Cross-Mode Refresh Rate Switching With GPU Layer Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current refresh rate switching methods in electronic devices fail to ensure normal sending-for-display of images during transitions between different touch modes, leading to exceptions such as artifacts or black screens due to excessive load on the display processor during cross-mode refresh rate switching.

Innovation Solution

Assign the graphics processing unit to perform layer composition of images during cross-mode refresh rate switching, reducing the load on the display processor and ensuring smooth transitions by having the display processor focus on refresh rate switching alone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the display processor performs both layer composition and refresh rate switching during cross-mode transitions, then all display functions are integrated in one processor, but the processor load becomes excessive causing sending-for-display exceptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessor architectureVSAvoiddisplay stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display processing tasks into two separate processors: the graphics processing unit (GPU) handles layer composition while the display processor handles refresh rate switching. This segmentation prevents any single processor from becoming overloaded, thereby eliminating sending-for-display exceptions and ensuring display stability during cross-mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the refresh rate is increased to improve display smoothness and reduce eye strain, then image display quality improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay smoothnessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic refresh rate switching that adapts to different touch modes. When stylus input is detected, the system switches to a refresh rate matching the stylus (e.g., 60Hz). When finger touch is detected, the system can use higher refresh rates (e.g., 120Hz or 144Hz) for smoother display. This dynamic adjustment ensures display smoothness when needed while reducing power consumption during stylus-based interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4730320A1Refresh rate switching method and electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4730320A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4730320A1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4730320A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A refresh rate switching method and an electronic device are provided, so that switching between refresh rates in different touch modes can be normally completed while ensuring normal sending-for-display of a screen. The electronic device supports a first touch mode and a second touch mode. The first touch mode supports a first refresh rate. The second touch mode supports a second refresh rate. If the electronic device detects a cross-mode refresh rate switching instruction, for example, detects a first refresh rate switching instruction that indicates to switch from the first refresh rate in the first touch mode to the second refresh rate in the second touch mode, the electronic device may forcibly control a graphics processing unit to perform layer composition of a to-be-displayed image, and control a display processor to perform cross-mode refresh rate switching. In this way, the electronic device can display, at the switched refresh rate, the to-be-displayed image composed by the graphics processing unit.