Display Refresh Transition Control for Flicker Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses experience visible flickering when transitioning from a low refresh rate to a high refresh rate due to differences in operation voltages caused by alternating polarities during transitional periods, leading to increased luminance differences.

Innovation Solution

Implement a third time period with a higher refresh rate to alternate pixel voltage polarities at a frequency higher than the transition frequency, reducing charge bias and controlling flicker visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the refresh rate is lowered to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but flicker visibility increases during transitional periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidflicker visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing a transitional period with alternating positive and negative polarity refreshing cycles. During this transition from standard to pause period, the display performs multiple refresh operations with alternating polarities at a controlled frequency, ensuring that the cumulative effect balances out charge accumulation while maintaining acceptable flicker characteristics through periodic charge-discharge cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the refresh rate parameter dynamically between standard period and pause period, and controls the polarity alternation frequency during the transitional period. By adjusting these parameters - specifically setting the transitional period duration and the polarity alternation frequency to be 60 Hz or higher when the pause refresh rate is below 20 Hz - the system achieves both low power consumption and acceptable flicker performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the refresh rate is increased to reduce flicker visibility, then flicker control is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflicker visibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic refresh rate adjustment by defining multiple operating modes: standard period with higher refresh rate, pause period with lower refresh rate for power saving, and transitional periods that dynamically bridge between them. The control circuit dynamically switches between these modes based on operational requirements, allowing the system to optimize between flicker control and power consumption rather than operating at a fixed refresh rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a transitional period is set between standard and pause periods, then refresh rate transition is smoothed, but charge bias occurs causing half flickering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefresh rate transition stabilityVSAvoidhalf flickering

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively introducing polarity alternation during the transitional period before the pause period begins. This preliminary action of alternating polarities prevents charge bias from establishing itself, thereby preemptively eliminating the cause of half flickering that would otherwise occur during the transition to low refresh rate operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively reduces flicker visibility and minimizes power consumption by alternating pixel voltage polarities at a higher frequency during the transitional period, ensuring acceptable flicker rates even when transitioning refresh rates.

Implementation Method 1

a pixel electrode and a common electrode that forms a electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS12512038B2Display apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SHARP DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a signal driving circuit and a display control circuit. When a refresh rate is changed from a first frequency to a second frequency higher than the first frequency, the display control circuit sets a third time period between a first time period having the refresh rate at the first frequency and a second time period having the refresh rate at the second frequency. The display control circuit rewrites for the third time period an image to be displayed on a display panel by alternating the polarity of a pixel voltage between a positive polarity and a negative polarity at a third frequency higher than the second frequency.