Subpixel Rendering via YUV Conversion for Bandwidth Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing subpixel rendering technologies waste display bandwidth due to equal importance given to all color components, despite human vision being less sensitive to chrominance, and struggle with uniform color distribution and resolution in displays like LCD and OLED.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for subpixel rendering that converts RGB components to YUV components, applies signal processing to reduce chrominance bandwidth, and generates control signals for rendering subpixels, allowing for reduced bandwidth without compromising apparent color resolution or uniformity, by dividing each pixel into two subpixels instead of three or four.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If RGB color model with three subpixels is used, then color resolution is maintained, but display bandwidth is wasted due to equal importance given to all color components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay bandwidthVSAvoidcolor resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the display data from RGB color model to YUV color model, changing the parameter representation of color information. This allows differential processing where luminance (Y) maintains full resolution while chrominance (UV) is downsampled, reducing bandwidth usage without perceptible loss in color resolution due to human vision characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing quality to different color components: luminance components are processed at full resolution while chrominance components are processed at reduced resolution. This local quality differentiation optimizes bandwidth usage by allocating full detail only where human vision is most sensitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If PenTile subpixel arrangement is used, then number of subpixels is reduced, but uniform color distribution and resolution are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of subpixelsVSAvoidcolor uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display data processing into separate luminance and chrominance channels, allowing independent optimization of each. This segmentation enables reduced subpixel count while maintaining perceived color uniformity through intelligent signal processing that compensates for the reduced physical subpixel density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces YUV color space transformation as an intermediary processing step between the display data and the subpixel rendering. This intermediary representation allows the system to work with fewer subpixels while maintaining color accuracy through the mathematical transformation that separates luminance and chrominance information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If more subpixels per pixel are used, then color accuracy is improved, but display bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation from RGB to YUV, enabling differential bandwidth allocation where luminance uses full bandwidth and chrominance uses reduced bandwidth. This parameter transformation maintains color accuracy where needed while reducing overall bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial processing to chrominance components, using reduced resolution only where color information is less critical to perceived image quality. This partial action approach maintains sufficient color accuracy for human perception while significantly reducing bandwidth requirements compared to full-resolution color processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3044779B1Method and apparatus for subpixel rendering
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 SHENZHEN YUNYINGGU TECH CO LTD
  • EP3044779B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3044779B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3044779B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method and apparatus (100) for subpixel rendering. In one example, for each of an array of pixels on a display (102), a first signal including a first set of components is received. The first set of components is converted to a second set of components. The second set of components includes a first component representing a first attribute of the pixel and a second component representing a second attribute of the pixel. The second set of components of the first signal is modified to generate a second signal by applying at least one operation to at least one of the first and second components based on the corresponding attribute of the pixel. The modified second set of components is converted to a modified first set of components of the second signal. A third signal is generated based on the modified first set of components for rendering subpixels corresponding to the pixel.