Dynamic Rendering Frequency Control for Virtual Image Flicker Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art in VR and AR technologies fails to adequately consider sensing results from real spaces, leading to suboptimal rendering and display quality of virtual images, often resulting in flicker due to inaccuracies in position and attitude estimation and changes in sensor outputs.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that control rendering frequencies by implementing 2D correction and 3D rendering based on sensing data, using a 2D correction threshold to reduce flicker, particularly by adjusting rendering frequencies and frame rates according to the distance between the user and the virtual image, sensor accuracy, and environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rendering frequency is increased to improve virtual image quality, then display quality improves, but power consumption and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts rendering frequency based on user movement state. When the user is stationary or moving slowly, rendering frequency is reduced to save power. When the user moves quickly or changes direction, rendering frequency is increased to maintain image quality and reduce flicker. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high rendering quality and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the rendering frequency parameter according to sensed user movement parameters. By monitoring acceleration, velocity, and direction changes, the system adjusts the rendering frequency parameter in real-time to match user activity levels, thereby optimizing the balance between display quality and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If rendering frequency is decreased to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but flicker increases due to position and attitude estimation inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensor feedback from accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other motion sensors to continuously monitor user movement. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when movement exceeds thresholds that would cause noticeable flicker, and automatically increases rendering frequency to compensate. This feedback mechanism maintains image stability while allowing rendering frequency to be reduced during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary sensing of user movement before rendering adjustments are made. By detecting movement patterns in advance and predicting when flicker might occur, the system can proactively adjust rendering frequency to prevent flicker rather than reacting after it occurs, thereby maintaining reliability while managing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If 2D correction threshold is lowered to reduce flicker, then image stability improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage stabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the correction process into two distinct stages: 2D correction for handling position adjustments and 3D rendering for handling attitude and perspective changes. By separating these correction types and applying different thresholds and processing methods to each, the system reduces overall processing complexity while maintaining image stability. The 2D correction threshold can be optimized independently from 3D rendering parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If frame rate is adjusted dynamically to optimize power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but rendering quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidrendering quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts frame rate based on real-time sensing of user movement characteristics. During periods of minimal movement, frame rate is reduced to improve power efficiency. When movement exceeds thresholds indicating potential flicker or quality degradation, frame rate is increased to maintain rendering quality. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between power efficiency and rendering quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3779959B1Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3779959B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779959B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779959B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To improve the quality of rendering or display of a virtual image based on a sensing result relating to a real space. Provided is an information processing apparatus including a rendering control unit configured to switch a rendering frequency of a virtual image between a first rendering frequency and a second rendering frequency higher than the first rendering frequency on the basis of a sensing result relating to a real space, and a display control unit configured to cause a display device to display the virtual image on the basis of the sensing result and either the first rendering frequency or the second rendering frequency.