AR Display Alpha Value Rendering Black as Gray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR) display systems fail to accurately apply desired transparency due to the ignorance of alpha data during encoding, leading to opaque black being treated as complete transparency, which confuses black and pure transparency in additive color applications on AR glasses or headsets.
Innovation Solution
An AR display system that includes a processor configured to receive a red-green-blue (RGB) frame buffer, generate a final RGB data structure by multiplying the RGB frame buffer with offset values based on alpha values, and control an occlusion screen to transition between transparency and opacity, allowing for accurate rendering of black as gray and controlling light passage through the occlusion screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional computer graphics rendering is used with alpha blending, then transparent regions can be displayed, but opaque black (RGB=0, A=1) is indistinguishable from complete transparency (RGB=0, A=0) because alpha data is ignored during encoding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the RGB values based on alpha values before encoding. Specifically, it calculates adjusted RGB values using the formula: adjusted_RGB = RGB * (1 - alpha) + black_color * alpha, where black_color is a very dark gray (e.g., RGB=5,5,5). This parameter transformation ensures that opaque black pixels are converted to dark gray pixels with non-zero RGB values, making them distinguishable from transparent pixels while maintaining the visual appearance of black on transparent displays.
2Ease of manufacture
If alpha data is ignored during encoding for transparent displays, then the encoding process remains simple, but the display cannot accurately represent desired transparency levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the alpha-based RGB adjustment before the encoding and display processes. The system pre-calculates the adjusted RGB values using the alpha channel information, so that when the data is encoded and displayed, the transparency levels are already correctly represented. This preliminary transformation ensures accurate transparency control without adding complexity during the actual display encoding phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additive color rendering is used on AR glasses, then virtual content can be overlaid on real world, but black pixels appear transparent instead of opaque, confusing virtual object boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by transforming the color values of black pixels from pure black (RGB=0,0,0) to dark gray (RGB=5,5,5 or similar non-zero values) based on their alpha values. This color transformation ensures that black pixels in the virtual content are rendered as dark gray on transparent displays, maintaining visual distinction between opaque black regions and transparent regions, thereby preserving the boundaries and visibility of virtual objects in AR overlays.
Data Source
AI summary
Alpha values from an image frame buffer are used to control one or more of a transparent display and an occlusion screen adjacent to the transparent display to render images with coloring perceptible to a person viewing the transparent display.