Mixed mode for frame buffer compression

A method for compressing image data in an electronic device, the method comprising:

• receiving a pixel block comprising a plurality of components, at least some of the plurality of components corresponding to a color channel of the pixel block;
• comparing values associated with each of the plurality of components to at least one of a high threshold and a low threshold to determine a level of color variance in each of the plurality of components;
• assigning a classification of smooth to at least one smooth component of the plurality of components, the value associated with the at least one smooth component being less than the low threshold;
• assigning a classification of variant to at least one variant component of the plurality of components;
• the value of associated with the at least one variant component being higher than the high threshold;
• and
• determining whether the pixel block is a mixed block based on the assigned classifications.

An apparatus for compressing image data in an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

• means for determining level of color variance in each of a plurality of components of a pixel block by comparing values associated with each of the plurality of components to at least one of a high threshold and a low threshold;
• means for assigning a classification of smooth to at least one smooth component of the plurality of components and assigning a classification of variant to at least one variant component, the value associated with the at least one smooth component being less than the low threshold and the value associated with the at least one variant component being greater than the high threshold;
• and
• means for determining whether the pixel block is a mixed block based on the assigned classifications.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause at least one physical computer processor to perform a method of compressing image data, the method comprising:

• determining level of color variance in each of a plurality of components of a pixel block by comparing values associated with each of the plurality of components to at least one of a high threshold and a low threshold;
• assigning a classification of either smooth or variant to at least some of the plurality of components based on the compared values;
• determining whether the pixel block is a mixed block based on the assigned classifications;
• and
• implementing different compression modes for at least one component assigned the smooth classification and at least one component assigned the variant classification.