Content-Aware Frame Rate Switching for Stable Display Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses face issues with insufficient drawing performance when frame rates are fixed, leading to display disorders such as stuttering or tearing, and updating frame images at variable rates can be inappropriate in certain situations.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that switches between fixed and variable frame rates based on the content being displayed, using a frame image drawing section and an operation mode switching section to adapt the frame rate accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed frame rate is used, then display stability is improved, but drawing performance cannot be fully utilized and may cause display disorders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay stabilityVSAvoiddrawing performance utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic frame rate switching between fixed and variable modes based on the type of content being displayed. The determining unit identifies whether content is a game or video, and the switching unit adjusts the frame rate mode accordingly, making the system adaptable rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frame rate parameter dynamically based on content type. For games, it uses variable frame rates to match drawing performance, while for videos, it uses fixed frame rates to maintain stability, thereby optimizing the parameter for each specific use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a variable frame rate is used, then drawing performance is optimized, but display disorders such as stuttering or tearing may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawing performanceVSAvoiddisplay stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different frame rate strategies to different content types locally. Games receive variable frame rate treatment to maximize performance, while videos receive fixed frame rate treatment to ensure stability, allowing each content type to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If variable refresh rate is used, then the information processing apparatus can draw frame images at a desirable frame rate, but it is not appropriate for all content types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rate flexibilityVSAvoidcontent compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between fixed and variable frame rate modes based on content type detection. The determining unit identifies whether the content is a game or video, and the switching unit adjusts the operation mode accordingly, making the frame rate strategy adaptive rather than universal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12505818B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program with frame rate optimization

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

Provided is an information processing apparatus that draws a display frame image to be displayed on a display apparatus and transmits the drawn display frame image to the display apparatus in one of operation modes of a fixed frame rate and a variable frame rate. The information processing apparatus draws a display frame image and transmits the drawn display frame image to the display apparatus in the operation mode of a variable frame rate, and switches, in a case where a moving image including contents that are drawn already when the drawing of the display frame image is performed is to be displayed on the display apparatus, the operation mode to the operation mode of a fixed frame rate.