Display Panel Frame Resynchronization for Low-Power Partial Updates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Display panels operating in Panel Self Refresh (PSR/PSR2) mode face significant power penalties due to the need for continuous synchronization with the display source device, leading to increased power consumption and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a frame-level resynchronization mechanism where the display panel communicates a frame start indicator to align the display source device's timing with its own, allowing asynchronous transmission of partial frame updates as bursts and enabling a hybrid PSR mode that bypasses frame buffer operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous synchronization between display panel and display source device is maintained in PSR mode, then display timing accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic frame-level resynchronization instead of continuous synchronization. The display source device sends frame update regions at specific intervals (when content changes), allowing both devices to enter low-power states between updates. This periodic action maintains timing accuracy when needed while reducing power consumption during stable display periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel autonomously generates refresh signals and maintains its own timing during PSR mode without continuous intervention from the display source device. The panel self-refreshes using its internal frame buffer, and only synchronizes with the source device when actual content updates occur, enabling the source device to power down during intervals.
2Reliability
If frame buffer read/write operations are performed for each frame update, then display data integrity is improved, but synchronization overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the changed frame update regions rather than performing complete frame buffer read/write operations for every frame. By identifying and sending only the differential portions of updated content, the system maintains data integrity while eliminating unnecessary synchronization overhead from full-frame operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The display source device prepares frame update regions in advance and buffers them before transmission. This preliminary preparation allows the devices to synchronize timing beforehand, reducing the critical path and overhead during actual frame updates while ensuring data integrity through pre-validated update regions.
3Speed
If display source device remains active for real-time frame updates, then update timing precision is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display source device operates in periodic bursts, remaining active only when frame content changes require updates. Between updates, the device enters low-power mode. This periodic operation maintains precise update timing when needed while maximizing power efficiency during intervals when the display panel self-refreshes without new content.
Solution Approach 2:
A frame buffer acts as an intermediary between the display source device and display panel. The source device writes updated frames to the buffer and can enter low-power mode, while the panel reads from the buffer autonomously. This intermediary decouples the timing requirements, allowing the source device to power down without compromising display update precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for a display source device is described. The display source device can receive a frame start indication from a display panel at a start of a frame. The display source device can align a timing of the display source device to a timing of the display panel based on the frame start indication received from the display panel to obtain frame-level synchronization between the display source device and the display panel. The display source device can send one or more frame update regions to the display panel in accordance with the timing of the display source device that is aligned to the timing of the display panel.