Video Decoder Power-State Control for Lower Battery Drain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-powered devices, such as mobile electronic devices with video decoding capabilities, face limitations in power consumption due to limited energy capacity, leading to short run-times and increased energy consumption from functional integration, with existing power conservation techniques being insufficiently proactive.

Innovation Solution

A power management controller varies the power consumption of video decoder operational portions based on encoding description data from input streams, using application profile data to selectively adjust clock frequencies and power supply voltages of processor components, thereby minimizing power usage without operator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If video decoding operations are performed in battery-powered devices, then video functionality is provided, but power consumption increases and battery runtime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo decoding capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by making the video decoder's operational state adjustable based on real-time conditions. The system transitions between active decoding mode and low-power modes (such as hardware acceleration mode or software decoding mode) depending on battery status, video complexity, and thermal conditions, thereby optimizing the balance between video performance and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of the video decoder including clock frequency, voltage levels, and decoding algorithm selection based on input video characteristics and battery state. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system reduces power consumption during video decoding while maintaining acceptable video quality and playback performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are integrated into battery-powered devices, then device functionality increases, but energy consumption increases and runtime decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional integrationVSAvoidbattery runtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video processing functionality into separate hardware and software components. The hardware video decoder handles standard video decoding tasks, while a software fallback handles specialized or complex decoding scenarios. This segmentation allows the system to use the more power-efficient hardware path for routine operations while maintaining full functionality through software when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service power management where the video decoder automatically monitors its own power consumption, thermal state, and performance requirements to select appropriate operational modes without external intervention. The system autonomously transitions between high-performance and low-power states based on real-time conditions, optimizing battery runtime while maintaining required functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If reactive power conservation techniques are used, then some power is saved, but significant battery power is consumed before triggering occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power savedVSAvoidbattery power consumed before triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary power conservation measures by proactively reducing the video decoder's power consumption before battery depletion occurs. The system continuously monitors battery status and preemptively transitions to low-power modes when battery level drops below thresholds, preventing the need for aggressive power saving measures later when battery capacity is critically low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7804435B2Video decoder with reduced power consumption and method thereof

Publication Date: 2010.09.28 ADVANCED SILICON TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A video decoder (10) with reduced power consumption includes a power management controller (45) that is operative to select one of a plurality of different power consumption states for a video decoder (10), and, in response to the determination, vary power consumption of at least one operational portion of the video decoder (10). In addition, in one example, a method (200) for reducing power consumption for a video decoder (10) includes determining input stream encoding description data (34) to select one of a plurality of different power consumption states for a video decoder (10) and, in response to the determination, varying power consumption of at least one operational portion of the video decoder (10).