (510).
[0050] Techniques have been described for switching the display port 108 of a computing device 100 connected to an external display 110 between the discrete graphics processor 106 and the integrated graphics processor 104 depending on whether the computing device 100 is to operate in a high or a low graphics performance mode. Therefore, the external display 110 is driven by the discrete graphics processor 106 just when the computing device 100 is to operate in the high graphics performance mode. When the computing device 100 is to operate in the low graphics performance mode, the external display 110 is driven by the integrated graphics processor 104 and the discrete graphics processor 106 is turned off to decrease power consumption, heat generation, and potentially acoustic noise.

Claims

We claim:
1 . A method comprising: detecting, by a computing device, that a display port of the computing device is connected to an external display; in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode, turning on, by the computing device, a discrete graphics processor of the computing device and switching, by the computing device, the display port to the discrete graphics processor; and in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in a low graphics performance mode, switching, by the computing device, the display port to an integrated graphics processor of the computing device and turning off, by the computing device, the discrete graphics processor.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode: before switching the display port to the discrete graphics processor, simulating disconnection of the external display; and after switching the display port to the discrete graphics processor, simulating connection of the external display.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode: before switching the display port to the integrated graphics processor,
22 simulating disconnection of the external display; and after switching the display port to the integrated graphics processor, simulating connection of the external display.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the computing device, whether the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode or the low graphics performance mode, comprising: in response to determining that, in a setting of a driver for the discrete graphics processor and integrated graphics processor, the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode; in response to determining that, in the setting of the driver, the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode; in response to determining that, in the setting of the driver, the computing device is to operate in a graphics performance mode selected by an operating system, and in response to a setting of an operating system of the computing device indicating that a current application running on the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode; and in response to determining that, in the setting of the driver, the computing device is to operate in the graphics performance mode selected by the operating system, and in response to the setting of the operating system indicating that the current application is to operate in the low graphics performance mode, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode or the low graphics performance mode further comprises, in response to determining that, in the setting of the driver, the computing device is to operate in the graphics performance mode selected by the operating system, and in response to the setting of the operating system not being present or indicating that the current application is to operate in the graphics performance mode selected by the operating system: in response to determining that the current application is a three- dimensional (3D) graphics application, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode; and in response to determining that the current application is not the 3D graphics application, concluding that the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode.
6. A non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing program code executable by a computing device having a display port to which an external display is connected to perform processing comprising: determining, by an operating system of the computing device, whether the computing device is to operate in a high graphics performance mode or a low graphics performance mode; in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode, and in response to determining, by the operating system, that a discrete graphics processor of the computing device is off, causing, by the operating system, the discrete graphics processor to turn on and the display port to switch to the discrete graphics processor; and in response to determining that the computing device is to operate in the low graphics performance mode, and in response to determining by the operating system, that the discrete graphics processor is on, causing, by the operating system, the display port to switch to an integrated graphics processor of the computing device and the discrete graphics processor to turn off.
7. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 6, wherein causing the discrete graphics processor to turn on and the display port to switch to the discrete graphics processor comprises: calling a discrete graphics processor turn-on sequence of a driver for the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor.
8. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 7, wherein causing the discrete graphics processor to turn on and the display port to switch to the discrete graphics processor further comprises, in response to the discrete graphics processor turn-on sequence being called: turning on, by the driver, the discrete graphics processor; and initiating, by the driver, an event corresponding to the high graphics performance mode.
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9. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 8, wherein causing the discrete graphics processor to turn on and the display port to switch to the discrete graphics processor further comprises, in response to initiation of the event corresponding to the high graphics performance mode: simulating, by firmware, disconnection of the external display; configuring, by the firmware, a switch of the computing device to connect the display port to the discrete graphics processor; and simulating, by the firmware, connection of the external display.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 6, wherein causing the display port to switch to the integrated graphics processor and the discrete graphics processor to turn off comprises: initiating, by a driver for the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor, an event corresponding to the low graphics performance mode.
11 . The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 10, wherein causing the display port to switch to the integrated graphics processor and the discrete graphics processor to turn off further comprises, in response to initiation of the event corresponding to the low graphics performance mode: simulating, by firmware, disconnection of the external display; configuring, by the firmware, a switch of the computing device to connect the display port to the integrated graphics processor; and simulating, by the firmware, reconnection of the external display.
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12. The non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium of claim 11 , wherein causing the display port to switch to the integrated graphics processor and the discrete graphics processor to turn off further comprises: calling a discrete graphics processor turn-off sequence of the driver; and in response to the discrete graphics processor turn-on sequence being called, turning on, by the driver, the discrete graphics processor.
13. A computing device comprising: a display port to connect to an external display; a discrete graphics processor; an integrated graphics processor; a switch to switch the display port between the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor; a processor; a memory storing program code executable by the processor to implement an operating system having a graphics driver for the discrete graphics processor and the integrated graphics processor; and firmware that in conjunction with the operating system and the graphics driver is to turn on the discrete graphics processor and control the switch to switch the display port to the discrete graphics processor in a high graphics performance mode, and is to control the switch to switch the display port to the integrated graphics processor and turn off the discrete graphics processor in a low graphics performance mode.
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14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the operating system is to determine whether the computing device is to operate in the high graphics performance mode or the low graphics performance mode based on an application-level setting of the operating system and a computing device-level setting of the driver, the application-level setting having priority over the computing device-level setting.
15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the switch comprises a multiplexer having an output line connected to the display port, a select line, a first input line connected to the discrete graphics processor, and a second input line connected to the integrated graphics processor, the computing device further comprising: circuitry to respectively disconnect the discrete and integrated graphics processors from the first and second input lines responsive to a first interrupt transition, to respectively connect the discrete and integrated graphics processor to the first and second input lines responsive to a second interrupt transition, and to select the first or second input line on the select line according to a select register, wherein to switch to the high graphics performance mode, the firmware is to issue the first interrupt transition, set the select register to a first value corresponding to the first input line, and is to issue the second interrupt transition, and wherein to switch to the low graphics performance mode, the firmware is to issue the first interrupt transition, set the select register to a second value
28 corresponding to the second input line, and is to issue the second interrupt transition.
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