Parametric Image Scaling for Aspect Ratio Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aspect ratio conversion methods for displaying content on devices result in either the use of black bars, content cropping, or unacceptable distortion, which negatively impact the user experience by not utilizing the display area effectively or preserving image integrity.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to allow users to vary the scaling of image data using a selector that enables linear, parabolic, or other scaling functions, employing a parametric function with a single parameter to adjust the aspect ratio conversion, thereby reducing objectionable distortion and improving the viewing experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If linear scaling is used to scale the source video to fit the destination display without black bars, then the display area is fully utilized, but the source video is distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidimage distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different scaling magnitudes to different regions of the image. The center region uses a first scaling magnitude while the edge region uses a second scaling magnitude, allowing the center to maintain its aspect ratio while the edges are stretched to fill the display area, thus resolving the contradiction between full display utilization and image distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The image is divided into distinct regions (center region and edge region) with different scaling characteristics. This segmentation allows independent control of scaling parameters for each region, enabling the center to preserve aspect ratio while edges fill the display, thereby resolving the contradiction between display area utilization and image distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If parabolic scaling is used to scale the source video to fit the destination display without black bars, then the display area is fully utilized, but the edges of the source video are distorted more than the center

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidedge distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different scaling magnitudes to different spatial regions. The center region uses a first scaling magnitude that preserves aspect ratio, while the edge region uses a second scaling magnitude that fills the display, thereby reducing objectionable distortion in important central content while still utilizing the full display area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the source video is scaled and cropped to fit the destination display, then the display area is fully utilized, but content is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area utilizationVSAvoidcontent loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the scaling parameter from a uniform value to a spatially varying value across the image. By using a parametric function with a single parameter that varies the scaling magnitude across different regions, the system can fill the entire display area while preserving all original content through non-uniform scaling rather than cropping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a fixed scaling function is used for aspect ratio conversion, then the processing is simple, but the user cannot adjust the scaling to suit different preferences and content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoiduser preference adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic element by providing a graphical user interface with a slider that allows users to adjust the parametric function parameter in real-time. This enables the scaling behavior to be dynamically changed based on user preference and content type, transforming a static fixed-scaling system into an adaptive dynamic system while maintaining processing simplicity through the use of a single parametric function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9218792B2Variable scaling of image data for aspect ratio conversion

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

A mechanism for enabling a user to vary the scale or zoom of image data for aspect ratio conversion using a graphical user interface is disclosed. A user may move a selector of the graphical user interface to one end for selecting a linear scaling, to the other end for selecting a parabolic scaling or in between for selecting a scaling associated with another function, thereby enabling a user to vary the magnitude of the scaling across the image data. A parametric function with a single parameter may be used to scale the image data, where the movement of the selector may change the parameter and consequently vary the scaling of the image data. In this manner, a user may efficiently vary or select the scaling of the image data using a graphical user interface to reduce objectionable distortion associated with changing the aspect ratio of the image data.