Display Module Gaze-Adaptive Luminance Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices experience unnecessary power consumption due to uniform luminance across visible and non-visible areas, leading to inefficient energy use as users typically focus on specific regions of the display.

Innovation Solution

A display module comprising a display panel, a lens unit, and an image generator that adjusts grayscales of non-visible areas based on visual sensing data to reduce power consumption by generating a converted image with lower grayscales in these areas, using a controller to manage the display panel according to the adjusted image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If uniform luminance is displayed across the entire display area, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidluminance uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing the display area into a first area (peripheral region) and a second area (central region), and displaying different luminance levels in each area. The image generator generates first image data with first luminance for the first area and second image data with second luminance for the second area, where the luminance differs between areas. This allows the display to maintain sufficient visibility in the central viewing area while reducing power consumption in the peripheral areas where users typically do not focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display area into distinct regions (first area and second area) with different luminance characteristics. The controller separately manages image data for each segment, allowing independent luminance control. This segmentation enables the system to optimize power consumption by reducing luminance in peripheral segments while maintaining adequate display quality in the central segment where user attention is concentrated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If luminance is reduced in non-visible areas, then power consumption decreases, but visibility in those areas deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing the display area into a first area (peripheral region) and a second area (central region), and displaying different luminance levels in each area. The image generator generates first image data with first luminance for the first area and second image data with second luminance for the second area, where the luminance differs between areas. This allows the display to maintain sufficient visibility in the central viewing area while reducing power consumption in the peripheral areas where users typically do not focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by reducing luminance only in the peripheral first area where users typically do not concentrate their sight, while maintaining full luminance in the central second area where visibility is most important. This partial adjustment optimizes power consumption without significantly compromising overall visibility, as the reduced luminance area corresponds to regions that are less critical for user perception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the display adapts to user viewing patterns, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using a sensor to detect user viewing information (such as gaze direction or head position) and using this information to dynamically adjust the luminance distribution across the display area. The controller receives the sensing data and adjusts the image data generation accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to user behavior. This feedback mechanism enables the display to optimize power consumption based on actual viewing patterns while maintaining visibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the display system to automatically adjust its luminance distribution based on sensed user viewing patterns without requiring manual intervention. The image generator and controller work autonomously to modify image data according to detected viewing information, allowing the system to self-optimize power consumption based on real-time user behavior analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250006098A1Display module, display device including the same, and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display module includes: a display panel including a display area for displaying an image; a lens unit disposed on the display area; an image generator for receiving visual sensing data from the outside by sensing an eye of a user, identifying a reference area on the display area, based on parameter data and the visual sensing data, and generating a converted image by adjusting grayscales of a target area adjacent to the reference area in an input image; and a controller for controlling the display panel, based on the converted image. The image generator determines a size of the reference area according to the parameter data.