Pixel Data Compression With HDR Flag for Guaranteed 8-Bit Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data compression methods face challenges in efficiently reducing memory bandwidth and storage space in graphics processing units (GPUs) due to varying compression ratios and the need for random access to compressed data, especially when using lossy compression techniques, which can degrade image quality and require additional memory for indexing.
Innovation Solution
A method is described for converting 10-bit pixel data to 8-bit data by determining the Most Significant Bit (MSB) status of red, green, and blue channels, setting an HDR flag, and either converting or truncating the data accordingly, with the HDR flag appended to the alpha channel, ensuring a guaranteed compression threshold is met while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lossy compression techniques are used to reduce memory bandwidth and storage space, then compression ratio is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bit depth parameter from 10-bit to 8-bit for compression, and uses HDR flag to indicate when this parameter change is applied. This allows systematic control of compression quality by adjusting bit depth while maintaining compatibility with standard 8-bit display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of 10-bit pixel data to 8-bit data before compression, and pre-calculates the HDR flag based on MSB values. This preliminary processing ensures that compression can be applied efficiently while maintaining quality where possible.
2Loss of information
If 10-bit pixel data is compressed directly, then image quality is maintained, but compression ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the data representation parameter from 10-bit to 8-bit to achieve better compression ratios. The HDR flag mechanism allows the system to indicate when this parameter change has been applied, enabling quality-aware decompression or rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a compressed copy of the pixel data in 8-bit format while preserving the ability to recover or approximate the original 10-bit quality through HDR indication. This copying approach allows storage efficiency while maintaining quality information.
3Loss of information
If higher quality rendering algorithms are used, then image quality is improved, but memory bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pixel data parameter from 10-bit to 8-bit to reduce memory bandwidth consumption. The HDR flag allows rendering algorithms to adjust their quality settings based on whether the original high precision was preserved or lost during compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of rendering quality based on the HDR flag status. When HDR is indicated, higher quality rendering algorithms can be applied; when not indicated, lower quality algorithms suffice, optimizing memory bandwidth usage dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of converting 10-bit pixel data (e.g. 10:10:10:2 data) into 8-bit pixel data involves converting the 10-bit values to 8-bits using a technique that is selected dependent upon the values of the MSBs of the 10-bit values and setting the value of an HDR flag dependent upon the values of the MSBs. The HDR flag is appended to the 3-bit channel.