Shared MPEG Decoder for Dual-Format Video in Movable Platforms

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing digital TV decoder systems used in movable platforms like car navigation systems require two tuner/MPEG decoder pairs for HDTV and QVGA broadcasts, leading to high power consumption and system size due to the need for independent decoding of both bitstreams, even when only one is displayed.

Innovation Solution

A shared reference frame buffer is used between the HDTV and QVGA tuners, with a single MPEG decoder that switches between the two bitstreams, eliminating the need for a second MPEG decoder and reducing memory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two tuner/MPEG decoder pairs are used for HDTV and QVGA broadcasts, then both HDTV and QVGA decoding capabilities are ensured, but power consumption increases and system size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate MPEG decoder pairs into a single shared MPEG decoder that can process both HDTV and QVGA bitstreams. The decoder is designed to handle different resolution formats through configurable decoding parameters, allowing one decoder unit to replace what would traditionally require two separate decoder pairs, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining dual-format capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The MPEG decoder is designed with universal functionality to decode both HDTV (12-segment) and QVGA (1-segment) bitstreams. By implementing a single decoder that can adapt to different input formats and resolutions through parameter configuration rather than hardware duplication, the system achieves multi-functionality without the power penalty of parallel decoder pairs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two tuner/MPEG decoder pairs are used for HDTV and QVGA broadcasts, then both HDTV and QVGA decoding capabilities are ensured, but system size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding capabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate MPEG decoder pairs into a single shared MPEG decoder that can process both HDTV and QVGA bitstreams. The decoder is designed to handle different resolution formats through configurable decoding parameters, allowing one decoder unit to replace what would traditionally require two separate decoder pairs, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining dual-format capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The MPEG decoder is designed with universal functionality to decode both HDTV (12-segment) and QVGA (1-segment) bitstreams. By implementing a single decoder that can adapt to different input formats and resolutions through parameter configuration rather than hardware duplication, the system achieves multi-functionality without the space penalty of parallel decoder pairs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a single MPEG decoder switches between HDTV and QVGA bitstreams, then power consumption and system size are reduced, but seamless decoding requires shared reference frame buffers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmemory sharing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reference frame buffer resources of two separate decoders into a single shared buffer structure. This allows the single MPEG decoder to maintain reference frames for both HDTV and QVGA formats in the same memory space, reducing overall memory requirements while enabling format switching through buffer management rather than requiring separate buffer allocations for each format

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8374251B2Video decoder system for movable application

Publication Date: 2013.02.12 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

This invention is a digital television receiver receiving alternative broadcasts. Separate tuners receive separate broadcast signals, such as 12-segment HDTV and 1-segment QVGA. A multiplexer selects one tuner based upon receiver status of a first tuner. The selected signal is decoded and resized for a display. The decoder uses a frame buffer of images in the resized size. In the preferred embodiment the input signals are a 12-segment HDTV broadcast and a 1-segment QVGA broadcast and the resized size is VGA.