Information processing device, control method for information processing device, program, and recording medium

Abstract

An information processing device 1 is connected to a display monitor 2, and generates a video signal to be outputted to the display monitor 2. When the refresh rate of the display monitor 2 is variable, the information processing device selects a variable range of the variable refresh rate, which is determined as a limited range that is part of a refresh range that can be accommodated by the display monitor 2 by a predetermined limited range determination method, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate, and controls the display monitor 2 on the basis of the selected variable range pattern or predetermined fixed refresh rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, a program, and a recording medium.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, home game machines and personal computers have a graphics processor, and this graphics processor sequentially draws an image (frame) to be displayed on a display monitor.

[0003] Here, the time required for the graphics processor to draw each frame varies for each frame depending on the content of the drawing, the capabilities of the graphics processor, the resolution, the refresh rate, and the like. Therefore, a situation may occur where the graphics processor does not complete the drawing of the frame by the time when the display of the next frame should start. In such a case, a video signal based on the previous frame is output to the display monitor, and phenomena such as so-called stuttering and tearing occur.

[0004] Therefore, in recent years, in order to flexibly cope with the differences in the drawing time for each frame, a technique such as so-called variable refresh rate that dynamically changes the refresh rate of the display monitor has been considered. Under variable refresh rate, ideally, even if the drawing in the information processing apparatus is delayed, the display monitor can wait for the completion of the drawing and display the next frame.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, depending on the model of the display monitor, there may be limitations on the upper and lower limits of the display period (depending on the refresh rate) for one frame, and on the amount of change between the upper and lower limits of the display period for the next frame. For example, if the upper limit of the display period for a given frame is approximately 20.8 milliseconds (refresh rate 48Hz) and the lower limit is approximately 16.7 milliseconds (refresh rate 60Hz), some display monitors may not allow changes such as setting the lower limit of the display period for the next frame to 10 milliseconds (refresh rate 100Hz) or the upper limit to approximately 14.3 milliseconds (refresh rate 70Hz).

[0006] If the display period for the next frame requested by the information processing device for such a display monitor (hereinafter referred to as a limited display monitor) exceeds this limit, the display of subsequent frames may not comply with the information processing device's request.

[0007] Therefore, information processing devices need to process data considering display monitors that have conditions on controlling the display duration of frames, as in the example of the limited display monitor described above. However, if the display duration of the requested frames is limited depending on the model of the display monitor, for example, the development of the screen rendering program (such as a game application) executed by the information processing device becomes complicated.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device that enables the development of a program to be executed by the information processing device itself, without considering the type of display monitor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention, which solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional example, is an information processing device connected to a display monitor and which generates a video signal to be output to the display monitor, comprising: a selection unit that, when the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, selects either a variable range of a variable refresh rate defined as a limited range of the refresh range that the display monitor can handle, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate, using a predetermined limit range determination method; and a display monitor control unit that controls the display monitor based on the variable range selected by the selection unit or the predetermined fixed refresh rate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, for example, by selecting a variable refresh rate or a fixed refresh rate within a variable range that satisfies the limitations imposed by a limited display monitor, the information processing device itself does not need to consider the model of the display monitor when developing the program it runs on, thus simplifying program development. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration and connection of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined function used by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram showing an example of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates one example of operation of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of drawing and display timing by an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates another example of operation of the information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example of an embodiment of the present invention, the information processing device 1, is, for example, a home game console and is used in connection with a display monitor 2.

[0013] As illustrated in Figure 1, this information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, and a display control unit 14. In addition to these components, this information processing device 1 may also include a network interface and the like.

[0014] The control unit 11 is, for example, a program control device (at least one processor), such as a CPU. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 executes processing according to the system program and the application program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0015] Here, the application program is, for example, a game application program, and settings for using a variable refresh rate may have been configured in advance. Also, by following this application program, the control unit 11 repeatedly executes the process of drawing the screen (frame).

[0016] The system program also manages the operation of the application program and, if the refresh rate of the connected display monitor 2 is variable, selects either one of the variable range patterns stored in the memory unit 12 (described later) or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. Based on the selected variable range pattern or predetermined fixed refresh rate, it controls the display monitor 2 to output the video signal based on each frame drawn by the application program to the display monitor 2 at a predetermined timing determined by the selected variable range pattern or predetermined fixed refresh rate. The operation of this control unit 11 will be described later.

[0017] The storage unit 12 (storage device) is composed of a disk device such as an SSD or HDD, and a memory device, and holds the program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also holds at least one variable range pattern that represents the range of the variable refresh rate used when the program is executed. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 also operates as the work memory of the control unit 11. The program held in the storage unit 12 may be provided on a computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium and copied to the storage unit 12.

[0018] Here, we will explain an example of how to define this variable range pattern. In this example, the variable range pattern is defined by a lower limit Rmin and an upper limit Rmax. When defining the variable range pattern, for example, the lower limit Rmin and upper limit Rmax are defined as follows. That is, even if output is performed at the refresh rate of the lower limit Rmin in one frame and output is performed at the refresh rate of the upper limit Rmax in the next frame, the variable range pattern is defined by selecting a combination of lower and upper limits of refresh rates that can be used regardless of the type of display monitor 2 (i.e., even if display monitor 2 is a limited display monitor, it will not violate the limit).

[0019] Specifically, as an example, in a limited display monitor, if there is a limit on the rate of change in refresh rate between two adjacent frames, then the combination of Rmax and Rmin should be determined such that Rmax / Rmin falls within the range of that rate of change (for example, Rmax / Rmin < γ). This combination can be determined using a pair of related predetermined functions fmax(α) and fmin(α) that both increase monotonically with respect to an arbitrary parameter value α, as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates Rmax=fmax(α0) and Rmin=fmin(α0) when α=α0.

[0020] Here, fmax(α) and fmin(α) are defined such that for a certain α, when the previous refresh rate was fmax(α), the next refresh rate can be fmin(α) without violating the limitations of the limited display monitor, and for the same α, when the previous refresh rate was fmin(α), the next refresh rate can be fmax(α) without violating the limitations of the limited display monitor. For example, in a limited display monitor, if the upper limit of the refresh rate variation rate between two adjacent frames is γ as described above, in this example, the functions of fmax(α) and fmin(α) are defined such that fmax(α) / fmin(α) < γ holds for any α.

[0021] That is, in an example of this embodiment, when the display monitor 2 connected to the information processing apparatus 1 supports variable refresh rates, the information processing apparatus 1 determines the parameter value α to use a restricted range (a range defined by an upper limit Rmax = fmax(α) and a lower limit Rmin = fmin(α)) within the range of refresh rates supported by the display monitor 2 as the variable range of the refresh rate.

[0022] The operation unit 13 receives a user operation input from an input device and outputs it to the control unit 11. If the information processing apparatus 1 is a personal computer, the input device is a mouse or a keyboard. If the information processing apparatus 1 is a home game console, the input device is a game controller or the like.

[0023] The display control unit 14 generates a video signal representing the frame input from the control unit 11 at the instructed timing (update timing) according to the instruction input from the control unit 11 and outputs it to the display monitor 2.

[0024] Display monitor 2 receives a video signal for one frame from information processing device 1 and displays it at a predetermined timing. If display monitor 2 does not support a variable refresh rate, this timing will be at a fixed cycle. If it does support a variable refresh rate, this timing will basically be the timing specified by information processing device 1. The operation of display monitor 2 is widely known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0025] Furthermore, the display monitor 2 can output information to the information processing device 1 indicating whether or not it supports a variable refresh rate, and whether or not it is a limited display monitor.

[0026] Next, the operation of the control unit 11 in this embodiment will be described. The control unit 11 in this embodiment, for example, by executing one of the processes of the system program, realizes a configuration that functionally includes a processing execution unit 110, a setting acquisition unit 111, a selection unit 112, and a display monitor control unit 113, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0027] The processing execution unit 110 executes the processing of the application program. This processing execution unit 110 repeatedly performs tasks such as drawing the screen (frame) according to the application program. Furthermore, while an application program that utilizes a variable refresh rate is being executed, this processing execution unit 110 may output the target refresh rate value to the display monitor control unit 113 according to the instructions of the application program. The setting acquisition unit 111 acquires the settings regarding the use of a variable refresh rate for the application program that the processing execution unit 110 intends to execute.

[0028] In this example, the application program is assumed to have one of the following settings for using a variable refresh rate: (1) DONT USE… Setting to not use variable refresh rate. (2) First usage mode: A setting that utilizes a variable refresh rate, where the refresh rate is not increased even if there is processing capacity available. (3) Second Usage Mode: A setting that utilizes a variable refresh rate, where the refresh rate is increased to the maximum supported by the system's processing power (number of frames that can be drawn per second) or the Display Monitor 2 when there is sufficient processing power. However, these settings are just examples, and there may be other options, such as using the display's default settings or forcing the use of a variable refresh rate.

[0029] The selection unit 112 obtains information from the display monitor 2 connected to the information processing device 1 indicating whether or not the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate. If the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate, the selection unit 112 selects either one of the variable range patterns held by the storage unit 12 or one of a predetermined fixed refresh rate. In one example of this embodiment, the selection unit 112 is specified in relation to the processing of the application program executed by the processing execution unit 110, and refers to the settings for using a variable refresh rate (refresh rate settings) obtained by the setting acquisition unit 111, and selects either one of the variable range patterns held by the storage unit 12 or one of a predetermined fixed refresh rate.

[0030] In this example, the selection unit 112 selects a predetermined fixed refresh rate if the setting acquisition unit 111 has acquired a setting for the use of a variable refresh rate, which is (1) DONT USE. The fixed refresh rate selected by the selection unit 112 may be determined according to the refresh rate supported by the connected display monitor 2. For example, if the connected display monitor 2 supports a refresh rate of 120Hz or higher, the selection unit 112 selects 120Hz (fixed refresh rate) as the predetermined fixed refresh rate.

[0031] On the other hand, if the setting acquired by the setting acquisition unit 111 regarding the use of the variable refresh rate is (2) the first usage mode or the second usage mode (i.e., the setting to use the variable refresh rate), the selection unit 112 selects one of the variable range patterns held in the storage unit 12, for example, a variable range pattern with a lower limit Rmin = 48 Hz and an upper limit Rmax = 60 Hz.

[0032] The operation of the selection unit 112 shown here is just one example. In this embodiment, the selection unit 112 may select one of the variable range patterns held by the storage unit 12, or one of a predetermined fixed refresh rate, by other means. Further examples of this will be illustrated later.

[0033] Furthermore, if the display monitor 2 connected to the information processing device 1 does not support a variable refresh rate, the selection unit 112 selects the refresh rate of the display monitor 2 as a fixed refresh rate.

[0034] The display monitor control unit 113 controls the display monitor 2 based on the variable range pattern selected by the selection unit 112 or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. Specifically, when the selection unit 112 selects a predetermined fixed refresh rate, the display monitor control unit 113 outputs the video signal of the frame drawn by the processing execution unit 110 to the display monitor 2 at intervals determined by the fixed refresh rate Rf (every 1000 / Rf milliseconds).

[0035] Furthermore, when the selection unit 112 selects a variable range pattern, the display monitor control unit 113 outputs the lower limit Rmin and upper limit Rmax of the refresh rate indicated by the selected variable range pattern to the display monitor 2. In addition, each time the processing execution unit 110 completes drawing a frame, the display monitor control unit 113 outputs the video signal of the drawn frame to the display monitor 2.

[0036] [One example of operation] The information processing device 1 according to this embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows. For the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that a variable range pattern with a lower limit Rmin = 48 Hz and an upper limit Rmax = 60 Hz is defined, and that information representing this variable range pattern is stored in the storage unit 12.

[0037] When the user instructs the application program to start, the information processing device 1 starts the process illustrated in Figure 4 and obtains the settings for using a variable refresh rate for the application program to be started (S11). The information processing device 1 also obtains information from the connected display monitor 2 indicating whether or not the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate (S12).

[0038] Then the information processing device 1 executes a conditional judgment process (S13), for example (a) Based on the information obtained in step S12, it is determined that the display monitor 2 does not support a variable refresh rate. (b) The setting for the use of variable refresh rate of the application program obtained in step S11 is DONT USE (do not use variable refresh rate). (c) The system settings for the information processing device 1 are configured to not use a variable refresh rate. When any of the following conditions (referred to as fixed conditions) are met (S13: Fixed conditions satisfied), a predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected (S14). Note that (b) and (c) refer to situations where the application program or system program requests operation at a fixed refresh rate, regardless of whether the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate, and are equivalent to settings that force a fixed refresh rate.

[0039] The fixed refresh rate selected here is set to a predetermined refresh rate (reference refresh rate) that is used when the connected display monitor 2 is operated at a fixed refresh rate.

[0040] In this case, the information processing device 1 updates the display of the frame on the display monitor 2 at the determined fixed refresh rate (S15: Display processing at fixed refresh rate).

[0041] On the other hand, if none of the above conditions are satisfied in step S13, that is, (a) The display monitor supports a variable refresh rate, and (b) The setting for using the variable refresh rate obtained in step S11 is a setting that allows the variable refresh rate, such as the first usage mode or the second usage mode, and (c) The system settings of the information processing device 1 are not configured to not use a variable refresh rate. When (S13: when the fixed conditions are not met), the information processing device 1 selects a variable range pattern with a lower limit Rmin = 48 Hz and an upper limit Rmax = 60 Hz (S16).

[0042] In this case, the information processing device 1 outputs the lower limit Rmin and upper limit Rmax of the refresh rate indicated by the variable range pattern selected in step S16 to the display monitor 2, and thereafter, each time the application program completes drawing a frame, it outputs the video signal of the drawn frame to the display monitor 2 (S17).

[0043] As illustrated in Figure 5, the start time of display of the current frame (let's call it the i-th frame) is defined as Ti_0, Ti_1 is defined as a time point Vmin = 1000 / Rmax milliseconds after Ti_0, and Ti_2 is defined as a time point Vmax = 1000 / Rmin milliseconds after Ti_0. In this example of the embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 5, when the information processing device 1 outputs the video signal of the (i+1)th frame that it has drawn at time Ti_V, the display monitor 2 starts displaying the video of the (i+1)th frame that was drawn from that time Ti_V (that is, this time point becomes the start time of display of the next frame, Ti+1_0).

[0044] Similarly, in the next frame, when the information processing device 1 outputs the video signal for the i+2th frame that it has drawn at time Ti+1_V between time Ti+1_1 and time Ti+1_2, the display monitor 2 will start displaying the video of the i+2th frame that it has drawn from that time Ti+1_V. However, here, Ti+1_1 is defined as the time after Vmin=1000 / Rmax milliseconds from the time Ti+1_0 when the display of the frame starts, and Ti+1_2 is defined as the time after Vmax=1000 / Rmin milliseconds.

[0045] In this case, the difference between the refresh rates Ri=1000 / Ri_V and Ri+1=1000 / Ri+1_V in adjacent frames will be between Rmin and Rmax, regardless of how the application program processes it, and will remain within the limits of the limited display monitor 2. In other words, there is no need to consider the model of the display monitor 2 when developing the program executed by the information processing device 1, and program development can be simplified.

[0046] [Conditions for selecting a variable range pattern] Based on the explanation so far, the information processing device 1 is configured such that the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate (condition (a)), (b) on the condition that the system setting is configured to use a variable refresh rate, or (c) Whether or not the application program to be executed is configured to use a variable refresh rate, Alternatively, the combination of conditions (b) and (c) would determine whether to select a variable range pattern or a fixed refresh rate. However, the conditions for selecting a variable range pattern in this embodiment are not limited to these, and for example, if (c) is further (c') The application program to be executed may also be set to use a variable refresh rate and to be in the first usage mode (or second usage mode).

[0047] When using condition (c'), the variable range pattern is selected when the system setting is configured to use a variable refresh rate, the display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate, and the application program being executed is configured to use a variable refresh rate and is set to the first usage mode (or second usage mode). Note that these conditions are just examples, and other conditions may also be used.

[0048] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may decide whether to select a variable range pattern or a fixed refresh rate based on the reference refresh rate and the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor 2.

[0049] For example, if the information processing device 1 decides to select a variable range pattern, it first selects a variable range pattern for the variable refresh rate assuming a reference refresh rate (BRR) of 60Hz (i.e., in the case of HDMI 2.1, this would be a variable range pattern with an upper limit Rmax of 60Hz) and operates accordingly. Then, if the display monitor 2 has a capability where the upper limit Rmax of its variable refresh rate is, for example, 120Hz or higher, and is not a limited display monitor, it appropriately selects a variable range from its stored variable range patterns whose variable range falls within the variable refresh rate range of the display monitor and operates accordingly.

[0050] However, even if a variable refresh rate pattern is selected, if the Display Monitor 2 has a base refresh rate BRR of 120Hz when a fixed refresh rate is set, and the upper limit Rmax of the refresh rate when a variable refresh rate is selected is less than BRR=120Hz, or if Display Monitor 2 is a limited display monitor, then it may operate with a fixed refresh rate.

[0051] This is because, when a variable refresh rate with a BRR of 120Hz is expected, it is not possible to operate with an upper limit of 120Hz. Therefore, the system is controlled to operate with a fixed refresh rate of BRR=120Hz from the outset.

[0052] [Selection when there are multiple variable range patterns] Furthermore, if a variable range pattern is selected in step S16, and there are multiple variable range patterns in the storage unit 12, the information processing device 1 selects one of those variable range patterns.

[0053] In this case, the information processing device 1 may, for example, select a range that includes the refresh rate that the application program to be executed has as its target output (with the lowest or highest upper or lower limit being among them).

[0054] The information processing device 1 may also select a range within the refresh rate range that the display monitor 2 can handle, such that its upper or lower limit is the lowest refresh rate (or the highest refresh rate).

[0055] [Examples that do not use a fixed refresh rate] In the explanation so far, the information processing device 1 has been described as being able to control the display at a fixed refresh rate under certain conditions, even if the connected display monitor 2 supports a variable refresh rate (i.e., it is connected to a display monitor 2 with a variable refresh rate) and the running application program is set to use a variable refresh rate.

[0056] However, in another example of this embodiment, if the display is connected to a display monitor 2 with a variable refresh rate, and the running application program is configured to utilize the variable refresh rate, the display control may always be performed using the variable refresh rate.

[0057] In this alternative example, the information processing device 1 determines the variable range of the variable refresh rate within a limited range of the refresh rate range that the connected display monitor 2 can handle, using a predetermined limit range determination method. Based on this determined variable range, it controls the display monitor 2. Specifically, even if the information processing device 1 in this example has chosen to perform display control at a fixed refresh rate in the examples described so far, if it is connected to a display monitor 2 with a variable refresh rate and the running application program is set to use a variable refresh rate, it will select one of the variable range patterns already described and perform display control at a variable refresh rate within the upper and lower limits indicated by the selected variable range pattern.

[0058] [Method for determining the restricted area] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may select from at least one predetermined variable range pattern (corresponding to a combination candidate) to determine a limited range of the refresh rate range that the display monitor 2 can handle as the variable range of the variable refresh rate. However, this is just one example of a method for determining the limited range, and other methods may be used.

[0059] For example, the information processing device 1 may determine the lower and upper limits of the restricted range using predetermined functions that are related to each other, namely, the fmax and fmin mentioned above, as illustrated in Figure 2. In this example, the information processing device 1 determines α which includes a predetermined target refresh rate value within the range of fmin(α) or greater and fmax(α) or less. For example, the information processing device 1 uses the target refresh rate value Rtarget to find α such that fmax(α)=Rtarget, sets the upper limit Rmax as Rtarget=fmax(α), and sets the lower limit Rmin as fmin(α) using this α.

[0060] [Change range] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may determine the variable range of the variable refresh rate at predetermined timings, for example, at each timing instructed by the application program while the processing execution unit 110 of the control unit 11 is executing the application program.

[0061] In this case, the information processing device 1 acquires information about the refresh rate when displaying the previous frame. This information can be obtained from the display monitor 2. Based on the acquired information about the refresh rate when displaying the previous frame, the information processing device 1 determines the variable range of the variable refresh rate. As an example, the information processing device 1 sets the target value Rtarget of the changed refresh rate as follows.

[0062] In other words, the information processing device 1 determines the target value Rtarget of the changed refresh rate according to the instructions of the application program. In this example, the creator of the application program sets the target value of the changed refresh rate. Specifically, in the case of a game application, the target value of the changed refresh rate is set to a relatively high value before transitioning to a scene with rapid screen changes.

[0063] The information processing device 1 may also determine a target value for the refresh rate after the change based on the load during the display of previous frames. For example, the information processing device 1 uses the average refresh rate Rav (which can be the arithmetic mean) when displaying past N frames (where N is an integer of 1 or more) and the variable range of the variable refresh rate (lower limit Rmin and upper limit Rmax) when displaying those past N frames to calculate a value L representing the load, using the formula L = (Rav - Rmin) / (Rmax - Rmin). When this load value L exceeds a predetermined threshold, for example 0.8, the device determines that the load is high relative to the set variable range and sets the target value Rtarget for the refresh rate after the change to, for example, Rav.

[0064] Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 1 may execute a process of shifting to a power-saving mode. When shifting to the power-saving mode, the target value of the refreshed rate after the change is set to be lower than the current target value. However, when the target value of the refreshed rate (application target value) is set according to an instruction from an application program in the information processing apparatus 1, the target value after the change is determined with the target value as the lower limit.

[0065] [Example of changing step by step] Note that the target value Rtarget of the refreshed rate determined by the information processing apparatus 1 being instructed by an application program or the like may not be included in the limited range including the refreshed rate Rcurrent when displaying the immediately previous frame obtained above. That is, using the above fmax and fmin, · If Rtarget > Rcurrent, whether the upper limit fmax(α) of the limited range represented by using α that satisfies Rcurrent = fmin(α) is such that Rtarget > fmax(α), or · If Rtarget < Rcurrent, when the lower limit fmin(α) of the limited range represented by using α that satisfies Rcurrent = fmax(α) is such that Rtarget < fmin(α), the information processing apparatus 1 determines that the target value Rtarget of the refreshed rate is not included in the limited range including the refreshed rate Rcurrent when displaying the immediately previous frame obtained above (the target value cannot be reached by a single change).

[0066] Thus, when it is determined that the target value cannot be reached by a single change, the information processing apparatus 1 may operate as follows.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the information processing apparatus 1 examines whether Rtarget > Rcurrent (S21). If Rtarget > Rcurrent (S21: Yes), it obtains an α that satisfies Rcurrent = fmin(α) (S22), and sets the variable range of the variable refresh rate for displaying the next frame to the lower limit fmin(α) and the upper limit fmax(α) using the obtained α here (S23).

[0068] Hereinafter, while fmax(α) < Rtarget (S24: Yes), the information processing apparatus 1 repeatedly executes steps S22 to S23 with the refresh rate when the next frame is displayed as Rcurrent. When the information processing apparatus 1 determines that fmax(α) ≥ Rtarget (S24: No), it obtains an α for which Rtarget = fmax(α) (S25), sets the variable range of the variable refresh rate thereafter to the lower limit fmin(α) and the upper limit fmax(α) using the obtained α here (S26), and ends the process.

[0069] On the other hand, if Rtarget ≤ Rcurrent in step S21 (S21: No), the information processing apparatus obtains an α that satisfies Rcurrent = fmax(α) (S31), and sets the variable range of the variable refresh rate for displaying the next frame to the lower limit fmin(α) and the upper limit fmax(α) using the obtained α here (S32).

[0070] Hereinafter, while fmin(α) > Rtarget (S33: Yes), the information processing apparatus 1 repeatedly executes steps S31 to S32 with the refresh rate when the next frame is displayed as Rcurrent. When the information processing apparatus 1 determines that fmin(α) ≤ Rtarget (S33: No), it obtains an α for which Rtarget = fmin(α) (S34), moves to step S26, and sets the variable range of the variable refresh rate thereafter to the lower limit fmin(α) and the upper limit fmax(α) using the α obtained in step S34, and ends the process.

[0071] In this example, step S25 finds α such that Rtarget = fmax(α), and step S34 finds α such that Rtarget = fmin(α). However, this example is not necessarily limited to this case, and in any process, the information processing device 1 only needs to find α such that fmax(α) ≥ Rtarget ≥ fmin(α).

[0072] In this example of the embodiment, it is possible to transition to control at the target value without exceeding the limit range by taking the time to display multiple frames. This eliminates the need to consider the type of display monitor when developing the program executed by the information processing device 1 itself, thus simplifying program development. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1 Information processing device, 2 Display monitor, 11 Control unit, 12 Storage unit, 13 Operation unit, 14 Display control unit, 110 Processing execution unit, 111 Setting acquisition unit, 112 Selection unit, 113 Display monitor control unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device connected to a display monitor and which generates a video signal to be output to the display monitor, A selection unit that, when the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, selects either a variable range of the variable refresh rate defined as a limited range of the refresh rate range that the display monitor can support, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate, When the refresh rate setting indicates that a variable refresh rate will not be used, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected, and the refresh rate setting is specified by the settings of an application program that instructs the information processing device to generate the video signal, or by the system settings of the information processing device. or If a fixed refresh rate is not enforced, and the upper limit of the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor is less than the reference refresh rate when the display monitor is set to a fixed refresh rate, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected. and, The variable range is selected by a predetermined pair of functions, including a first function that indicates the lower limit of the variable range of the variable refresh rate and a second function that indicates the upper limit. Selection section, A display monitor control unit controls the display monitor based on the variable range selected by the selection unit or the predetermined fixed refresh rate, Information processing device, including

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, A storage unit that holds at least one variable range pattern which is a candidate combination of the lower limit and the upper limit of the variable range of the variable refresh rate, The selection unit, when the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, selects a variable range defined by selecting one of the retained variable range patterns, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. The display monitor control unit is an information processing device that controls the display monitor based on the variable range selected by the selection unit or the predetermined fixed refresh rate.

3. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The system further comprises a processing execution unit that performs predetermined processing, including the process of drawing a screen to be displayed by the aforementioned display monitor. The information processing device generates the video signal based on the screen drawn by the processing execution unit. The selection unit is an information processing device that, by referring to a refresh rate setting specified in relation to the predetermined processing executed by the processing execution unit, determines and selects the variable range based on the refresh rate setting, or selects a predetermined fixed refresh rate.

4. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The selection unit is an information processing device that refers to the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor and selects either one of the stored variable range patterns or a predetermined fixed refresh rate.

5. An information processing apparatus according to claim 2, The system further comprises a processing execution unit that performs predetermined processing, including the process of drawing a screen to be displayed by the aforementioned display monitor. The information processing device generates the video signal based on the screen drawn by the processing execution unit. The selection unit refers to a refresh rate setting specified in relation to the predetermined process executed by the processing execution unit and the variable range of the display monitor's refresh rate, and selects either one of the stored variable range patterns or a predetermined fixed refresh rate.

6. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, The system further comprises a processing execution unit that performs predetermined processing, including the process of drawing a screen to be displayed by the aforementioned display monitor. The selection unit is an information processing device that, when the variable range is selected, determines the variable range of the variable refresh rate at predetermined timings specified by the processing execution unit.

7. A control method for an information processing device connected to a display monitor and which generates a video signal to be output to the display monitor, wherein the control method is: When the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, the method involves selecting either a variable range of the variable refresh rate, which is defined as a limited range of the refresh rate that the display monitor can support, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. When the refresh rate setting indicates that a variable refresh rate will not be used, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected, and the refresh rate setting is specified by the settings of an application program that instructs the information processing device to generate the video signal, or by the system settings of the information processing device. or If a fixed refresh rate is not enforced, and the upper limit of the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor is less than the reference refresh rate when the display monitor is set to a fixed refresh rate, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected. and, The variable range is selected by a predetermined pair of functions, including a first function that indicates the lower limit of the variable range of the variable refresh rate and a second function that indicates the upper limit. That thing, Controlling the display monitor based on the selected predetermined fixed refresh rate or the variable range. A control method for an information processing device, including the control method for an information processing device.

8. A program for an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device is connected to a display monitor and generates a video signal to be output to the display monitor. The selection means of the information processing device selects, when the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, either a variable range of the variable refresh rate defined as a limited range of the refresh range that the display monitor can handle, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. When the refresh rate setting indicates that a variable refresh rate will not be used, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected, and the refresh rate setting is specified by the settings of an application program that instructs the information processing device to generate the video signal, or by the system settings of the information processing device. or If a fixed refresh rate is not enforced, and the upper limit of the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor is less than the reference refresh rate when the display monitor is set to a fixed refresh rate, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected. and, The variable range is selected by a predetermined pair of functions, including a first function that indicates the lower limit of the variable range of the variable refresh rate and a second function that indicates the upper limit. That thing, The control means of the information processing device controls the display monitor based on the variable range selected by the selection means or the predetermined fixed refresh rate. A program that causes something to happen.

9. A computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium that stores a program executed by an information processing device connected to a display monitor and which generates video signals to be output to the display monitor, When the program is executed, the information processing device will: When the refresh rate of the display monitor is variable, the method involves selecting either a variable range of the variable refresh rate, which is defined as a limited range of the refresh rate that the display monitor can support, or a predetermined fixed refresh rate. When the refresh rate setting indicates that a variable refresh rate will not be used, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected, and the refresh rate setting is specified by the settings of an application program that instructs the information processing device to generate the video signal, or by the system settings of the information processing device. or If a fixed refresh rate is not enforced, and the upper limit of the variable range of the refresh rate of the display monitor is less than the reference refresh rate when the display monitor is set to a fixed refresh rate, the predetermined fixed refresh rate is selected. and, The variable range is selected by a predetermined pair of functions, including a first function that indicates the lower limit of the variable range of the variable refresh rate and a second function that indicates the upper limit. That thing, Controlling the display monitor based on the selected predetermined fixed refresh rate or the variable range. A computer-readable, non-temporary recording medium storing the program that causes the execution of the process including the above.

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