Rolling Frame Buffer Slicing for Low-Latency Image Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Projection-based displays face challenges with high latency due to the double buffer operation, which requires twice the memory size for frame storage and results in significant display delays.
Innovation Solution
A rolling buffer operation is implemented, where frames are split into multiple slices, stored in a single frame buffer with more slices than the slice count, and written and read sequentially, reducing memory requirements and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If double buffer operation is used to store and display frames, then image display completeness is ensured, but memory size requirement increases to twice the frame size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each frame into multiple ordered frame slices (e.g., first frame slice, second frame slice, etc.) and stores them sequentially in a single memory buffer. This segmentation allows the system to display complete images while using only single-frame memory size, as the display device reads and assembles slices in order rather than requiring complete frame duplication.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If double buffer operation is used to swap writing and reading operations, then continuous display is maintained, but display latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rolling buffer mechanism where frame slices are written to the memory buffer in advance of being displayed. The write head and read head operate independently, with new frame slices being written to subsequent buffer locations while previous slices are being read and displayed. This preliminary writing action eliminates the latency associated with traditional buffer swapping.
3Loss of time
If frame slices are written and read independently in a single buffer, then latency is reduced, but buffer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic write and read heads that move through the buffer in a rolling fashion. The write head writes frame slices to sequentially advancing buffer locations, while the read head reads from previously written locations. When the write head reaches the buffer end, it wraps around to the beginning, creating a dynamic, continuously moving buffer management system that simplifies control logic while maintaining low latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a display device configured to display frames of images, a memory coupled to the display device and configured to store image data representing a sequence of the frames, and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller is configured to split a frame in the sequence of frames into a slice count of frame slices according to an order of respective frame slice numbers, partition the memory into a number of buffer slices in an ordered sequence wherein the number of buffer slices is greater than or equal to the slice count, write each frame slice in the sequence of frames to a next free buffer slice in the ordered sequence of buffer slices, read each written frame slice to the display device to display the written frame slice with other displayed frame slices according to the order of the respective frame slice numbers, and return to a first buffer slice in the ordered sequence after writing a frame slice in a last buffer slice in the ordered sequence.