VR Display Frame Buffer Segmentation for Image Delay Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Android-based virtual reality apparatuses experience longer image delays from rendering to display, leading to an undesirable user experience due to the system's design not being optimized for virtual reality, causing image shaking and dizziness.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that refreshes the current frame image from the frame buffer to the display screen from top to bottom, notifying the application to draw the next frame image when the current frame is refreshed to a predetermined row, and updates content in the frame buffer area using a frame synchronization signal to avoid image tearing and reduce processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the current Android dual buffer rendering mechanism is used, then the system maintains compatibility with Android applications, but the image delay from rendering to display increases causing poor user experience

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAndroid system compatibilityVSAvoidimage delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frame buffer into multiple row regions and divides the rendering process into stages. While the display refreshes the current frame from top to bottom, the application can simultaneously draw the next frame in the frame buffer starting from the bottom rows upward. This segmentation allows overlapping of display and rendering operations, reducing image delay while maintaining Android compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by allowing the application to start drawing the next frame before the current frame display is completely finished. The display controller notifies the application when a predetermined row is reached during refresh, enabling the application to begin preliminary rendering of the next frame in advance, thus reducing the overall image delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the entire current frame is refreshed before updating to the next frame, then image tearing is avoided, but the processing time and image delay increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage integrityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frame buffer update process into multiple regions (predetermined rows from top, remaining rows). The display controller manages which region is being refreshed at any given time and notifies the application accordingly. This allows the application to update different regions at different times without causing image tearing, as the display controller ensures proper synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic rendering approach where the application can flexibly update the frame buffer in different regions at different times based on display refresh status. The system dynamically adjusts when the application can draw the next frame based on which rows have been refreshed, allowing optimal overlap of rendering and display operations while maintaining image integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the application waits for the current frame to complete rendering before starting the next frame, then resource conflicts are avoided, but the frame rate and responsiveness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering stabilityVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary action by allowing the application to start drawing the next frame before the current frame rendering is completely finished. The display controller provides notifications when predetermined rows are reached, enabling the application to begin preliminary rendering operations in advance, thus increasing frame rate and responsiveness while maintaining rendering stability through controlled region updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by allowing the application to continuously draw the next frame in the frame buffer without idle waiting periods. While the display refreshes the current frame, the application can continuously update the next frame content in the frame buffer, ensuring that rendering operations are always productive and eliminating wasted time when the application would otherwise have to wait.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9953621B2Method and apparatus for shortening image delay, and virtual reality apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 BEIJING PICO TECH

AI summary

A method for shortening image delay includes, but is not limited to refreshing a current frame image from a frame buffer area to the display screen from top to bottom, and notifying an application to draw next frame image when the current frame image is refreshed to a predetermined row. The method further includes updating content in predetermined rows from top of next frame image drawn by the application to the frame buffer area of the system, and replacing content in the predetermined rows of the current frame image that have already been displayed The method further includes updating the content in the remaining rows of next frame image drawn by the application to the frame buffer area, and replacing content in the remaining rows of the current frame image that have already been displayed.