Electronic device and control method therefor

Abstract

This electronic device is disclosed. When instructions are individually or collectively executed, one or more processors cause the electronic device to: identify a first color corresponding to a first pixel from among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and store same in a memory; identify a second color corresponding to the first pixel from among the plurality of pixels for a second screen that is output after the first screen, and compare same with the first color; if the second color is different from the first color, switch the first color to the second color on the basis of a preset color sequence; and display the second screen on a display on the basis of the switched second color, wherein the preset color sequence is a color sequence set on the basis of a driving order for the plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors from among the plurality of colors.

Description

Electronic device and control method thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling the same.

[0002] Recently, as color expression technology for EPDs (Electrophoretic Displays) has advanced, technology for methods to naturally transition between screens is being developed.

[0003] An EPD is a device that displays a desired image by applying voltage to each pixel to move pigment particles. Unlike other display devices, it has the advantage of maintaining the position of the pigment particles even when the voltage is removed, allowing the screen to be continuously maintained without power consumption.

[0004] Conventionally, to switch the screen of an EPD, an Erasing & Activation operation was performed by applying an opposite voltage to the pigment particles of each pixel and mixing the pigment particles. However, it has been pointed out that due to the Erasing & Activation operation, a residual image of the previous screen remains on the switched screen and a flickering phenomenon occurs.

[0005] An electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure comprises one or more processors including a display, a memory for storing instructions, and processing circuitry.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively, the electronic device identifies a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and stores it in the memory, identifies a second color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen output after the first screen and compares it with the first color, and if the second color is different from the first color, converts the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence, and displays the second screen through the display based on the converted second color, wherein the preset color sequence is a color sequence set based on a driving order for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors among the plurality of colors.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device identifies a number of drives for switching the first color to the second color based on the preset color sequence and at least one step-by-step drive waveform capable of switching between the first color and the second color, and switches the first color to the second color based on the number of drives and at least one step-by-step drive waveform between the colors.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device applies the at least one step-by-step driving waveform, which is switchable between the colors, to the first pixel a number of times such that the first color is switched to the second color.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, the at least one step driving waveform includes a plurality of step driving waveforms, and when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device applies a driving waveform of the first step of the step driving waveforms to the first pixel to switch the first color, and if the switched first color and the second color are different, applies a driving waveform of the second step of the step driving waveforms to switch the switched first color again.

[0010] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device causes the second screen to be displayed through the display based on the first color corresponding to the first pixel when the second color is the same color as the first color.

[0011] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device identifies a first area to be updated with new content in the first screen based on the position of each of a plurality of pixels in the first screen, and switches the color of each pixel of the first area to a color corresponding to the new content of the second pixel based on the preset color sequence.

[0012] According to one or more embodiments, the electronic device is an Electrophoretic Display (EPD) device that displays the color of each pixel through electronic ink.

[0013] According to one or more embodiments, the driving waveform is a voltage change waveform based on a voltage and voltage application time sufficient to move the pigment particles contained in the first pixel.

[0014] According to one or more embodiments, when the instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device applies each driving waveform according to the driving sequence of a plurality of colors, thereby converting the first color of the plurality of pixels of the first screen to the second color of the plurality of pixels of the second screen.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments, the number of driving operations for switching the first screen to the second screen may be equal to the number of colors represented by the plurality of pixels.

[0016] A control method for an electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure comprises: identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and storing it in the electronic device; identifying a second color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color; if the second color is different from the first color, switching the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence; and displaying the second screen based on the switched second color, wherein the preset color sequence is a color sequence set based on a driving order for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors among the plurality of colors.

[0017] A non-transient computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that cause the electronic device to perform an operation when executed by a processor of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein the operation comprises: identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and storing it in the electronic device; identifying a second color corresponding to the first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color; if the second color is different from the first color, converting the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence; and displaying the second screen based on the converted second color, wherein the preset color sequence is a color sequence set based on a driving order for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors among the plurality of colors.

[0018] The above and other aspects, features and / or advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is referenced together with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first pixel color comparison process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a drawing for illustrating a preset color sequence of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the color switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the driving waveform of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a color switching process based on step-by-step driving waveforms of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the screen switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the color switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a local update process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation method of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0030] The terms used in the various embodiments of this Disclosure have been selected to be as widely used and general as possible, taking into account their functions within this disclosure; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in specific cases, terms have been selected at the applicant's discretion, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description section of this disclosure. Therefore, terms used in this disclosure should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the overall content of this disclosure.

[0031] In the present disclosure, expressions such as “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “may include” indicate the presence of such features (e.g., numerical values, functions, actions, or components such as parts) and do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0032] The expression "at least one of A or / and B" should be understood as representing either "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0033] Expressions such as "first," "second," "first," or "second" used in this disclosure may modify various components regardless of order and / or importance, and are used only to distinguish one component from another and do not limit said components.

[0034] Where it is stated that a component (e.g., Component 1) is "(operatively or communicatively) coupled with / to" or "connected to" another component (e.g., Component 2), it should be understood that the component may be directly connected to the other component or connected through the other component (e.g., Component 3).

[0035] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, terms such as “comprising” or “consisting of” are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] In the present disclosure, a "module" or "part" performs at least one function or operation and may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. Additionally, a plurality of "modules" or a plurality of "parts" may be integrated into at least one module and implemented by at least one processor (not shown), except for a "module" or "part" that needs to be implemented in specific hardware.

[0037] In the present disclosure, the term "user" may refer to a person using an electronic device or a device used by such person.

[0038] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the operation of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can switch a first color displayed on the display (110) to a second color based on a preset color sequence. Here, the electronic device (100) can be implemented as various types of electronic devices such as an Electrophoretic Display (EPD), E-Paper, E-ink display, Smart TV, Digital Signage, monitor, kiosk, tablet PC, digital photo frame, mobile phone, Large Format Display (LFD), Digital Information Display (DID), video wall, projector display, etc. However, in some cases, it may be implemented as an image processing device (e.g., a set-top box, one connected box) that is connected to the electronic device to provide images.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may be an Electrophoretic Display (EPD) device that displays the color of each pixel through electronic ink. For convenience of explanation, the electronic device (100) will be described as an Electrophoretic Display (EPD).

[0042] According to one example, the electronic device (100) displays data in white or black depending on the voltage applied to both ends, and is configured by applying electrophoresis, microcapsules (20, 30), and a substrate (10).

[0043] The microcapsules (20, 30) contain fine electrophoretic particles, specifically pigment particles such as white, black, and red. The substrate (10) forms a TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) circuit or electrode and may be a physical layer on which the electrophoretic particles, i.e., the microcapsules (20, 30), are located.

[0044] The electronic device (100) can display colors on the substrate (10) by moving pigment particles through the application of voltage (or electric field, waveform) to the microcapsules (20, 30). In the case of an EPD, unlike LEDs or LCDs, the pigment particles maintain their state even when the power is turned off, so the colors displayed on the display can be displayed as they are.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the general structure of an electronic device (100) is illustrated. The electronic device (100) may include a plurality of pixels, and each pixel may include a plurality of microcapsules (20, 30). When a specific voltage is applied to a specific pixel, the microcapsule (20) located at the bottom of the pixel may move to the top of the pixel. At this time, the microcapsule (30) located at the top is positioned on the substrate (10), so that the electronic device (100) can display a color through the pigment particles located on the substrate (10).

[0046] According to one example, the electronic device (100) may include microcapsules (or pigment particles) of different colors in each of a plurality of pixels. For example, the electronic device (100) may include pigment particles of white, blue, red, and yellow in the pixels. Each pigment particle may have a different charge and particle size. The electronic device (100) may move each pigment particle (white, blue, red, and yellow pigment particles) by applying a different voltage.

[0047] According to the prior art, the existing electronic device (100) can perform an Erasing and Activation process on all pixels during the process of displaying a color by moving pigment particles and then switching to the next screen. Erasing and Activation may be a process of mixing pigment particles by applying an opposite voltage to all pixels and applying a specific waveform to switch screens. However, there is a problem in that an afterimage of the previous screen may remain and a flickering phenomenon may appear in the user's eyes by performing such a process.

[0048] Accordingly, the electronic device (100) can perform screen switching based on a preset color sequence without performing an Erasing and Activation process on multiple pigment particles of different colors included in the pixel.

[0049] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, various practical examples will be described in which an electronic device (100) outputs a first screen based on a preset color sequence and then switches the first color of the first screen to the second color of the second screen. In the following description, the term “first color” may include not only the pixel color of the first screen prior to switching based on a predetermined color sequence, but also the pixel color of the first screen obtained as a result of each switching according to the predetermined color sequence. Meanwhile, the term “second color” may refer to the pixel color of the corresponding second screen to which the first color is switched (i.e., the target color to be finally displayed on the second screen).

[0050] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0051] According to FIG. 2, the electronic device (100) includes a display (110), a memory (120), and one or more processors (130). However, it is not limited thereto, and the electronic device (100) may be implemented with some components excluded or with other components included.

[0052] The display (110) can display a content screen based on the switched color. The display (110) can be implemented as a display including a self-emissive element or as a display including a non-emissive element and a backlight. For example, it can be implemented as various types of displays such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diodes), a micro LED, a Mini LED, a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), a QD (Quantum dot) display, a QLED (Quantum dot light-emitting diodes), but is not limited thereto. The display (110) may also include a driving circuit, a backlight unit, etc., which can be implemented in forms such as an a-si TFT, an LTPS (low temperature poly silicon) TFT, an OTFT (organic TFT), etc.

[0053] The memory (120) can store at least one instruction, data, program, etc. related to the operation of the electronic device (100). For example, the memory (120) can store speech characteristic information corresponding to a speaker.

[0054] The memory (120) may be implemented in the form of a memory embedded in the electronic device (100) or in the form of a memory detachable from the electronic device (100), depending on the purpose of data storage. For example, data for operating the electronic device (100) may be stored in a memory embedded in the electronic device (100), and data for the expansion function of the electronic device (100) may be stored in a memory detachable from the electronic device (100).

[0055] In the case of memory embedded in the electronic device (100), it may be implemented as at least one of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (dynamic RAM), SRAM (static RAM), or SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM), etc.), non-volatile memory (e.g., OTPROM (one time programmable ROM), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable and programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, flash memory (e.g., NAND flash or NOR flash, etc.), hard drive, or solid state drive (SSD), but is not limited thereto.

[0056] The memory (120) may be implemented as a single memory that stores data generated in various operations according to the present disclosure, but is not limited thereto, and the memory (120) may be implemented to include a plurality of memories that each store different types of data or each store data generated in different stages.

[0057] One or more processors (130) control the overall operation of the electronic device (100). Specifically, one or more processors (130) may be connected to each component of the electronic device (100) to control the overall operation of the electronic device (100). For example, one or more processors (130) may be electrically connected to the display (110) and memory (120) to control the overall operation of the electronic device (100). One or more processors (130) may include processing circuits and may be composed of one or more processors.

[0058] One or more processors (130) can perform the operation of an electronic device (100) according to various embodiments by executing one or more instructions stored in memory (120).

[0059] One or more processors (130) may include, but are not limited to, one or more of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), APU (Accelerated Processing Unit), MIC (Many Integrated Core), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), NPU (Neural Processing Unit), hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator. One or more processors (130) may control one or any combination of other components of an electronic device and may perform operations or data processing related to communication. One or more processors (130) may execute one or more programs or instructions stored in memory. For example, one or more processors may perform a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure by executing one or more instructions stored in memory.

[0060] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by a single processor or by a plurality of processors. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first processor (e.g., a general-purpose processor) and the third operation may be performed by a second processor (e.g., an artificial intelligence dedicated processor).

[0061] One or more processors (130) may be implemented as a single-core processor including one core, or as one or more multicore processors including multiple cores (e.g., homogeneous multicore or heterogeneous multicore). When one or more processors (130) are implemented as multicore processors, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor may include internal processor memory such as cache memory or on-chip memory, and a common cache shared by multiple cores may be included in the multicore processor. Additionally, each of the multiple cores included in the multicore processor (or some of the multiple cores) may independently read and execute program instructions for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, or all (or some) of the multiple cores may be linked together to read and execute program instructions for implementing a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0062] When a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure includes a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations may be performed by one of the plurality of cores included in a multi-core processor, or may be performed by a plurality of cores. For example, when a first operation, a second operation, and a third operation are performed by a method according to one or more embodiments, the first operation, the second operation, and the third operation may all be performed by a first core included in a multi-core processor, or the first operation and the second operation may be performed by a first core included in a multi-core processor and the third operation may be performed by a second core included in a multi-core processor.

[0063] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor may refer to a system-on-chip (SoC) in which one or more processors and other electronic components are integrated, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, or a core included in a single-core processor or a multi-core processor, wherein the core may be implemented as a CPU, GPU, APU, MIC, DSP, NPU, hardware accelerator, or machine learning accelerator, but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For convenience of explanation, one or more processors (130) will be referred to as processors (130) below.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may identify a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a first screen and store it in memory (120). The first pixel may be a pixel located in one area of ​​the first screen. The first color may be any one of white, black, blue, green, red, and yellow.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) may identify a second color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen output after a first screen and compare it with the first color. The operation of comparing the first color and the second color may be an operation of comparing whether the first color and the second color are the same color.

[0066] According to one embodiment, if the second color is not the same color as the first color, the processor (130) may switch the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence. The preset color sequence may be a color sequence set based on a driving order for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform that can be switched between colors. A detailed description of the preset color sequence will be provided later in FIG. 4.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the processor (130) can display a second screen through the display (110) based on the switched second color.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first pixel color comparison process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a first color corresponding to a first pixel (311) among a plurality of pixels for a first screen (310) and store it in a memory (120). The electronic device (100) can identify the first color based on the color of a pigment particle located at the uppermost side (substrate layer) within the first pixel.

[0070] According to one example, in the manufacturing stage, a specific voltage is applied to all pixels of the electronic device (100) so that the entire display screen may be one of a plurality of colors. For example, the electronic device (100) may have a specific voltage applied to all pixels so that the entire screen may be white.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a second color corresponding to a first pixel (320) among a plurality of pixels for a second screen (321) that is output after a first screen. The electronic device (100) can compare the first color and the second color.

[0072] According to one example, the electronic device (100) may include four colored pigment particles within a pixel and may display six colors based on the four colored pigment particles. For example, the electronic device (100) may include white, blue, red, and yellow pigment particles in each of a plurality of pixels and may display white, black, blue, green, red, and yellow colors based on the pigment particles.

[0073] For example, if a white pigment particle is located at the top, the electronic device (100) can display the first pixel as white. For example, if a blue pigment particle and a yellow pigment particle are located at the top, the electronic device (100) can display the first pixel as green. For example, if a blue pigment particle and a red pigment particle are located at the top, the electronic device (100) can display the first pixel as black.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device (100) can identify a first color based on the color of a pigment particle located on the uppermost side of a first pixel (311) among a plurality of pixels for a first screen (310). Likewise, the electronic device (100) can identify a second color based on a pigment particle located on the uppermost side of a first pixel (320) among a plurality of pixels for a second screen (320) that is output after the first screen (310). For example, a black pigment particle (or blue and red pigment particles) may be located on the uppermost side of the first pixel (311) of the first screen, so the first color may be black. For example, a white pigment particle may be located on the uppermost side of the first pixel (321) of the second screen, so the second color may be white.

[0075] The electronic device (100) can compare the first color and the second color to determine whether the first color and the second color are the same color.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a drawing for illustrating a preset color sequence of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0077] According to one embodiment, if the second color is not the same color as the first color, the electronic device (100) can switch the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence (410).

[0078] The color driving sequence set in the preset color sequence (410) can be determined based on the charge amount and particle size of the pigment particles. For example, the pigment particles may have different particle sizes and charge amounts. A pigment particle with a large charge amount may be positioned on the pixel side at a faster speed than a pigment particle with a small charge amount when the same voltage is applied. A pigment particle with a large particle size may be positioned on the pixel side at a slower speed than a pigment particle with a small particle size.

[0079] That is, a color driving sequence is determined based on the particle size and charge amount of the pigment particles, and a preset color sequence (410) can be set based on the color driving sequence.

[0080] A preset color sequence (410) may be determined based on different driving waveforms for switching between colors. A driving waveform of the first stage may be required to switch the color from white to black, and a driving waveform of the second stage may be required to switch the color from black to blue. That is, the electronic device (100) may switch the color to black when the driving waveform of the first stage is applied from white, and switch the color to blue when the driving waveform of the second stage is applied from black.

[0081] The pre-set color sequence is not limited thereto and may be referred to as a color output sequence or a color driving sequence, but in this disclosure, it will be collectively referred to as a pre-set color sequence.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 4, the preset color sequence (410) may include a driving sequence in the order of white, black, blue, green, red, and yellow. However, the above-described sequence is merely one example and can be set to a different driving sequence.

[0083] The electronic device (100) can switch its color from white to black when a first stage driving waveform is applied. The electronic device (100) can switch its color from black to blue when a second stage driving waveform is applied.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining the color switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a number of driving cycles (530) for switching a first color to a second color based on a preset color sequence (410). The electronic device (100) can switch the first color to a second color based on the identified number of driving cycles (530).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 5, when the first color (510) is white and the second color (520) is green, the electronic device (100) can identify three driving cycles (530) for switching the first color (510) to the second color (520). The electronic device (100) can switch the first color (510) to the second color (520) by performing three color driving cycles on a first pixel marked with the first color (510) based on a predetermined color sequence 410 (i.e., white > black, then black > blue, and then blue > green).

[0087] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the driving waveform of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) identifies a step-by-step driving waveform that is switchable between colors based on a preset color sequence (410), and can switch a first color to a second color based on the number of drives and the step-by-step driving waveform that is switchable between colors.

[0089] According to one example, the driving waveform may be a voltage change waveform based on a voltage and voltage application time sufficient to move a pigment particle contained in a first pixel. The driving waveform may be a waveform for color transitions using a voltage or current signal that changes over time. The driving waveform may include a first-stage driving waveform, a second-stage driving waveform, etc., for each color transition stage.

[0090] The step-by-step driving waveform capable of switching between colors may be a driving waveform that must be applied to an electronic device (100) for switching between colors. The step-by-step driving waveform may have different waveform shapes, frequencies, amplitudes, and duty cycles. For example, among the step-by-step driving waveforms, the driving waveform of the first step and the driving waveform of the second step may have different waveform shapes, frequencies, amplitudes, and duty cycles.

[0091] However, the driving waveform is not limited thereto and may be referred to in various ways, such as a driving signal, input waveform, driving voltage, driving current, driving time, etc., but in this disclosure, it will be collectively referred to as a driving waveform.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 6, an example of a driving waveform is shown. The driving waveform for each step may be a driving waveform set based on different voltage application times and voltage values. In the graph shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal axis may represent time and the vertical axis may represent voltage.

[0093] For example, the driving waveform of the first stage may be a driving waveform in which a voltage of 3V is applied for a time T1 and a voltage of 15V is applied for a time T2. The electronic device (100) can move the pigment particles by applying a voltage of 3V for a time T1 and a voltage of 15V for a time T2 based on the driving waveform of the first stage.

[0094] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a color switching process based on step-by-step driving waveforms of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can switch the first color to the second color by applying a step-by-step driving waveform capable of switching between colors to the first pixel as many times as the identified driving number. For example, if the identified driving number is 2 times, the electronic device (100) can switch the color by applying a driving waveform of the first step and a driving waveform of the second step to the first pixel.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can switch a first color by applying a driving waveform of the first stage among the driving waveforms of the first stage to a first pixel, and if the switched first color and the second color are not the same color, the switched first color can be switched again by applying a driving waveform of the second stage among the driving waveforms of the second stage.

[0097] According to one example, the electronic device (100) may apply a driving waveform of the first stage to the first pixel and then compare the converted first color and the second color. If the converted first color and the second color are the same color, the current state may be maintained without applying voltage to the first pixel any further.

[0098] However, if the converted first color and the second color are not the same color, the electronic device (100) may re-convert the color by applying a driving waveform of the second stage to the first pixel. After repeating the above-described operation, if the sequentially converted first color and the second color are the same, the electronic device (100) may maintain the current state of the first pixel.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the number of driving waveforms for each step applied to the first pixel can be determined based on the identified number of driving waveforms.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 7, when the first color (510) displayed on the first pixel of the first screen is white and the second color (520) to be displayed on the first pixel of the second screen is green, the electronic device (100) can identify a total of three driving sequences for switching from white to black, from black to blue, and from blue to green based on a preset color sequence (410).

[0101] According to one example, the electronic device (100) can identify a driving waveform for each color transition step based on a preset color sequence (410). For example, the electronic device (100) can identify a first-step driving waveform (710) for transitioning from white to black, a second-step driving waveform (720) for transitioning from black to blue, and a third-step driving waveform (730) for transitioning from blue to green.

[0102] According to one example, the electronic device (100) may apply a first stage driving waveform (710) to a first pixel to switch a first color from white to black. The electronic device (100) may compare the switched black color with a second color, and if the colors are not the same, apply a second stage driving waveform (720) to the first pixel.

[0103] However, this is merely an example of an embodiment, and the electronic device (100) may not compare the switched color with the second color after applying the first stage driving waveform (710) to the first pixel. That is, without comparing the colors every time the driving waveform is applied, the electronic device (100) may apply the driving waveform to the first pixel as many times as the driving count when the driving count is identified.

[0104] The electronic device (100) can apply a second-stage driving waveform (720) to the first pixel to switch the first color from black to blue, and apply a third-stage driving waveform (730) to the first pixel to switch the first color from blue to green.

[0105] For example, when the first color is blue and the second color is green, the electronic device (100) can identify one driving cycle based on a preset color sequence (410) and identify a third-stage driving waveform (730) for switching from blue to green. The electronic device (100) can switch the first color to the second color by applying the third-stage driving waveform (730) to the first pixel.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may not apply a driving waveform as many times as the identified driving number to switch the first color from white to green. The electronic device (100) may identify a driving waveform for switching directly from white to green and switch the color based on the identified driving waveform. That is, when the electronic device (100) identifies a driving waveform for switching directly from a specific color to another specific color, the color may switch based on the identified driving waveform without relying on a preset color sequence (410).

[0107] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the screen switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0108] According to one embodiment, if the second color of a first pixel on a second screen is not the same color as the first color of a first pixel on a first screen, the electronic device (100) switches the first color to a second color based on a preset color sequence, and if the second color is the same color as the first color, the second screen can be displayed through a display (110) based on the first color displayed on the first pixel.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may apply a driving waveform to each of a plurality of pixels. After switching, the electronic device (100) may compare the colors of each of the plurality of pixels for the first screen and the second screen, and if the colors are the same, maintain the color of the corresponding pixel, and if the colors are not the same, reapply the driving waveform to the corresponding pixel to switch the color again.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 8, the first screen and the second screen are displayed as a total of 36 pixels in a 6x6 grid. In FIG. 8, the pixel located in the 4th row and 1st column is assumed to be the first pixel for explanation.

[0111] The electronic device (100) can identify the first color (810) of the first screen as white (W) based on the pigment particles of the first pixel. If the second color of the second screen is green (G), the electronic device (100) can identify the number of drives as three based on a preset color sequence (410). The electronic device (100) can identify the drive waveform for each step based on the preset color sequence (410).

[0112] The electronic device (100) can switch the first color (810) from white (W) to black (BK) by applying a first-stage driving waveform to the first pixel (Fig. 7, 710) (N1). The electronic device (100) can switch the first color (810) from black (BK) to blue (BL) by applying a second-stage driving waveform to the first pixel (Fig. 7, 720) (N2). The electronic device (100) can switch the first color (810) from blue (BL) to green (G) by applying a third-stage driving waveform to the first pixel (Fig. 7, 730) (N3). The electronic device (100) can switch a first color (810) to a second color (8200) based on a preset color sequence (410). As illustrated in FIG. 8, in each switching operation, the switched first color is maintained for pixels where the switched first color is the same as the second color, and for pixels where the switched first color is not the same as the second color, the switched first color may be switched back based on a predetermined color sequence (410).

[0113] Additionally, in FIG. 8, as an example, color switching is performed in units of vertical lines. For example, in FIG. 8, the pixels of the first column are displayed as white (W) in the first screen, and the pixels of the second column are displayed as black (BK). In the “N1” state, the pixels of the first column are switched from white (W) to black (BK) by applying a first stage driving waveform to the pixels of the first column (excluding pixels having the same first color as the second color), and the pixels of the second column are switched from black (BK) to (BL) by applying a second stage driving waveform to the pixels of the second column (excluding pixels having the same first color as the second color).

[0114] Although not illustrated in FIG. 8, the number of driving operations to switch the first screen to the second screen may be equal to the number of colors expressed by multiple pixels of the first screen. For example, if multiple pixels can display six colors including white, black, blue, green, red, and yellow, six driving operations may be performed to switch the entire first screen to the second screen. For each of the six driving operations, the corresponding driving waveform may be applied to pixels excluding pixels where the first color or the switched first color is the same as the second color.

[0115] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the color switching process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 910, the electronic device (100) can identify a first color corresponding to a first pixel of a first screen and a second color corresponding to a first pixel of a second screen, and compare the first color and the second color.

[0117] In operation 920, the electronic device (100) can identify whether the first color and the second color are the same color.

[0118] In operation 930 (operation 920, Y), the electronic device (100) can maintain the color of the first pixel when the first color and the second color are the same color.

[0119] In operation 940 (operation 920, N), if the first color and the second color are different colors, the electronic device (100) can switch the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence (410).

[0120] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a local update process of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can identify a first area (1010) to be updated with new content in the first screen based on the position of each of a plurality of pixels in the first screen and perform a local update for the first area (1010).

[0122] A local update can be an operation that updates only the data corresponding to a specific area within the entire dataset. In other words, it can be an operation that maintains data in areas excluding a specific area while updating only the data in that specific area.

[0123] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) can switch the color of each pixel of the first area (1010) to a color corresponding to new content based on a preset color sequence.

[0124] The electronic device (100) compares the color displayed on each of the plurality of pixels included in the first area (1010) with the color corresponding to each pixel position in the new content, and if the color between the first area (1010) and the new content is not the same for a specific pixel, the color of the specific pixel among the plurality of pixels can be changed based on a preset color sequence.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 10, an electronic device (100) can identify a first area (1010) to perform a local update on a first screen. The electronic device (100) can compare the color displayed on each pixel of the first area (1010) with the color to be displayed on each pixel of the content (1020) to be updated. If the colors are the same as the result of the color comparison, the electronic device (100) can maintain the color as is, and if the colors for the corresponding pixel are different, it can change the color of the corresponding pixel based on a preset color sequence.

[0126] In this case, the electronic device (100) can perform animation effects and local updates in the first area (1010). That is, when the electronic device (100) switches colors based on a preset color sequence (410), it can switch colors through animation effects rather than a blinking phenomenon.

[0127] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the overall operation method of an electronic device according to one or more embodiments.

[0128] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1110, the electronic device (100) can identify a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and store it in the electronic device (100).

[0129] In operation 1120, the electronic device (100) can identify a second color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen that is output after the first screen.

[0130] In operation 1130, the electronic device (100) can compare the first color and the second color to identify whether they are the same color.

[0131] In operation 1140, if the second color is not the same color as the first color, the electronic device (100) can switch the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence.

[0132] In operation 1150, the electronic device (100) can display a second screen based on the switched second color.

[0133] As a method according to an example of comparing a first color and a second color and switching the first color to the second color if they are not the same has been explained through the above-described embodiment, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

[0134] The control method described in FIG. 11 may be performed by an electronic device (100) having the configuration of FIG. 2 described above, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may be performed by an electronic device having various configurations.

[0135] The various embodiments described above may be implemented as individual embodiments, or at least one embodiment may be combined with one another, either wholly or partially, to be implemented together in a single device.

[0136] According to the various embodiments described above, the electronic device (100) can switch screens through animation effects without leaving a residual image or flickering during the process of switching screens.

[0137] Meanwhile, the various embodiments described above may be applied to a product as embodiments alone, but at least some of their contents may be combined with other embodiments of the present disclosure to be implemented together.

[0138] The various embodiments described above may be implemented as software containing instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., computer). The machine may include an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (100)) according to the disclosed embodiments, which is a device capable of calling instructions stored from the storage medium and operating according to the called instructions. When instructions are executed by a processor, the processor may perform a function corresponding to the instructions directly or by using other components under the control of the processor. Instructions may include code generated or executed by a compiler or an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" means only that the storage medium does not contain a signal and is tangible, and does not distinguish whether data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily in the storage medium.

[0139] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method according to the various embodiments described above may be provided by being included in a computer program product.

[0140] Specifically, a non-transient readable storage medium or computer program product may be provided that stores computer instructions for performing operations such as identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and storing it in an electronic device, identifying a second color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color, converting the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence if the second color is not the same color as the first color, and displaying the second screen based on the converted second color.

[0141] Computer program products may be distributed in the form of device-readable storage media (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or online through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0142] In addition, computer instructions or programs for performing control methods of electronic devices according to the various embodiments described above may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. When computer instructions stored on such a non-transitory computer-readable medium are executed by a processor of a specific device, they cause the specific device to perform processing operations according to the various embodiments described above. A non-transitory computer-readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently and is readable by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specific examples of a non-transitory computer-readable medium may include CDs, DVDs, hard disks, Blu-ray discs, USBs, memory cards, ROMs, etc.

[0143] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. It is understood that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the present disclosure as defined in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or perspective of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. In an electronic device, display; Memory for storing instructions; and One or more processors including processing circuitry; and The above one or more processors, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively, the electronic device, Identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels for a first screen and storing it in the memory, Identifying a second color corresponding to the first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color, If the second color is different from the first color, the first color is switched to the second color based on a preset color sequence, and Based on the above-mentioned converted second color, the second screen is to be displayed through the display, and The color sequence previously set above is, An electronic device comprising a color sequence set based on a driving sequence for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors among the plurality of colors.

2. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, Identifying the number of driving cycles for switching the first color to the second color based on the above-mentioned preset color sequence and at least one step-by-step driving waveform capable of switching between the first color and the second color, and An electronic device that switches the first color to the second color based on the number of driving cycles and at least one step-by-step driving waveform.

3. In Paragraph 2, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, An electronic device that applies at least one step-by-step driving waveform, which is switchable between the colors, to the first pixel a number of times equal to the driving number to switch the first color to the second color.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above at least one step driving waveform includes a plurality of step driving waveforms, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, The first color is switched by applying the driving waveform of the first stage among the step-by-step driving waveforms to the first pixel, and An electronic device that, when the first color switched above and the second color are different, applies the driving waveform of the second stage among the driving waveforms by the steps to switch the first color switched again.

5. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, An electronic device that displays the second screen through the display based on the first color corresponding to the first pixel when the second color is the same color as the first color.

6. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, Identifying a first area to be updated with new content among the first screens based on the position of each of a plurality of pixels of the first screen, and An electronic device that converts the color of each pixel to a color corresponding to the new content of the second pixel of the first area based on the preset color sequence.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above electronic device is, An electronic device that is an EPD (Electrophoretic Display) device that displays the color of each pixel through electronic ink.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above driving waveform is, An electronic device having a voltage change waveform based on a voltage and voltage application time sufficient to move pigment particles included in the first pixel.

9. In Paragraph 1, When the above instructions are executed individually or collectively by the one or more processors, the electronic device, An electronic device that converts the first color of the plurality of pixels of the first screen to the second color of the plurality of pixels of the second screen by applying each driving waveform according to the driving sequence of the plurality of colors.

10. In Paragraph 1, An electronic device in which the number of driving operations for switching the first screen to the second screen is equal to the number of colors represented by the plurality of pixels.

11. In a method for controlling an electronic device, The operation of identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a first screen and storing it in the electronic device; An operation of identifying a second color corresponding to the first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color; If the second color is different from the first color, the operation of switching the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence; and The operation of displaying the second screen based on the second converted color; is included, The color sequence previously set above is, A control method comprising a color sequence set based on a driving sequence for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform capable of switching between colors among the plurality of colors.

12. In Paragraph 11, An operation to identify the number of driving cycles for switching the first color to the second color based on the above-mentioned preset color sequence and at least one step-by-step driving waveform capable of switching between the first color and the second color; and A control method comprising: an operation of switching the first color to the second color based on the at least one step-by-step driving waveform that is switchable between the number of driving cycles and the color.

13. In Paragraph 12, A control method comprising: applying at least one step-by-step driving waveform, which is switchable between the colors, to the first pixel a number of times equal to the driving number to switch the first color to the second color.

14. In Paragraph 13, The above at least one step driving waveform includes a plurality of step driving waveforms, An operation of switching the first color by applying the driving waveform of the first stage among the step-by-step driving waveforms to the first pixel; and A control method comprising: an operation to re-switch the switched first color by applying a driving waveform of the second stage among the driving waveforms of the steps when the switched first color and the second color are different.

15. A non-transient computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that cause said electronic device to perform an operation when executed by a processor of said electronic device, wherein said operation is, The operation of identifying a first color corresponding to a first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a first screen and storing it in the electronic device; An operation of identifying a second color corresponding to the first pixel among a plurality of pixels of a second screen output after the first screen and comparing it with the first color; If the second color is different from the first color, the operation of switching the first color to the second color based on a preset color sequence; and The operation of displaying the second screen based on the second converted color; is included, The color sequence previously set above is, A non-transient computer-readable storage medium, which is a color sequence set based on a driving sequence for a plurality of colors and a driving waveform that is switchable between colors among the plurality of colors.

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