Multifocal Display Flicker Reduction via Inter-Plane Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multifocal Display (MFD) devices experience image flickering due to rapid changes in focal length, which can be exacerbated by eye sensitivity to frequency and amplitude, and increasing the frame rate or power consumption to mitigate this issue is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of circuitry that generates blurred and high-pass versions of initial 2D images across focal planes, reducing contrast and perceived flicker through inter-focal plane filtering, allowing for the creation of final 2D images that minimize visible flicker without increasing frame rate or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame rate is increased to mitigate image flickering, then the visibility of flicker is reduced, but the power consumption and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies low-pass filtering to blur images displayed on non-corresponding focal planes, converting the potentially harmful effect of image transitions into a beneficial reduction of flicker visibility. By deliberately introducing controlled blur through filtering, the system reduces the amplitude of flicker perceived by the human eye without requiring increased frame rates or power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of image display by applying different filtering operations (low-pass filtering for non-corresponding planes, high-pass filtering for corresponding planes) to modify how images are perceived over time. This parameter change in image processing effectively reduces flicker visibility while maintaining the original frame rate and power consumption levels
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame rate is increased to mitigate image flickering, then the visibility of flicker is reduced, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flicker effect into a beneficial outcome by applying low-pass filtering operations that blur images on non-corresponding focal planes. This approach reduces flicker visibility without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or increased frame rates, thereby avoiding additional system costs while effectively mitigating the harmful effect
3Object-affected harmful factors
If blurred versions of images are generated on non-corresponding focal planes, then flicker visibility is reduced, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task by applying different filtering operations to different focal planes: low-pass filtering for non-corresponding planes and high-pass filtering for corresponding planes. This segmentation allows the system to reduce flicker visibility through targeted processing rather than applying complex operations to all images, thereby managing processing complexity in a structured manner
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a device comprising circuitry configured to obtain a plurality of initial two-dimensional, 2D, images which together represent an initial three-dimensional, 3D, image, wherein each initial 2D image is associated with one of a plurality of focal planes. The device is further configured to generate one or more blurred versions of each of the initial 2D images on one or more of the focal planes other than its associated focal plane; generate a high passed version of each of the initial 2D images on its associated focal plane; and generate a plurality of final 2D images by generating for each focal plane a final 2D image based on the high passed version of the initial 2D image associated with that focal plane and one or more blurred versions generated on that focal plane from one or more of the other initial 2D images.