Electronic Label Display Method Using Segmented Sub-Area Refresh

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic labels using electrophoretic display technology require lengthy refresh periods and consume excessive power when updating visual content, as the process of removing magnetic force to change displayed images is time-consuming and power-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The electronic label employs a display method where a display area is divided into sub-areas, allowing users to preview and select minified versions of images, which are then expanded to full pages upon user instruction, reducing the refresh time and power consumption by minimizing the area that needs to be updated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire display area is updated to change visual content, then the content can be fully refreshed, but the refresh period becomes lengthy and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update completenessVSAvoidrefresh period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is divided into multiple sub-areas, allowing selective updating of only the necessary portions rather than refreshing the entire display. This segmentation enables partial updates that reduce both time and power consumption while maintaining content update completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing a complete refresh of the entire display area, the system performs partial updates only on the sub-areas that contain changed content. This partial action approach achieves the necessary content update without the overhead of full-screen refreshing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the entire display area is updated to change visual content, then the content can be fully refreshed, but power consumption becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is divided into multiple sub-areas, allowing selective updating of only the necessary portions rather than refreshing the entire display. This segmentation enables partial updates that reduce both time and power consumption while maintaining content update completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing a complete refresh of the entire display area, the system performs partial updates only on the sub-areas that contain changed content. This partial action approach achieves the necessary content update without the overhead of full-screen refreshing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If minified versions of images are displayed in sub-areas, then users can preview and select content efficiently, but the display structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent selection efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dual-scale display structure where minified versions of images are displayed in sub-areas, adding a preview dimension to the interface. This allows users to navigate and select content efficiently at one scale while maintaining the ability to view full content at another scale, improving productivity without fundamentally changing the physical display structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This approach significantly reduces the update period and power usage by allowing selective and efficient display updates, enabling faster content changes with less power consumption compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

the electrophoretic display (EPD) technology is applied to... When a first voltage being a positive voltage or a negative voltage is applied between the two electrodes, the white color elements with a positive charge in the micro capsule are attracted to one electrode, and the black color elements with a negative charge in the micro capsule are expelled to another electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

These color elements with a positive or negative charge form an electric-magnetic material having the characteristic of hysteresis. When the first voltage is off, the hysteresis characteristic causes the electric-magnetic material to keep its magnetic force, the visual contents will still keep for a long time without applying battery power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentUS12148326B2Electronic label and display method thereof

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 M2COMMUNICATION INC

AI summary

A display method for an electronic label having a display area is disclosed. The display method includes the following steps. A plurality of visual contents to be displayed are predefined, wherein each of the visual contents has a first state and a second state corresponding to a first state display subpage and a second state display page respectively. The display area is divided into a plurality of first sub-areas for displaying the plurality of first state display subpages respectively. A second sub-area operable for selection of a specific one from the plurality of first state display subpages is provided in each of the first sub-area in response to a first instruction of a user. The display area is caused to display the second state display page corresponding to the specific first state display subpage in response to a second instruction of the user.