Dynamic Backlight Control Selector for LCDs

Solution Overview

Problem

Dynamic backlight control (DBC) in liquid crystal displays (LCDs) can degrade the user experience by reducing the gray-shade dynamic range in high-resolution still images, leading to an undesirable washout effect, while conserving power effectively in moving images and text.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically disable DBC for high-resolution still images to maintain a constant backlight brightness, while enabling it for moving images and text to dynamically adjust brightness based on image content, using a DBC selector to determine the type and resolution of images displayed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If dynamic backlight control (DBC) is enabled to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the gray-shade dynamic range is degraded causing washout effect in high-resolution still images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidgray-shade dynamic range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between DBC enabled and disabled states based on real-time detection of image type (still vs. moving) and resolution characteristics. The DBC selector adjusts the backlight control mode dynamically rather than using a fixed configuration, allowing optimization for different content types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different backlight control strategies to different types of content: DBC is disabled for high-resolution still images to preserve gray-shade dynamic range, while DBC remains enabled for moving images and text where power conservation is prioritized. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal performance for each content type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If dynamic backlight control (DBC) is disabled to maintain constant backlight brightness, then gray-shade dynamic range is preserved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegray-shade dynamic rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between DBC enabled and disabled states based on real-time detection of image type (still vs. moving) and resolution characteristics. The DBC selector adjusts the backlight control mode dynamically rather than using a fixed configuration, allowing optimization for different content types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different backlight control strategies to different types of content: DBC is disabled for high-resolution still images to preserve gray-shade dynamic range, while DBC remains enabled for moving images and text where power conservation is prioritized. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal performance for each content type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If DBC is enabled for all content types, then power is conserved consistently, but user experience degrades due to washout effect in still images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conservationVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between DBC enabled and disabled states based on real-time detection of image type (still vs. moving) and resolution characteristics. The DBC selector adjusts the backlight control mode dynamically rather than using a fixed configuration, allowing optimization for different content types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different backlight control strategies to different types of content: DBC is disabled for high-resolution still images to preserve gray-shade dynamic range, while DBC remains enabled for moving images and text where power conservation is prioritized. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal performance for each content type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9601059B2Dynamic backlight control selector

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for automatically controlling a dynamic backlight control (DBC) of a display is disclosed according to one aspect of the subject technology. The method comprises determining whether an image to be displayed on the display comprises a high-resolution still image, and, if the image comprises a high-resolution still image, then disabling the DBC.