Image Tile Base-Delta Interpolation for Memory Bandwidth Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and bandwidth requirements of storing and rendering true color images, particularly in real-time applications, due to the large amount of data required for each pixel, necessitate efficient compression and decompression methods to reduce memory and bandwidth needs.
Innovation Solution
A method for image decompression that involves identifying pixels in tiles with associated base and delta values, interpolating these values, and using indices to determine color values, along with quantization and delta encoding for compression, and reverse processes for decompression, allowing for efficient storage and display of images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If true color information (32 bits per pixel) is stored and transferred, then image quality is preserved, but memory cost and bandwidth requirements become prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into tiles and further segments color information into base values and delta values. Each tile contains base color information and differential delta values, allowing selective reconstruction of full color data only where needed, rather than storing complete 32-bit color data for every pixel throughout the entire image
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different storage precision to different regions: base values are stored with full precision while delta values (differences from base) are stored with reduced precision. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain overall image quality while reducing total data storage requirements, as delta values typically require fewer bits than full color values
2Measurement precision
If true color information (32 bits per pixel) is transferred, then image quality is preserved, but bandwidth requirements become prohibitively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential base color information from each tile and stores differential delta values instead of complete color data. During rendering, the system extracts and combines base values with delta values and index information to reconstruct full-color pixels on-demand, significantly reducing the amount of data that must be transferred from memory to the renderer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary compression of color data into base-delta-index format before transfer. By pre-processing the image data into this compact representation, the system reduces bandwidth requirements for subsequent transfers while enabling lossless reconstruction of full-color images when needed
3Quantity of substance
If compression is applied to reduce memory and bandwidth, then storage efficiency improves, but image quality may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the representation parameters of color data from direct 32-bit per-pixel storage to a compressed base-delta-index format. This parameter transformation enables lossless compression because the mathematical relationship (base + delta * index) perfectly reconstructs the original color values, preserving image quality while improving storage efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing image decompression. The method includes identifying a pixel in an image, wherein the image comprises a plurality of tiles including color data that is displayed by a plurality of pixels, wherein each tile is associated with a base value, a delta value, and a plurality of indices. One or more tiles associated with the pixel are identified. An interpolated base is determined by interpolating decompressed bases of the one or more tiles. An interpolated delta is determined by interpolating deltas of the one or more tiles. An index is determined for the pixel. A color value is determined for the pixel based on the interpolated base, interpolated delta, and the index.