Dynamic Frame Rate Adjustment for Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies do not efficiently adjust frame rates to match varying content types, leading to power inefficiencies and visual artifacts, as they typically operate at fixed refresh rates independent of image update rates.
Innovation Solution
A technique that dynamically adjusts the frame rate of a display based on the image rate of the content, using an image rendering unit to determine the display's dynamic frame rate capabilities and the image frame rate, allowing for flexible control over power consumption and visual optimization by modifying vertical and horizontal timing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display refresh rate is fixed at a high rate, then moving images appear smooth and visual quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display refresh rate is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust automatically based on the content being displayed. The system detects whether the content is static or moving and adjusts the refresh rate accordingly - using higher rates for moving images to maintain visual quality and lower rates for static images to reduce power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (refresh rate) based on content characteristics. By detecting whether frames are changing between updates, the system adjusts the display refresh rate parameter dynamically - increasing it when image changes occur and decreasing it when images remain static, thus optimizing the balance between visual quality and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the display refresh rate is reduced to save power, then energy efficiency is improved, but visual artifacts and screen corruption occur during rate changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of content characteristics before adjusting the refresh rate. By detecting whether the displayed content is static or moving in advance, the system can make informed decisions about rate adjustments, preventing inappropriate changes that would cause visual artifacts or screen corruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from frame comparison detection to control refresh rate adjustments. By continuously monitoring whether images change between frames and using this feedback to regulate refresh rate changes, the system ensures that rate adjustments only occur when appropriate, maintaining display stability while optimizing power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If selective refresh is used to send only changed portions of images, then data transmission is reduced and power savings are achieved, but each display requires a full resolution frame buffer increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the frame buffer functionality from the display device itself and relocates it to the content source device. By having the content source maintain full-resolution frame buffers and prepare content data, the display device can operate at lower refresh rates without requiring its own full-resolution frame buffer, thus reducing display cost while maintaining power savings benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary role where the content source device (such as a graphics processor or video player) acts as a mediator between the content and the display. This intermediary prepares and buffers content data appropriately before transmission, enabling the display to reduce its refresh rate and frame buffer requirements while still delivering quality images when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image rendering unit (IRU) of a device determines the dynamic frame rate capabilities (DFRCs) of a display and an image frame rate of content to be displayed. Preferably, the DFRCs are stored in a storage device deployed within the display itself. Based on the DFRCs and the image frame rate for the content, the IRU determines an updated frame rate and thereafter provides the content to the display at the updated frame rate. Where control of power consumption is desired, selection of a reduced frame rate can effect a power savings. In this manner, the present invention provides flexible control over display frame rates and/or power consumption of the device.