Selective Render Target Scaling for Video Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video rendering technologies often limit the quality of video frames to the original output resolution specified by the source content, failing to leverage the capabilities of more capable display devices for improved graphical fidelity.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies and scales specific render targets within the rendering pipeline to higher resolutions, generating higher density render targets that increase pixel count, reducing edge aliasing and enhancing detail, without requiring complex programmable code from the source content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If video frames are rendered at the original output resolution specified by the source content, then processing resources are conserved and the rendering pipeline operates efficiently, but the visual quality and detail of the displayed video frames are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rendering process by identifying and selectively scaling only specific render targets (such as geometry buffers, depth buffers, and texture maps) rather than the entire final output image. This allows quality improvement in critical areas while maintaining rendering efficiency for other elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by rendering specific portions of the video frame (individual render targets) at higher resolutions than the final output. This ensures that only the most impactful elements contribute to the quality improvement, balancing visual fidelity with processing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If all render targets are scaled to higher resolutions, then video frame quality is maximized, but processing power and memory resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by selectively scaling only the most impactful render targets (such as geometry and depth buffers) to higher resolutions, rather than scaling all render targets uniformly. This provides quality improvement where it matters most while conserving processing resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter selectively for specific render targets based on their importance and impact on visual quality. By adjusting resolution parameters only for critical buffers and maintaining original resolution for less impactful elements, the system optimizes the balance between quality and resource consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rendering pipeline is modified to support higher output resolutions, then display quality is improved, but the complexity of the rendering system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal scaling approach that can be applied to different render targets and resolution requirements using the same core mechanism. The selective scaling framework provides multi-functionality, handling various buffer types (geometry, depth, texture) and resolution scenarios through a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary scaling layer between the original render targets and the final output. This intermediary mechanism mediates between the source content's original resolution and the display device's higher capability, providing quality enhancement without requiring fundamental changes to the rendering pipeline architecture.
4Productivity
If render targets are scaled up using simple interpolation, then processing speed is maintained, but edge aliasing and visual artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs advanced interpolation techniques (analogous to fluid dynamics principles) that smoothly transition between pixel values during scaling. This approach maintains edge smoothness and reduces aliasing artifacts while preserving rendering speed, avoiding the blocky appearance of simple nearest-neighbor interpolation.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein improve the quality of the video frames that are rendered and displayed. A system is configured to generate render targets based on instructions received from a source of video content. The system is configured to create and/or access a selection parameter and use the selection parameter to identify one or more of the render targets to be scaled. Once identified, the system scales a native size (e.g., a native resolution) of an identified render target to a larger size (e.g., based on a predetermined scaling factor), thereby generating a higher density render target. The higher density render target, or a corresponding higher density render target texture (RTT), can be used in a rendering pipeline to produce a video frame in a higher output resolution (e.g., 4k resolution) compared to the output resolution specified in the instructions (e.g., 720p resolution).