Display Driver Circuit Partial Image Data Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic devices, the display driver integrated circuit (DDI) faces challenges in providing dynamic images during sleep mode without consuming excessive power, as it relies on the processor to generate new image data, which is not feasible in low power modes like sleep or doze modes.

Innovation Solution

The DDI is capable of selecting and outputting partial image data stored in graphic random access memory (GRAM) independently, even when the processor is in sleep mode, allowing for an always-on-display (AOD) without processor participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the processor generates new image data for display in sleep mode, then the display can show dynamic information, but power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay information freshnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The image data is divided into multiple partial image data segments stored in the GRAM. The DDI selectively outputs only the required partial image data (e.g., clock, weather, news) instead of processing complete image frames, reducing the processing burden and power consumption while maintaining information freshness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Image data is pre-generated and stored in the GRAM before the device enters sleep mode. The DDI retrieves and displays pre-prepared partial image data without requiring the processor to generate new image data during sleep mode, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining display functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the processor does not generate image data in sleep mode, then power consumption is reduced, but the display cannot show dynamic information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The DDI is designed to independently select and output partial image data from the GRAM without requiring processor intervention during sleep mode. This self-service capability allows the display to show dynamic information (clock, weather, news) while the processor remains in low-power state, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and display functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the DDI outputs complete image frames, then the display shows full information, but power consumption increases due to processor involvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidprocessor involvement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DDI extracts and outputs only the necessary partial image data (such as clock time, weather information, news headlines) from the complete image data stored in the GRAM. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for essential display elements while eliminating the need for the processor to generate complete image frames, thereby reducing device complexity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3324388B1Display driving circuit, display driving method and electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.05.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device includes a display, a processor generating image data, a graphic random access memory (GRAM) storing the image data, and a display driver integrated circuit for driving the display. The display driver integrated circuit is configured to select a part of the image data and to output the selected part to a specified area of the display.