Patent ID: 7639743

Claim:
An image decoder for decoding encoded motion picture data composed of plural frames of image data and for displaying the decoded motion picture data; the image decoder comprising: an electric power source having consumable energy for supplying electric power to respective units of the image decoder; means for determining the remaining energy of said source; a decoding means for decoding the frames of image data of the encoded motion picture data at an adjustable number of bits per pixel of the decoded motion picture data; means for measuring the amount of energy that was consumed during a decoding time interval; means for estimating the amount of energy anticipated to decode and display remaining motion picture data as a function of the measured amount of energy that was consumed; a displaying means for displaying the frames of the decoded motion picture data; and a controlling means for controlling the number of bits per pixel of the decoding means on the basis of a difference between said anticipated energy needed for decoding and displaying the motion picture data and the remaining energy of the electric power source to dynamically control the playing quality of the motion picture data by selectively reducing said number of bits per pixel.