High Dynamic Range Color Decompression Endpoint Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compression techniques do not effectively support high dynamic range data, which requires more than 16 bits per pixel, leading to inefficient memory usage and processing challenges in graphics applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for decompressing high dynamic range data using fixed-size block compression formats with 8 bits per pixel, employing two or four compressed endpoint values and indices, allowing for hardware-based decompression and efficient processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional compression techniques are used, then memory bandwidth is reduced, but high dynamic range data cannot be effectively supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using endpoint-based compression where high dynamic range data is represented by storing endpoint values and interpolation indices rather than direct pixel values. This allows 48+ bpp high dynamic range data to be compressed into an 8-bit per pixel format while maintaining the ability to represent the full dynamic range through mathematical interpolation between endpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the high dynamic range data into compressed formats that can be processed in smaller units. By dividing the data into blocks with compressed endpoint values and indices, the system can process high dynamic range data using conventional compression techniques while maintaining the necessary precision through the endpoint-interpolation model.
2Quantity of substance
If high dynamic range data is stored in compact format, then memory usage is reduced, but decompression complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex software-based decompression algorithms with hardware-friendly mathematical operations. The decompression process uses simple linear interpolation between stored endpoint values, which can be efficiently implemented in hardware graphics processing units, thereby reducing the complexity barrier for compact format decompression.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional compression formats are used, then compatibility is maintained, but processing efficiency for high dynamic range data deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal compression framework that can handle both conventional and high dynamic range data using the same endpoint-based approach. The compressed format maintains compatibility with existing graphics hardware while enabling efficient processing of high dynamic range data through the standardized endpoint-interpolation decomposition method.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for representing high dynamic range data in compressed formats with a fixed size block allow high dynamic range data to be stored in less memory. The compressed formats use 8 bits per pixel. A first compressed format includes two endpoint values and compressed indices for the pixels in the block. A second compressed format includes four endpoint values, a partition index that specifies a mask for each pair of the four endpoint values, and compressed indices for the pixels in the block. The two formats may be used for various blocks within a single compressed image and mode bits are included to distinguish between the two formats. Furthermore, each endpoint value may be encoded using an endpoint compression mode that is also specified by the mode bits. Compressed high dynamic range values represented in either format may be efficiently decompressed in hardware.