Graphics Texture Encoding via Video Decoder

Solution Overview

Problem

Data processing systems with both graphics processing units (GPUs) and video decoders face high storage and bandwidth requirements due to texture data handling, particularly in mobile devices with limited resources.

Innovation Solution

Encoding graphics textures as video frames and using a video decoder to decode these textures for use by the graphics processor, thereby offloading processing burden from the GPU and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If texture data is stored in memory and accessed by the graphics processing unit, then image quality is improved, but storage requirements and bandwidth consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidstorage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the texture decompression function from the graphics processing unit and assigns it to a separate dedicated decompression unit. This separation allows the GPU to focus on rendering while the dedicated unit handles texture data decompression, reducing the storage and bandwidth burden on the GPU while maintaining high image quality through efficient texture processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated texture decompression unit as an intermediary component between memory and the graphics processing unit. This intermediary handles the decompression of texture data stored in memory, providing processed texture data to the GPU without requiring the GPU to directly handle raw compressed data, thus reducing bandwidth consumption and storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If texture data is stored in memory and accessed by the graphics processing unit, then image quality is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the texture decompression function from the graphics processing unit and assigns it to a separate dedicated decompression unit. This separation allows the GPU to focus on rendering while the dedicated unit handles texture data decompression, reducing the storage and bandwidth burden on the GPU while maintaining high image quality through efficient texture processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated texture decompression unit as an intermediary component between memory and the graphics processing unit. This intermediary handles the decompression of texture data stored in memory, providing processed texture data to the GPU without requiring the GPU to directly handle raw compressed data, thus reducing bandwidth consumption and storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the graphics processing unit handles texture processing, then real-time complex texture operations are required, but processing power and resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the texture decompression function from the graphics processing unit and assigns it to a separate dedicated decompression unit. This separation allows the GPU to focus on rendering while the dedicated unit handles texture data decompression, reducing the storage and bandwidth burden on the GPU while maintaining high image quality through efficient texture processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated texture decompression unit as an intermediary component between memory and the graphics processing unit. This intermediary handles the decompression of texture data stored in memory, providing processed texture data to the GPU without requiring the GPU to directly handle raw compressed data, thus reducing bandwidth consumption and storage requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10642343B2Data processing systems

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 ARM LTD

AI summary

In a data processing system that includes a graphics processor and a video processor, graphics textures for use by the graphics processor are stored as encoded frames of video data. The video processor then decodes the video frames to reproduce the graphics texture(s) that the video frames encode, and stores the decoded graphics texture or textures in memory for use by the graphics processor.The graphics processor then reads the decoded graphics textures for use when generating its render outputs, such as output frames for display.