Video Output Device Blank Masking for Flicker-Free Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video outputting devices experience flickering issues when displaying a sequence of images with different aspect ratios, such as standard and widescreen images, due to the need for data processing to discern and adjust aspect ratios, leading to delays and discomfort during image transitions.

Innovation Solution

A video outputting method and device that adds upper and lower blank masked regions to widescreen images and a lateral blank masked region to standard images to create processed images with standard or widescreen aspect ratios, allowing for seamless display on various devices without aspect ratio checks, and includes a specific output mode to reduce processing load and prevent flickering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the widescreen display device checks existence of upper and lower blank masked regions to discern widescreen image from standard image, then the display device can correctly display images with different aspect ratios, but the data processing delay causes flickers during slide show transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrect display of different aspect ratiosVSAvoidprocessing delay causing flickers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-converting standard images to widescreen format with lateral blank masked regions before output. This way, when a slide show contains mixed standard and widescreen images, the display device receives all images in widescreen format immediately, eliminating the need for real-time aspect ratio detection and conversion, thus preventing flickers during transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses lateral blank masked regions as an intermediary to convey aspect ratio information. Instead of requiring the display device to check for upper and lower blank masked regions, the standard image is transformed to include lateral blank masked regions, serving as a visual cue that mediates the aspect ratio information without requiring complex processing at the display device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the widescreen display device cuts away upper and lower blank masked regions to set widescreen aspect ratio, then the widescreen image appears fully in the display region, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay of widescreen image in fullVSAvoidprocessing complexity for aspect ratio detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach. Instead of the display device cutting away upper and lower blank masked regions from widescreen images, the standard image is converted to widescreen format by adding lateral blank masked regions. This inverts the problem from detection and modification at the display device to pre-processing at the output device, reducing display device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses copying by creating a widescreen version of standard images with lateral blank masked regions that replicate the visual appearance of native widescreen images. This copied format allows the display device to treat all images uniformly as widescreen, eliminating the need for complex aspect ratio detection and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If standard display device displays widescreen image with upper and lower blank masked regions, then the image is displayed on the display region, but the image does not utilize the full display area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay of standard image on standard deviceVSAvoidutilization of display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies parameter changes by transforming the aspect ratio parameter of standard images to widescreen format and adding lateral blank masked regions. This parameter change allows the image to be displayed in the widescreen display region without requiring the display device to perform complex aspect ratio detection and adjustment, maintaining ease of operation while improving display area utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7525589B2Video outputting method and device

Publication Date: 2009.04.28 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A video outputting method is provided, in which a standard image is displayed, and has a standard aspect ratio. A widescreen (wide) image is displayed, and has a widescreen aspect ratio that is horizontally longer than the standard aspect ratio. Upper and lower blank masked regions are created along and outside upper and lower edges of the standard and widescreen images irrespective of the standard and widescreen aspect ratios. So first and second processed images are created by addition of the upper and lower blank masked regions, for outputting to a widescreen (wide) display device. A lateral blank masked region is created along and outside each one of two lateral edges of the standard image. The first processed image is created further by addition of the lateral blank masked region. The widescreen display device, when the processed images are input, cuts off the upper and lower blank masked regions.