Control system for an ink screen

Abstract

The application discloses an ink screen control system, and relates to the technical field of ink screens, which comprises at least one ink screen, a control module and a storage module; the control module is connected with the at least one ink screen and the storage module respectively, is used for receiving display data, storing the display data in the storage module, acquiring the display data in the storage module and transmitting the display data to the ink screen for display, wherein the control module comprises at least two groups of data bus interfaces, and each group of data bus interfaces is connected with one ink screen through a data bus. The application solves the problem that the images displayed and covered in the prior art need to be retransmitted to be redisplayed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of e-ink display technology, and in particular to control systems for e-ink displays. Background Technology

[0002] Electronic paper display (EPD, or electrophoresis display), using electronic ink, is a revolutionary method and technology for information display. Its advantages include low power consumption and the ability to retain the image even when power is off. Like most traditional inks, electronic ink and the circuitry that changes its color can be printed onto many surfaces, from flexible plastics and polyester films to paper and fabric. The difference from traditional paper is that electronic ink changes color when powered on and can display changing images like a traditional screen.

[0003] In the existing technology, the content displayed on the two e-ink screens cannot be displayed separately without affecting each other. At the same time, it is not possible to return and re-display image content that has already been displayed and covered. The main processor needs to resend the original image content for it to be displayed again. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a control system for e-ink screens to at least solve the problem in related technologies where images that have been displayed and covered need to be resent in order to be displayed again.

[0005] This application provides a control system for an e-ink screen, the control system comprising: at least one e-ink screen, a control module, and a storage module;

[0006] The control module is connected to at least one e-ink screen and the storage module respectively. The control module is used to receive display data and store the display data in the storage module. It is also used to obtain the display data in the storage module and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display.

[0007] The control module includes at least two sets of data bus interfaces, each set of data bus interfaces being connected to one of the e-ink screens via a data bus.

[0008] In some alternative implementations, the control system of the e-ink screen further includes:

[0009] An operation module, connected to the control module, is used to receive operation signals and transmit the operation signals to the control module;

[0010] The control module is also used to obtain the display data of the operation signal from the storage module based on the operation signal and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display on the e-ink screen.

[0011] In some alternative implementations, the operation module includes:

[0012] A switching unit, connected to the control module, is used to switch the display order of images stored in the storage module;

[0013] A reset unit, connected to the control module, is used to receive a reset signal and transmit it to the control module.

[0014] The control module is used to perform a reset after receiving a reset signal.

[0015] In some alternative implementations, the control system of the e-ink screen further includes:

[0016] A communication module or communication interface is provided, which is connected to the control module and a preset terminal device respectively. The control module receives display data transmitted by the preset terminal device and stores it in the storage module. When a display command is received, the control module reads the display data from the storage module and transmits it to the e-ink screen for display via the bus.

[0017] In some alternative implementations, the communication interface includes a wired interface and a wireless interface.

[0018] In some alternative implementations, the communication module or communication interface includes:

[0019] A short-range wireless communication unit, which is connected to the control module.

[0020] In some alternative implementations, the control system of the e-ink screen further includes:

[0021] A power supply module is connected to at least one e-ink screen, the control module, and the storage module respectively, and is used to supply power.

[0022] In some alternative implementations, the power supply module includes:

[0023] A power conversion circuit is connected to the control module and the power supply terminal respectively, and is used to receive power, convert it and output it to the control module.

[0024] The screen power supply control unit is connected to the power conversion circuit, the control module and the e-ink screen respectively, and is used to receive power supply control signals and control the power supply to the e-ink screen.

[0025] In some alternative implementations, the control system of the e-ink screen further includes:

[0026] A voltage sampling circuit is connected to both the power supply module and the control module, and is used by the power supply module to collect voltage signals and output them to the control module.

[0027] In some alternative implementations, the control system of the e-ink screen further includes:

[0028] A status indication module, which is connected to the control module, is used to receive status indication signals and indicate the status. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the control system for an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another control system for an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 3 A circuit diagram of a storage module for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 4 A circuit diagram of a control module for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 5 A circuit diagram of the operation module of a control system for an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 6 A circuit diagram of a power supply module for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 7 Another circuit diagram of a power supply module for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 8 A circuit diagram of a voltage acquisition circuit for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 9 A circuit diagram of a status indication module for a control system of an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 10A circuit diagram of an e-ink screen control system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 11 Another circuit diagram of an e-ink screen control system provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 12 A circuit diagram of a control system for an e-ink screen provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this application.

[0043] It should be noted that, in the description of this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. The terms "first," "second," etc., in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0044] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0045] Electronic paper display (EPD, or electrophoresis display), using electronic ink, is a revolutionary method and technology for information display. Its advantages include low power consumption and the ability to retain the image even when power is off. Like most traditional inks, electronic ink and the circuitry that changes its color can be printed onto many surfaces, from flexible plastics and polyester films to paper and fabric. The difference from traditional paper is that electronic ink changes color when powered on and can display changing images like a traditional screen.

[0046] In the existing technology, the content displayed on the two e-ink screens cannot be displayed separately without affecting each other. At the same time, it is not possible to return and re-display image content that has already been displayed and covered. The main processor needs to resend the original image content for it to be displayed again.

[0047] Embodiments of this application provide a control system for an e-ink screen, such as... Figure 1As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen includes: at least one e-ink screen 10, a control module 20, and a storage module 30;

[0048] The control module 20 is connected to at least one e-ink screen 10 and the storage module 30 respectively. The control module is used to receive display data and store the display data in the storage module 30. It is also used to obtain the display data in the storage module 30 and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display.

[0049] The control module 20 includes at least two sets of data bus interfaces, each set of data bus interfaces being connected to one of the e-ink screens via a data bus.

[0050] Specifically, each of the two e-ink displays is an e-ink display (EPD), and the control module 20 is an MCU (microcontroller unit). The MCU is directly connected to at least one e-ink display 10, and based on the MCU, it can independently control at least one e-ink display.

[0051] Specifically, one set of data bus interfaces of the control module 20 is connected to one of the e-ink screens via a data bus, and another set of data bus interfaces of the control module 20 is connected to another e-ink screen via a data bus.

[0052] For example, by expanding the I / O ports, two or more e-ink screens can be connected and each can be controlled independently. The control module 20 sends the received display data to the e-ink screens for display in real time, and at the same time saves the display data to the storage module 30. When historical data needs to be displayed, it directly retrieves it from the storage module 30 and sends it to the e-ink screen for display, thus eliminating the need to resend the original image.

[0053] Optionally, the storage module can be a Flash memory, which is a non-volatile memory. Multiple received display data are stored in the Flash memory. Compared to traditional e-ink screen control systems where two e-ink screens can only display two files, this application can store display data for multiple files in the Flash memory. Therefore, each e-ink screen 10 can display multiple files and switch between them.

[0054] For example, refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 For storage module 30, see reference. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the control module 20. Pins 1 to 7 of the storage module 30 are connected to the MCU. (Reference) Figure 10 and Figure 11 ,Figure 10 and Figure 11 The circuit structure of the e-ink screen 10, Figure 10 and Figure 11 Taking the first e-ink screen EPD1 as an example, the second e-ink screen is connected to the control module 20 via the EPD2 signal line.

[0055] This application provides a control system for an e-ink display. A control module 20 is connected to at least one e-ink display 10 and a storage module 30. An MCU controls both e-ink displays separately, stores display data in the storage module 30, and retrieves display data from the storage module 30 before transmitting it to the two e-ink displays for display. This allows the two e-ink displays to show their content independently without interfering with each other. Furthermore, images that have already been displayed and covered are directly retrieved from the storage module 30 and displayed without needing to resend the original image, greatly improving convenience.

[0056] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes:

[0057] Operation module 40, which is connected to control module 20, is used to receive operation signals and transmit the operation signals to control module 20;

[0058] The control module 20 is also used to obtain the display data of the operation signal from the storage module 30 based on the operation signal and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display on the e-ink screen.

[0059] Specifically, the operation module 40 can be a button, which controls the content displayed on the e-ink screen 10 based on the button signal triggered by the user. The storage module 30 stores the independent display data of the two e-ink screens 10 respectively. When receiving an operation signal, it obtains the display data of the e-ink screen 10 corresponding to the operation signal and sends it to the corresponding e-ink screen 10 for display.

[0060] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the operation module 40 includes:

[0061] A switching unit, connected to the control module 20, is used to determine the display order of images stored in the storage module;

[0062] A reset unit 43 is connected to the control module 20 and is used to receive a reset signal and transmit it to the control module 20.

[0063] The control module 20 is used to perform a reset after receiving a reset signal.

[0064] Specifically, the switching unit can be an upward switching unit 41 and a downward switching unit 42, which can be a button, a scroll wheel, or a control button. By controlling the button, scroll wheel, the upward and downward switching functions are executed, thereby realizing the switching of the e-ink screen 10.

[0065] It should be noted that for each e-ink screen 10, there are corresponding up-flip switching unit 41, down-flip switching unit 42, and reset unit 43. Alternatively, for multiple e-ink screens 10, there are up-flip switching unit 41, down-flip switching unit 42, and reset unit 43, so that multiple e-ink screens 10 can be controlled simultaneously.

[0066] For example, refer to Figure 5 The up-turn switching unit 41 includes a first switch SW1, a forty-ninth capacitor C49 and a seventh diode D7, where the seventh diode D7 is a TVS (Transient Voltage Suppressor).

[0067] For example, the flip-down switching unit 42 includes a second switch SW2, a fiftieth capacitor C50, and a sixth diode D6, wherein the sixth diode D6 is a TVS.

[0068] For example, the reset unit 43 includes a third switch SW3, a forty-eighth capacitor C48, and a fifth diode D5, wherein the fifth diode D5 is a TVS.

[0069] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes:

[0070] A communication module or communication interface 50 is provided, which is connected to the control module 20 and a preset terminal device respectively. The communication module or communication interface 50 is used to receive display data transmitted by the preset terminal device and store it in the storage module 30. When a display command is received, the display data is read from the storage module 30 and transmitted to the e-ink screen 10 for display via the bus.

[0071] Specifically, the communication module or communication interface 50 is used to receive display data based on a preset communication method and send the display data directly to the e-ink screen 10 for display. The communication module connects to a preset terminal device, and the storage module 30 can also pre-store images, store multiple images, allow switching between multiple images at will, display specified images at scheduled times via software, and adjust the image display time at any time, etc. Furthermore, the MCU has a built-in file system that can automatically or manually delete expired files and automatically cycle through image storage.

[0072] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2As shown, the communication interface includes a wired interface and a wireless interface.

[0073] Specifically, the wireless interface allows for wireless connection to control devices, greatly improving convenience.

[0074] Specifically, the communication module or communication interface 50 includes an antenna unit 51, which is connected to a preset terminal device via wireless communication. The preset terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, smartwatch, etc. The control module 20 is wirelessly connected to the preset terminal device through the antenna unit 51, thereby transmitting display data.

[0075] For example, refer to Figure 4 The antenna mount is connected to the control module 20. Specifically, the antenna mount is an IPEX antenna mount. An IPEX antenna mount is an antenna used to connect small electronic devices such as wireless modules, WiFi modules, and Bluetooth modules. The control module 20 connects to the wireless module, WiFi module, and Bluetooth module respectively via the antenna mount and receives and displays data.

[0076] Additionally, the control module 20 is connected to a gateway. The gateway has two interfaces: one for communication with the server, including but not limited to wired / wireless interfaces such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), WIFI (Wireless Local Area Network), and 4G; and the other for communication with the e-ink display control system, including but not limited to wired / wireless interfaces such as 4G, WIFI, and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), thereby transmitting data from the app (application) to the control module 20. (See also...) Figure 12 , Figure 12 The control system of the e-ink screen includes an SWD programming chip. The SWD programming chip is connected to the control module 20. SWD programming is an embedded chip program writing technology based on the SWD (Serial Wire Debug) protocol, thereby updating data.

[0077] In some feasible implementations, the communication module or communication interface 50 includes:

[0078] A short-range wireless communication unit 52 is connected to the control module 20.

[0079] Specifically, the near-field communication unit 52 is NFC (Near Field Communication). Through the near-field communication unit 52, the control module 20 is wirelessly connected to the preset terminal device, thereby realizing the transmission of image data, configuration and reading of control parameters, transmission of user operation commands, etc.

[0080] For example, refer to Figure 4 The near-field wireless communication unit 52 is specifically NFC. It also includes an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit Board). For specific connection methods, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 4 .

[0081] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes:

[0082] The power supply module 60 is connected to at least one e-ink screen 10, the control module 20 and the storage module 30 respectively, and is used to supply power.

[0083] Specifically, the power supply module 60 is connected between the control module 20 and at least one e-ink screen 10, thereby controlling the power supply to at least one e-ink screen 10 through the control module 20.

[0084] The power supply module 60 includes:

[0085] A power conversion circuit 61 is connected to the control module 20 and the power supply terminal respectively, and is used to receive power, convert it and output it to the control module 20.

[0086] The screen power supply control unit 62 is connected to the power conversion circuit 61, the control module 20 and the e-ink screen 10 respectively, and is used to receive power supply control signals and control the power supply to the e-ink screen.

[0087] Specifically, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes a power switch, comprising at least the following three embodiments, see reference. Figure 7 In option (A), the first type involves connecting the battery power supply port VBAT, the power supply interface VBUS, the DC-DC converter, and the VCI (Voltage Control Interface) in sequence. (See reference.) Figure 6 The second type involves connecting the battery power supply port VBAT, the power supply interface VBUS, the LDO (low dropout regulator), and the VCI in sequence. (See reference) Figure 7 In (B) and (C), the third type involves connecting VCC 3.3V, PMOS / load switch, and VCI in sequence, as shown in the reference. Figure 7 (B) in the reference is PMOS. Figure 7 (C) in the diagram represents the load switch.

[0088] Specifically, the power conversion circuit 61 has power interfaces, namely a battery power supply port VBAT and a power supply port VBUS. The power conversion circuit 61 converts the received voltage and transmits it to the control module 20. The battery power supply port VBAT is connected to a lithium battery, which is 4.2V when fully charged. The MCU controls the power supply to the e-ink screen 10 through the power conversion circuit 61, thereby realizing screen control.

[0089] refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 The power conversion circuit 61 is used. The charging interface can be a TYPEC (a USB interface standard) connector. After circuit conversion, the TYPEC connector provides a VBUS power interface to power the entire system, and can also charge the lithium battery through the charging circuit. The TYPEC connector circuit can provide 5V power.

[0090] For example, the power conversion circuit 61 converts the received voltage to 3.3V and then supplies power to the VDD terminal of the control module 20.

[0091] Specifically, the screen power supply control unit 62 receives the power supply control signal from the control module 20, and controls whether to supply power to the e-ink screen 10 based on the power supply control signal.

[0092] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes:

[0093] A voltage sampling circuit 70 is connected to both the power supply module 60 and the control module 20, and is used by the power supply module 60 to collect voltage signals and output them to the control module 20.

[0094] Specifically, the voltage sampling circuit 70 can collect the voltage from the battery power supply port, the voltage converted by the power conversion circuit 61, and the voltage from the charging port, respectively. (Reference) Figure 8 , Figure 8 Figure (A) shows the circuit structure diagram for collecting the voltage from the battery power supply port. Figure 8 (B) is a circuit diagram showing the voltage converted by the power conversion circuit 61. Figure 8 (C) is a circuit diagram for collecting the voltage of the charging interface.

[0095] In some feasible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the control system of the e-ink screen also includes:

[0096] A status indication module 80 is connected to the control module 20 and is used to receive status indication signals and indicate the status.

[0097] Specifically, the status indicator module 80 is used for fault indication, and can also be used for charging indication, NFC card swiping indication, power-on indication or other indication.

[0098] For example, refer to Figure 9 The fourth switch Q4, the fifth switch Q5, and the sixth switch Q6 control the corresponding LEDs to light up when they receive a low level, and control the corresponding LEDs to turn off when they receive a high level or a high configuration.

[0099] The control system for an e-ink screen provided in this application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this application without departing from the principles of this application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A control system for an e-ink screen, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen includes: at least one e-ink screen, a control module, and a storage module; The control module is connected to at least one e-ink screen and the storage module respectively. The control module is used to receive display data and store the display data in the storage module. It is also used to obtain the display data in the storage module and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display. The control module includes at least two sets of data bus interfaces, each set of data bus interfaces being connected to one of the e-ink screens via a data bus.

2. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen also includes: An operation module, connected to the control module, is used to receive operation signals and transmit the operation signals to the control module; The control module is also used to obtain the display data of the operation signal from the storage module based on the operation signal and transmit it to the e-ink screen for display on the e-ink screen.

3. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 2, characterized in that, The operation module includes: A switching unit, connected to the control module, is used to switch the display order of images stored in the storage module; A reset unit, connected to the control module, is used to receive a reset signal and transmit it to the control module. The control module is used to perform a reset after receiving a reset signal.

4. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen also includes: A communication module or communication interface is provided, which is connected to the control module and a preset terminal device respectively. The control module receives display data transmitted by the preset terminal device and stores it in the storage module. When a display command is received, the control module reads the display data from the storage module and transmits it to the e-ink screen for display via the bus.

5. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 4, characterized in that, The communication interfaces include: a wired interface and a wireless interface.

6. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The communication module or communication interface includes: A short-range wireless communication unit, which is connected to the control module.

7. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen also includes: A power supply module is connected to at least one e-ink screen, the control module, and the storage module respectively, and is used to supply power.

8. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 7, characterized in that, The power supply module includes: A power conversion circuit is connected to the control module and the power supply terminal respectively, and is used to receive power, convert it and output it to the control module. The screen power supply control unit is connected to the power conversion circuit, the control module and the e-ink screen respectively, and is used to receive power supply control signals and control the power supply to the e-ink screen.

9. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen also includes: A voltage sampling circuit is connected to both the power supply module and the control module, and is used by the power supply module to collect voltage signals and output them to the control module.

10. The control system for the e-ink screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control system of the e-ink screen also includes: A status indication module, which is connected to the control module, is used to receive status indication signals and indicate the status.

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