Display Frame Rate Switching for Smooth Motion Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Frame rate switching in electronic devices leads to fluctuations in image frame sliding speed, causing screen freezing and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a layered software architecture that includes an application layer, image compositing system, hardware abstraction layer, and hardware composer to smoothly transition between frame rates by drawing and rendering image frames at different intervals, using Vsync messages and hardware composer control to manage frame rate switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the frame rate is increased to improve motion rendering quality, then the rendering quality is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion rendering qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the frame rate adjustable and variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically switches between different frame rates (e.g., 30fps, 60fps, 120fps) based on real-time conditions such as motion intensity, user preferences, and power availability. This allows the rendering quality to be optimized when needed while reducing power consumption during static scenes or when high quality is not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frame rate parameter based on different operating conditions. By monitoring motion intensity through image processing and comparing consecutive frames, the system adjusts the frame rate parameter to match the actual content requirements. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by using high frame rates only when motion detection indicates they are necessary, thereby maintaining quality while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the frame rate is switched frequently to adapt to different scenes, then the adaptability is improved, but the processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescene adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the video content through motion detection algorithms. The system compares consecutive frames, calculates motion intensity, and uses this feedback to determine whether to switch frame rates. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive frame rate switching that responds to actual scene requirements rather than using fixed or overly frequent switching, thereby improving adaptability while controlling processing overhead through intelligent decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing motion detection and frame rate switching only when necessary, rather than continuously processing at maximum complexity. The system uses selective frame comparison and motion intensity thresholding to determine when frame rate changes are needed, avoiding unnecessary processing during static or low-motion scenes. This reduces the overall processing overhead while maintaining scene adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4236301B1Frame rate switching method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4236301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4236301B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4236301B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a frame rate switching method and apparatus, applied to the field of terminal technologies. The method includes: drawing and rendering, by an application thread, a first image frame at a frame interval corresponding to a first frame rate in a first period; drawing and rendering, by the application thread, a second image frame at a frame interval corresponding to a second frame rate in a second period, where the second period is preceded by the first period, and the second frame rate is different from the first frame rate; transmitting, by a compositing thread, a first frame-rate-switching request to a hardware composer in a third period, where the third period is preceded by the second period, or the third period coincides with the second period; and switching, by the hardware composer, from the first frame rate to the second frame rate in response to the first frame-rate-switching request so that the second image frame is displayed at the second frame rate. This application can solve the problem of speed fluctuation caused by frame rate switching in displaying an image frame on electronic devices.