Nvidia Granted Patent For Hybrid Graphics Systems
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has approved a patent application by Nvidia that described a switch between integrated and discrete graphics in a single computer system -- or what we know as Optimus.
Of course, it is not new technology, but we should remember that patents can take an eternity to make their way through the patent approval process. Nvidia originally filed the patent application in November 2007. For those who keep track, this was about the time when Nvidia was releasing GeForce 8800 series GPUs based on the G92 core.
The patent explains that switching between an IGPU (integrated GPU) and a DGPU (discrete GPU) could deliver greater graphics performance when needed, but save power in general applications: "While in the hybrid graphics mode, the DGPU performs the graphics processing, and the graphics driver transmits the rendered images from the DGPU to the IGPU local memory and, then, to the IGPU DAC. This image transmission allows applications to fully exploit the processing capabilities of the DGPU, while using the display device connected to the IGPU."
The first graphics chip that supported this technology were launched on September 11, 2008 and arrived as the GeForce 9M series GPUs.

Mmm.... if they wanted to be pricks they could go after AMD for their implementation of this. Not sure how far they would get, but it is something to keep in mind.
Mmm.... if they wanted to be pricks they could go after AMD for their implementation of this. Not sure how far they would get, but it is something to keep in mind.
Already we are seeing less and less discreet GPU`s, apart from gamers laptops, even that is a very small market
+1 this is exactly what Virtu does. And it does work far better then I had guessed it would.
At least Nvidia has the means and intent to actually produce this technology. This is not what I would call patent trolling because it is quite obviously a patent specific to the company's intended development roadmap, and does not prevent any other company's existing technology from being produced or innovated upon.
There are multiple ways of doing everything, and NVIDIA figured out another way of combining graphics systems.
I don't fully agree here. The original idea of patent is to protect business that come up with something innovating. When somebody copycat an idea, the original companies lose money from R&D. The copycat does nothing. This patient is legit. Either AMD have some alternative (like the 30 different ways you can make an abs cruncher and not infringe on a patent) or they pay royalist to this patent. Many company pay patent to other when they use same idea all the time. I don't remembered how long, but after a few (15-30) years the patent is up and becomes general practice and nobody has to pay anybody.
Where patient went wrong is patent trolling. Lawyers from firm that don't produce anything buying idea and not producing.
What's wrong with display port? I'd rather see monitor manufacturers drop DVI and VGA so GPUs can have better ventilation and more ports.
yes only on gamer computers....
Do you have ever heard about graphic acceleration?
Like in hospital system for imaging?
Or for research in high-energy particles?
Or for simulation of physical systems in automobile and aeronautical industry?
Or for measure acquisition in various areas?
and so on...
Maybe for people knowing nothing about computer than COD and angry birds, DGPU are rare products but there is a whole world which need computation power and thus DGPU...
TomsLegalforum perhaps?
I love this response. Somehow in the last ten or so years. computers became defined as a tool used by someone with a sub 100 IQ, as opposed to the original concept as it being a tool of science. Today the idea of using a computer for something other than idiotspeek is ridiculed. I suspect most of those who make these statements fall in the sub 100 IQ crowd.