Display Panel Driver Scaler Circuit Diagonal Edge Blur Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image enlargement processing with non-integer enlargement factors often results in blurs at diagonal edges, leading to image quality deterioration in enlarged images.
Innovation Solution
A display panel driver with a scaler circuit that generates 2n-times enlarged image data by performing image enlargement processing on input image data with an enlargement factor of 2n, where n is the smallest integer larger than the non-integer factor, and calculates pixel values of the α-times enlarged image through interpolation from selected pixels of the 2n-times enlarged image, effectively reducing blurs at diagonal edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If image enlargement processing is performed with a non-integer enlargement factor, then the display panel can accommodate various image sizes and scaling requirements, but blurs are generated at diagonal edges causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image enlargement with an integer enlargement factor (2n) to create an intermediate high-resolution image, then performs interpolation to achieve the target non-integer enlargement factor (α). This preliminary action with a power-of-2 factor avoids diagonal edge blurring while maintaining the flexibility to achieve any required scaling ratio through subsequent interpolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image enlargement process into two distinct stages: first performing enlargement with a power-of-2 factor (2n) to handle the coarse scaling, then performing interpolation to achieve the precise non-integer factor (α). This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, with the first stage avoiding diagonal blurring and the second stage providing precise scaling.
2Productivity
If conventional image enlargement processing is used, then the processing is simple and fast, but edges become blurred and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary enlargement with a power-of-2 factor to create an intermediate image that avoids diagonal edge blurring, then performs interpolation to achieve the final non-integer enlargement. This two-stage approach maintains processing efficiency while significantly improving edge sharpness and overall image quality compared to conventional single-stage interpolation.
3Manufacturing precision
If edge enhancement processing is performed on enlarged images, then image quality can be improved, but flicker is generated during the enhancement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary enlargement with an integer factor (2n) to create an intermediate image with sharp edges, then performs interpolation to achieve the target non-integer factor (α). By establishing this high-quality intermediate image first, subsequent edge enhancement processing can proceed without generating flicker, as the foundation image already has proper edge definition.
Data Source
AI summary
A display panel driver includes a scaler circuit performing image enlargement processing on input image data corresponding to an input image to generate α-times enlarged image data corresponding to an α-times enlarged image (α is a number larger than one which cannot be represented as 2k); and a driver section driving a display panel. In calculating a pixel value of a target pixel of the α-times enlarged image, the scaler circuit generates enlarged image data including 2n-times enlarged image data corresponding to a 2n-times enlarged image obtained by enlarging the input image with an enlargement factor of 2n (n is the smallest integer determined so that 2n is larger than α), and calculates the pixel value of the target pixel from the 2n-times enlarged image data through interpolation processing of pixel values of pixels of the 2n-times enlarged image corresponding to the target pixel of the α-times enlarged image.