/Patent Tracker
MicrosoftGranted patentChips & hardwareInterest 6/10

Microsoft patents network chip that skips unchanged video frames to save power

Microsoft has patented a system where a network adapter compares incoming video frames to see if they are identical to the previous one. If the frames are the same, the adapter blocks the new data from reaching the main processor, allowing the processor to stay in a low-power sleep mode. This reduces the workload on the main computer chip during static video streams.

Why it mattersThis could help laptops and remote workstations last longer on battery by letting the main processor rest when the screen isn't changing.

In the filing’s own words

Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable storage media described herein provide network adapter-based smart streaming front-end for computing devices. In an aspect, a network adapter separate from and communicatively coupled to a processor receives a first graphic data frame and transmits it to the processor. The network adapter receives a second graphic data frame and determines a level of similarity between a portion of the second graphic data frame and a corresponding portion of the first graphic data frame satisfies a threshold condition. Responsive to the determination, the network adapter prevents transmission of at least the portion of the second graphic data frame. In a further aspect, the network adapter transmits a different portion of the second graphic data frame. In an alternative aspect, a network adapter of a source device selectively transmits and prevents transmission of portions of graphic data frames to a remotely located computing device.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A system comprising: a processor; a network adapter physically separate from and communicatively coupled to the processor; and a memory comprising programming instructions structured to cause the network adapter to: receive a first graphic data frame, transmit the first graphic data frame to the processor, causing the processor to process the first graphic data frame and cause a display to display the first graphic data frame, subsequent to the processor entering a low-power state, receive a second graphic data frame, determine that a first level of similarity between the second graphic data frame and the first graphic data frame satisfies a threshold condition without causing the processor to exit the low-power state, and prevent transmission of the second graphic data frame to the processor, the prevention of the transmission maintaining the processor in the low-power state.

Facts

Company
Microsoft (Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC)
Official title
Network adapter-based smart streaming front-end for computing device
Patent number
US12750412B2
Application number
18674210
Filed
May 24, 2024
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

H04L 65/75 Electricity & electronicsG06F 1/3296 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

More from Microsoft in Chips & hardware

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.