Patent Publication Number: US-2016225339-A1

Title: Methods of processing images in electronic devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0015829, filed on Feb. 2, 2015, and entitled, “Methods of Processing Images in Electronic Devices,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more embodiments described herein relate methods for processing images in electronic devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The development of application and other high-speed processors continues to be of interest. When a processor operates at a high speed, heat is generated which may cause the host device to operate abnormally. Also, the user of the host device may suffer burns, which is more likely to happen for smaller sized devices. These difficulties may be addressed by lowering the operating speed of the processor. However, such an approach may limit data processing capacity. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for processing images in an electronic device which includes a graphic processing unit (GPU), the method comprising displaying a first image rendered by the GPU on a display panel; collecting, by a display control module (DCM), at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the electronic device; and adaptively adjusting, by the DCM, an updating frequency of a second image based on the collected at least one temperature data, the second image to be displayed on the display panel subsequent to the first image. Adaptively adjusting the updating frequency of the second image may include comparing the at least one temperature data with at least one reference data; and increasing or decreasing, by the DCM, the updating frequency of the second image according to a result of the comparison. 
     The method may include delaying, by the DCM, updating the second image to decrease the updating frequency of the second image when the at least one temperature data is substantially equal to or greater than the at least one reference data. 
     The method may include stop delaying updating, by the DCM, the second image to decrease the updating frequency of the second image when the at least one temperature data is smaller than the at least one reference data. 
     The method may include storing rendered images in an internal buffer in the DCM; and adjusting, by the DCM, the updating frequency of the second image by adjusting a consumption speed of the rendered second image from the internal buffer to the display panel. 
     The method may include decreasing, by the DCM, consumption speed of the rendered second image from the internal buffer to the display panel when the at least one temperature data is substantially equal to or greater than the at least one reference data. 
     The method may include increasing, by the DCM, consumption speed of the rendered second image from the internal buffer to the display panel when the at least one temperature data is smaller than the at least one reference data. The at least one reference data may include a first reference data and a second reference data greater than the first reference data. 
     The method may include adjusting, by the DCM, the updating frequency of the second image so that the GPU renders input image data with a first frequency per unit time when the at least one temperature data is smaller than the first reference data. 
     The method may include adjusting, by the DCM, the updating frequency of the second image so that the GPU renders the input image data with a second frequency smaller than the first frequency per unit time, when the at least one temperature data is substantially equal to or greater than the first reference data and is smaller than the second reference data. 
     The method may include adjusting, by the DCM, the updating frequency of the second image so that the GPU renders the input image data with a third frequency smaller than the second frequency per unit time, when the at least one temperature data is substantially equal to or greater than the second reference data. 
     When the GPU receives an external input instead of input image data while the DCM adjusts the updating frequency of the second image such that the GPU renders the input image data with an adjusted frequency smaller than a first frequency per unit time, the DCM may adjust the updating frequency of the second image such that the GPU renders the external input with the first frequency. 
     The at least one temperature data may include a plurality of temperature data of a plurality of measurement points of the electronic device, and the DCM may adjust adaptively the updating frequency of the second image based on an average value of the plurality of temperature data. 
     In accordance with one or more other embodiments, a method for processing images in an electronic device which includes a graphic processing unit (GPU) includes displaying a first image rendered by the GPU on a first window of a display panel; displaying a third image rendered by the GPU on a second window of the display panel; collecting, by a display control module (DCM), at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the electronic device; and individually adjusting, by the DCM, updating frequencies of a second image and a fourth image based on the collected at least one temperature data, wherein the second image is to be displayed on the first window subsequent to the first image and wherein the fourth image is to be displayed on the second window subsequent to the third image. 
     The method may include individually adjusting the updating frequencies of the second image and the fourth image by delaying one of a first updating operation on the second image or a second updating operation on the fourth image, and delaying, by the DCM, one of the first updating operation on the second image or the second updating operation on the fourth image based on a first work cycle on the first window and a second work cycle on the second window and the at least one temperature data. 
     In accordance with one or more other embodiments, a method for controlling a display includes displaying a first image; determining a temperature of the display or a host device; and adjusting an updating frequency of a second image based on the temperature, wherein the second image is to be displayed on the display panel subsequent to the first image and wherein adjusting the updating frequency includes reducing the updating frequency of the second image when the temperature is above a predetermined value, reducing the updating frequency to reduce the temperature of the host device. 
     Adjusting the updating frequency may include adjusting a consumption speed of the second image rendered in an internal buffer to the display. The first image may be rendered by a graphic processing unit. The temperature may be a temperature of the display. The temperature may be a temperature of the host device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic device; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of performing control based on temperature; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged region in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of an application processor; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of a display control module; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a display controller; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of a display controller; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the operation of the display control module; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of a method for processing images; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a diagram for explaining the method; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a method for processing images; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an example for adaptively adjusting updating frequency; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another example for adaptively adjusting updating frequency; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of a method for processing images; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a mobile device; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an example of an interface for an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. The embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments. 
     It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “under” another layer, it can be directly under, and one or more intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “under”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device  10  which includes a housing  11 , a printed circuit board  12 , a display panel  13 , a touch screen or panel  14 , an image sensor  15 , and a window member  16 . The electronic device  10  may be, for example, a smartphone or another type of electronic devices, including but not limited to a television, a navigation system, a computer monitor, a game machine, a tablet PC, or another mobile device. 
     The housing  11  includes the printed circuit board  12 , the display panel  13 , and the touch screen or panel  14 . In  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an example in which the housing  11  is formed of one member. However, the housing  11  may be formed of, for example, at least two members. The housing  11  may further include, for example, a power supply such as a battery of a type which corresponds to the requirements of the display panel  13 . 
     At least one active element and/or at least one passive element may be mounted on the printed circuit board  12  to drive the electronic device  10 . The printed circuit board  12  may include, for example, a semiconductor chip or a semiconductor package including the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip may be, for example, an application processor (hereinafter, referred to as AP)  100  to process multimedia data (e.g., picture or image) using an application program, a graphic processing unit (GPU), a logic chip, or a memory chip. The application program may be stored, for example, in a memory device of the printed circuit board  12  or the AP  100 . 
     The AP  100  includes at least one CPU  110 , a dynamic temperature management module (hereinafter, referred to as a DTM module)  120 , a GPU  160  and a display control module (hereinafter, referred to as a DCM)  200 . The DTM module  120  manages the temperature or heat generation of a target part of the electronic device  10  based on the temperature of a measurement point of the electronic device  10 . The measurement point may be, for example, any point of within or on the surface of the AP  100 . The target unit part may be, for example, the housing  11 , the display panel  13 , the touch screen  14 , the window member  16 , or an internal specific part. 
     The DTM module  120  may be implemented so that the surface temperature of the target part does not exceed a predetermined value. The DTM module  120  may be implemented by hardware, software (e.g., firmware), or a combination thereof. When the DTM module  120  is implemented at least partially by firmware, it is possible to update the DTM module  120  anytime. 
     In example embodiments, the measurement point may be, for example, a point within or on the surface of the AP  100 . A temperature sensor may be included within the AP  100  or mounted on a semiconductor package including the AP  100 . The DTM module  120  may include a temperature management table indicating relationship between a temperature of the measurement point and a surface temperature of the target part. The temperature management table may be set or provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the electronic device  10 . 
     In accordance with one embodiment, the relationship between the temperature of the measurement point and the surface temperature of the target part is computed using thermal transfer modeling. An example is described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The GPU  160  renders an image to be displayed on the display panel  13 . 
     The DCM  200  receives temperature data indicating a temperature of the measurement point of the AP  100 . The DCM  200  adaptively adjusts the updating frequency of images displayed on the display panel  13  based on the received temperature data. The DCM  200  may decrease the updating frequency of the images displayed on the display panel  13 , based on the received temperature data, by delaying updating of a next frame to be displayed on the display panel  13  subsequent to a current frame. 
     The display panel  13  displays images, still or moving. The display panel  13  may be any one of a variety of display panels, e.g., an organic light emitting display panel. a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, or an electro-wetting display panel. 
     The touch panel  14  computes coordinate information of a point touched by an input (e.g., stylus or finger) on the display panel  13 . The touch panel  14  may be, for example, a resistive touch panel or a capacitive touch panel. The resistive touch panel may be, for example, an analog resistive touch panel having two resistive films spaced apart from each other or a digital resistive touch panel having first resistive patterns and second resistive patterns spaced apart from the first resistive patterns. The resistive touch panel may detect a voltage output when the two resistive films are touched by an external pressure or when the first and second resistive patterns are touched by an external pressure, and may compute coordinate information of the touched point based on the detection result. 
     The capacitive touch panel may include, for example, first sensing patterns isolated from second sensing patterns. The second sensing patterns may intersect the first sensing patterns. The capacitive touch panel detects a variation in capacitance generated by the first and second sensing patterns when an input contacts the capacitive touch panel, and computes coordinate information of the contact point based on the variation in capacitance. 
     The image sensor  15  senses images. The image sensor  15  may be, for example, a CMOS image sensor. In  FIG. 1 , the image sensor  15  is located within the window member  16 . The image sensor  15  may be at a different location in another embodiment. 
     The window member  16  may be, for example, on the touch panel  14  and may be combined with the housing  11  to form an external surface of the electronic device  10 . In this case, the touch panel  14  may be combined with the window member  16 . The window member  16  may include, for example, a display region to display images generated from the display panel  13  and a non-display region adjacent to at least a part of the display region. 
     The electronic device  10  may include a number of additional features, e.g., a wireless communication unit, a nonvolatile/volatile memory, a microphone, a speaker, an audio processing unit, and so on. The electronic device  10  manages the temperature of the target part or heat generation using the temperature of the measurement point and the temperature management table. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electronic device  10 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  10  includes the housing  11 , the printed circuit board  12 , an upper case, and a semiconductor package  90 . The semiconductor package  90  include, for example, a package-on-package (POP) structure. The upper case includes, for example, the display panel  13 , the touch screen  14 , and the window member  16 . 
     The semiconductor package  90  includes the AP  100 , a substrate  140  (first package substrate) on which the AP  100  is disposed, and a plurality of memory chips  131  mounted on a second package substrate  130 . The semiconductor package  90  may further include a heat sinking plane for effective radiation of heat. 
     The AP  100  may be mounted, for example, on a top surface of the first package substrate  140  in a face-down or face-up orientation. The AP  100  is electrically connected to the first package substrate  140  through bumps  112  and sealed by a first molding film  113 . One or more memory chips  131  may be interconnected (for example, by adhesive films  132 ) and attached to a top surface of the second package substrate  130 . The memory chips  131  may be, for example, isolated by the adhesive films  132 . The memory chips  131  may be electrically connected to the second package substrate  130  through, for example, bonding wires  134  and may be sealed by a second molding film  133 . The first and second package substrates  140  and  130  may be electrically connected through, for example, solder balls  142 . One or more external terminals  141  (first external terminals) may contact and/or be attached to a bottom surface of the first package substrate  140 . The external terminals  141  connect the semiconductor package  90  to the printed circuit board  12 . 
     Other packages may be used instead of a PoP structure. Examples include Package-In-Package (PIP), System-In-Package (SIP), Chip-On-Board (COB), Board-On-Chip (BOC), and a Multichip Package (MCP). Alternatively, a semiconductor chip (e.g., a memory chip or a logic chip) or the semiconductor package  90  may be replaced with a central processing unit (CPU). 
     The semiconductor package  90  includes a temperature sensor  111  for sensing the temperature of the electronic device  100 . The temperature sensor  111  may be, for example, embedded in the AP  100  or in the first package substrate  140 . In the semiconductor package  100 , the AP  100  may produce heat. Thus, in one embodiment, the temperature of the AP  100  may indicate the temperature of the semiconductor package  90 , e.g., the temperature of the AP  100  and a temperature of the semiconductor package  90  may be considered the same for at least some applications. 
     When the measurement point of the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor  111  is different from the target part (which serves as an object of temperature control), the relationship between a temperature of the measurement point and the temperature of the target part may be computed, for example, by thermal transfer modeling. In one embodiment, it may be assumed that the measurement point is any point within or on the surface of the AP  100 . The target part may be, for example, any point of the display panel  13 , the touch screen  14 , or the window member  16 . 
     The AP  100  may serve as a heating source for determining the temperature of the target part. The heat radiated from the AP  100  may be transferred to the target part through the semiconductor package  90 . As thermal transfer modeling is established between the AP  100  and the target part, the temperature of the target part may be determined by a temperature of the AP  100 . 
     For example, Equation 1 shows the relationship between the temperature of the AP  100  and the temperature of the target part. 
         T   J   =T   B   +R   JB   ×P   JB   (1)
 
     where T J  indicates the temperature of the measurement point (e.g., a point within or on a surface of the AP  100 ), T B  indicates the temperature of the target part (e.g., a point of a case of the device), RIB indicates thermal resistance (W) between the measurement point and the target part, and P JB  indicates heat (° C./W) emitted from the measurement point to the target part. 
     When the target part is a housing, Equation 2 may show the relationship between the temperature of the AP  100  and the temperature of the target part. 
         T=T   C   +R   JC   ×P   JC   (2)
 
     where T J  indicates the temperature of the measurement point (e.g., a point within or on a surface of the AP  10 ), T C  indicates the temperature of the target part (e.g., a point of the housing), R JC  indicates thermal resistance (W) between the measurement point and the target part, and P JC  indicates heat (° C./W) emitted from the measurement point to the target part. 
     In Equations 1 and 2, the thermal resistance R JB  and R JC  may be experimentally obtained, for example, by performing a thermal transfer test on the electronic device  10 . Also, in Equations 1 and 2, the heat R JB  and R JC  may vary according to the operating frequency of the AP  100  and a program executed by the AP  100 . Like thermal resistance, however, each of the heat R JB  and R JC  may be experimentally obtained by performing, for example, a thermal transfer test on an operating frequency and an execution program. Any one of a variety of known techniques may be used to experimentally determine the thermal resistance R JB  and R JC  and the heat P JB  and P JC . 
     From Equations 1 and 2, it is possible to measure temperatures of a variety of positions (e.g., a position at which the temperature sensor  111  is located) through the thermal transfer modeling method. Thus, a reference temperature may be established for a variety of positions of the electronic device  10 . For example, the temperature of the window member  16  may be obtained by measuring the temperature of the AP  100 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of how the temperature of a measurement point may be controlled according to one embodiment. In  FIG. 3 . curve I is a temperature curve of a measurement point where control is not performed and curve II is a temperature curve of a measurement point where control is performed. The measurement point may be a point within or on a surface of an AP  100  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). In the case of curve I, the AP  100  continues to operate according to the same clock frequency. Also, the heating value of the AP  100  may be accumulated, not decreased. Thus, the temperature of the measuring point continues to increase (see the dotted curve). 
     However, in the case of curve II, when the temperature of the measuring point reaches a target temperature (hereinafter, referred to as a high target temperature), the electronic device  10  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) performs a control operation to reduce the clock frequency. This may be performed to reduce the heating value of the AP  100 . When the clock frequency of the AP  100  decreases, the heating value of the AP  100  may reduce. 
     In this case, the temperature of the measurement point may be limited to below a constant level. When the clock frequency of the AP  100  decreases, the data processing speed of the AP  100  may also be lowered. Thus, if the temperature of the measurement point becomes lower than another target temperature (hereinafter, referred to as a low target temperature) according to a reduction in the clock frequency of the AP  100 , the electronic device  10  may control the clock frequency of the AP  100  to increase. 
     As a result, the electronic device  10  may maintain the data processing speed of the AP  100  appropriately. With the above description, the temperature of the measurement point may be controlled to be maintained between the high target temperature and the low target temperature (curve II). 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of region A in  FIG. 3 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , region A may indicate a period in which the temperature of a measurement point is maintained between a high target temperature and a low target temperature. Hereinafter, this period may be referred to as a throttling period. 
     When the temperature of the measurement point reaches a high target temperature T H , the electronic device  10  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) may, for example, lower the clock frequency of an AP  100  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Simultaneously, the DCM  200  decreases updating frequency of the rendered images displayed on the display panel  13 . The heating value of the AP  100  may be reduced based on the decrease in clock frequency, in order to reduce the temperature of the measuring point. 
     When a temperature of the measuring point reaches a low target temperature T L , the electronic device  10  may, for example, increase the clock frequency of the AP  100 . Simultaneously, the DCM  200  increases updating frequency of the rendered images displayed on the display panel  13 . In this case, the heating value of the AP  100  may increase, in order to increase the temperature of the measuring point. 
     When the temperature of the measuring point again reaches the high target temperature T H , the electronic device  10  may, for example, again lower the clock frequency of the AP  100 . Thus, during the throttling period, the temperature curve of the measurement point may oscillate between the high target temperature T H  and the low target temperature T L . 
     Thus, in accordance with the above, the temperature of the measuring point may be stably maintained, for example, by changing the clock frequency of the AP  100  based on a comparison of the temperature of the measuring point and the target temperature (e.g., the high target temperature and the low target temperature). In addition, the DCM  200  decreases updating frequency of the rendered images when temperature of the measuring point increases, and increases updating frequency of the rendered images when temperature of the measuring point decreases. Thus, power consumption of the electronic device  10  may be reduced. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of the application processor (AP) in the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the AP  100  includes at least one CPU  100 , the DTM module  120 , the GPU  160 , a user interface  170 , a memory controller  180  and at least one temperature sensors  111  and  114 . The CPU  110  controls overall operations of the AP  100  and may be implemented, for example, by a multi-core processor. 
     The GPU  160  renders input images and provides the rendered input images to the DCM  200 . The DTM module  120  adaptively manages the temperature of the target part based on a temperature of the measurement point as described above. 
     The user interface  170  transmits data to a communication network and/or receives data from the communication network. The user interface  170  may be a wired or wireless interface and may include an antenna or wired/wireless transceiver. The user interface  170  may receive an external input and/or an input from a user. 
     The memory controller  180  is connected and controls the external memory device  185 . The external memory device  185  stores image data. 
     The DCM  200  is coupled to the display panel  13  and controls the display panel  13 , so that images rendered by the GPU  160 , images stored in the external memory device  185 , and images input through the user interface  170  may be displayed on the display panel  13 . In addition, the DCM  200  may receive at least one temperature data TD 1  and TD 2  from the at least one temperature sensors  111  and  114 , and may adaptively adjust the updating frequency of the rendered images displayed on the display panel  13  based on the at least one temperature data TD 1  and TD 2 . The adjustment may be performed so that the user does not recognize the adjustment made to the updating frequency. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the display control module (DCM)  200  in the AP of  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the DCM (also referred to as an image processing apparatus)  200  includes a data monitor  210 , a display controller  220  and an internal buffer  260 . The GPU  160  renders an input image data IDTA and provides the rendered image RIMG to the DCM  200 . 
     The data monitor  210  receives the rendered image RIMG from the GPU  160  and receives at least one temperature data TD(s) indicating the temperature of at least one measurement point(s) from the temperature sensors  111  and  114 . In addition, the data monitor  210  may receive user image data UID from the user interface  170 . The data monitor  210  may provide the rendered image RIMG to the internal buffer  260  and may provide the at least one temperature data TD(s) to the display controller  220 . In addition, when the data monitor  210  receives the user image data UID, the data monitor  210  may provide the display controller  220  with an interrupt signal ITR indicating that the user image data UID is received. 
     The display controller  220  adaptively adjusts the updating frequency of images displayed on the display panel  13  based on the at least one temperature data TD(s). The display controller  220  may receive the at least one temperature data TD(s), compare the at least one temperature data TD(s) with at least one reference data, and increase or decrease the updating frequency of images displayed on the display panel  13  according to the comparison result. 
     For example, the display controller  220  may decrease the updating frequency of the images when the at least one temperature data is equal to or greater than the at least one reference data. The display controller  220  may increase the updating frequency of the images when the at least one temperature data is smaller than the at least one reference data. 
     The display controller  220  may increase or decrease the updating frequency of images displayed on the display panel  13 , for example, by adjusting the consumption speed of the rendered image RIMG from the internal buffer  260  to the display panel  13 . The display controller  220  may apply a control signal CTL to the internal buffer  260  to adjust the consumption speed of the rendered image RIMG from the internal buffer  260  to the display panel  13 . 
     When the display controller  220  receives the interrupt signal ITR from the data monitor  210 , the display controller  220  stops adjusting the updating frequency and recovers the updating frequency, such that the rendered image RIMG is displayed on the display panel  13  with unadjusted frequency (original frequency). 
     The internal buffer  360  may adjust the speed of the rendered image RIMG, being provided to the display panel  13  as display data DDTA, in response to the control signal CTL. The internal buffer  260  may have a storage capacity greater than a size of the display data DDTA. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the display controller  220   a  in  FIG. 6  which includes a comparator  230   a  and an output control part  240   a . The comparator  230   a  receives the temperature data TD and the reference data RTD, compares the temperature data TD and the reference data RTD, and provides the output control part  240   a  with a comparison signal CS 1  indicating the comparison result. The output control part  240   a  may provide the internal buffer  260  with a control signal CTL 1  that adjusts the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  according to a logic level of the comparison signal CS 1 . The reference data RTD may be stored in a register and may be updated by a user. The output control part  240   a  may receive the interrupt signal ITR. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the display controller  220   b  which includes a comparator  230   b  and an output control part  240   b . The comparator  230   b  receives the temperature data TD, a first reference data RTD 1 , and a second reference data RTD 2 , compares the temperature data TD with the first reference data RTD 1  and the second reference data RTD 2 , and provides the output control part  240   b  with a comparison signal CSs indicating the comparison result. The output control part  240   b  may provide the internal buffer  260  with a control signal CTL 2  that adjusts the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  according to a logic level of the comparison signal CS 2 . The reference data RTD may be stored in a register and may be updated by a user. The output control part  240   a  may receive the interrupt signal ITR. The output control part  240   b  may receive the interrupt signal ITR. 
     For example, when the temperature data TD is smaller than the first reference data RTD 1 , the comparator  230   b  provides the output control part  240   b  with the comparison signal CS 2  with ‘00’. The output control part  240   b  may decrease or maintain the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  to output the control signal CTL 2  to the internal buffer  260 , so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a first frequency. The first frequency may correspond to 60 frame per second (fps). 
     When the temperature data TD is equal to or greater than the first reference data RTD 1  and is smaller than the second reference data RTD 2 , the comparator  230   b  provides the output control part  240   b  with the comparison signal CS 2  with ‘01’. The output control part  240   b  may adjust the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  to output the control signal CTL 2  to the internal buffer  260 , so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a second frequency smaller than the first frequency. The second frequency may correspond to 50 fps. 
     When the temperature data TD is equal to or greater than the second reference data RTD 2 , the comparator  230   b  provides the output control part  240   b  with the comparison signal CS 2  with ‘10’. The output control part  240   b  may adjust the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  to output the control signal CTL 2  to the internal buffer  260 , so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a third frequency smaller than the second frequency. The third frequency may correspond to 40 fps. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the operation of the DCM  200 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 to 9 , the DCM  200  decreases the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  as the temperature of the measurement point becomes higher, and increases the updating frequency of the display data DDTA displayed on the display panel  13  as the temperature of the measurement point becomes lower. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for processing images. Referring to  FIG. 10 , in this method, the display controller  220  of the DCM  200  receives an N-th image  301  rendered by the GPU  160 , stores the N-th image  301  in the internal buffer  260 , and outputs the N-th image  301  stored in the internal buffer  260  to the display panel  13 . When the internal buffer  260  is consumed, the display controller  220  receives an (N+1)-th image  302  rendered by the GPU  160 , stores the (N+1)-th image  302  in the internal buffer  260 , and outputs the (N+1)-th image  302  stored in the internal buffer  260  to the display panel  13 . The time difference between the N-th image  301  and the (N+1)-th image (a first image)  302  may correspond to a first updating interval UI 1 . 
     When the temperature data TD is greater than the reference data RTD, the display controller  220  outputs the control signal CTL to the internal buffer  260  to adjust an updating frequency of an (N+2)-th image (a second image)  303 , so that the (N+2)-th image  302  subsequent to the (N+1)-th image  302  has a second updating interval UI 2  with respect to the (N+1)-th image  302 . The second updating interval UI 2  may be greater than the first updating interval UI 1 . When the temperature data TD is greater than the reference data RTD. the display controller  220  outputs the control signal CTL to the internal buffer  260  to adjust an updating frequency of an (N+3)-th image (a third image)  304 , so that the (N+3)-th image  304  subsequent to the (N+2)-th image  303  has a third updating interval UI 2  with respect to the (N+2)-th image  303 . The third updating interval UI 3  may be greater than the first updating interval UI 1 . 
     When the display controller  220  controls the internal buffer  260  so that each of the images  301 ˜ 304  is displayed on the display panel  13  with the first updating interval UI 1 , the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a first frequency (for example, 60 fps). When the display controller  220  controls the internal buffer  260  so that at least some of the images  301 ˜ 304  is displayed on the display panel  13  with the second updating interval UI 2  or the third updating interval UI 3 , the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with an adjusted frequency smaller than the first frequency. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a method for processing images. In  FIG. 11 , the method is individually applied to each of two or more graphic applications when two or more graphic applications are executed on the display panel  13 . For convenience of explanation, the graphic applications that are simultaneously executed are referred to as a first window WINDOW_A and a second window WINDOW_B. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the display controller  220  may individually adjust respective updating frequencies of images of the first window WINDOW_A and the second window WINDOW_B based on the temperature data TD, a first work cycle WC 1  on the first window WINDOW_A, and a second work cycle WC 2  on the second window WINDOW_B. For the first window WINDOW_A, the display controller  220  may control the internal buffer  260  so that each of images  311 - 315  in the first window WINDOW_A is displayed on the display panel  13  with a first updating interval UI 21 . For the second window WINDOW_B, the display controller  220  may apply the control signal CTL to the internal buffer  260  to control the internal buffer  260  so that each of images  321 ˜ 323  in the second window WINDOW_B is displayed on the display panel  13  with a second updating interval UI 22 . 
     For the first window WINDOW_A, the display controller  220  may control the internal buffer  260  so that the first image  311  and the second image  312  are displayed on the display panel  13  with the first updating interval UI 21 . While the first image  311  and the second image  312  are consecutively displayed on the display panel  13  with the first updating interval UI 21 , the display controller  220  controls the internal buffer  260  such that the third image  321  and the fourth image  322  are displayed on the display panel  13  with the second updating interval UI 22  for the second window WINDOW_B. The second updating interval UI 22  may be greater than the first updating interval UI 21 . The display controller  220  may control the internal buffer  260 , so that the third image  321  and the fourth image  322  are displayed on the display panel  13  with the second updating interval UI 22 , by delaying updating operation on the fourth image  322 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates operations included in one embodiment of a method for processing images in an electronic device including a graphic processing unit (GPU). This method will be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 to 12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 to 12 , the DCM  200  displays a first image  302  rendered by the GPU  160  on the display panel  13  (S 110 ). The DCM  200  collects, from the temperature sensor  111 , at least one temperature data TD of at least one measurement point of the electronic device (S 130 ). The DCM  200  adaptively adjusts updating frequency of a second image  303  to be displayed on the display panel  13  based on the at least one temperature data TD (S 150 ). 
     The DCM  200  increases or decreases the updating frequency of the second image  303  based on the at least one temperature data TD. When the data monitor  210  receives an external input from the user interface  170  while the DCM  200  is adjusting the updating frequency of the second image  303 , the data monitor  210  applies an interrupt signal ITR to the display controller  220 . The display controller  220  adjusts the consumption speed of the internal buffer  260  in response to the interrupt signal ITR, so that the GPU  160  renders the external input with an unadjusted frequency. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an example of an operation for adaptively adjusting the updating frequency of the second image in  FIG. 12 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 to 13 , in order to adaptively adjust the updating frequency of the second image  303  (S 150   a ), the DCM  200  compares the at least one temperature data TD with the reference data RTD (S 151 ) and determines whether the at least one temperature data ID is greater than the reference data RTD as in  FIG. 7  (S 153 ). 
     When the at least one temperature data TD is greater than the reference data RTD (YES in S 153 ), the display controller  220   a  decreases the updating frequency of the second image  303 . This may be accomplished by delaying updating operation on the second image  303  in the internal buffer  260  using the control signal CTL 1  (S 155 ). When the at least one temperature data TD is not greater than the reference data RTD (NO in S 153 ), the display controller  220   a  increases the updating frequency of the second image  303  by accelerating updating operation on the second image  303  in the internal buffer  260  using the control signal CTL 1  (S 157 ). 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another operation for adaptively adjusting the updating frequency of the second image in  FIG. 12 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 to 12 and 14 , in order to adaptively adjust the updating frequency of the second image  303  (S 150   b ), the DCM  200  compares the at least one temperature data TD with the first reference data RTD 1  and the second reference data RTD 2  (S 161 ), and determines to which range the at least one temperature data TD belongs as in  FIG. 6  (S 162  and S 164 ). 
     When the at least one temperature data TD is smaller than the first reference data RTD 1  (YES in S 162 ), the display controller  200  adjusts the updating frequency of the second image, so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a first frequency per unit time as in  FIG. 9  (S 163 ). 
     When the at least one temperature data TD is not smaller than the first reference data RTD 1  (NO in S 162 ) and is smaller than the second reference data (YES in S 164 ), the display controller  200  adjusts the updating frequency of the second image so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a second frequency smaller than the first frequency per unit time as in  FIG. 9  (S 165 ). 
     When the at least one temperature data TD is not smaller than the second reference data RTD 2  (NO in S 164 ), the display controller  200  adjusts the updating frequency of the second image so that the GPU  160  renders the input image data IDTA with a third frequency smaller than the second frequency per unit time as in  FIG. 9  (S 166 ). 
       FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of a method for processing images in an electronic device including a GPU. Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5 to 11, and 15 , the DCM  200  displays a first image  311  rendered by the GPU  160  on a first window WINDOW_A in the display panel  13  (S 210 ). The DCM  200  displays a third image  321  rendered by the GPU  160  on a second window WINDOW_B in the display panel  13  (S 220 ). The DCM  200  collects, from the temperature sensor  111 , at least one temperature data TD of at least one measurement point of the electronic device (S 230 ). The DCM  200  individually adjusts updating frequencies of a second image  312  and a fourth image  322  based on the collected at least one temperature data TD (S 240 ). The second image  312  is to be displayed on the first window WINDOW_A subsequent to the first image  311  and the fourth image  322  is to be displayed on the second window WINDOW_B subsequent to the third image  321 . 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 11 , the display controller  220  individually adjusts respective updating frequencies of images of the first window WINDOW_A and the second window WINDOW_B based on the temperature data TD, the first work cycle WC 1  on the first window WINDOW_A, and the second work cycle WC 2  on the second window WINDOW_B. For the first window WINDOW_A, the display controller  220  controls the internal buffer  260  so that each of images  311 ˜ 315  in the first window WINDOW_A is displayed on the display panel  13  with a first updating interval UI 21 . For the second window WINDOW_B, the display controller  220  applies the control signal CTL to the internal buffer  260  to control the internal buffer  260 , so that each of images  321 ˜ 323  in the second window WINDOW_B is displayed on the display panel  13  with a second updating interval UI 22 . 
     In  FIGS. 12 to 15 , the at least one temperature data TD may be the temperature data TD 1  from the temperature sensor  111 , the temperature data TD 2  from the temperature sensor  114 , or may be an average value of temperature data TD 1  and TD 2 . 
     As described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 15 , the electronic device  10  may reduce heat generation and power consumption while maintaining performance by adjusting updating intervals of the images displayed on the display panel  13 . The adjusted updating intervals may adjust updating frequency of the images based on at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the electronic device  10 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of an electronic device  10   b  which includes an AP  400 , a display panel  43 , a touch screen  44  and an image sensor  45 . The AP  400  may include, for example, at least one CPU  410 , a DTM module  420 , a GPU  430 , a DCM  440 , a touch screen controller (TSC)  450  and an image signal processor (ISP)  460 . 
     The DTM module  420  manages the temperature or heat generation of a target part of the electronic device  10   b  as the DTM module  120  in  FIG. 5 . The TSC  450  is coupled and controls operation of the touch screen  44 . The ISP  460  is coupled to the image sensor  45 , processes image signals from the image sensor  45 , and provides the processed image signals to the DCM  440 . 
     The DCM  440  employs the DCM  200  in  FIG. 5 . Therefore, the DCM  440  may reduce heat generation and power consumption of the electronic device  10   b  while maintaining performance, by adjusting updating intervals of the images displayed on the display panel  43 , to thereby adjust updating frequency of the images based on at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the electronic device  10   b.    
       FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of a mobile device  1200  which includes a system on-chip  1210 , a memory device  1220 , a storage device  1230 , a plurality of function modules  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 , and  1270 , and a power management integrated circuit  1280 . The power management integrated circuit  1280  may provide an operating voltage to the system on-chip  1210 , the memory device  1220 , the storage device  1230 , and the function modules  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 , and  1270 , respectively. The mobile device  1200  may be, for example, a smart-phone or a tablet PC, and the system on-chip  1210  may correspond to an application processor (AP). 
     The AP  1210  may control overall operations of the mobile device  1200 . For example, the application processor  1210  may control the memory device  1220 , the storage device  1230 , and the function modules  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 , and  1270 . The AP  1210  may monitor an operating state or an operating condition of a central processing unit (CPU) in the AP  1210 , and may perform a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) (e.g., increase, decrease, or maintain an operating frequency of the central processing unit) based on the monitored operating condition of the central processing unit. In one embodiment, the DVFS may be performed by hardware or software. 
     The AP  1210  may include a temperature sensor  1213  and a DCM  1211  as in the AP  100  of  FIG. 1 . Therefore, the AP  1210  may reduce heat generation and power consumption of the mobile device  1200  while maintaining performance, by adjusting updating intervals of the images displayed on the display panel. to thereby adjust updating frequency of the images based on at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the AP  1210 . 
     The memory device  1220  and the storage device  1230  store data for operations of the mobile device  1200 . In some example embodiments, the memory device  1220  and the storage device  1230  may be included in the application processor  1210 . For example, the memory device  1220  may include a volatile semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, a mobile DRAM, etc. 
     In addition, the storage device  1230  may include a non-volatile semiconductor memory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistance random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc. In some example embodiments, the storage device  1230  may further include a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), a CD-ROM, etc. However, kinds of the memory device  1220  and the storage device  1230  are not limited thereto. 
     The function modules  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 , and  1270  may perform various functions of the mobile device  1200 . For example, the mobile device  1200  may include a communication module  1240  that performs a communication function (e.g., a code division multiple access (CDMA) module, a long term evolution (LTE) module, a radio frequency (RF) module, an ultra wideband (UWB) module, a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) module, etc.), a camera module  1250  that performs a camera function, a display module  1260  that performs a display function, a touch panel module  1270  that performs a touch-input sensing function, etc. 
     The display module  1260  may include the above-described DDI and a display panel. Therefore, the display module  1260  includes at least a first TED and a second TED. The first TED processes a first image data to generate a first display data and the second TED processes a second image data to generate a second display data. One of the first TED and the second TED, which operates as a master, controls display timing of the first display data and the second display data such that corresponding image lines of the first and second display data are displayed in synchronization with respect to each other in the display panel. 
     In some example embodiments, the mobile device  1200  may further include a global positioning system (UPS) module, a microphone (MIC) module, a speaker module, various sensor modules (e.g., a gyroscope sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gravity sensor, an illumination sensor, a proximity sensor, a digital compass, etc.). However, kinds of the function modules  1240 ,  1250 ,  1260 , and  1270  included in the mobile device  1200  are not limited thereto. 
     The elements illustrated in  FIG. 17  may be implemented with various packaging schemes. For example, at least some elements may be implemented using Package on Package (PoP), Ball grid arrays (BGAs). Chip scale packages (CSPs), Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC), Plastic Dual In-Line Package (PDIP), Die in Waffle Pack, Die in Wafer Form, Chip On Board (COB), Ceramic Dual In-Line Package (CERDIP), Plastic Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Thin Quad Flatpack (TQFP), Small Outline (SOIC), Shrink Small Outline Package (SSOP), Thin Small Outline (TSOP), Thin Quad Flatpack (TQFP), System In Package (SIP), Multi Chip Package (MCP), Wafer-level Fabricated Package (WFP), Wafer-Level Processed Stack Package (WSP), etc. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment of an interface for an electronic device  2000 , which, for example, may be a data processing device (for instance, a portable phone, a personal digital assistant, a portable multimedia player, or a smart phone) that uses or supports an MIPI interface, and may include an application processor  2110 , an image sensor  2140  and a display  2150 . 
     A CSI host  2112  of the application processor  2110  performs serial communication with a CSI device  2141  of the image sensor  2140  through a camera serial interface (CSI). In one embodiment, the CSI host  2112  may include an optical serializer DES and the CSI device  2141  may include an optical serializer SER. A DSI host  2111  of the application processor  2110  can make serial communication with a DSI device  2151  of the display  2150  through a display serial interface (DSI). In one embodiment, the DSI host  2111  may include an optical serializer SER and the DSI device  2151  may include an optical serializer DES. The application processor  2110  may include a temperature sensor and a DCM as in the AP  100  of  FIG. 1 . Therefore, the application processor  2110  may reduce heat generation and power consumption of the mobile device  1200  while maintaining performance. by adjusting updating intervals of the images displayed on the display panel, to thereby adjust updating frequency of the images based on at least one temperature data of at least one measurement point of the application processor  2110 . 
     In addition, the electronic device  2000  may further include an RF (radio frequency) chip  2160  which can make communication with the application processor  2110 . Data may be transceived between a PHY  2113  of the mobile device  2000  and a PHY  2161  of the RF chip  2160  according to the MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) DigRF. In addition, the application processor  2110  may further include a DigRF MASTER  2114  to control data transmission according to the MIPI DigRF and the RF chip  2160  may further include a DigRF SLAVE  2162  which is controlled by the DigRF MASTER  2114 . 
     The electronic device  2000  may include a GPS (Global Positioning System)  2120 , a storage  2170 , a microphone  2180 , a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)  2185  and a speaker  2190 . In addition, the mobile device  2000  can perform the communication using a UWB (Ultra WideBand)  2210 , a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)  2220  and a WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)  2230 . The structure and the interface of the mobile device  2000  are illustrative purposes only and example embodiments may not be limited thereto. The present embodiments may be applied to portable electronic devices such as a smart phone or a table PC. 
     The methods, processes, and/or operations described herein may be performed by code or instructions to be executed by a computer, processor, controller, or other signal processing device. The computer. processor, controller, or other signal processing device may be those described herein or one in addition to the elements described herein. Because the algorithms that form the basis of the methods (or operations of the computer, processor, controller, or other signal processing device) are described in detail, the code or instructions for implementing the operations of the method embodiments may transform the computer, processor, controller, or other signal processing device into a special-purpose processor for performing the methods described herein. 
     The processing and other control features of the aforementioned embodiments may be implemented in logic which, for example, may include hardware, software, or both. When implemented at least partially in hardware, the processing and other control features may be, for example, any one of a variety of integrated circuits including but not limited to an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, a combination of logic gates, a system-on-chip, a microprocessor, or another type of processing or control circuit. 
     When implemented in at least partially in software, the processing and other control features may include, for example, a memory or other storage device for storing code or instructions to be executed, for example, by a computer, processor, microprocessor, controller, or other signal processing device. The computer, processor, microprocessor, controller. or other signal processing device may be those described herein or one in addition to the elements described herein. Because the algorithms that form the basis of the methods (or operations of the computer, processor, microprocessor, controller, or other signal processing device) are described in detail, the code or instructions for implementing the operations of the method embodiments may transform the computer, processor, controller, or other signal processing device into a special-purpose processor for performing the methods described herein. 
     Also, another embodiment may include a computer-readable medium, e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium, for storing the code or instructions described above. The computer-readable medium may be a volatile or non-volatile memory or other storage device, which may be removably or fixedly coupled to the computer, processor, controller, or other signal processing device which is to execute the code or instructions for performing the method embodiments described herein. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.