Low Bandwidth Video Transport via Dynamic Color Depth Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing graphical resolution and color depth in personal computer systems make it difficult to efficiently transmit video display information over low-bandwidth communication channels, leading to high bandwidth requirements that are often unfeasible, especially in environments like internet connections and computer data networks.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces bandwidth by employing reduced color depth methods, such as transmitting 16 bits per pixel instead of 24 bits, and utilizing delayed color depth transmission, where additional color information is sent only when images are static, and further compressing using lossy techniques like spatial resolution limiting, to maintain low bandwidth usage without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If increased graphical resolution and color bit depth are used, then display quality is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color depth transmission into two phases: initial transmission at reduced color depth (16 bits per pixel) for rapid display, followed by selective transmission of additional color information only when the image is static. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high display quality while reducing overall bandwidth requirements by avoiding continuous transmission of full color depth data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by continuously monitoring image changes and periodically transmitting additional color depth information only when the image becomes static. This periodic transmission of supplemental color data maintains display quality without the continuous bandwidth cost of transmitting full color depth throughout, resolving the contradiction between quality and bandwidth.
2Measurement precision
If full color depth is transmitted continuously, then color accuracy is maintained, but network capacity is saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the color depth transmission adaptive rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts the transmission strategy based on image content - using reduced color depth during dynamic scenes to conserve bandwidth, and switching to full color depth transmission only when the image is static to maintain color accuracy. This dynamic adaptation prevents network capacity saturation while preserving color accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the color depth parameter based on image characteristics. When motion detection indicates a static image, the system changes from transmitting at reduced color depth (16 bits per pixel) to transmitting additional color information (24 bits per pixel). This parameter change maintains color accuracy for static images without continuously consuming high bandwidth, thus preventing network capacity saturation.
3Quantity of substance
If reduced color depth is used, then bandwidth requirements are reduced, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first transmitting the image at reduced color depth (16 bits per pixel) before transmitting the additional color information. This preliminary transmission provides immediate display capability with lower bandwidth usage, and the additional color depth is transmitted subsequently only when the image is static. This sequence resolves the contradiction by ensuring image quality is maintained when needed while minimizing bandwidth usage during the critical initial transmission phase.
Data Source
AI summary
To conserve communication channel bandwidth, video information must often be compressed in low bandwidth environments. To significantly reduce bandwidth usage, a first disclosed embodiment proposes transmits a reduced color depth image initially and then later transmitting additional color depth information when the image becomes static. In this manner, a reduced color image is displayed when an image is dynamic but a full color image is displayed when the image becomes static. Note that the additional color information is transmitted only when bandwidth is has become less utilized since updated image information is no longer being transmitted since the image has become static. The additional color depth information may be stored in the same buffer or within a different buffer in the receiving system. A second embodiment delays additional color depth information and also spatially reduces the additional color depth information.