Variable Priority Multiwindow Image Generation via Hardware Pixel Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current graphical generation devices struggle to manage complex images composed of multiple windows with variable priority and mixing of contents in real-time, often relying on software for non-real-time operations and limited by hardware constraints, which affects bandwidth usage and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for generating images using a combination of FPGA or ASIC circuits that select and mix intermediate pixels from multiple layers, allowing for variable positioning and opacity-based selection, reducing software involvement and optimizing bandwidth by using burst mode memory access and dual-page memories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software is used for window management and image composition, then flexibility in managing multiple windows with variable priority is improved, but real-time performance and processing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated hardware device that acts as an intermediary between the software window manager and the display output. This device receives window descriptors from software, performs real-time pixel selection and composition using hardware circuits, and outputs the composed image. The hardware intermediary handles the time-critical pixel-level operations while software manages the higher-level window management logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based pixel-level image composition with a hardware circuit implementation. The hardware device includes dedicated circuits for selecting pixels from multiple windows based on priority, mixing pixels according to opacity coefficients, and composing the final image. This substitution of mechanical/software operations with hardware circuitry enables real-time performance while maintaining flexibility through configurable window descriptors.
2Quantity of substance
If hardware resources are increased to support more superimposed layers, then the number of windows that can be displayed simultaneously is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pixel selection mechanism where the number of active windows n can be configured at runtime through window descriptors. The hardware circuit selectively activates processing paths based on the current number of superimposed layers required, rather than being fixed to a maximum number. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt hardware resource usage to the actual display needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configurable parameters in window descriptors (such as opacity coefficients, priority levels, and layer identifiers) to control the behavior of the hardware composition circuit. By changing these parameters, the system can support different numbers of superimposed layers without hardware reconfiguration. The mixing function uses opacity parameters to determine which pixels to select and how to combine them, allowing flexible support for varying numbers of layers.
3Manufacturing precision
If pixel-level image composition is performed in software, then image quality and mixing precision are improved, but processing speed and real-time capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based pixel composition with dedicated hardware circuits that perform pixel selection and mixing operations. The hardware device includes circuits that read pixel values from multiple windows, select pixels based on priority and opacity criteria, and compose the final image at the pixel level. This hardware implementation maintains the precision of pixel-level operations while achieving real-time processing speeds.
4Loss of energy
If burst mode memory access is used for reading image data, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but memory access complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image memory into multiple banks, with each bank dedicated to storing pixels from a specific window or layer. This segmentation allows the hardware composition circuit to access pixels from different windows simultaneously through parallel memory banks, enabling efficient burst mode access without complex arbitration logic. The segmented memory structure simplifies the control complexity by providing direct access paths to each memory bank.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for generating images with information windows including variable display priorities, the technique including selecting pixels of active windows at a given area of the image and reconstituting an image on the basis of the pixels of the selected windows. The techniques ensure mixing of the pixels and transparency between windows. The techniques apply to aircraft flight displays and any other image generating devices.