Display Controller Scaler Architecture for Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face challenges in achieving higher performance and speed, particularly in ultra-high definition television applications, where existing technologies struggle to optimize bandwidth and power consumption effectively.
Innovation Solution
A display controller and system design that places a scaler behind an image composer, determining whether to scale up frame images based on image quality and display device characteristics, including the presence of a frame buffer, to generate high-resolution images only when necessary, thereby reducing system bandwidth and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the scaler always scales up frame images to generate high resolution frame images, then the display resolution is improved, but the bandwidth and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scaler dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions: it scales up frame images only when the input resolution is lower than the display device resolution, and passes through unchanged when resolutions match. This dynamic behavior optimizes power consumption while maintaining appropriate display resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the scaler based on resolution matching conditions. When the frame image resolution equals the display device resolution, the scaler bypasses processing; when they differ, scaling is applied. This parameter-based control resolves the contradiction between resolution quality and energy usage
2Manufacturing precision
If the scaler always scales up frame images to generate high resolution frame images, then the display resolution is improved, but the system bandwidth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scaler dynamically adjusts data processing volume based on resolution matching. When frame image resolution matches display device resolution, no scaling processing occurs, reducing bandwidth usage. When resolutions differ, scaling is performed only as needed, optimizing bandwidth efficiency while maintaining display resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the data processing parameters of the scaler based on resolution conditions. By changing the scaling operation parameter from 'always scale' to 'scale only when needed', the system reduces unnecessary data transmission and processing, thereby optimizing bandwidth while preserving display quality
3Manufacturing precision
If the scaler is placed before the image composer, then the image quality is maintained, but the bandwidth and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional architecture by placing the scaler after the image composer instead of before. This inversion allows the system to first compose images at various resolutions and then selectively scale only when necessary, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining image quality through conditional scaling based on resolution matching
Data Source
AI summary
A display controller includes a scaler which is configured to receive a frame image, scale up the frame image to generate a high resolution frame image based on a quality of the frame image and information about a display device, and output the frame image or the high resolution frame image to the display device for display. A method of controlling image display includes: receiving a frame image; determining whether to scale up the frame image to generate a high resolution frame image based on a quality of the frame image and information about a display device; scaling up the frame image according to a result of the determining; and outputting the frame image or the high resolution frame image for display at the display device.