VR Display System Latency and Energy Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current virtual reality masks face issues with high latency in image display, leading to user discomfort, and existing solutions like increasing refresh rate consume excessive energy or result in low brightness and high costs.

Innovation Solution

An image display system that includes a user parameter analyzer, graphics calculator, image buffer, and pixel buffer devices to calculate and display secondary images by shifting parts of a main image based on user parameters, optimizing energy consumption and brightness while maintaining responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the image refresh rate is increased to reduce latency, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases and electrical autonomy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the full-resolution main image into multiple lower-resolution secondary images that are displayed in sequence. Instead of refreshing the entire high-resolution image at high rates, the system segments the image content and cycles through different secondary images (e.g., focusing on different regions or aspects) to create the perception of a complete image. This segmentation allows the system to maintain perceived image quality while dramatically reducing the computational and energy cost of image generation and display refresh.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic action by displaying secondary images at specific intervals rather than continuously refreshing the full image. The display controller cycles through different secondary images in a periodic manner, with each secondary image being displayed for a predetermined time period. This periodic display approach reduces the overall refresh rate requirements while maintaining the illusion of continuous image presentation, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If images are displayed only part of the time with flashing to reduce energy consumption, then electrical autonomy is improved, but image brightness decreases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidimage brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Each secondary image is designed to display specific local qualities or features of the main image with enhanced detail, while other regions are left to be interpolated by the user's brain. For example, one secondary image might focus on the central region with high detail while peripheral regions are dimmed or omitted. This local quality approach allows the system to concentrate display resources on critical areas, maintaining perceived image quality while reducing overall energy consumption and improving brightness in key regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If a graphics calculator is used to generate images in real-time, then image display responsiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display responsivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of calculating and displaying the complete main image at full resolution, the system performs partial action by generating only the necessary secondary images that contain critical information. The graphics calculator generates simplified versions or specific regions of interest rather than the entire high-resolution image. This partial generation approach reduces computational complexity and device requirements while maintaining the essential visual information needed for user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3997690B1Image display system and control method
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 ALEDIA INC
  • EP3997690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3997690B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an image display system (10), comprising at least one user parameter analyser (101) configured to determine at least one parameter associated with a user, an image display screen (104) comprising a plurality of luminous pixels, at least one graphics processing unit (102) configured to process at least one first main image (110) that can be displayed on the image display screen (104) and that is representative of a first zone of a main scene, at least one image buffer device (103) configured to store at least the first main image (110), a graphics controller (104a) configured to control a display of at least one first secondary image (111) on the image display screen (104), the first secondary image (111) consisting of a first portion of the first main image (110) included in the first main image (110) and positioned within the first main image (110) as a function of a first user parameter (120). A first pixel buffer device is capable of receiving a second set of information from a second pixel buffer device, and the second set of information replaces the first set of information in the first pixel buffer device when the image display screen changes from displaying the first secondary image to displaying a second secondary image.