Graphics processing unit for simulation or medical diagnostic imaging

Abstract

Methods and systems provide simulation or medical diagnostic imaging with a graphics processing unit. Data to be processed by a graphics processing unit is transferred from a source to the graphics processing unit without copying by the central processing unit. For example, the central processing unit does not copy data to the cache. Instead, the source of data transfers the data directly to the graphics processing unit or directly to a graphics aperture region of a memory for transfer to the video memory of the GPU. The GPU is then used to generate a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image. The GPU is used to perform a medical imaging process, such as an ultrasound imaging process. The processed data is transferred to a different processor. Since the GPU provides various parallel processors, the GPU may more efficiently perform image processes different from rendering a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.

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       16 . In a method for loading a video memory of a graphics processing unit where a central processing unit interacts with a second memory and the graphics processing unit, an improvement comprising: 
 (a) loading data pre-formatted into a format expected by the graphics processing unit into the video memory without storing the data in a cache of the central processing unit.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein (a) comprises: 
 (a1) transferring the data to a graphics aperture region of the second memory from a source of data; and    (a2) transferring the data from the graphics aperture region to the video memory without processing of the data by the central processing unit.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein (a1) comprises writing ultrasound data from a beamformer into the graphics aperture region.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising: 
 (b) sliding the graphics aperture region of the second memory in an address loop.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein (a) comprises transferring the data to the video memory without storing the data in a graphics aperture region.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the central processing unit is operable to run an application programming interface for the graphics processing unit and operable to operate free of copying data between different locations of the second memory for transfer to the video memory, the second memory being a random access memory accessible to the central processing unit through a hub, the video memory connectable to the second memory through an accelerated graphics port of the hub.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the data is formatted for the graphics processing unit without processing by the central processing unit.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 (b) compressing the data prior to (a); and    (c) decompressing the data after (a) with the graphics processing unit.    
   
   
       24 . A system for loading a video memory of a graphics processing unit, the system comprising: 
 a central processing unit connected with the graphics processing unit, the central processing unit operable to run an application programming interface of the graphics processing unit;    a source of data connected with the graphics processing unit;    a first memory connected with the graphics processing unit and the central processing unit; and    a memory control hub connected with the central processing unit, a video memory of the graphics processing unit, the source and the first memory;    wherein data is transferable from the source to the video memory without copying of the data by the central processing unit.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the memory control hub is operable to route the data from the source to the video memory through the memory control hub without passing to the central processing unit.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the first memory has a graphics aperture region connected with the central processing unit, the data from the source operable to route to the video memory from the source through the graphics aperture region without passing to the central processing unit.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the graphics aperture region is operable to slide in an address loop.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the memory control hub connects with the graphics processing unit with an accelerated graphics bus, connects with the central processing unit with a host bus, and connects with the second memory with a memory bus.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the first memory connects with the central processing unit, the data from the source operable to route to the video memory from the source without passing to the central processing unit and without passing to the first memory, the first memory being a random access memory of the central processing unit.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the central processing unit includes a cache memory, the data transferring to the video memory without storing the data in the cache memory.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the source of data comprises a medical sensor, the data being medical diagnostic imaging data.  
   
   
       32 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the source of data comprises an ultrasound beamformer, the data being ultrasound data.  
   
   
       33 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the source of data is operable to format the data for the graphics processing unit without processing by the central processing unit.  
   
   
       34 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the data comprises compressed data and the graphic processing unit is operable to decompress the data.