Picture-in-Picture Video Generation Memory Reduction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Picture-in-picture video generation requires significant memory, making it unsuitable for smaller platforms like ASIC-based devices due to the need for large memory capacities, which increases manufacturing costs and limits its implementation in devices such as cellular phones.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that transforms multiple video streams into sub videos, temporarily holds them in a compressed frame buffer, and merges them with the main video using pixel replacement, reducing memory requirements by overlaying sub videos onto sections of the main video's pixel space, thereby eliminating the need for large memory storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional picture-in-picture video generation is implemented using processor-based platforms with large memory, then PiP functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases and the solution becomes unsuitable for smaller platforms like ASIC-based devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video processing pipeline into distinct functional blocks: main video processing path, sub-video processing path with down-sampling, and a merging mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling implementation on resource-constrained ASIC platforms while maintaining PiP functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by using frame buffering and synchronized merging of video frames. Instead of requiring all video data to be stored simultaneously in memory, the system processes and merges video frames sequentially in time, reducing the memory footprint required for PiP implementation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large memory capacity is used to store video streams for PiP, then PiP processing is enabled, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential components needed for PiP functionality from a complete video processing system. By implementing a streamlined architecture that processes video streams on-the-fly with minimal buffering, the solution eliminates the need for large memory capacities while maintaining PiP capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the memory usage parameter from storing complete video frames to storing only essential frame differences or compressed representations. This parameter change dramatically reduces the quantity of memory required while preserving the ability to generate PiP output.
3Ease of operation
If multiple video streams are stored in memory simultaneously, then video mixing for PiP is achieved, but memory requirements become prohibitive for mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary down-sampling and processing of sub-video streams before they enter the merging stage. By preparing video data in advance with appropriate scaling and formatting, the system reduces the memory burden during the actual mixing operation, enabling video mixing capability in devices with limited memory.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for memory reduction in picture-in-picture video generation is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes receiving, from a transmitting device, a plurality of video streams at a receiving device coupled to the transmitting device, wherein a first video stream of the plurality of video streams is designated to be displayed as a main video and one or more other video streams of the plurality of video streams are designated to be displayed as one or more sub videos to the main video. The method further includes transforming the one or more other video streams into the one or more sub videos, temporarily holding the one or more sub videos in a compressed frame buffer, and merging, via pixel replacement, the main video and the one or more sub videos into a final video image capable of being displayed on a single screen utilizing a display device, wherein pixel replacement is performed such that the one or more sub videos occupy one or more sections of pixels of screen space pixels occupied by the main video.