Method and apparatus for selective mono/stereo visual display

Abstract

To enhance a mono-output-only controller such as a mobile OS to support selective mono / stereo / mixed output, a stereo controller is instantiated in communication with the mono controller. The stereo controller coordinates stereo output, but calls and adapts functions already present in the mono controller for creating surface and image buffers, rendering, compositing, and / or merging. For content designated for 2D display, left and right surfaces are rendered from a mono perspective; for content designated for 3D display, left and right surfaces are rendered from left and right stereo perspectives, respectively. Some, all, or none of available content may be delivered to a stereo display in 3D, with a remainder delivered in 2D, and with comparable content still delivered in 2D to the mono display. The stereo controller is an add-on; the mono controller need not be replaced, removed, deactivated, or modified, facilitating transparency and backward compatibility.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This disclosure relates to displaying graphical content in one or both of mono and stereo formats. More particularly, the disclosure relates to selectively outputting mono and / or stereo visual display from one or more graphical content sources, enabling exhibition of content in 2D from mono displays and selective exhibition of 2D and / or 3D content (individually or together) from stereo displays, with the content potentially corresponding between displays.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0002]Mono displays may deliver content rendered from a single perspective or point of view. Examples may include screens for smart phones, tablets, laptop computers, desktop monitors, and so forth. For mono displays, the content as displayed may appear two dimensional or “flat”. Even if the content source is three dimensional, such as a model of a three dimensional object or environment, rendering and display result in output that is or that at least appears to be two dimensiona...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a system for displaying mono, stereo, and combined mono / stereo display on a processor. The system includes a mono controller and a stereo controller that work together to create a seamless display experience. The mono controller is responsible for rendering and compositing content, while the stereo controller is responsible for controlling the perspective and merging of the content. The system can also include a left and right stereo display for showing 2D and 3D content, as well as a mobile operating system and various graphical content sources such as 2D interfaces, models, icons, and augmented reality information. The technical effects of this patent include creating a seamless display experience, controlling the perspective and merging of content, and showing 2D and 3D content on a mobile device.

Problems solved by technology

However, delivery of content may present difficulties if the content varies in dimensionality (e.g. some content is 2D while some is 3D, content varies over time between 2D and 3D, content is 2D for one device but 3D for another, etc.), and / or if a controller for delivering content is adapted only for supporting one type of content (e.g. mono content only, stereo content only, etc.).

For example, for a mobile operating system adapted specifically to deliver mono output to a mono display (e.g. on a smart phone), addressing a stereo display and / or facilitating stereo output thereto may be problematic, even if a stereo display were made available.

The mobile operating system in such an example may be unsuited for handling stereo content (e.g. for processing left and right stereo feeds rather than a single mono feed, etc.), or for mixed mono / stereo content, etc.

Conversely, for a controller adapted specifically to deliver stereo output to a stereo display (e.g. a head mounted display), addressing a mono display and / or facilitating output thereto likewise may be problematic.

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