Scanning image data to an array of pixels at an intermediate scan rate during a transition between different refresh rates

A method of operating a display device that includes an array of pixels, the method comprising:

• programming a first frame of image content to the array of pixels, while the display device is operating at a first refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the first refresh rate, including by scanning the first frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at a first scan rate;
• activating the array of pixels to present the first frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the first scan rate;
• receiving an indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to a second refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the second refresh rate, wherein prior to receiving the indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate, the display device programmed and presented a first series of at least one-hundred frames of image content at the first refresh rate, including the programming and presenting of the first frame of image content;
• programming, responsive to receiving the indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate, an intermediate frame of image content to the array of pixels, including by scanning the intermediate frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at an intermediate scan rate that is between the first scan rate and a second scan rate;
• activating the array of pixels to present the intermediate frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the intermediate scan rate;
• programming a second frame of image content to the array of pixels, after the display device has presented the intermediate frame of image content and while the display device is operating at the second refresh rate, including by scanning the second frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at the second scan rate;
• and
• activating the array of pixels to present the second frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the second scan rate, wherein after presenting the intermediate frame of image content, the display device presented a second series of at least one-hundred frames of image content at the second refresh rate, including the programming and presenting of the second frame of image content.

A display system, comprising:

• a display device that includes an array of pixels;
• and
• circuitry that is configured to:
• program a first frame of image content to the array of pixels, while the display device is operating at a first refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the first refresh rate, including by scanning the first frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at a first scan rate;
• activate the array of pixels to present the first frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the first scan rate;
• receive an indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to a second refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the second refresh rate;
• program, responsive to receiving the indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate, an intermediate frame of image content to the array of pixels, including by scanning the intermediate frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at an intermediate scan rate that is between the first scan rate and a second scan rate;
• activate the array of pixels to present the intermediate frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the intermediate scan rate, wherein:
• the display device presents a first line of the intermediate frame of image content by activating a first line of the array of pixels for a first amount of time;
• and
• the display device presents a second line of the intermediate frame of image content by activating a second line of the array of pixels for a second amount of time that is different from the first amount of time;
• program a second frame of image content to the array of pixels, after the display device has presented the intermediate frame of image content and while the display device is operating at the second refresh rate, including by scanning the second frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at the second scan rate;
• and
• activate the array of pixels to present the second frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the second scan rate.

A display system, comprising:

• a display device that includes an array of pixels;
• and
• circuitry that is configured to:
• program a first frame of image content to the array of pixels, while the display device is operating at a first refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the first refresh rate, including by scanning the first frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at a first scan rate;
• activate the array of pixels to present the first frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the first scan rate;
• receive an indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to a second refresh rate in which image content presented by the array of pixels is refreshed at the second refresh rate, wherein prior to receiving the indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate, the display device programmed and presented a first series of at least one-hundred frames of image content at the first refresh rate, including the programming and presenting of the first frame of image content;
• program, responsive to receiving the indication that the display device is to transition from the first refresh rate to the second refresh rate, an intermediate frame of image content to the array of pixels, including by scanning the intermediate frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at an intermediate scan rate that is between the first scan rate and a second scan rate;
• activate the array of pixels to present the intermediate frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the intermediate scan rate;
• program a second frame of image content to the array of pixels, after the display device has presented the intermediate frame of image content and while the display device is operating at the second refresh rate, including by scanning the second frame of image content line-by-line to the array of pixels at the second scan rate;
• and
• activate the array of pixels to present the second frame of image content that was scanned to the array of pixels at the second scan rate, wherein after presenting the intermediate frame of image content, the display device presented a second series of at least one-hundred frames of image content at the second refresh rate, including the programming and presenting of the second frame of image content.