Electronic Device PWM Timing Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Propagation delays and signal distortions in electronic devices cause time errors in pulse-width modulation, leading to Mura (image artifacts) in display images.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a light emitting unit, current source, voltage comparator, and emission control unit, with staggered pixel arrays operating in different modes based on varying ramp signals to compensate for delays and distortions, ensuring accurate timing for pixel illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pulse-width modulation is implemented with control signals and programmed voltage data, then the light emitting unit can be controlled to produce display images, but propagation delays and distortion of control signals cause time errors that result in Mura artifacts in the display image

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePWM control capabilityVSAvoidtiming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing compensation values in a lookup table that account for propagation delays and signal distortions. Before actual PWM operation, the system determines the appropriate compensation value based on the grayscale value and applies it to adjust the pulse width, thereby compensating for timing errors that would otherwise occur during display operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the comparison signal from the voltage comparator to adjust the driving current to the light emitting unit. The system continuously monitors the relationship between voltage data and ramp signal, and uses this feedback information to modulate the pulse width dynamically, ensuring accurate timing compensation while maintaining PWM control functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If a single ramp signal is used for all pixel units, then the circuit design is simplified, but propagation delays cause different pixel units to have timing errors that result in Mura artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit designVSAvoiddisplay uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing pixel units into different groups (first pixel units and second pixel units) that receive different ramp signals with different slopes. Each group is assigned a specific compensation strategy based on its position and timing characteristics, allowing localized optimization of timing accuracy while maintaining overall system simplicity through the use of only two distinct ramp signal types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements segmentation by separating the pixel array into multiple groups that receive different compensation treatments. The pixel units are divided into first and second groups with different emission control unit configurations, allowing independent optimization of timing for each segment while using a common lookup table structure to manage compensation values

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the emission control unit operates in a single mode, then the control logic is simplified, but timing errors cannot be compensated across different frame conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logicVSAvoidtime error compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the emission control unit to switch between different operating modes (first mode and second mode) depending on the frame conditions and ramp signal type. The control logic dynamically selects the appropriate mode based on the current display requirements, allowing adaptive timing compensation while keeping the base control structure relatively simple through mode switching rather than completely separate control paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11676538B2Electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.06.13 INNOLUX CORP
  • US11676538B2 patent drawing
  • US11676538B2 patent drawing
  • US11676538B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic device includes a light emitting unit, a current source, voltage comparator, and an emission control unit. The voltage comparator is configured to receive a voltage data and a ramp signal and output a comparison signal according to the voltage data and the ramp signal. The emission control unit is configured to output a driving current to the light emitting unit according to the supply current, the emission enable signal, and the comparison signal. The ramp signal is a first ramp signal during a first frame, and the ramp signal is a second ramp signal during a second frame after the first frame. The emission control unit is configured to be operated in a first mode based on the first ramp signal, and the emission control unit is configured to be operated in a second mode based on the second ramp signal.