Curved Display Pixel Dimming via Spline Gain Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional displays with rectangular shapes do not meet aesthetic demands for electronic devices, and achieving smooth, curved edges in displays is challenging due to the jagged appearance when pixels are selectively turned on or off.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating display circuitry that multiplies image data by dimming factors based on the distance and linear velocity of pixels from a spline edge, ensuring a smooth and aesthetically pleasing curved edge appearance by adjusting pixel brightness levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If pixels are selectively turned on or off to form curved edges, then the desired curved edge shape is achieved, but the curved edge appears jagged to the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved edge shapeVSAvoidsmoothness of curved edge
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the brightness level of pixels along the curved edge through multiplication with dimming factors. Instead of simply turning pixels on or off, the brightness parameter is adjusted continuously based on the pixel's position relative to the spline, creating a smooth gradient effect that eliminates jaggedness while maintaining the desired curved shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular display shape is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the aesthetic appeal is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay shape fabricationVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of pixels based on their location. Pixels along the curved edges receive special dimming factor adjustments while pixels in the interior regions maintain normal brightness control. This localized modification allows the display to achieve aesthetically pleasing curved edges without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3347893B1Display with pixel dimming for curved edges
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 APPLE INC
  • EP3347893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3347893B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3347893B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display may have curved edges such as rounded corners. Pixels in the display may be controlled so that the active area of the display has the desired curved edge shape. In order to maximize the apparent smoothness of the curved edge, the display may include circuitry that dims some of the pixels based on their location relative to a spline for the curved edge. The display circuitry may include a multiplication circuit that receives image data as a first input and dimming factors from a gain table as a second input. The image data may include a brightness level for each pixel in the array of pixels. The multiplication circuit may multiply the brightness level for each pixel by its respective dimming factor. This modified image data may then be supplied to the imaging pixels using display driver circuitry.