Playback Device Frame Rate Switching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video playback devices often experience interruptions and image quality issues when switching between 24 fps and 60 fps frame rates during playback, particularly in DVD-Video standards where a fixed frame rate is not stipulated, leading to increased product complaints from users.

Innovation Solution

A playback device with a mode setup unit to select between fixed and switchable operation modes, allowing users to switch frame rates while maintaining continuous video output by converting frame rates during playback, thus preventing interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If frame rate switching is enabled during playback to output video at both 24 fps and 60 fps, then adaptability to different video sources is improved, but video output continuity deteriorates due to re-synchronization interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rate switching capabilityVSAvoidvideo output continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by detecting frame rate changes before they affect video output continuity. The frame rate detection unit monitors the video signal in advance, and when a frame rate change is detected, the control unit proactively manages the switching process to minimize interruptions, thereby preserving continuity while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the frame rate detection unit and the video output unit. It receives detection information about frame rate changes and coordinates the switching process, managing the transition between 24 fps and 60 fps outputs to maintain continuous video flow without direct interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If automatic frame rate switching is implemented to handle mixed 24 Hz and 60 Hz signals, then adaptability to DVD-Video standards is improved, but user control and predictability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling mixed frame ratesVSAvoiduser control over frame rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the frame rate detection unit continuously monitor the video signal and provide information to the control unit. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to mixed frame rates while allowing the system to respond to user needs, balancing adaptability with user control through informed automatic switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If frame rate conversion is performed during playback to maintain compatibility with display devices, then compatibility with both 24 fps and 60 fps displays is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to conversion artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay device compatibilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by performing frame rate conversion only when necessary and only for specific portions of the video signal. Rather than continuously converting, the system maintains original frame rates when possible and applies conversion locally at transition points, thereby preserving image quality while maintaining display compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8111977B2Playback device and method

Publication Date: 2012.02.07 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

To provide a playback device 200 that outputs video to a display device by converting an output frame rate of source video signals in accordance with a display capability of the display device, the source video signals having 60 Hz frame rate in a first period and 24 Hz frame rate in a second period.