Display Controller Translucency via Color Model Transform

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses, especially miniaturized portable devices, face challenges in implementing true alpha blending for creating translucency effects due to the high processing power required, which is not feasible without dedicated hardware or efficient software solutions.

Innovation Solution

A display controller utilizing hardware-based YUV-RGB color model transformation to mimic alpha blending by using different sets of transformation coefficients for creating a visually noticeable difference in luminance or color between target and adjacent image areas, allowing for the creation of a translucency effect without requiring dedicated alpha blending hardware.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If true alpha blending is implemented in hardware, then processing speed and real-time performance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The color model conversion unit, originally designed for YUV-RGB conversion, is made multi-functional by configuring it to perform either true color model conversion or alpha blending simulation depending on control signals. This allows the same hardware block to serve dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate alpha blending hardware while maintaining real-time processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the color model conversion unit by adjusting control signals (enabling/disabling specific conversion paths) to switch between standard color conversion mode and alpha blending simulation mode. This parameter-based switching allows flexible functionality without additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If true alpha blending is performed in software, then device complexity is reduced, but processing power requirements and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the computational software-based alpha blending process with a hardware-based color model conversion operation. By substituting the software processing mechanism with a dedicated hardware color conversion unit operating in a specific mode, the system achieves alpha blending effects with significantly reduced processing power requirements and lower energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a simulated alpha blending effect that mimics the visual appearance of true alpha blending without performing the actual pixel-by-pixel blending computation. By using color model conversion to produce visually similar results, the system achieves the desired effect with minimal processing overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If dedicated alpha blending hardware is added, then real-time alpha blending capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The color model conversion unit is designed to perform multiple functions including standard YUV-RGB conversion and alpha blending simulation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated alpha blending hardware, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining real-time processing capability through efficient hardware utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the alpha blending function with the existing color model conversion hardware. By combining these two functions into a single hardware unit that can operate in different modes, the system achieves real-time alpha blending capability without the need for separate dedicated hardware components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8749575B2Display controller, electronic apparatus and method for creating a translucency effect using color model transform

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A display controller is configured for creating a translucency effect for a target image area of a source image containing image data expressed in a first color model. The display controller has a first color model converter adapted for color model transformation of the image data from the first color model to a second color model based upon a first predefined set of transformation coefficients, as well as a second color model converter adapted for color model transformation of the image data from the first color model to the second color model based upon a second predefined set of transformation coefficients. The display controller is controllable to produce a destination image by selecting transformed image data from the second color model converter for the target image area and by selecting transformed image data from the first color model converter for other image area(s) of the source image than the target image area.