Pixel Data Compression Using MSB Flags for Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data compression methods for graphics processing units (GPUs) face challenges in reducing memory bandwidth and storage space while maintaining efficient random access and quality, especially when converting 10-bit pixel data to 8-bit data, due to limitations in memory bandwidth and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method is described for converting 10-bit pixel data to 8-bit data by determining the most significant bits (MSBs) of the red, green, and blue channels to set a flag, either converting the channels to 8-bits or truncating them, and appending the flag to the alpha channel, ensuring a guaranteed compression threshold is met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If data compression is applied to reduce memory bandwidth and storage space, then power consumption is reduced, but random access efficiency and image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments pixel data into 10-bit and 8-bit portions, allowing selective processing. By dividing the data representation into different precision segments, the system can compress data to reduce power consumption while preserving critical information for random access operations, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and access reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different compression strategies to different portions of pixel data based on local requirements. Critical channels or regions maintain higher precision (10-bit) for reliable random access, while less critical portions are compressed to 8-bit to reduce power consumption. This localized quality adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing both power usage and access efficiency where needed.
2Quantity of substance
If 10-bit pixel data is converted to 8-bit data to reduce memory bandwidth, then storage space is reduced, but image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bit-depth parameter of pixel data from 10-bit to 8-bit conversion to reduce storage space. By systematically applying bit-depth reduction with appropriate rounding and precision preservation techniques, the system achieves significant storage savings while maintaining image quality within acceptable thresholds, thus resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and quality preservation.
3Productivity
If compression techniques are applied to meet guaranteed compression thresholds, then memory bandwidth is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary bit-depth conversion (10-bit to 8-bit) before main compression operations to guarantee compression thresholds are met. By performing this preliminary reduction step, the system ensures that subsequent compression algorithms can achieve target compression ratios more reliably, improving memory bandwidth efficiency while keeping the overall complexity manageable through a structured two-stage approach.
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.