Display control of normally on display mode of computing device

Abstract

A method for refreshing pixels of a display operating in a normally-on mode comprises identifying a plurality of pixels of the display that are activated while the display is operating in a normally-on mode, and dividing the plurality of pixels into at least a first sub-group (110) of the pixels and a second sub-group (120) of the pixels, the first sub-group of pixels and the second sub-group of pixels are mutually exclusive, and the first sub-group of pixels and the second sub-group of pixels are alternately activated and deactivated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to controlling displays of computing devices. In particular, the present disclosure generally relates to controlling display screens of computing devices, particularly wearable computing devices such as smart watches or other smart wearable devices. In particular, aspects of the disclosed invention utilize high-resolution organic light emitting diode ("OLED") displays to periodically turn off different groups of pixels on the display, which helps prevent visual artifacts from appearing on the display while still providing a complete image for display so that a user can still continuously view the display screen at a glance. Background Art

[0002] On mobile computing devices, and especially on smart wearable devices, it is desirable to present content for display in a manner that is quickly accessible and at a glance. The goal is to allow the user to access information by viewing the content and / or quickly perform actions such as pressing a button without explicitly invoking the main system display. A common method of achieving this is to put the mobile computing device in an "always-on display" mode ("AOD"). In AOD mode, content is displayed on the screen even if the user is not explicitly interacting with the device.

[0003] Mobile computing devices are idle most of the time. This is especially true for wearable computing devices, since user interactions with the wearable computing devices are usually brief and brief. Therefore, the wearable computing devices will be in AOD mode most of the time, displaying the same content for extended periods of time.

[0004] OLED displays are susceptible to image retention when static image content is displayed for extended periods of time, which manifests as visible artifacts of the static image "underlying" the newly displayed content shown when the screen is refreshed. These visible artifacts appear as "ghosts" or reappearances of previously displayed images. The presence of these visible artifacts may be temporary in nature, but may indicate a quality issue or defect in the display. In some cases, the visible artifacts may be permanent and "burned in," thereby permanently making the visible artifact visible.

[0005] Existing mitigation solutions for visible artifacts include using more expensive and advanced OLED panels or user interface solutions where content is shifted across the screen to minimize the fraction of time that a still image is displayed. Summary of the invention

[0006] Various aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method for refreshing pixels of a display operating in an always-on mode may be provided. The method may include identifying a plurality of pixels of the display that are activated when the display is operating in the always-on mode, and dividing the plurality of pixels into at least a first subset of the pixels and a second subset of the pixels, the first subset of the pixels and the second subset of the pixels being mutually exclusive. The method may also include alternately activating and deactivating the first subset of pixels and the second subset of pixels.

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate example embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the relevant principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A detailed discussion of the embodiments for those skilled in the art is set forth in this specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 Shown are representations of what is displayed when different groups of pixels are turned off, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 A display of a wearable computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A process for selecting pixels to turn off on a display of a wearable computing device is shown in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 4 A graph showing a comparison of image preservation contrast according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 A method for displaying content on a display of a computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 A method for alternately activating and deactivating subsets of pixels on a display of a computing device is shown in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 7 A wearable computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure rather than by way of limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used together with another embodiment to produce yet further embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is intended to encompass such modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0018] The present disclosure relates generally to controlling display screens of computing devices, particularly wearable computing devices such as smart watches or other smart wearable devices. In particular, aspects of the disclosed invention utilize OLED displays to periodically turn off different groups of pixels on the display, which helps prevent visual artifacts from appearing on the display while still providing a complete image for display so that a user can still continuously view the display screen at a glance.

[0019] The proposed invention addresses the deficiencies of previous systems by utilizing the use of a high-resolution OLED display to periodically turn off different groups of pixels while content is being displayed in AOD mode. This allows pixel-level "relaxation" of image retention elements while an image with static elements is still continuously displayed in AOD mode. The pixels that are displaying content can be subdivided into groups of pixels. Each pixel group can be a complete representation of the displayed content, but at a lower overall resolution (e.g., 160ppi instead of 320ppi) than if each pixel had remained permanently turned on to display the content. Each pixel group can be turned off in turn while other pixel groups remain turned on or are turned back on, allowing the pixels in each group to be relaxed in turn. After cycling through each group of pixels, the entire screen area of ​​the display has been "refreshed", and can continue to cycle in this manner to allow local pixel-level relaxation when the computing device is in AOD mode, while still displaying the desired image content for an extended period of time.

[0020] This method of controlling pixel relaxation for groups of pixels is advantageous because it can be implemented in software without changing the underlying display hardware. For example, an alpha display layer can be used, which is a display layer located above all other display layers. This alpha display layer can include information about which pixels should be turned off within each pixel relaxation cycle. When the user interface image of the displayed content is synthesized (e.g., when the various display layers are output for display), the alpha display layer indicates which pixels should be turned off, regardless of what should be displayed in the layer below the alpha display layer. Therefore, the displayed content is displayed without being significantly affected by turning off different groups of pixels. In addition, whenever the displayed content must be updated (e.g., when the displayed time changes), the alpha display layer can switch to a different group of pixels that should be turned off. Therefore, overuse of pixels can be avoided and "ghost" images can be better prevented without changing the hardware of the computing device.

[0021] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 A representation of displayed content 100 is shown when different groups of pixels are turned off, according to some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0022] The first representation 105 shows a magnified portion of the displayed content 100 with the first group of pixels 110 turned off. In the first representation 105, the pixels constituting the displayed content 100 are divided into four-pixel square units. The first group of pixels 110 may include, for example, an upper left pixel in a four-pixel square unit and a lower right pixel in a four-pixel square unit. When these pixels are turned off, the displayed content 100 may be displayed at a lower resolution than if all four pixels in the four-pixel square unit were turned on.

[0023] The second illustration 115 shows a magnified portion of the displayed content 100 with the second group of pixels 120 turned off. The second group of pixels 120 may include, for example, an upper right pixel in a four-pixel square unit and a lower left pixel in a four-pixel square unit. When these pixels are turned off, the displayed content may be displayed at a lower resolution than if all four pixels in the four-pixel square unit were turned on.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first group of pixels 110 and the second group of pixels 120 include only one pixel that is turned off, such as only one pixel in a four-pixel square unit. Additional details about the selection of two or one pixels to be turned off in each of the first group of pixels 110 and the second group of pixels 120 can be found below in relation to Figure 3 turn up.

[0025] Figure 2A display 200 of a wearable computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown. While it is contemplated that aspects of the present disclosure may be used with any computing device that includes a display, particularly an OLED display, aspects of the present disclosure are particularly advantageous for mobile and wearable computing devices because content displayed on these types of computing devices can often be presented in a manner that is quickly accessible (e.g., "at a glance"). This allows a user to access information by viewing the content and sometimes even quickly perform actions without invoking the computing system, such as by executing a "wake-up" function to activate the computing system. This is often achieved by operating the computing device in an AOD mode, in which content is displayed on the display even when the user is not explicitly interacting with the computing device, particularly a wearable computing device where device interactions are often brief and transient. As a result, these devices will spend most of their time in this AOD mode, displaying the same content for long periods of time.

[0026] The display 200 may include various information that a user of the wearable computing device may wish to access. For example, the display 200 may include the current date, the current time, the number of steps taken by the user of the wearable computing device, battery information for the wearable computing device, notification information for various software applications, settings information, weather information for the current location of the wearable computing device, display options, etc.

[0027] Figure 3 A process 300 for selecting pixels to turn off on a display of a wearable computing device is shown in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0028] As mentioned above about Figure 1 As described, an area of ​​the display 100 may be subdivided into four-pixel square units, such as the pixel unit 305. Two different methods may be used to control the display 100. In a first method 310, four separate pixel groups may be used (e.g., four groups with one pixel each corresponding to one of the pixels of the pixel unit 305). In a second method 315, two separate pixel groups may be used (e.g., two groups each with two pixels, where the pixels in the same group are positioned diagonally to each other, such as an upper left pixel and a lower right pixel).

[0029] In the first method 310, each group in the four pixel groups (e.g., each individual pixel of the pixel unit 305) can be turned off in turn. For example, as shown in operation 320, the lower right pixel of the pixel unit 305 can be turned off first. After a period of time (such as one minute), the lower right pixel of the pixel unit 305 can be reopened, and then the lower left pixel of the pixel unit 305 can be turned off. This can be repeated for the upper left pixel and the upper right pixel in turn, and operation 320 can be repeated indefinitely afterwards, wherein the entire display is refreshed after 4 cycles. The first method 310 is advantageous because it allows the display to maintain a desired display resolution (e.g., 320 PPI) while still allowing pixel relaxation for each pixel in the individual pixel in the pixel unit 305 in turn.

[0030] In the second method 315, each group in the dual pixel group can be turned off in turn. For example, as shown in operation 325, the pixel group including the lower right pixel and the upper left pixel can be turned off. After a period of time (such as one minute), the pixels in this first pixel group can be turned back on, and the other two pixels in the pixel unit 305 (e.g., the second pixel group including the upper right pixel and the lower left pixel of the pixel unit 305) can be turned off. Operation 325 can then be repeated indefinitely. The second method 315 is advantageous because although the display resolution is halved (e.g., from 320 PPI to 160 PPI), fewer refresh cycles are required to refresh the entire display, which can save battery life of the wearable computing device.

[0031] In either method, for a pixel group, pixels are mutually exclusive. For example, a pixel can only be assigned to one of four groups in the first method 310 or can only be assigned to one of two groups in the second method 320.

[0032] When pixels are turned off, the resulting perceived brightness of the display can be affected. For example, a display calibrated to 3 nits will appear to have a perceived brightness of 1.5 nits if the second method 315 (turning off two pixels at a time) is used. In some embodiments, it is desirable to have a reduction in brightness, such as when the computing device is operating at night or in other low light conditions, or when the computing device is docked for charging.

[0033] However, under normal ambient light conditions, it may be desirable to maintain a target display brightness set to the brightness of the environment. To compensate for the reduced perceived brightness, the display brightness values ​​of pixels that are not currently turned off may be boosted. For example, given a desired brightness of 75 nits, using the first method 310, the display brightness values ​​of the turned-on pixels may be boosted to 100 nits when the fourth pixel is turned off. Using the second method 315, each of the two turned-on pixels may be boosted to 150 nits, while the other two pixels are turned off.

[0034] In some embodiments, this change in display brightness can be dynamically affected based on external brightness detected by, for example, an ambient light sensor input. However, using this measurement alone can cause the display to be dimmed below the desired value in a given environment. Therefore, a custom lookup table can be used for the AOD mode. For example, in the case of using the second method 315 (where two pixels are turned off per cycle), the custom lookup table will need to specify a desired brightness value that is twice as large as the normal display mode (for example, if the normal operating mode will require a brightness of 50 nits, then the computing device operating under AOD will require a brightness of 100 nits).

[0035] In some embodiments, both the first method 310 and the second method 315 may include the use of an alpha layer. An alpha layer is a display layer for a display of a computing device implemented in software that can control which pixels are ultimately displayed, regardless of the signal of the underlying hardware that controls the pixels. For example, a display may be composed of multiple display layers for showing different information or providing different display functions. The layer is implemented as a software layer that is combined before being output for display. An alpha layer may be a display layer that transforms the underlying content for display into a partially or completely transparent display layer, which may uniformly attenuate the resulting brightness of the display and / or be used to selectively display certain pixels using, for example, an intermittent setting. When the layer is synthesized, the alpha layer may be the final or last layer in a stack of multiple display layers, and may indicate which pixels are to be made more transparent or more opaque and / or indicate which pixels are to be turned on or off.

[0036] In some embodiments, both the first method 310 and the second method 315 may include adding a 1 to 3 pixel wide blur step before turning off the pixels. Especially in the second method 315 (where two pixels in each four-pixel square unit are turned off in each cycle), some displayed content may appear "blocky" because the pixels are turned off. In order to prevent this blocky appearance, a blur step may be applied to the original image being displayed (e.g., before applying the pixel turning off filter). The blur step may include a matrix operation that runs across the entire display without knowing which pixels are to be turned off. In this way, the blur effect will diffuse the transition from the pixels that are turned on to the pixels that are turned off.

[0037] Figure 4 A graph 400 showing a comparison of image preservation contrast according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown. Image preservation contrast is used to measure the visibility of artifacts when switching from static content to a normal user interface. A first curve 405 shows that using the second method 320 (where two pixels in each four-pixel square unit are turned off per cycle) exhibits a significant reduction in image preservation contrast compared to other methods.

[0038] Figure 5 A method 500 for displaying content on a display of a computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, the method 500 may be performed by one or more processors of a computing device and may be stored as instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executed by one or more processors of the computing device.

[0039] At block 505, method 500 may include identifying a plurality of pixels that are displaying content on a display of a computing device. For example, if the display is currently configured to display content (e.g., date, time, battery information, weather information, etc.), method 500 may include identifying a location of the displayed content and a corresponding pixel associated with the location. In some embodiments, a pixel on / off switching operation as described below may be performed on all pixels that display content on the display. In an alternative embodiment, a pixel on / off switching operation may be performed on only a subset of pixels that display content.

[0040] At block 510, method 500 may include dividing the identified pixels into at least two subsets of pixel groups. Figure 3As described, the pixels of the displayed content can be divided into four-pixel square units. However, in other embodiments, pixels can be divided into groups or units of other sizes and / or shapes. Each unit in these four-pixel square units can then be subdivided into two or more pixel groups. In one implementation, each four-pixel square unit is divided into four pixel groups: one pixel group is for each pixel in the four-pixel square unit. In different implementations, each four-pixel square unit is divided into two pixel groups: one pixel group includes the upper left pixel and the lower right pixel in the four-pixel square unit, and one pixel group includes the upper right pixel and the lower left pixel in the four-pixel square unit.

[0041] In either implementation, the pixels from each four-pixel square cell are then grouped into larger pixel groups. For example, in a first implementation, each upper left pixel in each four-pixel square cell can be grouped into a first plurality of pixels ("pixel group"). In another example, in a second implementation, each identified pair of pixels (e.g., an upper left pixel and a lower right pixel) in each four-pixel square cell can be grouped into a first pixel group. In the first implementation, this grouping produces four pixel groups corresponding to the position of each pixel in the four-pixel square cell. In the second implementation, this grouping produces two pixel groups corresponding to the two sets of paired pixels in each four-pixel square cell.

[0042] At block 512, method 500 may include alternately activating and deactivating the identified pixel subgroups from block 510. For example, method 500 may include sequentially turning off each pixel group while leaving all remaining pixel groups turned on, thereby "cycling" turning off each pixel group in turn. More details on alternating activation and deactivation of pixel groups may be found below with respect to Figure 6 turn up.

[0043] Figure 6 A method 513 for alternately activating and deactivating subsets of pixels on a display of a computing device according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, the method 513 may be performed by one or more processors of the computing device and may be stored as instructions in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executed by one or more processors of the computing device.

[0044] At block 515, method 513 may include determining whether the display of the computing device is operating in AOD mode. This may be accomplished, for example, by checking one or more settings in memory to determine whether the display of the computing device is currently in AOD mode.

[0045] If the computing device is not in AOD mode ("NO" at block 515), method 513 may end (at block 520). In this case, the computing device may be in normal display mode and, therefore, may turn off the display after a set period of time (user-defined or otherwise), or otherwise manage the display of content on the display of the computing device.

[0046] If the computing device is in AOD mode ("yes" at block 515), the method 513 may include turning off a first pixel group in the plurality of pixel groups identified at block 510 (at block 525). For example, in a first implementation, the method 513 may include turning off all pixels in the first plurality of pixels that correspond to a lower left pixel in each four-pixel square unit. In a different example, in a second implementation, the method 513 may include turning off all pixels in the first plurality of pixels that correspond to a matching pixel pair (e.g., an upper left pixel and a lower right pixel) in each four-pixel square unit.

[0047] In some embodiments, method 513 may implement an alpha display layer that includes information indicating individual pixels that will be turned off when the first pixel group is turned off. This alpha display layer may then be used to turn off the indicated pixels by identifying the locations of the pixels to be turned off to the pixel power supply and activation logic of the computing device. This alpha display layer may then be regenerated for each new pixel group and / or when the displayed content is updated.

[0048] At block 530, method 513 may include waiting for a period of time when turning off the first pixel group. In some embodiments, the period of time may be one minute. This period of time allows the pixels that have been turned off to "rest" completely, or not display content, which in turn allows for a longer pixel life before the displayed content can be "burned" into the pixel.

[0049] At block 535, method 513 may include turning pixels in the first pixel group back on. This may be performed by identifying which pixels should be turned back on from the alpha display layer and providing instructions to pixel power and activation logic of the computing device for those pixels.

[0050] At block 540, method 513 may include turning off a second pixel group in the plurality of pixel groups identified at block 510. For example, in a first implementation, method 513 may include turning off all pixels in the second pixel group that correspond to an upper left pixel in each four-pixel square cell. In a different example, in a second implementation, method 513 may include turning off all pixels in the second pixel group that correspond to a matching pixel pair (e.g., an upper right pixel and a lower left pixel) in each four-pixel square cell.

[0051] Method 513 may then be repeated in whole or in part. For example, method 513 may then be repeated for each identified pixel group, causing one or two pixels in each four-pixel square unit to be alternately turned off and on. This enables the desired displayed content to be displayed at the desired normal resolution or at a resolution lower than normal, while still enabling the pixels to be turned off and thus relaxed in turn.

[0052] In some embodiments, method 513 may include adding a 1 to 3 pixel wide blur step before turning off pixels. Particularly in the second method 315 (where two pixels in each four-pixel square unit are turned off in each cycle), some displayed content may appear "blocky" due to the pixels being turned off. To prevent this blocky appearance, a blur step may be applied to the pixels that are turned on.

[0053] In some embodiments, method 513 may also include a pixel brightening step. When pixels are turned off, the resulting perceived brightness of the display may be affected. For example, if two pixels are turned off for each four-pixel square cell, a display calibrated to 3 nits will exhibit a perceived brightness of 1.5 nits. In some embodiments, it is desirable to have a reduction in brightness, such as when the computing device is operating at night or in other low light conditions, or when the computing device is docked for charging.

[0054] However, under normal ambient light conditions, it may be desirable to maintain a target display brightness set to the brightness of the environment. To compensate for the reduced perceived brightness, the display brightness values ​​of pixels that are not currently turned off may be increased. For example, given a desired brightness of 75 nits, and using an implementation in which one pixel is turned off per four-pixel square cell, the display brightness values ​​of the three turned-on pixels may be increased to 100 nits when the fourth pixel is turned off. In an implementation in which two pixels in each four-pixel square cell are turned off, each of the two turned-on pixels may be increased to 150 nits, while the other two pixels are turned off.

[0055] In some embodiments, this change in display brightness can be dynamically affected based on external brightness detected by, for example, an ambient light sensor input. However, using this measurement alone can result in the display being dimmed below the desired value in a given environment. Therefore, a custom lookup table can be used for the AOD mode. For example, when two pixels are turned off per cycle, the custom lookup table will need to specify a desired brightness value that is twice as large as the normal display mode (e.g., if the normal operating mode would require a brightness of 50 nits, a computing device operating under AOD would require a brightness of 100 nits).

[0056] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to increase the AOD brightness of turned-on pixels above the hardware limit set for the computing device. For example, for a display programmed for a maximum AOD brightness of 150 nits, if one pixel of each four-pixel square has been turned off, the perceived brightness will appear as 112.5 nits. In another example, for a display programmed for a maximum AOD brightness of 150 nits, if two pixels of each four-pixel square have been turned off, the perceived brightness will appear as 75 nits. Therefore, particularly in high ambient brightness scenarios (e.g., operation of a computing device in sunlight), two different methods may be used to compensate and achieve the desired brightness.

[0057] In one embodiment, a hardware method may be used. To increase the brightness of a pixel using hardware, method 513 may include generating instructions for providing an increased current to a currently turned-on pixel. This increased current corresponds to the desired increase in brightness required based on the number of pixels that are turned off per four-pixel square unit. For example, to achieve a 150 nit brightness value when two pixels in each four-pixel square unit are turned off, instructions may be generated for increasing the current to the turned-on pixels as if the desired brightness of the turned-on pixels were 300 nits.

[0058] In a second embodiment, a software approach may be used. For example, if the detected ambient lux condition is greater than 10,000, method 513 may include operating with all pixels turned on for a period of time (e.g., 1 to 5 minutes), and after the duration of this period of time, a "dimming effect" may be achieved by alternately turning off different groups of pixels, as described above. In some embodiments, this "dimming effect" may be combined with existing pixel shifting methods to extend the duration of the AOD during which all pixels are turned on, so that the pixel is relaxed even if it is currently turned on.

[0059] Figure 7 A wearable computing device 600 is depicted according to some implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the wearable computing device 700 can be worn, for example, on an arm 602 (e.g., a wrist) of a user. For example, the wearable computing device 600 can include a band 604 and a housing 610. In some implementations, the housing 610 can include a conductive material (e.g., a metal). In alternative implementations, the housing 110 can include a non-conductive material (e.g., a plastic material, a ceramic material).

[0060] The housing 610 can be coupled to the strap 604. In this manner, the strap 604 can be fastened to the user's arm 602 to secure the housing 610 to the user's arm 602.

[0061] In some implementations, the wearable computing device 600 may include a display screen 612. The display screen 612 may display content (e.g., time, date, biometrics, etc.) for a user to view. In some implementations, the display screen 612 may include an interactive display screen (e.g., a touch screen or a touch-free display screen). In such implementations, a user may interact with the wearable computing device 600 via the display screen 612 to control the operation of the wearable computing device 600.

[0062] In some implementations, the wearable computing device 600 can include one or more input devices 614 that can be manipulated (e.g., pressed) by a user to interact with the wearable computing device 600. For example, the one or more input devices 614 can include a mechanical button that can be manipulated (e.g., pressed) to interact with the wearable computing device 600. In some implementations, the one or more input devices 614 can be manipulated to control the operation of a backlight (not shown) associated with the display screen 612. It should be understood that the one or more input devices 614 can be configured to allow a user to interact with the wearable computing device 600 in any suitable manner. For example, in some implementations, the one or more input devices 614 can be manipulated by a user to navigate content displayed on the display screen 612 (e.g., one or more menu screens).

[0063] Although wearable computing device 600 is shown as an example computing device, it is contemplated that details of the present disclosure may be implemented on other types of computing devices, such as smart cell phones, personal computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, and the like.

[0064] Although the subject matter has been described in detail with respect to various specific example embodiments of the subject matter, each example is provided by way of explanation rather than limitation of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art, after understanding the foregoing, may easily produce changes, variations, and equivalents to such embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure does not exclude such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the subject matter that would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used together with another embodiment to produce yet further embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such changes, variations, and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for refreshing pixels of a display operating in an always-on mode, the method comprising: identifying a plurality of pixels of the display that are activated while the display is operating in the always-on mode; Dividing the plurality of pixels into at least two pixel subgroups, the at least two pixel subgroups comprising a first pixel subgroup and a second pixel subgroup, the first pixel subgroup and the second pixel subgroup being mutually exclusive; and The first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels are alternately activated and deactivated.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: Dividing the plurality of pixels into the at least two pixel subgroups comprises: dividing the plurality of pixels of the display content into four-pixel units; and Each pixel in each four-pixel cell is assigned to one of the at least two pixel subsets.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: Each four-pixel cell is a two-by-two pixel cell that displays content.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: The at least two pixel subgroups include two pixel subgroups, wherein assigning each pixel in each four-pixel unit to at least one of the two pixel subgroups includes: identifying two of the identified pixels in the four-pixel cell as pixels that are diagonally separated from each other in the two-by-two pixel cell; assigning the two identified pixels to the one of the two pixel subsets; and The other two pixels in the four-pixel cell are assigned to a second pixel subset of the two pixel subsets.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein: The at least two pixel subgroups include four pixel subgroups, and wherein assigning each pixel in each four-pixel cell to one of the four pixel subgroups includes assigning each pixel in the four-pixel cell to a different pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: opening a second pixel subgroup among the four pixel subgroups; closing a third pixel subgroup among the four pixel subgroups; Wait for a while; turning on the third pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups; and A fourth pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups is turned off.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: Turning off at least one pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups; Wait for a while; opening the at least one pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups; and A second pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups is turned off.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising increasing brightness of a pixel subgroup by increasing current supplied to a pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups currently being displayed.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: identifying which pixels of the display must be turned off based on the subset of pixels in the at least two subsets of pixels; providing the identified pixels to an alpha display layer; and The alpha display layer is used to turn off the identified pixels.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing an image blurring step before turning off a subgroup of pixels in the at least two subgroups of pixels.

11. A computing device, comprising: monitor; one or more processors; as well as a memory comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: identifying a plurality of pixels of the display that are activated while the display is operating in an always-on mode; Dividing the plurality of pixels into at least two pixel subgroups, the at least two pixel subgroups comprising a first pixel subgroup and a second pixel subgroup, the first pixel subgroup and the second pixel subgroup being mutually exclusive; and The first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels are alternately activated and deactivated.

12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein: Dividing the plurality of pixels into the at least two pixel subgroups comprises: dividing the plurality of pixels of the display content into four-pixel units; and Each pixel in each four-pixel cell is assigned to one of the at least two pixel subsets.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein: Each four-pixel cell is a two-by-two pixel cell that displays content.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein: The at least two pixel subgroups include two pixel subgroups, wherein assigning each pixel in each four-pixel unit to at least one of the two pixel subgroups includes: identifying two of the identified pixels in the four-pixel cell as pixels that are diagonally separated from each other in the two-by-two pixel cell; assigning the two identified pixels to the one of the two pixel subsets; and The other two pixels in the four-pixel cell are assigned to a second pixel subset of the two pixel subsets.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein: The at least two pixel subgroups include four pixel subgroups, and wherein assigning each pixel in each four-pixel cell to one of the four pixel subgroups includes assigning each pixel in the four-pixel cell to a different pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: opening a second pixel subgroup among the four pixel subgroups; closing a third pixel subgroup among the four pixel subgroups; Wait for a while; turning on the third pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups; and A fourth pixel subgroup of the four pixel subgroups is turned off.

17. The computing device of claim 11, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: Turning off at least one pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups; Wait for a while; opening the at least one pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups; and A second pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups is turned off.

18. The computing device of claim 11, the operations further comprising increasing brightness of a pixel subgroup of the at least two pixel subgroups currently being displayed by increasing current provided to the pixel subgroup.

19. The computing device of claim 11, wherein: Alternatingly activating and deactivating the first subgroup of pixels and the second subgroup of pixels comprises: identifying which pixels of the display must be turned off based on the subset of pixels in the at least two subsets of pixels; providing the identified pixels to an alpha display layer; and The alpha display layer is used to turn off the identified pixels.

20. The computing device of claim 11, the operations further comprising performing an image blurring step prior to turning off a subgroup of pixels in the at least two subgroups of pixels.

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