Apple patents memory trick that skips saving uniform data blocks
Apple describes a method where computer memory checks data before saving it. If a block of data is identical, like a plain color in an image, the system saves a small note instead of the actual data to save space and power.
In the filing’s own words
In disclosed embodiments, compression circuitry may compress data blocks and compressed write data blocks and corresponding compression metadata to a certain level in a cache/memory hierarchy. In some embodiments, the compression circuitry is configured to detect a pre-determined set of data values in a block of data to be compressed. In response, the compression circuitry may write a special metadata value for the data block to data storage circuitry to indicate compression of the data block, without writing a compressed version of the data block to the data storage circuitry. This may advantageously improve performance and reduce power consumption for data blocks with certain data values (e.g., having uniform pixel/texel values).
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An apparatus, comprising: first data storage circuitry; second data storage circuitry; processor execution circuitry configured to execute instructions that operate on data in the first data storage circuitry; and compression circuitry configured to: compress data blocks from the first data storage circuitry for storage in the second data storage circuitry, including to generate metadata that indicates one or more compression parameters for a given compressed data block and store the generated metadata in the second data storage circuitry; detect a pre-determined set of data values in a block of data to be compressed; and for the data block determined to have the pre-determined set of data values, write a first metadata value for the data block to the second data storage circuitry to indicate compression of the data block, without writing a compressed version of the data block to the second data storage circuitry.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Compression metadata value induced read and write operation conservation
- Patent number
- US12744549B2
- Application number
- 18949366
- Filed
- Nov 15, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H03M 7/6058 Electricity & electronicsH03M 7/6005 Electricity & electronicsH03M 7/6011 Electricity & electronicsH03M 7/3059 Electricity & electronicsH03M 7/3073 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.