Controller Driver for Display Panels Using Periodic Dithering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controller/drivers for portable devices face challenges in achieving high-quality images with reduced power consumption and memory capacity, as conventional color reduction methods like dithering and error diffusion suffer from granular noise and moiré patterns, and require large data sizes that increase power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional controller/driver with first and second multipurpose memory sections and a data line driver circuit that operates in different modes to achieve color reduction and drive display panels efficiently, using dithering or error diffusion with frame rate control to enhance image quality while minimizing memory and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If color reduction based on dithering is used, then image quality can be improved, but granular noise appears in the displayed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between two different dithering methods (first and second dithering) at different frame rates. The controller/driver switches between these methods periodically, with one method used at a higher frame rate and the other at a lower frame rate, thereby reducing the visibility of granular noise while maintaining image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If color reduction based on error diffusion is used, then image quality can be improved, but moiré patterns appear in the displayed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by alternately switching between error diffusion and dithering methods at different frame rates. By periodically changing the color reduction method, the patent prevents the formation of persistent moiré patterns that would occur with continuous use of error diffusion alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dithering as an intermediary method to alternate with error diffusion. When error diffusion produces moiré patterns, the system switches to dithering as a mediator to break the pattern, then alternates back to error diffusion, thereby reducing the overall visibility of moiré effects while maintaining image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If display memory capacity is increased to store more pixel data, then image quality can be improved, but power consumption and mounting space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the display memory to serve multiple functions: it stores pixel data for both the main display panel and the sub display panel, and also stores data for both dithering and error diffusion methods. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate memory sections, thereby reducing total memory capacity and power consumption while maintaining the ability to deliver high-quality images through alternating color reduction methods.
4Device complexity
If multiple LCDs are driven by a single controller/driver, then device complexity is reduced, but the controller/driver must handle multiple display functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single controller/driver with a unified memory structure that can handle multiple display functions. The display memory is configured to store pixel data for both main and sub display panels, and to support both dithering and error diffusion methods, thereby enabling one controller/driver to manage multiple LCDs with different requirements without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the controller/driver adaptable through dynamic switching between different operating modes. The system can dynamically select between dithering and error diffusion methods, and between different frame rates, depending on the display requirements, thereby maintaining versatility while keeping the hardware architecture simple and unified.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller/driver for driving main and sub display panels is composed of first and second memory sections, a color reduction circuit, and a data line driver circuit. The first and second memory sections are used as multipurpose display memories. When the controller/driver is placed in a first mode, the first and second memory sections store therein a pair of image data color-reduced under different conditions for achieving frame rate control. When the controller/driver is placed in a second mode, on the other hand, the first and second memory sections store sub and main image data respectively associated with images to be displayed on main and sub display panels.