Logical Pixel Interfaces for Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies face bandwidth limitations when transferring high-resolution video data, as every pixel on every display line is typically sent over video interfaces, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies, especially with the rise of high-performance gaming and virtual/augmented reality systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of variable pixel rates, where logical pixels represent multiple source pixels and are defined by metadata, allowing for reduced bandwidth usage by varying pixel density and size, enabling more efficient data transfer and display processing across the entire display chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If every pixel on every display line is sent over video interfaces, then display resolution and quality are maintained, but bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video data transmission by dividing pixels into different categories (e.g., high-priority and low-priority pixels, or foveal and peripheral pixels). Only essential pixel data is transmitted at full resolution, while less critical pixels are either omitted or transmitted at reduced quality, thereby reducing overall bandwidth requirements while maintaining perceived display resolution in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by transmitting high-resolution data only for specific regions of interest (such as the foveal region in VR displays or areas with important visual information), while using lower resolution or compressed data for other regions. This allows the system to maintain high display quality where needed while significantly reducing the total bandwidth required for transmitting all pixels.
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution video data is transferred at full pixel rate, then image quality is preserved, but interface costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pixel rate adjustment where the transmission rate for different pixels varies based on their importance, position, or content characteristics. This dynamic approach allows the interface to adaptively allocate bandwidth resources, maintaining high image quality for critical pixels while reducing or eliminating transmission for less important pixels, thereby simplifying the interface requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pixel rate from a uniform constant value to a variable value that differs across pixels or regions. By modifying this key parameter dynamically based on content analysis or display characteristics, the system achieves high image quality where necessary while reducing overall data transmission requirements, thus lowering interface complexity and costs.
3Quantity of substance
If variable pixel rates are implemented with logical pixels representing multiple source pixels, then bandwidth savings are achieved, but data mapping complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining logical pixel mappings and their corresponding source pixel groups before data transmission. These mappings are established in advance based on the display characteristics and content requirements, allowing the system to efficiently aggregate multiple source pixels into logical pixels without requiring complex real-time processing during transmission, thus reducing data mapping complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Logically-defined pixel interfaces and video frame transfer techniques are provided herein. In one example, a method includes receiving a video frame representing source pixels, where the video frame comprises logical pixels that each represent more than one source pixel according to a selected sizing and metadata that indicates the selected sizing for the logical pixels and indicators of which pixels included in the video frame comprise the logical pixels. The method also includes interpreting the metadata for the logical pixels to map each of the logical pixels across more than one output pixel according to the selected sizing and the indicators included in the metadata.