Display Method Using Multi-Set Frame Rate Control to Reduce Flicker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses face issues with 'missing of gradations' and flicker when the number of bits in the input image signal exceeds the number of bits the data driver IC can output, leading to insufficient gray levels and noticeable flicker due to uneven frame rate control.
Innovation Solution
A display method that employs a combination of frame rate control (FRC) using different numbers of frames as sets to add pseudo gray levels between gray levels, ensuring all input image signal gray levels are displayed with reduced flicker by generating pseudo gray levels using various frame sets, such as handling 2^(j−i) frames and 2^(j−i+1) frames as one set, and further adjusting with 3, 4, or 7 frames to balance frequency and luminance differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If frame rate control is applied using a single frame set size (2^(j−i) frames) to generate pseudo gray levels, then the number of gray levels is increased, but flicker occurs when transitioning between different pseudo gray level ranges due to frequency differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frame rate control process into multiple segments, each handling different gray level ranges with appropriately sized frame sets. Instead of using a single uniform frame set size for all gray levels, the method segments the gray level spectrum and applies different FRC strategies to different segments, thereby avoiding the frequency discontinuities that cause flicker at transition points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the frame set size based on the current gray level range being displayed. By making the frame set size adaptive rather than fixed, the system can optimize the FRC parameters for each specific gray level transition, ensuring smooth frequency matching and eliminating flicker across the entire gray level spectrum.
2Quantity of substance
If the data driver IC is configured to output more bits to match the input image signal, then gray level completeness is improved, but the cost of the data driver IC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter (frame rate) rather than the spatial/bit parameter (data driver resolution). By manipulating the time dimension through frame rate control and generating pseudo gray levels temporally, the system achieves full gray level representation without requiring a higher-resolution data driver IC, thus avoiding increased manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pseudo gray levels as an intermediary mechanism between the limited-capability data driver IC and the high-bit-depth input image signal. These pseudo gray levels act as a bridge, allowing the system to represent all necessary gray levels through temporal modulation rather than requiring direct high-bit output from the data driver.
3Quantity of substance
If different frame set sizes are used to generate pseudo gray levels for different gray level ranges, then complete gray level coverage is achieved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the frame set size to the specific requirements of each gray level range. Different portions of the gray level spectrum receive customized FRC treatment with frame set sizes optimized for their local characteristics, rather than applying a uniform approach throughout, thereby achieving complete coverage with manageable complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a display method capable of displaying all gray levels of an input image signal with reduced flicker, and a display apparatus using this method. The present invention provides a display method that allows a display apparatus to display gray levels represented by a first number of bits of an image signal inputted to a driver circuit that drives the display apparatus, when the first number of bits is larger than a second number of bits of gray-level data outputted from the driver circuit. The display method of the present invention includes a first pseudo gray-level display step of performing frame rate control while handling a first number of frames as one set, so as to add pseudo gray levels into the intervals between the individual gray levels represented by the second number of bits, and a second pseudo gray-level display step of performing frame rate control while handling a second number of frames as one set, so as to add at least one pseudo gray level into at least one of the intervals between the individual gray levels to which the first pseudo gray-level display step has been applied, wherein the second number of frames is different from the first number of frames.