Electronic Paper Color Refresh With Asynchronous Region Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic paper screens face challenges in achieving more than four colors without increasing cost due to the limitations of driver ICs, leading to inefficiencies in display content updating and higher costs for 3-bit driver ICs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that convert multi-color images into multiple pieces of refresh image data and asynchronous refresh instructions, allowing the electronic paper screen to refresh different color regions efficiently using a 2-bit driver IC, thereby increasing display content updating speed and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a 3-bit driver IC is used to display more than four colors, then the display color capability is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color display task into multiple sequential refresh operations. Instead of requiring a 3-bit driver IC to handle all 8 colors simultaneously, the system divides the color palette into groups that can be displayed sequentially using a 2-bit driver IC, thereby achieving enhanced color capability without increasing driver IC cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic refresh operations where different color groups are displayed in alternating time slots. The controller performs multiple refresh cycles with different color configurations, allowing the display to show more than four colors over time while using a 2-bit driver IC, thus resolving the contradiction between color capability and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of colors displayed is increased, then the display effect is improved, but the driver IC complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color display functionality into multiple sequential operations controlled by a simple 2-bit driver IC. By dividing the 8-color palette into manageable groups and refreshing them in sequence, the system achieves high color adaptability without increasing driver IC bit depth or complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic time-multiplexed color refreshing where the display content is updated in multiple stages. The controller dynamically switches between different color configurations in successive refresh cycles, enabling 8-color display capability while maintaining a static, simple 2-bit driver IC structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If a 2-bit driver IC is used to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the display color capability is limited to four colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic refresh operations to overcome the 4-color limitation of a 2-bit driver IC. By implementing multiple refresh cycles with different color groupings and utilizing the persistent visual perception of the electronic paper display, the system effectively displays more than four colors while maintaining the cost-effective 2-bit driver IC.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary color grouping and planning in the controller before refresh operations. By pre-organizing the 8-color palette into sequential groups and preparing the refresh instructions in advance, the system enables enhanced color capability through a 2-bit driver IC without requiring real-time complex color management at the driver IC level.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple refresh operations are performed to display more colors, then the color capability is improved, but the refresh time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements optimized periodic refresh operations where color groups are refreshed in sequence rather than simultaneously. By carefully timing and organizing the multiple refresh cycles and utilizing the persistent display characteristics of electronic paper, the system achieves 8-color capability while minimizing the total refresh time through efficient scheduling.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a display content updating method and apparatus, a device, and a medium, relating to the field of screen display technologies. The display content updating method includes: acquiring a color region included in a multi-color image and a color type corresponding to the color region; converting the multi-color image into multiple pieces of refresh image data and refresh instructions corresponding to the multiple pieces of refresh image data according to positions and color types of color regions in the multi-color image, where different refresh instructions are executed asynchronously; and sending the refresh instructions and the multiple pieces of refresh image data to a controller of an electronic paper screen so that the controller refreshes the display content of the electronic paper screen based on the refresh instructions and the corresponding multiple pieces of refresh image data.