Dual Resolution Converters for Image Processing Memory Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image display devices face challenges in executing display size-specific resolution conversion processes efficiently, leading to increased processing times and degraded image processing capabilities due to frequent read/write access to image memory during both display device-specific and display size-specific resolution conversion.

Innovation Solution

An image processor with two resolution converters is employed, where the first converter sets the input image to a fixed resolution matching the display device's native resolution, and the second converter adjusts this to the desired display resolution, minimizing the need for frequent frame memory access and reducing processing degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single resolution conversion processor executes both display device-specific and display size-specific resolution conversion processes, then device complexity is reduced, but processing time increases and image processing capability degrades due to frequent read/write access to image memory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution conversion processor structureVSAvoidimage processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the resolution conversion function into two separate processors: a first resolution conversion processor for display device-specific conversion and a second resolution conversion processor for display size-specific conversion. This segmentation eliminates the need for frequent read/write access to image memory by having each processor handle its specific conversion task independently, thereby improving image processing capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent read/write access is performed to image memory during resolution conversion, then resolution conversion flexibility is improved, but processing time increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution conversion flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the resolution conversion processes into two dedicated processors, each processor can operate independently with optimized memory access patterns. The first processor handles display device-specific conversion with fixed memory access, while the second processor handles display size-specific conversion without requiring frequent read/write operations, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining conversion flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first resolution conversion processor performs display device-specific resolution conversion in advance, converting input image data to the native resolution of the display device and storing it in image memory. This preliminary action prepares the image data in an optimized format, allowing the second resolution conversion processor to perform display size-specific conversion more efficiently without requiring frequent read/write access, thereby reducing overall processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If display size-specific resolution conversion is performed in addition to display device-specific resolution conversion, then adaptability to different display sizes is improved, but power consumption increases due to frequent frame memory access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay size adaptabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resolution conversion functions into two separate processors, each dedicated to a specific conversion task. The second resolution conversion processor is specifically designed to handle display size-specific conversion without requiring frequent read/write access to frame memory, thereby achieving display size adaptability while minimizing power consumption through optimized memory access patterns and dedicated processing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1998572B1Image processor for converting the resolution of an image
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP1998572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1998572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1998572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The image processing device stores a fixed horizontal resolution and a fixed vertical resolution established in advance for use in resolution conversion of an input image. The first resolution converter of the image processing device converts the input image to a fixed resolution-converted image so that at least a horizontal resolution of the fixed resolution-converted image is equal to the fixed horizontal resolution. The second resolution converter of the image processing device converts the fixed resolution-converted image output from the first resolution converter to the display resolution-converted image having the desired horizontal and vertical resolutions.