Display Refresh Rate Switching With TE-Synced Transition Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terminal devices experience picture freezing or flickering during screen refresh rate transitions due to abrupt changes in frame rates, particularly when switching between different display scenarios, which is not effectively addressed by current technologies.

Innovation Solution

A frame rate switching method that involves setting multiple nonconsecutive transition frame rates between the initial and final frame rates, ensuring the difference between any two adjacent rates is less than a preset value, and synchronizing the drawing frequency on the application processor side with the tearing effect signal to avoid frame loss during the transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the frame rate is increased to improve rendering quality and reduce latency, then the rendering smoothness and user experience are improved, but the power consumption and thermal generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the frame rate based on real-time conditions including temperature thresholds and rendering task characteristics. The frame rate is not fixed but varies adaptively between different modes (e.g., from 60fps to 30fps or lower) to balance performance and power consumption, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high frame rates and reducing energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the rendering system by adjusting the frame rate parameter in response to temperature and workload conditions. This parameter adjustment allows the system to operate at high frame rates when conditions permit and reduce frame rates when power consumption or thermal limits are approached, thereby resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the frame rate is increased to improve rendering quality, then the rendering smoothness is improved, but the temperature increases and thermal throttling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe rateVSAvoiddevice temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic frame rate adjustment based on real-time temperature monitoring. When temperature exceeds predefined thresholds, the frame rate is automatically reduced to prevent thermal throttling and maintain stable operation. This dynamic response resolves the contradiction between achieving high frame rates and controlling device temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs preventive measures by monitoring temperature in advance and reducing frame rates before thermal throttling occurs. This proactive approach cushiones against temperature spikes and ensures smooth transitions between different frame rate modes, preventing the harmful effects of excessive heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the frame rate is dynamically adjusted to save power and reduce temperature, then energy efficiency is improved, but the rendering smoothness and user experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidrendering smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different frame rate strategies to different rendering scenarios and device regions. Critical rendering tasks maintain higher frame rates while less demanding tasks use lower frame rates. This localized quality approach ensures that rendering smoothness is preserved where needed while achieving energy savings in appropriate contexts, resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and visual quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor rendering performance metrics, temperature, and power consumption. Based on this feedback, the system intelligently adjusts frame rates to maintain acceptable rendering smoothness while optimizing energy efficiency. The feedback loop ensures that frame rate reductions do not excessively degrade user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If a single high frame rate is used for all rendering tasks, then rendering quality is maintained, but power consumption increases and device heating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverendering qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frame rate parameter dynamically based on the specific rendering task requirements, device temperature, and power availability. Different frame rates are assigned to different rendering scenarios (e.g., high frame rate for gaming, lower frame rate for video playback), resolving the contradiction between maintaining consistent rendering quality and reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using high frame rates only when necessary for specific rendering tasks rather than maintaining high frame rates continuously for all tasks. This selective approach maintains rendering quality where needed while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during less demanding operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4321988B1Frame rate switching method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4321988B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4321988B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4321988B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a frame rate switching method and a related apparatus, and relate to the field of terminal technologies. In a frame rate switching process, a plurality of transition frame rates can be set. A difference value between any two adjacent transition frame rates of the plurality of transition frame rates is less than a preset value, to enable switching of a screen refresh rate of a display screen to be smoother without spanning too much; and in a switching process, a drawing frequency on an application processor AP side of a terminal device is kept synchronously changing with a TE signal obtained from an IC by the AP side, to avoid frame loss during switching. Therefore, setting of the transition frame rates is not limited to a frame rate corresponding to an integer multiple of a minimum refresh time, and the picture freezing or flickering of the display screen can be alleviated.