Patent Description:
With the development of digital technology, various types of electronic devices, such as a mobile communication terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an electronic organizer, a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), and a wearable device, are being widely used. Electronic devices are designed to efficiently manage limited resources (e.g., processes, memory, or power). The hardware and/or software aspects of electronic devices are continuously being improved in order to support and enhance functions.

For example, a display (or display panel) of an electronic device may include organic light emitting diode (OLEDs). Organic light emitting diodes may be divided into a passive-matrix type and an active-matrix type according to a driving mode. In an active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED), when a scan signal, a data signal, and driving power are supplied to a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix, a selected pixel emits light, thereby displaying an image. Normally, human eyes can perceive <NUM> consecutive frames per second as a natural video without recognizing a flickering phenomenon (e.g., flicker). Therefore, an electronic device may generally drive a display at a frequency of <NUM>.

An electronic device may drive a display at a high-speed frequency of <NUM> or higher (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) when displaying a game screen, playing a video, or entering a touch. When the frequency of the display is changed from <NUM> to <NUM>, the difference between a gamma value set for <NUM> and a gamma value set for <NUM> may cause an increase in brightness difference, and a user may perceive (or recognize) the brightness difference. In similar regards, publication <CIT> related to a device and methods for operating the device wherein a frame rate of an image is changed while the displaying operation is performed, such that an emission duty ratio of the panel remains unchanged with the change of the frame rate of the image, publication <CIT> relates to methods and devices for providing a timing control for a data driver and a gate driver based on a refresh rate of a display panel, and publication <CIT> relates to a display and methods for operating the display, including gamma correction functionality for modifying the gamma to compensate for changes resulting from different re-fresh rates.

An electronic device according to various example embodiments is provided, corresponding to the appended claims.

An operating method of an electronic device according to various example embodiments is provided, corresponding to the appended claims.

The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, a home appliance, or the like.

It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with," "coupled to," "connected with," or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal <NUM> may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector),.

Wherein, the "non-transitory" storage medium is a tangible device, and may not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various example embodiments may include: a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>); a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>) including information on a number of duty cycles per one refresh period for emitting light by pixels of the display corresponding to each of a plurality of refresh rates of the display; and a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>), wherein the processor may be configured to control the electronic device to: perform an operation according to a first number of duty cycles based on the display operating at a first refresh rate; and perform an operation according to a second number of duty cycles based on the display operating at a second refresh rate, and the first number may be less than the second number based on the first refresh rate being higher than the second refresh rate.

The length of one duty cycle corresponding to the first refresh rate may be set to be substantially the same as the length of one duty cycle corresponding to the second refresh rate.

One refresh period may include a first porch period based on an operation being performed at the first refresh rate, and may include a second porch period, different from the first porch period, based on an operation being performed at the second refresh rate.

One duty cycle may include a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period, and light emitting periods and non-light emitting periods corresponding to different refresh rates may be configured to have the same time.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to determine the number of duty cycles corresponding to each refresh rate based on a common divisor of refresh rates for driving the display, and to include as many light emitting periods and non-light emitting periods as the number of duty cycles in the duty cycles corresponding to each refresh rate.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to include a porch period in one refresh period based on the determined number of duty cycles.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to include as many non-light emitting periods as the number of light emitting periods included in the duty cycles, as black periods in the duty cycles.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to detect an event and to change the first refresh rate set in the display to the second refresh rate corresponding to the event.

The event may include at least one of detection of a user input, execution of a preset application, detection of a user input in a preset application, where a variance in an image is a reference value or greater, display of a still image, or whether the electronic device is available for a preset time.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change to the second refresh rate higher than the first refresh rate based on the event being at least one of the user input, the execution of the preset application, the detection of the user input in the preset application, or where the variance in the image is the reference value or greater.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change to the second refresh rate lower than the first refresh rate based on the event being the display of the still image or based on the electronic device being unavailable for the preset time.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change to different refresh rates based on the type of a touch input of the user input.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to determine whether a touch drag is detected after changing to the second refresh rate, to maintain the second refresh rate based on the touch drag being detected, and to change to the first refresh rate based on the touch drag not being detected.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change to a refresh rate lower than the first refresh rate based on the touch drag not being detected and a still image being displayed on the display.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate by stages.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to change the first refresh rate to a third refresh rate, to drive the display during a duty cycle corresponding to the third refresh rate, and to change the third refresh rate to the second refresh rate.

The memory may include gamma data corresponding to at least two refresh rates of the display, and the processor may be configured to control the electronic device to detect an event and to change the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate corresponding to the event based on the stored gamma data.

The processor may be configured to control the electronic device to predict gamma data of the second refresh rate based on the stored gamma data, and to change to the second refresh rate based on the predicted gamma data.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example display driving method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may control the electronic device to determine a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency of a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>). Although operations are performed by the processor <NUM> in the following description, a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) may selectively perform the operations. For example, the DDI may perform the following operations instead of the processor <NUM> while the processor <NUM> is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state.

An image (or video) may result from a continuous movement of still images (or frames). A refresh rate may refer, for example, to the number of times per second a display presents a frame on a screen and may simply be a measure indicating how many scenes can be displayed in a second. A refresh rate uses a unit of hertz (Hz), which may refer, for example, to the number of repetitions per second. For example, a display with a refresh rate of <NUM> may be understood as displaying a screen <NUM> times for one second. A similar concept of frames per second (FPS) is mainly used for a source of an image (e.g., software), while hertz is a concept of a frequency having a repeated cycle and may be used for hardware of a display.

Conventionally, the number of duty cycles per one refresh period (or frequency operation cycle) for any frequency may be set to <NUM> regardless of the frequency of a display. For example, a screen is displayed <NUM> times per second at a frequency of <NUM> and a screen is displayed <NUM> times per second at a frequency of <NUM>, the frequencies may have a difference in time (or length) of one duty cycle included in a frequency operation cycle. For example, the numbers of frames for display at the respective frequencies are different, but the frequencies have the same the number of duty cycle of <NUM> and may thus have different times of one duty cycle. When a difference occurs in time of one duty cycle, a difference in time of frequency operation cycle between frequencies increases when a frequency is changed, and thus an image on the screen may appear unnatural. According to the disclosure, in order to address the conventional problem, the processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles corresponding to each frequency, based on a common divisor between frequencies of the display.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may determine a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency such that times (or lengths) of one duty cycle (e.g., <NUM> duty cycle) of frequencies match. One duty cycle may include one light emitting period and one non-light emitting period. The frequency operation cycle (e.g., refresh period) corresponding to the frequency may include one or more duty cycles. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify frequencies at which the display device <NUM> can operate. The frequencies at which the display device <NUM> can operate may range, for example, from <NUM> to <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine the frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency, based, for example, on a common divisor of <NUM> to <NUM>. A common divisor may refer, for example, to a common factor of two or more numbers. The processor <NUM> may identify (or determine) <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> used when the display device <NUM> actually operates among the frequencies ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles corresponding to each frequency, based on a common divisor of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles corresponding to the frequency to be an integer multiple of a common divisor of two adjacent frequencies.

For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles for <NUM> to be <NUM>, the number of duty cycles for <NUM> to be <NUM>, the number of duty cycles for <NUM> to be <NUM>, the number of duty cycles for <NUM> to be <NUM>, and the number of duty cycles for <NUM> to be <NUM>. The number of duty cycles for a frequency may be a frequency operation cycle (e.g., refresh period). For example, a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> for which the number of duty cycles is <NUM> may include two duty cycles, a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> for which the number of duty cycles is <NUM> may include four duty cycles, a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> for which the number of duty cycles is <NUM> may include six duty cycles, a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> for which the number of duty cycles is <NUM> may include <NUM> duty cycles, and a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> for which the number of duty cycles is <NUM> may include <NUM> duty cycles. The processor <NUM> may set the time of one duty cycle included in respective frequency operation cycles corresponding to different frequencies to be the same. For example, the time of one duty cycle for <NUM>, the time of one duty cycle for <NUM>, the time of one duty cycle for <NUM>, or the time of one duty cycle for <NUM> may be the same.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may include a black (e.g., porch) period in the frequency operation cycle. When an image (or video) is played, a preparation time may be required between frames, and the black period may be for achieving synchronization between frames. The processor <NUM> may determine (or set) the black period, based on the number of duty cycles corresponding to each frequency. For example, when the number of duty cycles is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the black period to <NUM>, and when the number of duty cycles is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set the black period to <NUM>. The black period may include as many non-light emitting periods as the number of light emitting periods (or non-light emitting periods) included in the determined frequency operation cycle and may be variable according to the number of light emitting periods included in the frequency operation cycle. For example, the display device <NUM> may drive a duty cycle including one light emitting period and one non-light emitting period twice and may then drive a frame black period including two non-light emitting periods, thereby driving a frequency of <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may drive a duty cycle including one light emitting period and one non-light emitting period four times and may then drive a frame black period including four non-light emitting periods, thereby driving a frequency of <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> (or DDI of the electronic device) may drive the display (e.g., the display device <NUM>), based on the frequency operation cycle corresponding to the frequency. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> through a DDI used to drive pixels included in the display device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at a reference frequency (or intermediate frequency, e.g., <NUM>). The reference frequency may, for example, be a frequency operating in a normal situation (e.g., a normal mode). The normal mode may refer, for example, to a state in which the display device <NUM> is turned on and a user uses the electronic device <NUM>. The normal mode may be a case that does not correspond to an event for a frequency change. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at a frequency (e.g., <NUM>) lower than the reference frequency in the normal mode. The foregoing description is simply a non-limiting example provided to aid the understanding of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure. A frequency to drive the display device <NUM> in the normal mode may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>, which may be an issue in implementation of the electronic device <NUM> and does not limit the disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may detect an event. The event may correspond, for example, to a trigger signal for a frequency change. The frequency change may refer, for example, to a change (or switch) to a frequency (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) lower than the driving frequency (e.g., <NUM>) in operation <NUM> or a frequency (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) higher than the driving frequency. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine that the event is detected when at least one is detected among detection of a user input, execution of a preset (or specific) application, detection of a user input within a preset application, a case where an image variance is a reference value or higher, display of a still image, or whether the electronic device <NUM> is available for a preset time. According to various embodiments, the user input may include at least one of a touch by a user on one point of the display device <NUM> with a touch input tool (e.g., a user's body part (e.g., a finger) or a stylus pen), detachment of a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) mounted on the electronic device <NUM>, a voice command, an input with a physical button, or an input through a sensor. A touch input by touching with the touch input tool may include at least one a tap, a double tap, a long tap, a multi-touch (e.g., zoom-in/zoom-out), a drag, a drag and drop, a flick, and a press depending on the type. The processor <NUM> may detect different events according to the type of a touch input. The processor <NUM> may detect the user input using touch circuitry configured to detect a touch.

The tap may, for example, be an operation in which the user touches one point on the display device <NUM> and then performs a touch-off of the touch input tool from the point without moving the touch input tool. The double tap may, for example, be an operation of tapping one point on the display device <NUM> twice in succession, and the long tap may be an operation of touching a point for a longer time than the tap and then performing a touch-off of the touch input tool from the point without moving the touch input tool. The multi-touch may, for example, be an operation of moving the touch input tool that is touching at least two points on the display device <NUM>. For example, the multi-touch may be a zoom-in/zoom-out. The drag may, for example, be an operation of moving the touch input tool that is touching one point on the display device <NUM>. The drag and drop may, for example, be an operation of dragging and then performing a touch-off of the touch input tool. The flick may, for example, be an operation of moving the touch input tool faster than dragging and then performing a touch-off. The press may, for example, be an operation of touching a point with the touch input tool and then pressing the point.

In order to use the electronic device <NUM>, a user may detach a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) from the electronic device <NUM>. When the pen is detached from the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that an event is detected. The processor <NUM> may determine that an event is detected when a voice command to call (or wake up) the electronic device <NUM> is detected from a microphone (e.g., the input device <NUM> of <FIG>) or when a physical button is selected. The input through the sensor may include at least one of an input for authentication through a fingerprint sensor (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> in <FIG>) that may be disposed under the display (e.g., the display device <NUM> in <FIG>) or execution of a specified application (e.g., a game application or a touch-required application) when a prestored motion (or a gesture) is performed.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> (or DDI of the electronic device) may change the frequency of the display (e.g., the display device <NUM>) in response to the event. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the display device <NUM>, which operates at a frequency of <NUM> in operation <NUM>, to a frequency ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. According to various embodiments, when the event corresponds to at least one of a user input, execution of a preset application, detection of a user input within a preset application, or a case where an image variance is a reference value or higher, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency of the display to a frequency (e.g., a high frequency, <NUM>, or <NUM>) higher than the operating frequency in operation <NUM>. When the event corresponds to display of a still image or a case where the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency of the display to a frequency (e.g., a low frequency, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) lower than the operating frequency in operation <NUM>.

For example, when the event corresponds to at least one of a user input, execution of a preset application, detection of a user input within a preset application, or a case where an image variance is a reference value or higher, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the event corresponds to a user input, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the event corresponds to display of a still image or a case where the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the event corresponds to display of a still image, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM> or <NUM>, and when the event corresponds to a case where the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to different frequencies based on the type of a touch input. A touch input type including, for example, at least one of a tap, a double tap, a long tap, a flick, or a press may be referred to as a first touch type, and a touch input type including, for example, at least one of a multi-touch, a drag, or a drag and drop may be referred to as a second touch type. When the type of the touch input corresponds to the first touch type, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>, and when the type of the touch input corresponds to the second touch type, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the type of the touch input corresponds to the first touch type, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>, and when the type of the touch input corresponds to the second touch type, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the type of the touch input is changed, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency, based on the type of the changed touch input or may maintain the frequency.

For example, when the event detected in operation <NUM> corresponds to the second touch type and the frequency is changed to <NUM>, after which a touch input of the second touch type is detected, the processor <NUM> may maintain the frequency of <NUM>. When the event detected in operation <NUM> corresponds to the second touch type and the frequency is changed to <NUM>, after which a touch input of the second touch type is not detected, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM>. When the event detected in operation <NUM> corresponds to the second touch type and the frequency is changed to <NUM>, after which a touch input of the first touch type is detected, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM> or may not change the frequency. According to various embodiments, when a detected touch input is changed from the first touch type to the second touch type, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency, and when a detected touch input is changed from the second touch type to the first touch type, the processor <NUM> may not change the frequency.

According to various embodiments, when a user input of the second touch type is terminated, for example, when a second user input is not detected, the processor <NUM> may immediately change the frequency to <NUM>. When a second user input is not detected for a certain time after changing the frequency in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency back to <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, when a still image is displayed or the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time after changing the frequency to a high frequency in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency. For example, when a still image is displayed or the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time after changing the frequency to <NUM> in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM> or a frequency (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) less than <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency by stages. For example, when the frequency is changed to <NUM> in operation <NUM> during the operation at <NUM> in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency from <NUM> to <NUM>, may drive one frame at <NUM>, and may then change the frequency from <NUM> to <NUM>. Driving one frame at <NUM> may refer, for example, to driving a frequency operation cycle corresponding to <NUM> (e.g., four duty cycles and a black period). When the frequency is changed to <NUM> in operation <NUM> during the operation at <NUM> in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency from <NUM> to <NUM>, may drive one frame at <NUM>, and may then change the frequency from <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency without terminating the frequency operation cycle. For example, when an event is detected during a frequency operation cycle (e.g., six duty cycles and a black period) for <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM> without terminating the frequency operation cycle for <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may drive three duty cycles at <NUM> and may then change the frequency to <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the memory <NUM> may store gamma data (or gamma value) corresponding to at least two frequencies of the display device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may predict gamma data of a second frequency, based on the stored gamma data and may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency by reflecting the predicted gamma data.

According to various embodiments, when changing the frequency, the processor <NUM> may limit a frequency change, based on illuminance sensor information. When changing the frequency of the display, the processor <NUM> may limit a frequency change to resolve flickering due to a difference in brightness. When ambient light is bright, the visibility of flickering due to brightness may be reduced, and thus the processor <NUM> may limit a change in the frequency of the display according to the illuminance of ambient light. For example, the processor <NUM> may obtain illuminance sensor information from an illuminance sensor (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>) and may identify (or determine) whether the illuminance sensor information is a reference value or less. When the illuminance sensor information exceeds the reference value, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency of the display in response to the event, and when the illuminance sensor information is the reference value or less, the processor <NUM> may not change the frequency of the display in response to the event. When the illuminance sensor information is the reference value or less, the processor <NUM> may fix the frequency of the display for use. For example, when ambient light is bright, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency of the display. In a low-illuminance environment (e.g., a dark room), the processor <NUM> may fix the frequency of the display for use instead of changing the frequency. Fixing the frequency may refer, for example, to maintaining the frequency of the display currently driven. The reference value may be set by the user or may be set by default in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the reference value may be <NUM> lux.

According to various embodiments, when changing the frequency, the processor <NUM> may identify (or determine) whether the state of the display device <NUM> corresponds to a frequency fixing condition. The frequency fixing condition may include, for example, at least one of illuminance sensor information being a reference value or less, a multi-window environment, display of a keypad, or display of fixed information in a certain area. The processor <NUM> may determine, as the frequency fixing condition, at least one case of where the illuminance sensor information is the reference value or less, where a multi-window is displayed on the display device <NUM>, where a keypad is displayed on the display device <NUM>, or fixed information (e.g., a key pad or setting window) is displayed in a certain area of the display device <NUM>. The certain area may include a certain portion (e.g., <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or the like) of the total area (e.g., <NUM>%) of the display device <NUM>. The certain area may be set by default in the electronic device <NUM>. When the state of the display corresponds to the frequency fixing condition, the processor <NUM> may not change the frequency of the display in response to the event. When the state of the display corresponds to the frequency fixing operation, the processor <NUM> may maintain the frequency of the display currently driven. When the state of the display does not correspond to the frequency fixing condition, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency of the display in response to the event.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a duty cycle for each frequency according to a conventional art.

Referring to <FIG>, conventionally, the number of duty cycles for any frequency may be set to <NUM> regardless of the frequency of a display. For example, since a screen is displayed <NUM> times per second at a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, one duty cycle <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> duty cycle) may have a time of <NUM>. Further, since a screen is displayed <NUM> times per second at a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, one duty cycle <NUM> may have a time of <NUM>. That is, the numbers of frames for display at the respective frequencies are different, but the frequencies have the same duty cycle of <NUM> and may thus have different times of one duty cycle. One duty cycle (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) may be divided into a light emitting period (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) and a non-light emitting period (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>). Conventionally, there may be a difference in time of a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period in one duty cycle between frequencies. For example, there is a difference in time between the light emitting period <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> and the light emitting period <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and there is a difference in time between the non-light emitting period <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> and the non-light emitting period <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

Since there is a difference in time of one duty cycle between the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> and the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, a difference may also occur in time of a total duty cycle (or frequency operation cycle) therebetween. For example, a total duty cycle <NUM> (e.g., four duty cycles per one refresh period for emitting light by pixels of the display) for the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> may have a time of <NUM>, and a total duty cycle <NUM> for the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> may have a time of <NUM>. In this case, when the frequency is changed from the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, the difference in total duty cycle time between the frequencies may be increased. In this case, a difference (e.g., brightness difference) between gamma data (or gamma value) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> and gamma data of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> occurs, and a user may recognize (or perceive) the brightness difference.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency in an electronic device according to various embodiments, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency in an electronic device according to various embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may determine a frequency operation cycle (e.g., refresh period) corresponding to each frequency such that frequencies have the same time of one duty cycle. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles such that a light emitting period <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and a non-light emitting period <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in one duty cycle <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency have the same time. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> per one refresh period for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM> or may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> per one refresh period for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM>. In addition, the processor <NUM> may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> per one refresh period for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM>, may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> per one refresh period for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM>, may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> per one refresh period for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM>, and may determine the number of duty cycles <NUM> for a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to be <NUM>.

One duty cycle <NUM> and <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> and <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> and <NUM>, one duty cycle <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, one duty cycle <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, one duty cycle <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and one duty cycle <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> may have the same time.

One duty cycle <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> corresponding to each frequency <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include one light emitting period <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and one non-light emitting period <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may determine the number (or count) of duty cycles for each frequency and may determine (or set) a black period <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, based on the determined number of duty cycles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine the number of non-light emitting periods to be included as a black period, based on the determined number of duty cycles. For example, when the number of duty cycles <NUM> is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set a black period <NUM> to <NUM>; when the number of duty cycles <NUM> is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set a black period <NUM> is set to <NUM>; and when the number of duty cycles <NUM> is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may set a black period <NUM> to <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include a black period (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) including as many non-light emitting periods as the number of light emitting periods included in the frequency operation cycle (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) or the number of duty cycles included in the frequency operation cycle. For example, the processor <NUM> may include the black period <NUM> (e.g., a and b) including two non-light emitting periods (e.g., a and b) in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may include the black period <NUM> (e.g., a, b, and c) including three non-light emitting periods (e.g., a, b, and c) in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. Further, the processor <NUM> may include the black period <NUM> including four non-light emitting periods (e.g., a, b, c, and d) in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, may include the black period <NUM> including six non-light emitting periods (e.g., a, b, c, d, e, and f) in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may include the black period <NUM> including <NUM> non-light emitting periods (e.g., a, b,. , k, and l) in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may adjust the black period, based on the number of duty cycles included in the frequency operation cycle. For example, the processor <NUM> may adjust the number (or count) of non-light emitting periods included in the black period, based on the number of duty cycles included in the frequency operation cycle. The number of duty cycles <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> is <NUM>, which is considerably greater than that of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may include a black period <NUM> including six non-light emitting periods in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may include the black period in the middle of the frequency operation cycle, based on the black period. The number of duty cycles <NUM> in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> may be <NUM>, and the black period <NUM> may also be <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may include the black period <NUM> in the middle (e.g., the eighth or tenth) of the duty cycles <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. The number of duty cycles <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> may be <NUM>, and the black period <NUM> may also be <NUM>. In this case, the processor <NUM> may include the black period <NUM> in the middle (e.g., the tenth) of the duty cycles <NUM> included in the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a frequency during a frequency operation cycle according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, when an event <NUM> is detected, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may change a frequency during a frequency operation cycle (e.g., refresh period). For example, the processor <NUM> may drive a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) at a first frequency <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>), and may change the frequency to a second frequency <NUM> (e.g., <NUM>) before a frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the first frequency <NUM> expires when the event <NUM> is detected while driving the display at the first frequency <NUM>. For example, the first frequency <NUM> is a <NUM>-Hz frequency, and the frequency operation cycle <NUM> includes six duty cycles <NUM> including a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period and a black period <NUM> including six non-light emitting periods. When the event <NUM> is detected while driving a third duty cycle <NUM> including a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period at the first frequency <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive a fourth duty cycle <NUM> at the first frequency <NUM> and may then perform driving at the second frequency <NUM>. Since the first frequency <NUM> and the second frequency <NUM> have the same time of one duty cycle, it may be possible to provide a seamless screen due to an insignificant difference in brightness between frequencies even when changing to the second frequency <NUM> in the middle of the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of the first frequency <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> illustrating an example frequency change method of an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may control the electronic device to drive a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) at a first frequency. The first frequency may, for example, be at least one of <NUM> to <NUM>. Hereinafter, the first frequency may be described as <NUM> to aid in understanding of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited by the description. Operation <NUM> may be equivalent or similar to operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may detect a user input. The user input may include, for example, at least one of a touch by a user on one point of the display device <NUM> with a touch input tool (e.g., a user's body part (e.g., a finger) or a stylus pen), detachment of a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) mounted on the electronic device <NUM>, a voice command, an input with a physical button, or an input through a sensor. The processor <NUM> may detect a touch input on at least one point of the display device <NUM> through touch circuitry. The processor <NUM> may detect a user input, such as detachment of a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) from the electronic device <NUM>, a voice command to call the electronic device <NUM> from a microphone (e.g., the input device <NUM> of <FIG>), or selection of a physical button.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the first frequency to a second frequency by stages. The second frequency is a frequency changed according to detection of the user input and may be higher than the first frequency. The second frequency may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>. Hereinafter, the second frequency may be described as <NUM> to aid in understanding of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited by the description. The frequency change by stages may refer, for example, to changing to the second frequency via any other frequency, rather than changing from the first frequency directly to the second frequency. Hereinafter, any other frequency is described as <NUM> in order to aid in understanding of the disclosure, but the other frequency may be a frequency other than <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may change from a <NUM>-Hz frequency to a <NUM>-Hz frequency and then from the <NUM>-Hz frequency to a <NUM>-Hz frequency, rather than changing the frequency from a <NUM>-Hz frequency directly to a <NUM>-Hz frequency. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency in the middle of a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. Driving the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency may refer, for example, to driving one frame at the <NUM>-Hz frequency. For example, the processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency and may drive the display device <NUM> for four light emitting periods and non-light emitting periods (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <NUM> in <FIG>). The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> for one frame at the <NUM>-Hz frequency and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency.

According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may omit operation <NUM>. For example, when there is an insignificant frequency difference between the first frequency and the second frequency, the processor <NUM> may skip operation <NUM> and may immediately perform operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive the display (e.g., the display device <NUM>) at the second frequency. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the <NUM>-Hz frequency. Although the processor <NUM> is described as separately performing operation <NUM> of changing the frequency and operation <NUM> of driving the frequency to aid in understanding of the disclosure, operation <NUM> and operation <NUM> may be performed simultaneously.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a touch drag is detected. The touch drag may be detected simultaneously with the user input (e.g., operation <NUM>) or after the user input. The touch drag may include, for example, at least one of a multi-touch, a drag, or a drag and drop among the user inputs. When the touch drag is detected ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>, and when the touch drag is not detected ("No" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. When the touch drag is detected, the processor <NUM> may return to operation <NUM> and may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency.

Hereinafter, an operation of changing the frequency when a touch drag is detected is illustrated, but operation <NUM> may be maintained even though a touch drag is not detected. For example, the processor <NUM> may maintain the second frequency even though a touch drag is not detected.

When the touch drag is not detected, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a still image is displayed in operation <NUM>. The still image may, for example, be an image that does not express a movement or does not have a time element and may be, for example, a document, a picture, a photo, a web page, or a webtoon, etc. The processor <NUM> may determine whether data (or information or a screen) displayed on the display device <NUM> corresponds to a still image. When the still image is not displayed ("No" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>, and when the still image is displayed ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>.

When the still image is not displayed, the processor <NUM> may change the second frequency to the first frequency by stages in operation <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may change from the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency and then from the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, rather than changing from the <NUM>-Hz frequency immediately to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency in the middle of a frequency operation cycle of the <NUM>-Hz frequency (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>). The processor <NUM> may change from the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. Operation <NUM>, which changes the frequency from a high frequency to a low frequency by stages, and operation <NUM>, which changes the frequency from a low frequency to a high frequency by stages, are different only in frequency but may perform equivalent or similar operations. According to various embodiments, when there is an insignificant frequency difference between the first frequency and the second frequency, the processor <NUM> may change the second frequency directly to the first frequency, rather than changing the frequency by stages.

According to various embodiments, when a user input is not detected for a certain time according to content displayed on the display device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may maintain the frequency of the display at a high speed. For example, when high-speed photographing is temporarily paused and is then resumed or when a game application configure to be executed at a high frequency is temporarily paused and is then played again, the processor <NUM> may maintain the frequency of the display at a high speed. When the still image is displayed, the processor <NUM> may change the second frequency to a third frequency by stages in operation <NUM>. For example, the third frequency may refer to a frequency lower than the first frequency. The third frequency may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>. Hereinafter, the third frequency may be described as <NUM> to aid in understanding of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited by the description.

The processor <NUM> may change from the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency and may then change the <NUM>-Hz frequency. Next, the processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency and may then change o <NUM>-Hz frequency.

The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> in <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may change to a <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. According to various embodiments, when there is an insignificant frequency difference between the second frequency and the third frequency, the processor <NUM> may change the second frequency directly to the third frequency, rather than changing the frequency by stages.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a frequency by stages in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may detect a user input <NUM> while driving a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) at a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. The user input may include at least one of a touch input, detachment of a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) mounted on the electronic device <NUM>, a voice command, an input with a physical button, or an input through a sensor, etc. When the user input <NUM> is detected, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> by stages. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change to a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> in the middle of a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

After changing to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, when a touch drag <NUM> is detected, the processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. When the touch drag <NUM> is not detected, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> by stages. When the touch drag <NUM> is not detected and a variance in a displayed image is less than a reference value, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> by stages. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> in the middle of a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>). The processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM> to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may then change to a <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may detect a user input. The user input may include, for example, at least one of a touch input, detachment of a pen (e.g., a stylus pen) mounted on the electronic device <NUM>, a voice command, an input with a physical button, or an input through a sensor, etc. According to various embodiments, the processor <NUM> may detect the user input while driving a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) at a frequency of at least one of <NUM> to <NUM>. Operation <NUM> is equivalent or similar to operation <NUM> of <FIG>, and thus a detailed description thereof may not be repeated here.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change and drive the driving frequency of the display device <NUM> to a high frequency by stages. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the frequency to <NUM> to drive the display device <NUM>. When the user input is detected in operation <NUM> while the display device <NUM> is operating at a <NUM>-Hz frequency, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency to a <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may change to a <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> (e.g., for one frame) according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. When the user input is detected in operation <NUM> while the display device <NUM> is operating at a <NUM>-Hz frequency, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to a frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may change to <NUM>, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the display device <NUM> according to the frequency operation cycle (e.g., the frequency operation cycle <NUM> of <FIG>) of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, and may then change to <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether a touch drag is detected. The touch drag may be detected simultaneously with the user input (e.g., operation <NUM>) or after the user input. The touch drag may include, for example, at least one of a multi-touch, a drag, or a drag and drop, etc., among the user inputs. When the touch drag is detected ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may repeatedly perform operation <NUM>, and when the touch drag is not detected ("No" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>. When the touch drag is detected, the processor <NUM> may monitor whether the touch drag is released. Operation <NUM> is equivalent or similar to operation <NUM> of <FIG>, and thus a detailed description thereof may not be repeated here.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may analyze an image variance. The processor <NUM> may analyze an image variance on a screen displayed on the display device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may analyze an image variance over time from the displayed screen, thereby detecting the image variance. The processor <NUM> may receive the image variance from a DDI.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the image variance exceeds a reference value. The reference value may be a criterion for changing the driving frequency of the display device <NUM> and may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>. When the image variance exceeds the reference value ("Yes" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>, and when the image variance is the reference value or less ("No" in operation <NUM>), the processor <NUM> may perform operation <NUM>.

When the image variance exceeds the reference value, the processor <NUM> may change to a reference frequency by stages in operation <NUM>. The reference frequency may, for example, be a frequency operating in the normal mode and may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the high frequency to the reference frequency via an arbitrary frequency (e.g., <NUM>), rather than changing from the high frequency (e.g., <NUM>) directly to the reference frequency (e.g., <NUM>). For example, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the <NUM>-Hz frequency for one frame, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. According to various embodiments, when there is an insignificant frequency difference between the high frequency and the reference frequency, the processor <NUM> may change the high frequency directly to the reference frequency, rather than changing the frequency by stages.

When the image variance is the reference value or less, the processor <NUM> may change to a low frequency by stages in operation <NUM>. The low frequency may, for example, be a frequency at which the display device <NUM> operates in a power saving mode and may be preset in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the high frequency to the low frequency via an arbitrary frequency (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>), rather than changing the high frequency (e.g., <NUM>) directly to the low frequency (e.g., <NUM>). For example, the processor <NUM> may change the <NUM>-Hz frequency to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the <NUM>-Hz frequency for one frame, may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the <NUM>-Hz frequency for one frame, may change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency, may drive the <NUM>-Hz frequency for one frame, and may then change to the <NUM>-Hz frequency.

According to various embodiments, when the image variance exceeds a first reference value, the processor <NUM> may maintain the high frequency. When the image variance is the first reference value or less and a second reference value or greater, the processor <NUM> may change to the reference frequency. The second reference value may be an image variance lower than the first reference value. When the image variance is less than the second reference value, the processor <NUM> may change to the low frequency.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may store gamma data (or gamma value) corresponding to at least two frequencies of a display (e.g., the display device <NUM>). Gamma data may refer, for example, to a value used to express the brightness (e.g., luminance) of the display device <NUM> and may vary for each operating frequency of the display device <NUM>. The gamma data may be represented by a voltage value. The processor <NUM> may store the gamma data in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>). As the number of operating frequencies of the display device <NUM> increases, the amount of data to be stored in the memory <NUM> increases, which may limit the use of the memory <NUM>. In consideration of this aspect, the processor <NUM> may store gamma data corresponding to at least two frequencies (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) among operating frequencies of the display device <NUM> in the memory <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive the display (e.g., the display device <NUM>) at a first frequency. The first frequency may be at least one of <NUM> to <NUM>. Hereinafter, the first frequency may be described as <NUM> to aid in understanding of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited by the description. Operation <NUM> may be equivalent or similar to operation <NUM> of <FIG> or operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may detect an event. The event may correspond to a trigger signal for a frequency change. The frequency change may refer, for example, to a change (or switch) to a frequency (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) lower than the driving frequency (e.g., <NUM>) in operation <NUM> or a frequency (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) higher than the driving frequency. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine that the event is detected when at least one is detected among detection of a user input, execution of a preset (or specific) application, detection of a user input within a preset application, a case where an image variance is a reference value or higher, display of a still image, or a case where the electronic device <NUM> is unavailable for a preset time. Operation <NUM> may be equivalent or similar to operation <NUM> of <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may predict second gamma data of a second frequency, based on the stored gamma data. The second frequency may refer, for example, to a frequency (e.g., a high frequency, <NUM>, or <NUM>) higher than the first frequency or a frequency (e.g., a low frequency, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) lower than the first frequency. For example, when the second frequency is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may predict gamma data of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, based on the gamma data stored corresponding to <NUM>-Hz frequency. Alternatively, when the second frequency is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may predict gamma data of the <NUM>-Hz frequency, based on gamma data stored corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency. When the second frequency corresponds to a frequency stored in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may omit operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive the display (e.g., the display device <NUM>) at the second frequency by applying the predicted gamma data. The gamma data indicates the brightness of the display device <NUM>. The greater the gamma data is, the higher the brightness is, and the smaller the gamma data is, the lower the brightness is. For example, when the second frequency is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency by adjusting (e.g., increasing) the stored gamma data corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency by a reference value or more. When the second frequency is <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency by adjusting (e.g., decreasing) the stored gamma data corresponding to the <NUM>-Hz frequency by a reference value or less. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency through a DDI used to drive pixels included in the display device <NUM>.

<NUM> is a graph <NUM> illustrating an example of predicting gamma data of a frequency in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG> or a DDI) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may store gamma data corresponding to at least two frequencies (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>). When an event is detected while driving a display (e.g., the display device <NUM>) at a <NUM>-Hz frequency, the processor <NUM> may change to a frequency corresponding to the detected event. For example, the processor <NUM> may predict gamma data <NUM> of a <NUM>-Hz frequency, based on gamma data <NUM> of a <NUM>-Hz frequency. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may predict the gamma data <NUM> at the <NUM>-Hz frequency, based on gamma data <NUM> of a <NUM>-Hz frequency and intermediate gamma data <NUM> of the <NUM>-Hz frequency and the <NUM>-Hz frequency. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the <NUM>-Hz frequency by applying the predicted gamma data <NUM>.

<NUM> is a diagram illustrating an example of changing a frequency according to a user input according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. <NUM>, when an event <NUM> is detected a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to various embodiments may change a frequency during a frequency operation cycles of the frequency. For example, the processor <NUM> may drive a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) at a first frequency (e.g., <NUM>), and may change the frequency to a second frequency (e.g., <NUM>) when the event <NUM> is detected while driving the display at the first frequency. The event <NUM> may, for example, be a user input of scrolling the display device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may drive the display device <NUM> at the second frequency while the event <NUM> is detected (<NUM>). When release <NUM> of the event (e.g., release of a touch scroll) is detected, the processor <NUM> may change the second frequency to the first frequency. While changing the frequency according to the release <NUM> of the event (<NUM>), the processor <NUM> may display a certain number of frames (e.g., one frame or <NUM> frames), based on content displayed on the display device <NUM> or a user input. For example, when the frequency is changed while a screen is rapidly changed according to a scroll input, a user may recognize a frequency change due to flicking on the screen.

In order to prevent this problem, the processor <NUM> may display a certain number of frames after the release <NUM> of the event is detected for a certain time <NUM> in view of content displayed on the display device <NUM> or a vector value of a user input. The vector value of the user input may include, for example, a scrolling direction or a scrolling speed. The processor <NUM> may obtain a frame to be displayed on the display device <NUM> by calculating the vector value of the user input and may display the obtained frame. The processor <NUM> may change to the second frequency when another event <NUM> is detected while driving the display at the first frequency. When the frequency is changed, the processor <NUM> may add a frame, thereby providing a seamless screen between frequencies.

An operating method of an electronic device according to various example embodiments may include: operating according to a first number of duty cycles based on a display (e.g., the display device <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device operating at a first refresh rate; and operating according to a second number of duty cycles based on the display operating at a second refresh rate, wherein the first number may less than the second number based on the first refresh rate being higher than the second refresh rate.

One refresh period may include a first porch period based on an operation being performed at the first refresh rate, and may include a second porch period different from the first porch period, based on an operation being performed at the second refresh rate.

According to various example embodiments, it is possible to set a frequency operation cycle corresponding to each frequency, based on a common divisor of frequencies of a display, to drive the display, based on the set frequency operation cycle, and to change the frequency of the display corresponding to an even when the event is detected.

According to various example embodiments, light emitting times and non-light emitting times at different frequencies may be controlled, thereby resolving flickering that occurs in a frequency change.

According to various example embodiments, a black (e.g., porch) period may be included in a frequency operation cycle, thereby preventing a brightness difference due to a frequency change.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) including information on a number of duty cycles included in one refresh period for emitting light by pixels of the display (<NUM>) corresponding to each of a plurality of refresh rates of the display (<NUM>), wherein a duty cycle is a cycle of light emission comprising a light emitting period and a non-light emitting period; and
a processor (<NUM>),
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is configured to control the electronic device (<NUM>) to:
perform an operation of the display (<NUM>) with a first number of duty cycles based on the display (<NUM>) operating at a first refresh rate; and
perform an operation of the display (<NUM>) with a second number of duty cycles based on the display (<NUM>) operating at a second refresh rate,
wherein the first number of duty cycles is less than the second number of duty cycles based on the first refresh rate being higher than the second refresh rate,
wherein one refresh period further includes a first porch period based on an operation being performed at the first refresh rate, or includes a second porch period different from the first porch period based on an operation being performed at the second refresh rate, wherein a porch period is a non-light emitting period within the refresh period not within a duty cycle, and
wherein a length of one duty cycle corresponding to the first refresh rate is the same as a length of one duty cycle corresponding to the second refresh rate.