Image Generation Device for HMD Mirroring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mirroring technologies for head-mounted displays often result in degraded image quality due to distortion correction reversal, which affects the quality of the mirroring image displayed on flat plate type devices.

Innovation Solution

An image generation system that includes a source image generation unit producing undistorted source images, an HMD image generation unit for head-mounted displays, and a mirroring image generation unit for flat plate type displays, eliminating the need for reverse distortion correction by generating images directly from the source image, ensuring high-quality mirroring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distortion correction reversal is applied to generate mirroring images from HMD images, then the mirroring function is enabled, but image quality is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemirroring functionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating the mirroring image directly from the undistorted source image before the HMD image distortion is applied. The mirroring image generation unit creates the mirrored version using the original undistorted coordinates, avoiding the need for subsequent distortion correction reversal that would degrade image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If HMD images are generated with distortion for head-mounted display, then the HMD display function is achieved, but the source image becomes distorted for mirroring purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHMD display functionVSAvoidsource image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the image generation process into independent parallel paths: one path generates HMD images with distortion applied for the head-mounted display, while another path generates mirroring images directly from the undistorted source image. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without one degrading the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If mirroring image is generated from HMD image, then the mirroring process is simplified, but image degradation occurs due to double distortion processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemirroring process complexityVSAvoidmirroring image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating the mirroring image directly from the undistorted source image before any HMD-specific distortion is applied. This eliminates the need for distortion correction reversal and avoids double distortion processing, maintaining image quality while enabling the mirroring function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240236290A9Image generation device, program, image generation method, and image displaying system

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

An image generation device 200 includes a source image generation unit 203 that generates a source image to which no distortion is provided, an HMD image generation unit 204a that generates an HMD image to be displayed on a head-mounted display, in reference to the source image, and a mirroring image generation unit 204b that generates a mirroring image for mirroring of the HMD image on a flat plate type display, in reference to the source image.