Digital Display Plotter Latency Reduction via Dual Buffer Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital display devices, such as digital micro-mirror devices, experience latency when displaying images in cursive mode due to delays in transferring cursive inputs to the display buffer and subsequent transfer to the digital display device, resulting in a noticeable lag between image generation and display.
Innovation Solution
A plotter system utilizing a dual image buffer arrangement where cursive inputs are generated and stored during alternate refresh periods, allowing for simultaneous processing and display by associating each input with its update phase and mixing inputs from one buffer with the other during transfer, thereby reducing the latency and enabling image display while still being received and processed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If cursive inputs are transferred sequentially to a single image buffer during a refresh period, then the display can be updated with new images, but the transport period and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single image buffer is divided into multiple buffers (first image buffer and second image buffer), allowing cursive inputs to be distributed across different buffers during alternate refresh periods. This segmentation enables parallel processing and reduces the transport period by allowing simultaneous accumulation of inputs in multiple buffers rather than sequential transfer through a single buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
Cursive inputs are accumulated in the image buffers during alternate refresh periods before being transferred to the display device. This preliminary accumulation action allows the display to receive and process inputs during the refresh period itself, rather than waiting for the transfer to complete after the refresh period ends, thereby reducing overall latency.
2Speed
If images are displayed only after complete transfer from the buffer, then display stability is maintained, but the transport delay causes noticeable lag
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary accumulation of cursive inputs in multiple buffers during alternate refresh periods, then transfers and displays these inputs during the same refresh period. This preliminary action allows the display to show images faster without compromising stability, as the inputs are prepared and validated before the actual display operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual buffer system enables continuous processing and display of cursive inputs throughout the refresh period. Instead of waiting for complete transfer after the refresh period, the system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the accumulation, transfer, and display operations across the two buffers, thereby increasing display speed while maintaining reliability through the structured buffer management.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a digital display plotter for plotting images on a digital display device (18). A cursive imagery generator (12) generates cursive inputs at a plurality of respective update phases during a refresh period of the display device. A control for the display device activates selected pixels of the digital display device in response to respective said cursive inputs, activation being controlled subsequent to each update phase during a refresh period. An input store (14, 16) associates each cursive input with an update phase that the cursive input was generated during a refresh period. The control is responsive to the input store and configured to deactivate the selected pixels activated in response to each cursive input dependent on the associated update phase of each cursive input.