Variable brightness dimming of display periphery

Abstract

In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure may be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for presenting display content on a display of a computing system. In one embodiment, a method includes selecting a first luminance profile from a set (308) of luminance profiles each configured to differently reduce luminance of display content based on a current display luminance setting (320), the first luminance profile specifies a first luminance reduction amount for a peripheral portion of the display content and a first luminance reduction gradient for a portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and a central portion of the display content; applying the first luminance profile to the display content to modify the display content by reducing a luminance of the display content according to the first luminance profile; and presenting the display content on the display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This document generally relates to display devices. Background Art

[0002] An electronic device may include a display device on which a visual image is shown. To enhance the user experience for outdoor applications, the display brightness may be increased automatically or manually to obtain improved readability. Increasing the display brightness generally results in high power consumption. Summary of the invention

[0003] This document describes techniques, methods, systems, and other mechanisms for providing a display device with variable brightness dimming of the periphery of the display. For the same programmed pixel color, the peripheral area of ​​the display device can be dimmed to a luminance level that is darker than the central area of ​​the display device. The amount of dimming at the peripheral area can be automatically adjusted by the device process based on the display brightness, power saving mode, and / or ambient lighting conditions. For example, at a higher display brightness level, the difference between the luminance at the central area and the luminance at the peripheral area is greater than the difference at a lower display brightness level.

[0004] The amount of dimming the periphery of the display according to the display brightness change can reduce the power consumption of the display device while maintaining image clarity and readability under high brightness conditions. The disclosed technology can be used to dynamically adjust the peripheral brightness profile and achieve high brightness with greater power efficiency. A greater overall display brightness can be achieved without increasing the supplied current or by increasing the supplied current less than without peripheral dimming. As an example, at 650 milliamperes (mA), a display at uniform brightness can achieve a luminance of 1200 nits. When the peripheral portion of the display is dimmed relative to the center of the display, the display can achieve a luminance of 1400 nits at the same current of 650mA. Therefore, peripheral dimming can be implemented to increase the overall display brightness while reducing the increase in power consumption and reducing the risk of violating power management limits.

[0005] In some examples, the brightness of non-dimmed pixels (typically centrally located in the display) can be achieved without increasing the supplied current, or by increasing the supplied current less than without peripheral dimming. Thus, peripheral dimming can be implemented to increase display brightness in visually important areas of the display while reducing increases in power consumption.

[0006] The disclosed techniques can be used to reduce power consumption while maintaining or enhancing the brightness level experienced by the user. Users typically focus on content near the center of the display. Therefore, dimming pixels around the periphery of the display may be imperceptible to the user. Reducing the luminance of the peripheral pixels results in reduced power consumption. Greater power savings are achieved at higher display brightness settings, while less power savings are achieved at lower display brightness settings. In daytime outdoor environments, displays are typically brighter. Therefore, in those brighter outdoor environments, higher power savings can typically be achieved.

[0007] Additionally, in brighter environments, the human eye is less sensitive to small spatial changes in luminance. Therefore, in bright ambient environments, dimming pixels at the periphery of a display device is less noticeable than when the device is used in a normal brightness environment. Due to the reduced sensitivity, peripheral pixels can be dimmed by larger amounts in brighter environments, while reducing the visual perception of non-uniform display brightness.

[0008] In some examples, the power saved by dimming the peripheral pixels can be used to increase the brightness of the central pixels. In some examples, the power saved by dimming the peripheral pixels can result in reduced display power consumption. In some examples, the amount of peripheral dimming can gradually increase over time as the display brightness increases, so that the change in dimming can be imperceptible to the user.

[0009] As additional descriptions of the embodiments described below, the present disclosure describes the following embodiments.

[0010] Embodiment 1 is a method for presenting display content on a display of a computing system, the method comprising: identifying that a current display brightness setting of the computing system has a first value representing a first display brightness level; selecting, by the computing system, a first brightness profile from a set of brightness profiles each configured to reduce the brightness of the display content in a different manner based on the current display brightness setting having the first value, the first brightness profile specifying a first brightness reduction amount for a peripheral portion of the display content and a first brightness reduction gradient between the peripheral portion of the display content and a central portion of the display content; applying the first brightness profile to the display content to reduce the brightness of the display content by reducing the peripheral portion of the display content to a first brightness reduction gradient; Modifying the display content by reducing the brightness of the peripheral portion by the first brightness reduction amount and reducing the brightness of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the center portion of the display content according to the first brightness reduction gradient; and presenting the display content on the display after the display content has been modified by applying the first brightness profile to the display content, wherein the computing system is configured to select a second brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles based on the current display brightness setting having a second value representing a second display brightness level greater than the first display brightness level and apply the second brightness profile to the display content before presenting the display content.

[0011] Embodiment 2 is a method as described in Embodiment 1, wherein reducing the brightness of the peripheral portion of the display content includes reducing the brightness level of multiple pixels in each of multiple frames of the display content while retaining image content represented by the multiple pixels.

[0012] Embodiment 3 is a method as described in any of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein: the second luminance profile specifies a second brightness reduction amount for the peripheral portion of the display content and a second brightness reduction gradient for the portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content; and the second brightness reduction amount is greater than the first brightness reduction amount.

[0013] Embodiment 4 is a method as described in Embodiment 3, wherein the first luminance profile includes a first image mask specifying multiple first dimming levels, each first dimming level being associated with a corresponding portion of the first image mask; and the second luminance profile includes a second image mask specifying multiple second dimming levels, each second dimming level being associated with a corresponding portion of the second image mask.

[0014] Embodiment 5 is a method as described in Embodiment 3, wherein the first brightness profile includes a first function that specifies how different portions of the display content are to be dimmed; and the second brightness profile includes a second function that specifies how different portions of the display content are to be dimmed.

[0015] Embodiment 6 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first brightness reduction gradient extends away from the central portion of the display content toward the peripheral portion of the display content with an increasing brightness reduction level; and the second brightness reduction gradient extends away from the central portion of the display content toward the peripheral portion of the display content with an increasing brightness reduction level.

[0016] Embodiment 7 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, comprising identifying that the current display brightness setting of the computing system has a third value representing a third display brightness level that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level; based on the current display setting having the third value that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level, presenting the display content on the display without applying any brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles to the display content.

[0017] Embodiment 8 is the method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the peripheral portion of the display content surrounds and does not include the central portion of the display content.

[0018] Embodiment 9 is a method as described in Embodiment 8, wherein the first luminance profile specifies a greater brightness reduction for the peripheral portion of the display content than for the central portion of the display content; and the second luminance profile specifies a greater brightness reduction for the peripheral portion of the display content than for the central portion of the display content.

[0019] Embodiment 10 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein: the first brightness reduction amount specified by the first brightness profile is greater in absolute and relative amounts of brightness reduction than the second brightness reduction amount specified by the second brightness profile.

[0020] Embodiment 11 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: receiving, by the computing system, user input interacting with the display to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value.

[0021] Embodiment 12 is a method as described in Embodiment 11, wherein the user input to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value includes user contact with the display to drag an element of a display brightness slider from a first position to a second position.

[0022] Embodiment 13 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: receiving, by the computing system, an indication that an amount of light sensed by a light sensor of the computing system has increased; and modifying, by the computing system, the current display brightness setting from the first level to the second level as a result of having received the indication that the amount of light sensed by the light sensor has increased.

[0023] Embodiment 14 is the method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein one or more processors of the computing system perform applying the first luminance profile to the display content.

[0024] Embodiment 15 is the method of embodiment 14, wherein presenting the display content on the display comprises the one or more processors of the computing system device sending the display content to a display driver integrated circuit of the display for presentation.

[0025] Embodiment 16 is a computing system comprising: a display; one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable devices comprising instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform a method as described in any one of Embodiments 1 to 15.

[0026] Embodiment 17 is a computing system comprising: a display configured to present display content; one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable devices, the one or more computer-readable devices comprising: a set of brightness profiles each configured to reduce the brightness of the display content in a different manner, at least one of the brightness profiles specifying a brightness reduction gradient for a portion of the display content between a central portion of the display content and a peripheral portion of the display content, wherein there is a greater brightness reduction at the peripheral portion of the display content than at the central portion of the display content; and instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to select a selected brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles based on a current display brightness setting of the computing system, and apply the selected brightness profile to the display content before the display content is presented by the display.

[0027] Embodiment 18 is a method for presenting display content, the method comprising: receiving a first frame of display content for presentation on a display device of a computing device; identifying that a current display brightness setting of the computing device has a first value representing a first display brightness level; based on the current display brightness setting having the first value, modifying the first frame of display content to dim the brightness of a peripheral portion of the first frame of display content by a first amount, wherein the peripheral portion of the first frame of display content is configured for presentation by a peripheral portion of the display device; presenting the first frame of display content on the display device after the first frame of display content has been modified to dim the brightness of the peripheral portion of the first frame by the first amount; receiving a first frame of display content for presentation on the display device identifying that the current display brightness setting has a second value representing a second display brightness level greater than the first display brightness level; based on the current display brightness setting having the second value, modifying the second frame of the displayed content to dim the brightness of a peripheral portion of the second frame of the displayed content by a second amount greater than the first amount, wherein the peripheral portion of the second frame of the displayed content is configured to be presented by the peripheral portion of the display device so that the peripheral portion of the second frame corresponds to the peripheral portion of the first frame; and presenting the second frame of the displayed content on the display device after the second frame of the displayed content has been modified to dim the brightness of the peripheral portion of the second frame by the second amount greater than the first amount.

[0028] Example 19 is a method as described in Example 18, wherein: dimming the brightness of the peripheral portion of the first frame by the first amount includes reducing the brightness level of multiple first pixels within the peripheral portion of the first frame while retaining the image content represented by the multiple first pixels; and dimming the brightness of the peripheral portion of the second frame by the second amount includes reducing the brightness level of multiple second pixels within the peripheral portion of the second frame while retaining the image content represented by the second frame.

[0029] Embodiment 20 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 18 or 19, wherein: modifying the first frame to dim the brightness of the peripheral portion of the first frame by the first amount includes the computing device: selecting a first brightness profile from a set of brightness profiles based on the current display brightness setting having the first value; and applying the first brightness profile to the first frame; and modifying the second frame to dim the brightness of the peripheral portion of the second frame by the second amount includes the computing device: selecting a second brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles based on the current display brightness setting having the second value; and applying the second brightness profile to the second frame, wherein the second brightness profile specifies a peripheral dimming amount that is greater than the peripheral dimming amount specified by the first brightness profile.

[0030] Embodiment 21 is a method as described in Embodiment 20, wherein the first luminance profile includes a first image mask specifying a plurality of first dimming levels, each first dimming level being associated with a corresponding portion of the first image mask; and the second luminance profile includes a second image mask specifying a plurality of second dimming levels, each second dimming level being associated with a corresponding portion of the second image mask.

[0031] Embodiment 22 is a method as described in Embodiment 21, wherein the first image mask specifies a first gradient of a first dimming level extending with increasing dimming levels away from the center of the first image mask toward the peripheral edge of the first image mask; and the second image mask specifies a second gradient of a second dimming level extending with increasing dimming levels away from the center of the second image mask toward the peripheral edge of the second image mask.

[0032] Embodiment 23 is a method as described in Embodiment 20, wherein the first luminance profile includes a first function that specifies how different portions of an image frame are to be dimmed; and the second luminance profile includes a second function that specifies how different portions of an image frame are to be dimmed.

[0033] Embodiment 24 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 20 to 23, comprising: receiving a third frame of display content for presentation on the display device; identifying that the current display brightness setting of the computing device has a third value representing a third display brightness level that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level; and presenting the third frame of display content on the display device without applying any brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles, or after a third brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles has been applied to the third frame, the third brightness profile representing a minimum dimming amount among the brightness profiles in the set of brightness profiles.

[0034] Embodiment 25 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 18 to 24, wherein: the peripheral portion of the display device surrounds and does not include the central portion of the display device; the peripheral portion of the first frame surrounds and does not include the central portion of the first frame; and the peripheral portion of the second frame surrounds and does not include the central portion of the second frame.

[0035] Embodiment 26 is a method as described in Embodiment 25, wherein: the first amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame is dimmed represents an amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame is dimmed that is greater than the amount by which the central portion of the first frame is dimmed; and the second amount by which the peripheral portion of the second frame is dimmed represents an amount by which the peripheral portion of the second frame is dimmed that is greater than the amount by which the central portion of the second frame is dimmed.

[0036] Example 27 is a method as described in Example 25, wherein the first amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame is dimmed represents a first ratio between the amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame is dimmed relative to the amount by which the central portion of the first frame is dimmed; and the second amount by which the brightness of the second frame is dimmed represents a second ratio between the amount by which the peripheral portion of the second frame is dimmed relative to the amount by which the central portion of the second frame is dimmed.

[0037] Embodiment 28 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 25 to 27, wherein: the first amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame of the content is dimmed is greater than the amount by which the central portion of the first frame is dimmed; and the second amount by which the peripheral portion of the second frame of the content is dimmed is greater than the amount by which the central portion of the second frame is dimmed.

[0038] Embodiment 29 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 18 to 28, wherein: compared to the first amount by which the peripheral portion of the first frame of the content is dimmed, the second amount by which the peripheral portion of the second frame of the content is dimmed is greater in absolute and relative amounts of brightness reduction.

[0039] Embodiment 30 is a method as described in any one of Embodiments 25 to 29, comprising: receiving a third frame of display content for presentation on the display device; identifying that the current display brightness setting of the computing device has a third value representing a third display brightness level that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level; and presenting the third frame of display content on the display device after the third frame of display content has been modified to dim the brightness of the peripheral portion of the third frame by a third amount that is less than the first amount and less than the second amount.

[0040] Embodiment 31 is a method as described in any one of embodiments 18 to 30, including: receiving, by the computing device, user input that interacts with the display device to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value.

[0041] Embodiment 32 is a method as described in Embodiment 31, wherein: the user input to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value includes user contact with the display device to drag an element of the display brightness slider from a first position to a second position.

[0042] Embodiment 33 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, comprising: receiving, by the computing device, an indication that the amount of light sensed by a light sensor of the computing device has decreased; and as a result of having received the indication that the amount of light sensed by the light sensor has decreased, modifying, by the computing device, the current display brightness setting from the first level to the second level.

[0043] Embodiment 34 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein: modifying the first frame to dim the peripheral portion of the first frame is performed by one or more processors of the computing device; and modifying the second frame to dim the peripheral portion of the second frame is performed by the one or more processors of the computing device.

[0044] Embodiment 35 is a method as described in any of the preceding embodiments, wherein: presenting the first frame includes the one or more processors of the computing device sending the first frame to the display driver integrated circuit of the display device for presentation; and presenting the second frame includes the one or more processors of the computing device sending the second frame to the display driver integrated circuit of the display device for presentation.

[0045] Embodiment 36 is a computing device comprising: a display device; one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable devices comprising instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to perform a method as described in any one of Embodiments 18 to 35.

[0046] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 A diagram of an example display system for an electronic device is shown.

[0048] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B A pixel circuit diagram and a corresponding timing diagram of a display device are shown.

[0049] Figure 3 A block diagram of a system for varying brightness dimming of a display periphery is shown.

[0050] Figure 4 Example axes for applying a luminance profile to a display device are shown.

[0051] Figure 5 An example luminance profile for peripheral dimming of pixels of a display device is shown.

[0052] 6A to 6F An example graph illustrating the effect of multiple different luminance profiles on the luminosity of content presented at various regions of a display device is shown.

[0053] Figure 7 A flow chart of a process for operating a display device with variable peripheral dimming is shown.

[0054] Figure 8 A block diagram of a computing device, either as a client or as a server or multiple servers, that can be used to implement the systems and methods described in this document is shown.

[0055] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] This document generally describes mechanisms for providing a display device with variable brightness dimming of the display periphery. For example, as the display brightness increases, the amount of dimming applied to the display periphery increases. The luminance profile applied to an image presented on the display can be dynamically adjusted based on the display brightness setting, ambient lighting conditions, and power saving settings.

[0057] The computing device may apply a brightness profile to frames of image content presented by the display device. The characteristics of the brightness profile may gradually change over time (or different brightness profiles may be applied) to achieve a seamless user experience while reducing the power consumption of the display device. The brightness profile may be adjusted across the entire display area based on one or more display brightness settings to enrich the user's viewing area while reducing power consumption at the periphery of the display device. The brightness profile may be applied across the horizontal dimension, vertical dimension, diagonal dimension, or any combination of these dimensions of the display.

[0058] The following discussion of the figures provides additional details regarding this mechanism for variably dimming the brightness of the periphery of a display. Figure 1 and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B The discussion provides an overview of the operation of the display device and the components therein, while Figures 3 to 7It is described how such components can be operated to vary peripheral dimming in the presence of strong ambient light.

[0059] Figure 1 1 is a diagram of an example display system 100 for a computing device 190. Device 190 includes a display panel 104 housed in a chassis 109. The area of ​​device 190 between the edge of panel 104 and the edge of the chassis is a bezel area 103.

[0060] The display panel 104 is an OLED display panel 104 including an array of light-emitting pixels 112. Each light-emitting pixel includes an OLED. The OLED display is driven by drivers including a SCAN / EM driver 108 and a data driver 110. The SCAN / EM driver 108 may be an integrated, i.e., stacked, row line driver. Generally speaking, the data driver 110 provides data signals (e.g., voltage data (VDATA)) to data lines (e.g., D1 to D3), the SCAN / EM driver 108 provides a scan signal to a selected one of the scan lines (e.g., SCAN1), moves the data signal from the data line to the pixels in the selected scan line, and the SCAN / EM driver 108 provides an EMISSION signal to a selected one of the emission lines (e.g., E1) to light up the OLED in the selected row according to the image data specified by the data signal. Although Figure 1 The display system 100 is illustrated as having a SCAN / EM driver 108 on a single side of the display, but the SCAN / EM driver 108 can be placed on the left and right sides of the display to improve driving performance (e.g., increasing speed by having the SCAN driver on the left side of the display and the EM driver on the right side of the display).

[0061] Pixel array 112 includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels, such as pixels P11 to P34. A pixel is a small element of a display that can change color based on image data supplied to the pixel. Each pixel includes an OLED and circuitry (e.g., Figure 2A ). Each pixel within the pixel array 112 can be individually addressed to produce various intensities of the color produced by the pixel. Each pixel maintains a substantially stable luminance throughout the frame time, thereby displaying light corresponding to the supplied image data.

[0062] Luminance is the amount of light emitted by a surface area of ​​a light source such as a pixel or display. Display luminance is the intensity of light emitted from the surface of a display. Luminance can be measured in terms of candela per square meter (cd / m 2 ) is measured in units also called "nits".

[0063] The frame time or frame period is the amount of time between the start of a frame and the start of the next frame. The frame time can be the inverse of the frame rate of the display system. For example, a frame rate of 60 frames per second (fps) corresponds to a frame time of one sixtieth of a second or 0.0167 seconds.

[0064] Pixel array 112 extends in a plane and includes rows and columns. Each row extends horizontally across pixel array 112. For example, first row 120 of pixel array 112 includes pixels P11, P21, and P31. Each column extends vertically downward along pixel array 112. For example, first column 130 of pixel array 112 includes pixels P11, P12, P13, and P14. For simplicity, Figure 1 Only a few pixels are shown. In reality, there may be thousands or millions of pixels in pixel array 112. Increasing the number of pixels while maintaining the same size display produces higher image resolution.

[0065] The display system 100 includes a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) 106 that receives display input data 102. The display input data 102 may include a color value for each pixel of a pixel array 112. The color value for a pixel corresponds to a color to be emitted by the pixel. In some examples, the display input data 102 may include a brightness value for each pixel of the pixel array 112. The brightness value for a pixel corresponds to a brightness of light to be emitted by the pixel.

[0066] In some examples, the display input data 102 includes pixel values ​​that combine both color data and brightness data. The RGB values ​​of a typical digital image do not correspond directly to physical light intensities, but are compressed by a gamma correction function. This transformation makes better use of the limited number of bits in the encoded image by selecting a gamma value that matches the nonlinear human perception of luminance. For example, the display input data 102 may include a gamma-corrected pixel value for each sub-pixel of each pixel of the array 112. Addressing a pixel using a gamma-corrected pixel value causes the pixel to emit light at the color and brightness specified by the gamma-corrected pixel value.

[0067] In some examples, DDIC 106 receives display input data 102 from a system on chip (SoC) 105. SoC 105 is a microchip that has all the necessary electronic circuits and parts for a given system such as a smart phone or wearable computer on a single integrated circuit (IC). SoC 105 is an integrated circuit that includes multiple components on a single chip. SoC 105 can include, for example, a processor, memory 306, and input / output (I / O) ports. SoC 105 can be implemented on a single substrate such as silicon. SoC 105 can process digital signals, analog signals, and mixed signals.

[0068] DDIC 106 may be, for example, a semiconductor integrated circuit or a state machine. DDIC 106 generates signals with appropriate voltage, current, timing, and division to cause display panel 104 to display an image according to display input data 102. In some examples, DDIC 106 may be a microcontroller and may incorporate RAM, flash memory, EEPROM, ROM, etc.

[0069] The DDIC 106 drives the pixel array 112 to emit light according to the display input data 102. For example, the data signal generator 138 of the DDIC 106 generates an image data signal 144 according to the display input data 102 and provides the image data signal 144 to the data driver 110. The image data signal 144 may include a voltage for each sub-pixel of the pixel array 112 for driving the sub-pixel to emit light at a color and brightness specified by the display input data 102.

[0070] DDIC 106 includes a timing controller 134, a clock signal generator 136, and a data signal generator 138. DDIC 106 generates control signals 142. Control signals 142 may include, for example, signals that control a display frame start time and a display frame stop time for each frame presented by display panel 104, where a frame represents a single image in a sequence of images presented by display panel 104. In examples where each frame presented by the display panel includes multiple emission cycles, control signals 142 or Figure 1 Other signals not illustrated in the figure may control the display emission start time and the display emission stop time of each emission cycle of the display panel 104.

[0071] In some examples, the SCAN / EM driver 108, the data driver 110, or both can be integrated with the DDIC 106. The SCAN / EM driver supplies SCAN and EM signals to rows of the pixel array 112. For example, the SCAN / EM driver 108 supplies scan signals to the pixel rows via scan lines S1 to S4 and supplies EM signals to the pixel rows via EM lines E1 to E4, where each pixel row in the pixel array 112 is addressed by a scan line and a corresponding emission line. For example, the first row 120 of the pixel array 112 is addressed by the scan line SCAN1 and the emission line E1.

[0072] The data driver 110 supplies signals to the columns of the pixel array 112. For example, based on the image data signal 144 from the data signal generator 138, the data driver 110 outputs data values ​​to the set of multiplexers 114 in the panel 104 via the source amplifier output signal line SAN (e.g., the set of source amplifier signal lines SA1, SA2, and SA3). The set of multiplexers 114 in the panel 104 receives the data values ​​from the corresponding set of source amplifier output signal lines SAN and routes the received data values ​​between a larger number of data lines. For example, Figure 1 A single MUX 114 is illustrated that is configured to receive a stream of data values ​​from the data driver 110 via a source output signal line SA1 and distribute the stream of data values ​​one at a time between the data signal lines D1-D3. In practice, there may be multiple MUXs, each fed with a data value from the data driver 110 via a corresponding source control signal line. Figure 3 A describes the operation of multiplexer 114 in more detail.

[0073] The data driver 110 supplies data voltages via data lines D1 to D3. In some examples, each of the data lines D1 to D3 represents a plurality of data lines. For example, the pixel P11 may include three sub-pixels (e.g., P11R represents a red sub-pixel, P11G represents a green sub-pixel, and P11B represents a blue sub-pixel), and the data line D1 may represent three corresponding data lines, each of which addresses a corresponding sub-pixel of the pixel P11.

[0074] The control signal 142 may be used to drive the SCAN / EM driver 108 and the data driver 110. Thus, the DDIC 106 controls the timing of the scan signals, the EM signals, and the data signals.

[0075] Display system 100 includes power supply 150. Power supply 150 provides a first supply voltage ELVDD and a second supply voltage ELVSS, both of which are provided to each pixel in pixel array 112. In some examples, power supply 150 can be integrated with DDIC 106.

[0076] Each pixel in the pixel array 112 can be addressed by a horizontal scan line, a horizontal EM line, and a vertical data line. For example, pixel P11 can be addressed by data line D1, scan line S1, and EM line E1. In another example, pixel P23 can be addressed by data line D2, scan line S3, and EM line E3.

[0077] For each frame, the scan lines are addressed sequentially. The scan direction determines the order in which the scan lines are addressed (e.g., the direction in which the pixel rows receive data values ​​and are then lit up with intensities based on the received data values). In the display system 100, the scan direction is from the top of the pixel array 112 to the bottom of the pixel array 112. For example, scan line S1 is addressed first, then scan line S2 is addressed, then scan line S3 is addressed, and so on. In some implementations, the SCAN signal is used to program all pixel rows with data values ​​(one row at a time) before the display device activates all pixel rows with intensities based on the programmed data values. In some implementations, the display device can activate pixel rows while other pixel rows are still being programmed, so that there is a gap of several rows between the row currently receiving the SCAN signal and the pixel row that is activated and begins to emit light.

[0078] Although Figure 1 Each row is illustrated as being addressed by a single scan line, but each row may be addressed by multiple scan lines (eg, nSCAN and pSCAN). Figure 1 Example components of OLED displays are illustrated, but the described technology can be applied to other flat panel display technologies including pixel arrays. The technology can be applied to curved displays, flexible displays, foldable displays, and rollable displays. For example, the technology can be applied to light emitting diode displays (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and plasma display panels (PDPs). The technology can also be applied to projectors (e.g., digital light processing projectors) to reduce power consumption and reduce the heat absorbed and dissipated by the projector.

[0079] Figure 2A A diagram of a pixel circuit of a display device is shown, the pixel circuit comprising an LED and corresponding drive circuitry for the pixel circuit. Figure 2A It can be exemplified by Figure 1 A more detailed view of a single pixel of the pixel array shown in FIG. Figure 2A The components shown in the figure are referred to as "pixel circuits", but the present disclosure may also refer to such components simply as "pixels". Figure 2A The pixels shown in may represent sub-pixels.

[0080] The pixel circuit may be an active matrix OLED (AMOLED) pixel circuit. The pixel circuit receives an emission signal (EM) on an emission line, a SCAN signal on a scan signal line, and a data voltage (VDATA) signal on a data line. The pixel circuit 200 receives a first supply voltage ELVDD on a first voltage supply line, a second supply voltage ELVSS on a second voltage supply line, and an initial reference voltage VINIT on an initial voltage supply line.

[0081] The pixel circuit includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The OLED includes an organic compound layer that emits light in response to a current IOLED. The organic layer is positioned between two electrodes: an anode and a cathode. The OLED is driven by a driving transistor T1 that receives a supply voltage ELVDD and serves as a current source to drive the OLED to emit light.

[0082] The pixel also includes a storage capacitor CST and transistors T2 to T7. The operation of the pixel is defined by the states of the control signals SCAN, EM and VDATA. The amount / level of the OLED current (IOLED) is set by the voltage present at the gate terminal (referred to herein as the "G" node) of the drive transistor T1.

[0083] The driving transistor T1 has a threshold voltage VTH between the gate terminal of the driving transistor T1 and the source terminal of the driving transistor T1. If the voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal is higher than the threshold voltage VTH, the driving transistor T1 creates a conductive path from the source terminal to the drain terminal. The amount of the current IOLED flowing through the conductive path through the driving transistor T1 corresponds to the amount by which the voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal is higher than the threshold voltage VTH.

[0084] Figure 2B Shows the provided Figure 2A 1 and 2. The control signals are repeatedly switched between the initialization phase, the programming phase and the emission phase during the operation of the display system 100.

[0085] At the end of the emission phase, the EM signal transitions to an off state (e.g., by changing from a low state to a high state). This transition turns off transistors T5 and T6, which interrupts the current provided from ELVDD to the OLED, thereby stopping the light emission of the OLED. Since the EM signal can be provided to an entire pixel row, this transition can turn off all pixels in the pixel row.

[0086] During the initialization phase, the SCAN[n-1] signal becomes an on state (e.g., by changing from a high state to a low state), which turns on transistor T4 for a period of time and initializes the G node to an initialization voltage VINIT. Since the SCAN[n-1] signal can be provided to the entire pixel row, this initialization phase can erase the data value previously stored at each pixel in the pixel row. The SCAN[n-1] signal can be the SCAN[n] signal provided by the state machine of the SCAN / EM driver 108 to the previous row.

[0087] During the programming phase, the SCAN[n] signal becomes an on state (e.g., by going low), which turns on transistors T2, T3, and T7 for a period of time. This causes the voltage value at the voltage data VDATA line to pass through transistors T2, T1, and T3 to the G node, thereby setting the G node to a value based on the VDATA line (e.g., the voltage at VDATA minus the effect of the transistor threshold voltage). Since the SCAN signal can be provided to the entire pixel row, this programming phase can cause each pixel in the pixel row to move the data voltage value from the corresponding data line of each pixel to the G node of the corresponding pixel.

[0088] During the emission phase, the EM signal becomes an on state (e.g., by going low), which turns on transistors T5 and T6. Current flows from ELVDD through transistors T5, T1, and T6 to the anode of the OLED. Since the EM signal is provided to the entire pixel row, all pixels in the pixel row can be activated.

[0089] The current level supplied to the OLED in each pixel is determined by the voltage present at the G node of the pixel (e.g., where the G node voltage level has been programmed by the voltage data VDATA line). The intensity or brightness of the light emitted by the OLED is directly related to the amount of current IOLED applied to the OLED, where a higher current corresponds to a greater light intensity than a lower current. The storage capacitor CST maintains the voltage at the G node so that the OLED continues to emit approximately the same level of light for the duration of the emission phase.

[0090] The voltage at the G node may be slightly reduced during the emission phase. Therefore, the current IOLED applied to the OLED and the intensity of the light emitted by the OLED may be slightly reduced or increased during the emission phase, depending on the type of pixel circuit design (e.g., in the case of a p-channel transistor in the pixel circuit, a lower voltage level at the G node results in a higher IOLED and a higher intensity of the OLED light).

[0091] Figure 3 A block diagram of a system 300 for varying brightness dimming of a display periphery is shown. The system 300 includes the SoC 105 and the DDIC 106 of the display system 100. The SoC 105 includes a memory 306 and a processor 304.

[0092] Processor 304 may be, for example, a graphics processing unit (GPU). Processor 304 may include, for example, a bus interface, a power management unit, a video processing unit, a graphics memory controller, a display interface, or any combination of these. Processor 304 may include a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP may perform signal processing operations such as data collection and data processing.

[0093] When generating and displaying an image on the display panel 104 of the device 190, the processor 304 can generate visual content data, such as a frame of a video. The visual content data can be used for a pre-rendered video sequence, for example, for a movie. The visual content data can be used for a dynamically generated video sequence, for example, for a video game or for user navigation through various operating system screens and menus. In some examples, any appropriate method can be used to compress the visual content data. In some examples, the visual content data can be decompressed. The processor 304 can store the generated visual content data in the memory 306. The memory 306 can be a memory of any appropriate type. For example, the memory 306 can be a random access memory (RAM).

[0094] SoC 105 stores a set of brightness profiles 308 in memory 306. The set of brightness profiles 308 may include multiple profiles for dimming the periphery of a displayed image. Each brightness profile may include a specified dimming amount for each pixel of pixel array 112. In some examples, brightness profile 308 is specific to device 190. For example, brightness profile 308 may be calibrated for device 190, such as during design and / or manufacturing. In some examples, brightness profile 308 is common to multiple devices.

[0095] In some examples, the set of luminance profiles 308 may be stored by an external memory external to the SoC 105. The external memory may be, for example, a flash memory device. The SoC 105 may read the set of luminance profiles 308 from the external memory to the internal memory 306. The processor 304 may then read the luminance profiles from the memory 306 and combine the luminance profiles with image content (e.g., for a video, a game, a user interface) when the content is sent to the DDIC 106.

[0096] In some examples, the luminance profile includes a mask for dimming values ​​applied to the image data. The mask can be an image mask that specifies different dimming levels at different portions of the mask. In some examples, a first image mask specifies a plurality of first dimming levels, each first dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the first image mask. A second image mask specifies a plurality of second dimming levels, each second dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the second image mask.

[0097] In some examples, the luminance profile includes an array of dimming values, each dimming value corresponding to a pixel of the array (e.g., such that the mask has the same dimensions as the image content to be presented by the display device). In some examples, the luminance profile includes dimming values ​​for only peripheral portions of the pixel array 112. In some examples, the luminance profile includes dimming values ​​for all portions of the pixel array 112. In some examples, the luminance profile includes one or more functions for applying to the image data. For example, a luminance profile may include a function that depends on a variable such as a display brightness setting 320. Thus, any change in the display brightness setting 320 can result in a change in the applied luminance profile or a change from one luminance profile to another. Each luminance profile can be associated with one or more display brightness settings or a range of display brightness settings. About Figure 4 , Figure 5 and 6A to 6F Luminance profiles are described in more detail.

[0098] SoC 105 may receive as input image data 310, brightness setting 320, power saving setting 314, or any combination of these. SoC 105 may optionally receive as input ambient brightness 330. Image data 310 may be, for example, image data of an image frame. Brightness setting 320 may be a setting for display brightness, for example, an arbitrary number used to calculate display brightness; or a setting that specifies an amount of nits. Power saving setting 314 may indicate a power saving mode of device 190, such as a normal mode or a low power mode. Ambient brightness 330 may be an indication of the brightness of the environment in which device 190 is located. In some examples, device 190 includes a light sensor configured to detect ambient brightness 330. SoC 105 may receive an indication of the amount of light sensed by a light sensor of device 190, and may determine ambient brightness 330 using the indication of the amount of light sensed by the light sensor. In some examples, SoC 105 modifies display brightness setting 320 based on the amount of light sensed by the light sensor, for example to increase the overall brightness of the display when in a high ambient light environment.

[0099] The SoC 105 may determine whether to apply a luminance profile to the image data 310 based on the brightness setting 320, the power saving setting 314, the ambient brightness 330, or any combination thereof. When the SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to the image data 310, the SoC 105 may select the luminance profile based on any combination of one or more of the brightness setting 320, the power saving setting 314, and the ambient brightness 330.

[0100] In some examples, the display device has a "high brightness" setting. When the display device is not in the high brightness setting, the display device can be in a "normal brightness" setting. The high brightness setting can be a setting entered by device 190 when the ambient brightness is higher than a threshold ambient brightness and / or when the high brightness setting is selected by a user. The high brightness setting can be a setting in which the overall display brightness is at or above a threshold brightness. The threshold brightness can be, for example, a brightness of 600 nits, 700 nits, or 800 nits. In some examples, the high brightness setting is a setting in which the display brightness value (DBV) is at or above a threshold DBV. For a 12-bit display, the threshold DBV can be, for example, 1600, 1800, or 2000.

[0101] In some examples, SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to image data 310 without regard to brightness setting 320. For example, SoC 105 may determine to select luminance profile 305 from a set of luminance profiles 308 to apply to image data 310 when the device is in a high brightness setting and when the device is in a normal brightness setting. SoC 105 may select a different luminance profile in the high brightness setting than in the normal brightness setting.

[0102] In some examples, SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to image data 310 when the device's brightness setting 320 is a high brightness setting, and determines not to apply any luminance profile when the device's brightness setting 320 is a normal brightness setting.

[0103] In some examples, SoC 105 applies the luminance profile to image data 310 without regard to power saving setting 314. For example, SoC 105 may determine to select luminance profile 305 from a set of luminance profiles 308 to apply to image data 310 when the device is in a low power mode and when the device is in a normal power mode. The low power mode may be a power saving setting 314 entered by device 190 when the battery is below a threshold power level and / or when the low power mode is selected by a user.

[0104] In some examples, SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to image data 310 when the power saving setting 314 of the device is a low power mode, and determines not to apply any luminance profile when the power saving setting 314 of the device is a normal power mode.

[0105] In some examples, SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to image data 310 when ambient brightness 330 is at or above a threshold brightness, and determines not to apply any luminance profile when ambient brightness 330 is below the threshold brightness.

[0106] When the SoC 105 determines to apply a luminance profile to the image data, the processor 304 selects a luminance profile 305 from the set of luminance profiles 308. The processor 304 may select the luminance profile 305 based on the brightness setting 320, the power saving setting 314, or both. The processor 304 may store the luminance profile 305 in an alpha layer 312 of the processor 304. The alpha layer 312 is an overlay layer of the processor 304 of the SoC 105 that may be used for image compensation.

[0107] The alpha layer 312 can be used for alpha blending. Alpha blending is the process of combining an image with a background to create a partially or completely transparent appearance. Alpha blending is a form of coding that can be used to render pixels in separate passes or layers and then combine the resulting images into a single final image called a composite. Alpha blending can be used in computer graphics to place rasterized foreground elements on a background. In order to combine the pixels of an image, in addition to its color, an associated alpha value can be saved for each pixel. The value of the alpha channel affects the value of the color channel. In a two-dimensional image, a color combination can be stored for each pixel, which can be a combination of red, green and blue (RGB). When alpha blending is in use, each pixel has an additional value stored in its alpha channel, for example, a value with a range from 0 to 1. The RGB channels of a pixel can be multiplied by the alpha value to obtain the encoded value.

[0108] Processor 304 applies luminance profile 305 to image data 310 to generate modified image data 302. For example, processor 304 may apply luminance profile 305 to image data 310 by multiplying the image data values ​​by corresponding values ​​of luminance profile 305 in alpha layer 312. In some examples, processor 304 applies luminance profile 305 to image data 310 by dividing the image data values ​​by corresponding values ​​of luminance profile 305.

[0109] SoC 105 provides display input data 102 to DDIC 106. Display input data 102 may include modified image data 302 generated by applying luminance profile 305 to image data 310. Figure 3 SoC 105 is shown generating modified image data 302 from image data 310 , but other implementations are possible. For example, in some implementations, SoC 105 provides luminance profile 305 and image data 310 to DDIC 106 , and DDIC 106 modifies image data 310 using luminance profile 305 .

[0110] In some examples, SoC 105 selects a new luminance profile in response to a change in brightness setting 320. The new luminance profile is stored by processor 304 or DDIC 106 and applied to frames of image data until the next change in brightness setting 320 occurs. When a change in brightness setting 320 occurs, SoC 105 again selects a new luminance profile.

[0111] Figure 4 2 shows example axes for applying a brightness profile to a display device (e.g., a display device of computing device 190). Figure 4 As shown, device 190 includes a display panel 104 and a chassis 109 , wherein a bezel region 103 is between an edge of the display panel 104 and an edge of the chassis 109 .

[0112] The display panel 104 includes a central portion 410 and a peripheral portion 420. The central portion 410 and the peripheral portion 420 are defined by a boundary 430 that divides the central portion 410 and the peripheral portion 420. In some examples, the peripheral portion 420 of the display panel 104 surrounds and does not include the central portion 410. In some examples, the luminance profile includes only the adjusted brightness levels of the pixels in the peripheral portion 420 and does not include the adjusted brightness levels of the pixels in the central portion 410. The pixels within the central portion 410 may be referred to as central pixels. The pixels within the peripheral portion 420 may be referred to as peripheral pixels.

[0113] For different luminance profiles, border 430 may vary. For example, a first luminance profile may include a border closer to the edge of display panel 104, resulting in a narrower peripheral portion 420. A second luminance profile may include a border closer to the center of display panel 104, resulting in a wider peripheral portion 420.

[0114] In some examples, the position of border 430 relative to the edge of display panel 104 may vary based on a display brightness setting, a power saving setting, ambient light conditions, or any combination of these. For example, at a higher display brightness setting, border 430 may be positioned farther from the edge of display panel 104. At a lower brightness setting, border 430 may be positioned closer to the edge of display panel 104.

[0115] The display panel 104 has a horizontal axis 401 and a vertical axis 411. The horizontal axis 401 extends in the x-direction and divides the display panel 104 between an upper portion 402 and a lower portion 404. In some examples, the horizontal axis 401 divides the display panel 104 into two halves such that the upper portion 402 and the lower portion 404 have the same area or substantially the same area.

[0116] Vertical axis 411 extends in the y-direction and divides the display panel between left portion 412 and right portion 414. In some examples, vertical axis 411 divides display panel 104 in half such that left portion 412 and right portion 414 have the same area or substantially the same area.

[0117] The display panel 104 has a first diagonal axis 421 and a second diagonal axis 431. Each of the diagonal axes 421, 431 divides the display panel 104 along a diagonal xy direction.

[0118] The dynamic brightness profile can be applied to the display panel 104 across any direction and can be symmetrical across any axis. In some examples, the brightness profile is applied across the horizontal axis 401. For example, pixels in the lower portion 404 at a certain distance from the horizontal axis 401 and pixels in the upper portion 402 at a certain distance from the horizontal axis 401 can both have the same dimming amount relative to horizontally centered pixels, such as pixels along the horizontal axis 401.

[0119] In some examples, the luminance profile is applied across vertical axis 411. For example, pixels in left portion 412 that are a certain distance from vertical axis 411 and pixels in right portion 414 that are a certain distance from vertical axis 411 can both have the same amount of dimming relative to vertically centered pixels, e.g., pixels along vertical axis 411.

[0120] In some examples, the luminance profile is applied across both the horizontal axis 401 and the vertical axis 411. In some examples, the luminance profile is applied across one or both of the diagonal axes 421, 431.

[0121] Figure 5 An example luminance profile for peripheral dimming of pixels of a display device is shown. Figure 5 Six example luminance profiles 510a, 510b, 510c, 510d, 510e, 510f ("profiles 510") are shown. Luminance profiles 510 represent example luminance profiles 308 that may be stored by SoC 105 and selected to be applied to image data 310, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 described.

[0122] Brightness profiles 510 are shown on an example grid. Each grid segment represents, for example, a pixel or group of pixels of pixel array 112 or image data 310. Profiles 510 each include a different amount of peripheral dimming. Figure 5 , the peripheral dimming amount increases from left to right, as indicated by arrow 525. Figure 5, the display brightness settings 320 increase from left to right, from 600 to a DBV value of 4095. The DBV values ​​of 600 to 4095 represent the DBV values ​​for an example 12-bit display. The DBV may be set by a user, or may be automatically adjusted, for example, based on stored preferences, brightness rules, and / or battery settings.

[0123] The total display luminance 540 also increases from left to right, from 800 nits to a value of 1400 nits. The total display luminance 540 may be the luminance output by the display panel 104 when the corresponding profile is applied at the corresponding display brightness setting 320. In some examples, the total display luminance 540 may be an indication of the display luminance of pixels near the center of the display that are not dimmed. In an example, with the display brightness setting 320 at 4095 and profile 510f applied, the display panel 104 may output light at a total display luminance 540 of 1400 nits. The actual luminance of the light output by the display panel 104 depends on the color emitted by the pixel, as specified by the image data 310.

[0124] The grid segments of the profiles shown with darker shading represent pixels with a greater amount of dimming relative to the central pixel of the profile emitting the same color of light. For example, the peripheral pixels of profile 510f are shown with darker shading compared to the peripheral pixels of profile 510b. Therefore, the difference between the luminance of the peripheral pixels and the central pixels when profile 510f is applied with uniform color is greater than the difference between the luminance of the peripheral pixels and the central pixels when profile 510b is applied with uniform color. However, due to the higher brightness setting 320, the actual luminance of the peripheral pixels when profile 510f is applied can be greater than the luminance of the peripheral pixels when profile 510b is applied.

[0125] Additionally, the actual luminance of the peripheral pixels when profile 510f is applied may be greater than the actual luminance of the central pixels when profile 510f is applied, for example, where the emitted colors are different. For example, for the central pixel, the image data 310 may include a darker color, such as dark gray, and for the peripheral pixels, the image data may include a brighter color, such as yellow. When profile 510f is applied to the image data 310, the central pixel image data will not be dimmed, and the peripheral pixel image data will be dimmed. The dimmed image data for the yellow peripheral pixels may still be brighter than the non-dimmed image data for the dark gray central pixel.

[0126] exist Figure 5In the example of , profile 510a is applied to display brightness setting 320 of 600 DBV, or a luminance value of 800 nits. Profile 510a does not include any peripheral dimming. Therefore, when profile 510a is applied to image data 310, the luminance is not changed, so that modified image data 302 is the same as image data 310. For uniform color, when profile 510a is applied, the pixels of pixel array 112 will emit light at the same brightness.

[0127] Profile 510b is applied to display brightness setting 320 of 1800 DBV to achieve a total luminance 540 of 1000 nits. Profile 510b includes adjusted luminance values ​​for peripheral pixels. When profile 510b is applied to image data 310, the luminance of the peripheral pixels is changed so that the modified image data 302 includes a lower luminance for the pixels in the peripheral portion compared to the luminance of the pixels in the peripheral portion in image data 310.

[0128] Profiles 510c to 510f show increasing amounts of peripheral dimming. Profile 510c is applied to a display brightness setting 320 of 2000 DBV to achieve a total luminance 540 of 1100 nits. Profile 510d is applied to a display brightness setting 320 of 3000 DBV to achieve a total luminance 540 of 1200 nits. Profile 510e is applied to a display brightness setting 320 of 4000 DBV to achieve a total luminance 540 of 1300 nits. Profile 510f is applied to a display brightness setting 320 of 4095 DBV to achieve a total luminance 540 of 1400 nits.

[0129] In some cases, increasing the amount of peripheral dimming can include increasing the difference between dimming at or near boundary 430 and dimming at or near the edge of the array. For example, for a greater amount of peripheral dimming, the slope of luminance can have a steeper drop across the peripheral portion in a direction toward the edge of the array. For a lesser amount of peripheral dimming, the slope of luminance can have a more gradual drop across the peripheral portion in a direction toward the edge of the array. 6A to 6F Example graphs of luminance profiles are described in more detail.

[0130] In some cases, increasing the amount of peripheral dimming can include increasing the size of the peripheral portion of the profile. For example, to increase the amount of peripheral dimming, border 430 can be moved toward the center of the array and away from the edge of the array. In some cases, increasing the amount of peripheral dimming can include both (a) increasing the difference between dimming at or near border 430 and dimming at or near the edge of the array, and (b) increasing the size of the peripheral portion.

[0131] although Figure 5Six example profiles 510 are shown, but more or fewer profiles are possible. In some examples, the SoC 105 can store a collection of luminance profiles 308, each of which is assigned to a range of display brightness settings 530. For example, when the brightness setting 320 is 1800 or greater and less than 2000, profile 510b can be specified for use. When the brightness setting 320 is 2000 or greater and less than 3000, profile 510c can be specified for use. Therefore, when the SoC 105 receives a brightness setting 320 of 1900 as input, the SoC 105 can select to apply the luminance profile 510b to the image data.

[0132] The luminance profile applied to the image data may change over time, resulting in a gradual change in peripheral dimming. In an example scenario, the ambient brightness increases as the user walks from a darker indoor location to a brighter outdoor location with the device 190. The light sensor of the device 190 detects the increase in brightness, and in response, the SoC 105 changes the display brightness setting 320 to an increased DBV. The SoC 105 then selects a first luminance profile 305 from the memory 306 based on the increased DBV, and applies the first luminance profile 305 to the image data 310 of the image frame or series of image frames. The user continues to move toward a brighter outdoor location with the device 190, and the process repeats. The SoC 105 selects a second luminance profile 305 and applies the second luminance profile to the image data 310 of subsequent image frames or series of image frames. The second luminance profile 305 has a greater amount of peripheral dimming than the first luminance profile. Due to the gradual change in peripheral dimming, the change in the uniformity of the image on the display may not be noticed by the user.

[0133] 6A to 6F Example graphs 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650 illustrating the effect of multiple different luminance profiles on the brightness of content presented at various regions of a display device are shown. The graphs show display luminance values ​​versus pixel count. The x-axis represents the pixel count measured between the edges of a pixel array, such as pixel array 112. For example, referring to Fig. 6A , edge 608a at the x origin of graph 600 represents a first edge of the pixel array, and edge 608b represents a second edge of the pixel array. The first edge and the second edge can be opposite edges of the pixel array. For example, the first edge and the second edge can be the left and right edges, the top and bottom edges, or opposite diagonal edges of the array. The y axis represents display brightness. The profile shown in the graph represents the brightness for uniform color across the array.

[0134] 6A to 6FThe graphs 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650 shown in FIG. 6 each include six luminance profiles. The six luminance profiles of each graph may be, for example, Figure 5 For example, referring to the six profiles 510a to 510f shown in FIG. Fig. 6A , graph 600 shows brightness profiles 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 ("profiles 601 to 606"). Brightness profile 601 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510f, brightness profile 602 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510e, brightness profile 603 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510d, brightness profile 604 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510c, brightness profile 605 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510b, and brightness profile 606 may be a graph of brightness values ​​for profile 510a.

[0135] Each luminance profile of the graphs 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650 may be specified for use at different brightness settings to achieve different display luminances. Fig. 6A 600, a brightness profile 601 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 1400 nits. A brightness profile 602 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 1300 nits. A brightness profile 603 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 1200 nits. A brightness profile 604 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 1000 nits. A brightness profile 605 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 800 nits. A brightness profile 606 can be applied to image data to achieve a display brightness of 600 nits or less.

[0136] Graph 600 shows boundaries 607a, 607b separating a central portion from a peripheral portion. Arrow 661 represents the pixel width of the central portion. Arrows 662a, 662b represent the width of the peripheral portion. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As described, the borders 607a, 607b ("borders 607") can be moved inward toward the center to increase the width 662a, 662b of the peripheral portion and decrease the width 661 of the central portion. The border 607 can be moved outward toward the edge 608 to decrease the width 662a, 662b of the peripheral portion and increase the width 661 of the central portion.

[0137] Brightness profiles 601 to 606 each have a stable brightness across the center portion of the array, such as across width 661. The stable brightness is represented by a horizontal linear profile between borders 607. Brightness profiles 601 to 606 each have a reduced brightness between the peripheral border and the edge of the array. For example, brightness profiles 601 to 606 each have a reduced brightness from border 607a toward edge 608a and from border 607b toward edge 608b. In the example of graph 600, the brightness value decreases in a parabolic manner or in a logarithmic manner between border 607 and edge 608. In some examples, the brightness value can decrease linearly or according to a polynomial function between border 607 and edge 608.

[0138] Figure 6B A graph 610 with luminance profiles 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616 ("profiles 611-616") is shown. Profiles 611-616 are similar to profiles 601-606. The difference between profiles 611-616 and profiles 601-606 is the steepness of the slope of the luminance in the peripheral portion and the relative luminance of the edges of the array. The slope of the luminance of all profiles in the peripheral portion of graph 600 is equal to or greater than the slope of the luminance of the corresponding profile of graph 610. For example, the slope of the luminance of profile 601 in the peripheral portion of graph 600 is steeper than the slope of the luminance of profile 611 in the peripheral portion of graph 610.

[0139] Additionally, in the graph 600, the profile 606 having the lowest center brightness has the highest edge brightness, and the profile 601 having the highest center brightness has the lowest edge brightness. The profiles 601 to 606 intersect each other in the peripheral portion, for example, at point 663. In contrast, in the graph 610, the profile 616 having the lowest center brightness also has the lowest edge brightness, and the profile 611 having the highest center brightness also has the highest edge brightness. The profiles 611 to 616 do not intersect each other in the peripheral portion.

[0140] Figure 6C A graph 620 with brightness profiles 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626 ("profiles 621-626") is shown. Brightness profiles 621-626 each have a stable brightness across the center portion of the array. Brightness profiles 621-626 each have a decreasing brightness between the peripheral boundary and the edge of the array. For example, brightness profiles 621-626 each have a decreasing brightness from boundary 627a toward edge 628a and from boundary 627b toward edge 628b. In the example of graph 620, the brightness values ​​decrease according to a Gaussian or normal function between boundary 607 and edge 608.

[0141] Fig.6DA graph 630 with profiles 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 ("profiles 631-636") is shown. Profiles 631-636 are similar to profiles 621-626. The difference between profiles 631-636 and profiles 621-626 is the steepness of the slope of the luminance in the peripheral portion and the relative luminance of the edge of the array. The slope of the luminance of all profiles in the peripheral portion of graph 630 is equal to or greater than the slope of the luminance of the corresponding profile of graph 620. For example, the slope of the luminance of profile 631 in the peripheral portion of graph 630 is steeper than the slope of the luminance of profile 621 in the peripheral portion of graph 620.

[0142] Additionally, in graph 620, profile 626 having the lowest center luminance has the lowest edge luminance, while profile 621 having the highest center luminance has the highest edge luminance. In contrast, in graph 630, profiles 631 to 636 have the same or similar edge luminances. Profiles 631 to 636 converge at edges 628a, 628b.

[0143] Fig. 6E A graph 640 with luminance profiles 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646 ("profiles 641-646") is shown. Luminance profiles 641-646 are each Gaussian or normally distributed. Luminance profiles 641-646 each have a decreasing luminance between the center of the array and the edge of the array. Luminance profiles 641-646 do not have a clear boundary between the center portion and the peripheral portion. Instead, the luminance of the pixel decreases from a peak at the center of the pixel array to a minimum point at the edge 648a, 648b of the array.

[0144] Fig. 6F A graph 650 with profiles 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656 ("profiles 651 to 656") is shown. Profiles 651 to 656 are similar to profiles 641 to 646. The difference between profiles 651 to 656 and profiles 641 to 646 is the relative brightness of the edges of the array. For example, in graph 640, profile 646, which has the lowest center brightness, has the highest edge brightness, while profile 641, which has the highest center brightness, has the lowest edge brightness. Profiles 641 to 646 cross each other, for example, at point 683. In contrast, in graph 650, profiles 651 to 656 have the same or similar edge brightness. Profiles 651 to 656 converge at edges 648a, 648b. Profiles 651 to 656 do not cross each other in the peripheral portions.

[0145] Figure 7A flowchart of a process 700 for operating a display device using variable peripheral dimming is shown. The process may be implemented by a display device or a computing device including a display device, for example, to implement Figure 5 Luminance output shown.

[0146] The computing system receives display content. For example, Figure 1 and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B The depicted computing system 190 may receive image data 310 including display content for presentation on a display panel 104 of the device 190 .

[0147] At block 710, the computing system identifies a current display brightness setting of the computing system. The computing system identifies that the current display brightness setting of the computing system has a first value representing a first display brightness level. For example, device 190 may identify that the current display brightness setting of computing device 190 has a first value representing a first display brightness level.

[0148] At block 720, the computing system selects a first brightness profile from a set of brightness profiles that are each configured to reduce the brightness of display content presented on a display of the computing system in a different manner. The set of brightness profiles may be a set 308 of brightness profiles stored in a memory 306 of the SoC 105. The computing system selects the first brightness profile based on a current display brightness setting having a first value. The first brightness profile specifies a first brightness reduction amount for a peripheral portion of the display content and a first brightness reduction gradient for a portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content.

[0149] In some examples, the computing system may apply a first luminance profile to a first frame of image data, row by row, as image data is being provided from the SoC to a DDIC of the computing system. In some examples, the first luminance profile includes an image mask that specifies different dimming levels at different portions of the image mask. In some examples, the image mask specifies a gradient of different dimming levels extending away from the center of the image mask toward a peripheral edge of the image mask with increasing dimming levels. In some examples, the luminance profile includes a function that specifies how different portions of the image data 310 are to be dimmed.

[0150] At block 730, the computing system applies the first luminance profile to the display content to modify the display content by reducing the brightness of the display content in a manner specified by the first luminance profile. Applying the first luminance profile to the display content modifies the display content by reducing the brightness of a peripheral portion of the display content by a first brightness reduction amount, and reducing the brightness of a portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and a central portion of the display content according to a first brightness reduction gradient.

[0151] The peripheral portion of the display content is configured for presentation by the peripheral portion of the display device. For example, the peripheral portion of the display content may be configured for presentation by the peripheral portion 420 of the display panel 104. In some examples, pixels in the peripheral portion 420 are dimmed while retaining the image content of the image data 310.

[0152] At block 740, the computing system renders the display content on the display after the display content has been modified by applying the first luminance profile.The computing system renders the image data 310 after the image data 310 has been modified to dim the brightness of the display content as specified by the selected luminance profile.

[0153] In some examples, a computing system receives user input that interacts with a display device to change a current display brightness setting from a first value to a second value. In some examples, the display device may present a user interface that includes a display brightness slider. The user input may include user contact with the display device that drags an element of the display brightness slider from a first position to a second position. For example, the user contact may drag the element of the slider toward a position that represents increased brightness.

[0154] For the previous or subsequent image data, the computing system is configured to select a second luminance profile from the set of luminance profiles and apply the second luminance profile to the display content based on a current display luminance setting having a second value representing a second display luminance level. The second display luminance level may be greater than or less than the first display luminance level. The second luminance profile may specify a peripheral dimming amount that is greater than or less than the peripheral dimming amount specified by the first luminance profile.

[0155] Figure 8 8 is a block diagram of a computing device 800, 850 as a client or as a server or multiple servers that can be used to implement the systems and methods described in this document. The computing device 800 is intended to represent various forms of digital computers, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, workstations, personal digital assistants, servers, blade servers, mainframes, and other appropriate computers. The computing device 850 is intended to represent various forms of mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, cellular phones, smart phones, and other similar computing devices. The components shown here, their connections and relationships, and their functions are intended only as examples and are not intended to limit the implementations described and / or claimed in this document.

[0156] The computing device 800 includes a processor 802, a memory 804, a storage device 806, a high-speed controller 808 connected to the memory 804 and a high-speed expansion port 810, and a low-speed controller 812 connected to a low-speed expansion port 814 and the storage device 806. Each of the components 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, and 812 are interconnected using various buses and can be installed on a common motherboard or installed in other ways as appropriate. The processor 802 can process instructions for execution within the computing device 800, including instructions stored in the memory 804 or on the storage device 806, to display graphical information of a GUI on an external input / output device (such as a display 816 coupled to the high-speed controller 808). In other implementations, multiple processors and / or multiple buses, as well as multiple memories and multiple types of memories, can be used as needed. In addition, multiple computing devices 800 can be connected, each of which provides a portion of the necessary operations (for example, as a server group, a group of blade servers, or a multi-processor system).

[0157] The memory 804 stores information within the computing device 800. In one implementation, the memory 804 is one or more volatile memory units. In another implementation, the memory 804 is one or more non-volatile memory units. The memory 804 may also be another form of computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk.

[0158] The storage device 806 can provide mass storage for the computing device 800. In one implementation, the storage device 806 can be or include a computer-readable medium, such as a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, or a magnetic tape device, a flash memory or other similar solid-state memory device, or an array of devices (including devices in a storage area network or other configuration). A computer program product can be tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product can also include instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is a computer or machine-readable medium, such as the memory 804, the storage device 806, or a memory on the processor 802.

[0159] The high-speed controller 808 manages bandwidth-intensive operations of the computing device 800, while the low-speed controller 812 manages less bandwidth-intensive operations. This allocation of functions is merely an example. In one implementation, the high-speed controller 808 is coupled to a memory 804, a display 816 (e.g., via a graphics processor or accelerator), and a high-speed expansion port 810 that can accept various expansion cards (not shown). In this implementation, the low-speed controller 812 is coupled to the storage device 806 and the low-speed expansion port 814. The low-speed expansion port, which can include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, Ethernet, wireless Ethernet), can be coupled to one or more input / output devices, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a scanner, or a network device, such as a switch or a router, for example, via a network adapter.

[0160] As shown, computing device 800 can be implemented in many different forms. For example, it can be implemented as a standard server 820, or multiple times in a group of such servers. It can also be implemented as part of a rack server system 824. In addition, it can be implemented in a personal computer such as a laptop computer 822. Alternatively, components from computing device 800 can be combined with other components in a mobile device (not shown) such as device 850. Each of such devices can contain one or more of computing devices 800, 850, and the entire system can be composed of multiple computing devices 800, 850 that communicate with each other.

[0161] The computing device 850 includes a processor 852, a memory 864, an input / output device (such as a display 854), a communication interface 866, and a transceiver 868, among other components. The device 850 may also be provided with a storage device (such as a micro drive or other device) to provide additional storage. Each of the components 850, 852, 864, 854, 866, and 868 are interconnected using various buses, and several of the components may be mounted on a common motherboard or otherwise as appropriate.

[0162] The processor 852 can execute instructions within the computing device 850, including instructions stored in the memory 864. The processor can be implemented as a chipset including a separate plurality of analog and digital processor chips. Additionally, the processor can be implemented using any of a variety of architectures. For example, the processor can be a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) processor, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processor, or a MISC (Minimum Instruction Set Computer) processor. The processor can provide, for example, coordination of other components of the device 850, such as controlling a user interface, applications run by the device 850, and wireless communications performed by the device 850.

[0163] The processor 852 can communicate with the user through the control interface 858 and the display interface 856 coupled to the display 854. The display 854 can be, for example, a TFT (thin film transistor liquid crystal display) display or an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display or another appropriate display technology. The display interface 856 may include an appropriate circuit system for driving the display 854 to present graphics and other information to the user. The control interface 858 can receive commands from the user and transform them to submit to the processor 852. In addition, an external interface 862 for communication with the processor 852 can be provided to enable the device 850 to communicate with other devices in a near area. The external interface 862 can be provided, for example, with wired communication in some implementations, or with wireless communication in other implementations, and multiple interfaces can also be used.

[0164] The memory 864 stores information within the computing device 850. The memory 864 may be implemented as one or more computer-readable media, one or more volatile memory units, or one or more non-volatile memory units. An expansion memory 874 may also be provided and connected to the device 850 via an expansion interface 872, which may include, for example, a SIMM (single in-line memory module) card interface. Such an expansion memory 874 may provide additional storage space for the device 850, or may also store applications or other information of the device 850. Specifically, the expansion memory 874 may include instructions for executing or supplementing the above-mentioned processes, and may also include security information. Therefore, for example, the expansion memory 874 may be provided as a security module for the device 850, and may be programmed with instructions that permit secure use of the device 850. In addition, security applications and additional information may be provided via a SIMM card, such as placing identification information on a SIMM card in an unbreakable manner.

[0165] The memory may include, for example, flash memory and / or NVRAM memory, as discussed below. In one implementation, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in an information carrier. The computer program product contains instructions that, when executed, perform one or more methods, such as those described above. The information carrier is a computer or machine readable medium, such as the memory 864, the expansion memory 874, or a memory on the processor 852, which may be received, for example, via the transceiver 868 or the external interface 862.

[0166] Device 850 can communicate wirelessly via a communication interface 866, which may include a digital signal processing circuit system when necessary. Communication interface 866 can provide communication under various modes or protocols, such as GSM voice calls, SMS, EMS or MMS messaging, CDMA, TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000 or GPRS, etc. Such communication can occur, for example, via a radio frequency transceiver 868. In addition, short-range communication can occur, such as using Bluetooth, WiFi or another such transceiver (not shown). In addition, a GPS (global positioning system) receiver module 870 can provide additional wireless data related to navigation and positioning to device 850, which can be used as appropriate by applications running on device 850.

[0167] Device 850 may also communicate audibly using audio codec 860, which may receive verbal information from a user and convert it into usable digital information. Audio codec 860 may also generate audible sounds for the user, such as through a speaker in a handset of device 850, for example. Such sounds may include sounds from voice phone calls, may include recorded sounds (e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.), and may also include sounds generated by applications operating on device 850.

[0168] As shown, computing device 850 can be implemented in many different forms. For example, it can be implemented as a cellular phone 880. It can also be implemented as part of a smart phone 882, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, or other similar mobile devices.

[0169] Additionally, computing device 800 or 850 may include a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive. A USB flash drive may store an operating system and other applications. A USB flash drive may include input / output components such as a wireless transmitter or a USB connector that may be inserted into a USB port of another computing device.

[0170] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented in digital electronic circuit systems, integrated circuit systems, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations can include implementations in one or more computer programs that can be executed and / or interpreted on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor that can be either special purpose or general purpose and can be coupled to receive data and instructions from and transmit data and instructions to a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0171] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or in assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium", "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, apparatus and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0172] To provide interaction with a user, the systems and techniques described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, verbal, or tactile input.

[0173] The systems and techniques described herein may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer with a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of the systems and techniques described herein), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communications network). Examples of communications networks include a local area network ("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), a peer-to-peer network (with self-organizing or static members), a grid computing infrastructure, and the Internet.

[0174] A computing system may include clients and servers. Clients and servers are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and placing each other in a client-server relationship.

[0175] Although some implementations have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible. Moreover, other mechanisms for executing the systems and methods described in this document may be used. In addition, the logical flows depicted in the figures do not require the specific order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired results. Other steps may be provided, or steps may be deleted from the described flows, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Therefore, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for presenting display content on a display of a computing system, the method comprising: identifying that a current display brightness setting of the computing system has a first value representing a first display brightness level; selecting, by the computing system, a first brightness profile from a set of brightness profiles each configured to reduce the brightness of the display content in a different manner based on the current display brightness setting having the first value, the first brightness profile specifying a first brightness reduction amount for a peripheral portion of the display content and a first brightness reduction gradient for a portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and a central portion of the display content; applying the first luminance profile to the display content to modify the display content by reducing the luminance of the peripheral portion of the display content by the first luminance reduction amount and reducing the luminance of the portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content according to the first luminance reduction gradient; as well as after the display content has been modified by applying the first luminance profile to the display content, presenting the display content on the display, Wherein the computing system is configured to, based on the current display brightness setting having a second value representing a second display brightness level greater than the first display brightness level, select a second brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles and apply the second brightness profile to the display content before presenting the display content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: Reducing the brightness of the peripheral portion of the display content includes reducing a brightness level of a plurality of pixels in each of a plurality of frames of the display content while retaining image content represented by the plurality of pixels.

3. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the second luminance profile specifies a second brightness reduction amount for the peripheral portion of the display content and a second brightness reduction gradient between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content; and The second brightness reduction amount is greater than the first brightness reduction amount.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein: the first luminance profile comprising a first image mask specifying a plurality of first dimming levels, each first dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the first image mask; and The second luminance profile includes a second image mask specifying a plurality of second dimming levels, each second dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the second image mask.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein: The first luminance profile includes a first function that specifies how different portions of the display content are to be dimmed; and The second brightness profile includes a second function that specifies how different portions of the display content are to be dimmed.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the first brightness reduction gradient extending away from the central portion of the display content toward the peripheral portion of the display content with increasing brightness reduction levels; and The second brightness reduction gradient extends away from the central portion of the display content toward the peripheral portion of the display content with increasing brightness reduction levels.

7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising: identifying that the current display brightness setting of the computing system has a third value representing a third display brightness level that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level; Based on the current display setting having the third value that is lower than the first display brightness level and lower than the second display brightness level, the display content is presented on the display without applying any brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles to the display content.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The peripheral portion of the display content surrounds and does not include the central portion of the display content.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein: the first luminance profile specifies a greater reduction in brightness for the peripheral portion of the display content than for the central portion of the display content; and The second luminance profile specifies a greater reduction in brightness for the peripheral portion of the display content than for the central portion of the display content.

10. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first luminance reduction amount specified by the first luminance profile is greater in absolute and relative amounts of luminance reduction than the second luminance reduction amount specified by the second luminance profile.

11. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising: User input is received by the computing system interacting with the display to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The user input to change the current display brightness setting from the first value to the second value comprises a user contact with the display that drags an element of a display brightness slider from a first position to a second position.

13. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising: receiving, by the computing system, an indication that an amount of light sensed by a light sensor of the computing system has increased; as well as The current display brightness setting is modified by the computing system from the first level to the second level as a result of having received an indication that the amount of light sensed by the light sensor has increased.

14. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein: One or more processors of the computing system perform applying the first luminance profile to the display content.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: Rendering the display content on the display includes the one or more processors of the computing system device sending the display content to a display driver integrated circuit of the display for rendering.

16. A computing system comprising: monitor; one or more processors; as well as One or more computer readable devices comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising: identifying that a current display brightness setting of the computing system has a first value representing a first display brightness level; selecting, by the computing system, a first brightness profile from a set of brightness profiles each configured to reduce the brightness of the display content in a different manner based on the current display brightness setting having the first value, the first brightness profile specifying a first brightness reduction amount for a peripheral portion of the display content and a first brightness reduction gradient for a portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and a central portion of the display content; applying the first luminance profile to the display content to modify the display content by reducing the luminance of the peripheral portion of the display content by the first luminance reduction amount and reducing the luminance of the portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content according to the first luminance reduction gradient; and after the display content has been modified by applying the first luminance profile to the display content, presenting the display content on the display, Wherein the computing system is configured to, based on the current display brightness setting having a second value representing a second display brightness level greater than the first display brightness level, select a second brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles and apply the second brightness profile to the display content before presenting the display content.

17. The computing system of claim 16, wherein: Reducing the brightness of the peripheral portion of the display content includes reducing a brightness level of a plurality of pixels in each of a plurality of frames of the display content while retaining image content represented by the plurality of pixels.

18. The computing system of any one of claims 16 or 17, wherein: the second luminance profile specifies a second brightness reduction amount for the peripheral portion of the display content and a second brightness reduction gradient for the portion of the display content between the peripheral portion of the display content and the central portion of the display content; and The second brightness reduction amount is greater than the first brightness reduction amount.

19. The computing system of claim 18, wherein: the first luminance profile comprising a first image mask specifying a plurality of first dimming levels, each first dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the first image mask; and The second luminance profile includes a second image mask specifying a plurality of second dimming levels, each second dimming level being associated with a respective portion of the second image mask.

20. A computing system comprising: a display configured to present display content; one or more processors; as well as One or more computer readable devices, the one or more computer readable devices comprising: a set of luminance profiles each configured to reduce the luminance of the display content in a different manner, at least one of the luminance profiles specifying a gradient of luminance reduction between a central portion of the display content and a peripheral portion of the display content, wherein there is a greater luminance reduction at the peripheral portion of the display content than at the central portion of the display content; as well as Instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to select a selected brightness profile from the set of brightness profiles based on a current display brightness setting of the computing system, and to apply the selected brightness profile to the display content before the display content is presented by the display.

Images