Display Processing System Using Alpha Channel Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for displaying transparent computer images on media devices with limited processing and memory resources are inefficient due to the significant computational and memory demands of achieving transparency effects, especially when handling animations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for processing image pixel data that determines if pixels are opaque or transparent, using separate data sets for opaque and transparent pixels, and employing alpha blending techniques with bit-shifting and masking operations to reduce computational load, allowing for efficient display on devices with limited resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transparency calculations are performed on pixel data to achieve transparency effect, then the transparency quality is improved, but the processing resources and memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image data processing by separating opaque and transparent pixel handling into distinct code paths. By checking the alpha channel value and branching processing logic, the system avoids performing transparency calculations on all pixels, only applying them where necessary. This segmentation reduces overall computational burden while maintaining transparency quality where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies transparency processing locally only to pixels that require it, rather than globally to the entire image. By examining individual pixel alpha values and applying transparency calculations only to transparent or semi-transparent pixels, the system optimizes resource usage by concentrating processing power where it is actually needed, thus improving efficiency without sacrificing transparency quality.
2Measurement precision
If transparency calculations are performed for each frame of animation, then the animation transparency quality is improved, but the processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of pixels by checking alpha channel values before entering the main transparency calculation loop. This preliminary action identifies which pixels require transparency processing, allowing the system to skip unnecessary calculations for opaque pixels. This pre-filtering approach significantly reduces processing time per animation frame while maintaining transparency quality for pixels that need it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a conditional processing approach that skips transparency calculations entirely for opaque pixels (where alpha equals 255). By detecting this condition and bypassing the calculation loop for these pixels, the system rushes through the processing of large portions of the image that don't require transparency work, thereby reducing overall processing time and energy consumption while preserving animation transparency quality where needed.
3Measurement precision
If full transparency calculations are applied to all pixels, then the transparency accuracy is improved, but the memory bandwidth and processing speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies transparency calculations partially, only to the extent necessary for each pixel. By checking the alpha value and conditionally applying transparency blending only to transparent or semi-transparent pixels, the system performs exactly the right amount of work for each pixel - no more, no less. This partial action approach maintains transparency accuracy for pixels that need it while avoiding excessive calculations on opaque pixels, thus preserving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method of processing image pixel data corresponding to an image pixel comprises determining if the image pixel is opaque or transparent. If the image pixel is determined to be opaque, a pixel color value from a first set of image pixel data is determined. If the image pixel is determined to be transparent, a transparency value from a second set of the image pixel data and a pixel color value from a third set of the image pixel data is determined. The second and third sets of the image pixel data are subsets of the first set of image pixel data.