System and method for a multi-primary wide gamut color system
Inventors
Bogdanowicz, Mitchell J. • Carbonara, Corey P. • Korpi, Michael F. • DeFilippis, James M. • Mandle, Gary B.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11631358-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-18
Expiration Date
2039-10-21
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Abstract
The present invention includes systems and methods for a multi-primary color system for display. A multi-primary color system increases the number of primary colors available in a color system and color system equipment. Increasing the number of primary colors reduces metameric errors from viewer to viewer. One embodiment of the multi-primary color system includes Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta primaries. The systems of the present invention maintain compatibility with existing color systems and equipment and provide systems for backwards compatibility with older color systems.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a multi-primary color system for display technology that expands upon conventional RGB-based systems. By incorporating additional primary colors, specifically using a set based on the CIE Yxy color space that includes luminance (Y) and two colorimetric coordinates (x, y), the system enables more accurate color rendering and minimizes viewer-to-viewer variation. Embodiments of the multi-primary system include combinations such as RGBCMY (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow), with system components configured to render, transfer, and display images using these color coordinates.
A key issue addressed by the invention is the inadequacy of prior art in handling wide-gamut color systems in a manner that reduces metameric errors and maintains compatibility with existing color equipment and standards. The background discusses how existing attempts at expanding color gamuts, by relying on narrow-band emission or proprietary additions within the display alone, often increase power requirements, operational cost, and viewer color inconsistencies. Furthermore, those approaches lack system-level solutions that support acquisition, transport, and display of additional color primaries end-to-end.
The invention introduces systems comprising at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), a display engine, at least one display controller, and a plurality of display devices, all configured to handle image data represented in the CIE Yxy color space. The system supports processing, scaling, encoding/decoding, and distribution of rendered image data—ensuring the output is compatible with both legacy and wide-gamut display devices. The inventive architecture enables the transmission of enhanced color signals while maintaining or improving backward compatibility with traditional RGB infrastructure.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims, each describing core inventive features of a display system based on multi-primary color processing and CIE Yxy color space representation.
System for displaying image data using processed Yxy color space data
A system comprises at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), a display engine, at least one display controller, and a plurality of display devices. The system receives image data that includes a set of primary color signals corresponding to values in the CIE Yxy color space (luminance Y and colorimetric coordinates x and y). The GPU renders the image data, transmitting the rendered data—including a channel for luminance (Y), a channel for the first colorimetric coordinate (x), and a channel for the second colorimetric coordinate (y)—through the display engine and display controller. The display controller scales the rendered image data for distribution, and the display devices display the processed data.
System for displaying image data transmitting image display signal to each device
A system includes at least one GPU, a display engine, at least one display controller, and a plurality of display devices. The system renders image data in the CIE Yxy color space with luminance and colorimetric coordinates. The display controller creates and transmits an image display signal to each display device; this signal includes a portion of the image display data. Each display device then displays the image display data as received.
System for displaying image data where image display data contains a plurality of images
A system comprising at least one GPU, a display engine, at least one display controller, and a plurality of display devices. The system is configured for input image data in CIE Yxy space, with rendering, transmission, and scaling as described. This claim explicitly covers the scenario where the image display data includes a plurality of images, supporting systems capable of handling and displaying multiple images across multiple display devices.
The claims cover multi-primary color display systems operating with image data defined in CIE Yxy space, detailing rendering, data processing, transmission, and display of such data—including approaches for distributing portions of image data to display devices, and enabling the handling of multiple images within a system.
Stated Advantages
Increasing the number of primary colors reduces metameric errors from viewer to viewer.
The systems maintain compatibility with existing color systems and equipment, providing backwards compatibility with older color systems.
The system enables a wider color gamut for displays, allowing for more accurate color reproduction.
Use of CIE Yxy color space allows for orthogonal separation of luminance and chromaticity, enabling efficient subsampling and better data compression.
The system supports transmission of enhanced color signals over existing industry-standard formats (e.g., SDI, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet) with little or no modification.
Compatibility with both legacy and newly designed display technologies, including projectors, OLEDs, LCDs, quantum dot displays, direct-emissive displays, and video walls.
Enables more uniform viewer sensation of color by minimizing the impact of individual physiological differences.
The system architecture provides scalability for parallel processing with multiple GPUs and multi-device configurations (including video walls).
Documented Applications
Application in video wall systems, allowing distributed image data across multiple synchronized display devices.
Use in display devices with various technologies, such as LCDs, LEDs, quantum dot displays, OLEDs, microLEDs, emissive displays, and projectors.
Support for presenting images in light field displays and three-dimensional visualizations without wearable devices.
Real-time or near real-time virtual production, including color-accurate video walls for use on film and television sets.
Conversion and transmission of wide-gamut color signals over standardized video and data transport formats (e.g., SDI, HDMI, Ethernet, DisplayPort).
Implementation in large display installations for crowds or distance viewing, such as public signage or event venues.
Enabling parallel GPU architectures and cloud/edge computing platforms for distributed color-accurate image processing and display.
Interested in licensing this patent?