Motion Vector Scaling for 8K FRC Chip Memory Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size of Frame Rate Control (FRC) chips due to higher digital TV resolutions poses challenges in power consumption and heat generation, making it difficult to implement them effectively, especially in supporting high resolutions like 8K.
Innovation Solution
An image frame interpolation apparatus that includes a motion vector generator, a motion scaler, and a motion compensator, which scales motion vectors based on the size of the motion vector and internal memory to reduce the size of the FRC chip while maintaining image quality, using the equation MVmc(x, y) = (MCSRmax / MVme(x, y)) * MVme(x, y) to prevent motion vector overflow and minimize memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the resolution of digital TVs is increased from FHD to 4K to 8K, then the image quality is improved, but the size of FRC chips increases, causing higher power consumption and heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the motion compensation process into two stages: motion estimation generates initial motion vectors, then motion scaling reduces these vectors to fit within a smaller search range. This segmentation allows the FRC chip to use a smaller internal memory while still achieving accurate motion compensation for high-resolution images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of motion vector magnitude by applying a scaling factor. The motion scaler multiplies the motion vector by a scaling value (typically 0.5 or 0.25) to reduce its size, allowing the search range in internal memory to be reduced proportionally while maintaining the ability to compensate for motion in high-resolution images.
2Productivity
If the size of FRC chips is increased to support higher resolutions, then the image processing capability is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for motion compensation by scaling down motion vectors to a reduced search range. Instead of processing full-resolution motion vectors that would require large memory and computation, the system extracts scaled versions that preserve the necessary motion information while reducing computational load and power consumption.
3Area of stationary object
If the internal memory size is reduced to decrease chip size, then the chip area is reduced, but the search range for motion compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the search range dynamic by scaling motion vectors according to the actual motion magnitude in the image. The motion scaler adjusts the search range based on the scaled motion vector values, allowing the system to adapt to different motion intensities. This dynamic adjustment enables a smaller fixed memory size to handle variable motion scenarios effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
An image frame interpolation apparatus includes a motion vector generator configured to generate a motion vector based on a first image frame and a second image frame; a motion scaler configured to scale the motion vector to thereby generate a scaled motion vector; and a motion compensator including an internal memory, the motion compensator being configured to perform motion compensation based on the scaled motion vector and generate an interpolation frame using the internal memory, the motion scaler being configured to scale the motion vector based on a size of the motion vector and a size of the internal memory.