Pixel Shader Color Space Conversion Without Dedicated Hardware
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The processing power of graphics processing units (GPUs) is eroded by the need for specialized logic circuits to perform color space conversion and procamp controls, which occupy valuable chip real estate and reduce efficiency in 3D graphics processing.
Innovation Solution
Integrating color space processing functions into the pixel shader module, allowing the GPU to perform color space conversion and procamp controls without additional co-processing hardware, by using pre-loaded parameters and manipulating memory elements to generate processed color coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialized logic circuits (ASICs, FPGAs) are used for color space conversion and procamp controls, then color processing functionality is achieved, but chip real estate is consumed and processing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines color space conversion and procamp control functions with the pixel shader module, allowing these operations to be performed within the existing GPU processing pipeline rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware circuits. This merging eliminates the need for additional ASICs or FPGAs while maintaining full color processing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel shader module is enhanced to perform multiple functions including both traditional pixel shading operations and color space conversion/procamp controls. By making the pixel shader module universal, the patent eliminates the need for specialized logic circuits while preserving all required color processing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized logic circuits are added for color space processing, then color conversion capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges color space conversion and procamp control operations into the existing pixel shader module architecture. This approach maintains color conversion capability while avoiding the increased device complexity that would result from adding separate specialized logic circuits to the GPU.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware is used for color space conversion, then processing accuracy is maintained, but chip real estate utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines color space conversion and procamp control functions within the pixel shader module, utilizing existing GPU resources rather than allocating additional chip real estate to dedicated hardware circuits. This approach maintains processing accuracy while improving overall chip real estate utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
By enhancing the pixel shader module to perform both traditional shading operations and color space processing, the patent achieves accurate color processing without requiring additional dedicated hardware, thereby optimizing chip real estate utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A pixel shader program for execution by a processing unit in a graphics processing module is designed to execute a color space processing function on individual pixels of a video image. The color space processing function is broken down into series of steps, each of which is amenable to representation by an individual instruction taken from an instruction set. The instructions cause the processor to load pixel color data into first memory elements, to read the first memory elements as well as second memory elements containing pre-loaded parameters representative of the color space processing function and to generate a processed set of color data for each pixel by manipulating the first and second memory elements. In this way, color space processing functionality, such as color space conversion and procamp controls, is provided without the need for specialized hardware and without encroaching upon the computational efficiency of the host CPU.