Variable Precision Shading for Mobile Graphics Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphics processing in battery-powered devices consumes high power, particularly in areas where users are not directly focused, leading to reduced battery life due to the need for high precision shading across the entire screen.
Innovation Solution
Implementing variable precision shading, where precision is reduced in areas of lesser user interest, such as the periphery of the screen, using an elliptical region definition based on eye-tracking data, allowing for dynamic precision adjustment through a new shading language data type that changes precision based on screen region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high precision shading is applied across the entire screen, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the screen into multiple regions with different precision requirements. The central region (where user attention is focused) uses high precision shading, while peripheral regions use lower precision shading. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain image quality in critical areas while reducing power consumption in less critical areas, directly resolving the contradiction between overall image quality and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen is segmented into distinct zones (central region and peripheral regions) with different shading precision levels. This segmentation enables independent control of precision in different areas, allowing the system to apply high precision only where necessary for image quality while using lower precision elsewhere to reduce power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If reduced precision is used in peripheral areas, then power consumption decreases, but visible artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different precision levels to different screen regions based on user attention patterns. The central region maintains high precision to avoid artifacts in the area users focus on, while peripheral regions use reduced precision where artifacts are less noticeable. This localized approach minimizes the perception of artifacts while achieving power savings.
3Measurement precision
If uniform high precision is used across the screen, then image quality is maintained, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable precision shading where the central region uses high precision to maintain image quality, while peripheral regions use lower precision. This approach maintains acceptable image quality overall while significantly reducing the computational workload and power consumption, thereby extending battery life in mobile devices.
4Use of energy by moving object
If variable precision shading is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic precision control mechanism that adjusts shading precision based on user attention patterns and screen region. The system dynamically determines which regions require high precision and which can use lower precision, allowing flexible adaptation to different viewing conditions while managing the complexity through systematic region-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
The power consumption of processor-based devices may be reduced by reducing the consumption of power during graphics processing. In some embodiments, the precision of pixel shading in parts of images where artifacts are less objectionable may be reduced. For example, in areas the user is not directly looking at, precision may be reduced to save power. At the same time, because a person is not focusing on those regions, even if usually perceptible artifacts occur because of the reduced precision, an overall pleasing depiction may be achieved.