Display Pipe Reallocation for External Display Frame Buffer Compression

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional notebook computing systems statically allocate frame buffer compression (FBC) to the internal display, leading to higher power consumption and reduced performance when an external USB-C display is connected, as the power-saving benefits of FBC are not available to the external display.

Innovation Solution

Dynamically allocate FBC-capable display pipes to external displays based on conditions such as the lid being closed, external display resolution being higher, and FBC support, enabling FBC for the external display by deallocating from the internal display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If FBC is statically allocated to the internal display, then power consumption is reduced for the internal display, but power consumption increases and system performance decreases when an external USB-C display is connected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to external displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic allocation of FBC-capable display pipes, allowing the system to switch which display (internal or external) receives FBC processing based on runtime conditions. The OS driver monitors display connections and actively reassigns FBC resources from the internal display to external USB-C displays when needed, transforming a static resource allocation into a dynamic one that adapts to changing system states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of display pipe allocation by modifying which display pipe is assigned to FBC processing. When an external display is detected, the system changes the assignment parameter from the internal display's pipe to the external display's pipe, enabling FBC to be applied to the external display and optimizing power consumption for the current configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If FBC is dedicated to the internal display, then system memory read bandwidth is reduced for internal display, but system memory read bandwidth increases when external display is connected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem memory read bandwidthVSAvoidsupport for external displays

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic allocation of FBC-capable display pipes, allowing the system to switch which display (internal or external) receives FBC processing based on runtime conditions. The OS driver monitors display connections and actively reassigns FBC resources from the internal display to external USB-C displays when needed, transforming a static resource allocation into a dynamic one that adapts to changing system states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The FBC capability is made universal by enabling it to serve multiple display types (internal and external USB-C displays) rather than being dedicated to a single internal display. The system maintains FBC functionality across different display configurations, allowing the same compression technology to benefit various display scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If display pipe is statically assigned to internal display, then FBC efficiency is maximized for internal display, but system performance decreases when external display is connected

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFBC efficiencyVSAvoidexternal display support

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic allocation of FBC-capable display pipes, allowing the system to switch which display (internal or external) receives FBC processing based on runtime conditions. The OS driver monitors display connections and actively reassigns FBC resources from the internal display to external USB-C displays when needed, transforming a static resource allocation into a dynamic one that adapts to changing system states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12499810B2Dynamic allocation of display pipes to external displays

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems, apparatuses and methods may provide for technology that detects a connection of an external display to a computing system containing an internal display and activates frame buffer compression for the external display if one or more conditions are satisfied. In one example, activating frame buffer compression for the external display includes deallocating a display pipe from the internal display, wherein frame buffer compression is enabled for the display pipe, and allocating the display pipe to the external display.