Dynamic Transcoding Throttling for Eyewear Device Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Extended reality devices face challenges in managing processing power and thermal mitigation during video transcoding, leading to overheating and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic transcoding throttling by monitoring temperature and adjusting transcoding rates and power modes to prevent overheating, using a frame delay module to manage power consumption without restarting transcoding processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If transcoding is performed at high processing rates, then productivity is improved, but temperature increases causing thermal issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranscoding rateVSAvoiddevice temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transcoding rate adjustment based on real-time temperature monitoring. The system transitions from static transcoding configurations to dynamic control, where the transcoding rate is continuously adapted according to thermal conditions, allowing high productivity when cool and reduced rates when hot, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining high transcoding rates and preventing overheating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the transcoding process by adjusting the transcoding rate in response to temperature variations. This involves modifying key parameters such as frame processing speed and computational intensity based on thermal feedback, enabling the system to optimize the balance between productivity and temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If transcoding processing power is increased, then productivity is improved, but heat generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranscoding throughputVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors continuously monitor device temperature and feed this information back to the transcoding control system. Based on this thermal feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the transcoding processing power, reducing it when temperature thresholds are exceeded and restoring it when cooling occurs, thereby resolving the contradiction between high throughput and heat generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of heat generation into a useful control signal. By monitoring temperature rises caused by high processing power, the system uses this thermal information to trigger appropriate throttling actions, transforming the harmful thermal byproduct into a beneficial feedback mechanism for optimizing processing power allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Temperature

If transcoding is throttled to reduce temperature, then temperature is controlled, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice temperatureVSAvoidtranscoding rate
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic temperature monitoring and throttling cycles rather than continuous throttling. The system allows transcoding to proceed at high rates during cooling periods, then applies temporary throttling when temperature thresholds are reached, creating a periodic pattern of high-performance intervals followed by thermal management intervals. This approach minimizes overall impact on productivity while effectively controlling temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Temperature

If power modes are changed to manage thermal issues, then temperature is controlled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice temperatureVSAvoidpower mode management
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service thermal management system where the device autonomously monitors its own temperature and automatically adjusts power modes without requiring external intervention or complex user configuration. The system manages its own thermal state by integrating temperature sensing, threshold evaluation, and power mode transition logic into a unified self-regulating mechanism, thereby controlling temperature while minimizing the complexity burden on the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4352966B1Device with dynamic transcode throttling
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SNAP INC
  • EP4352966B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4352966B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4352966B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Dynamic transcode throttling methods and devices for processing resource management and thermal mitigation in electronic devices such as eyewear devices. An electronic device monitors its temperature and, responsive to the temperature, configures a transcoding service to operate at different rates. A frame delay module is configured to add a delay between read frames prior to the transcoding service. This enables the electronic device to consume less power when temperatures are too high in order to provide thermal mitigation and can be performed without powering down the electronic device.