Electronic Paper Buffering for High-Speed Image Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric paper displays face challenges with memory constraints and power management during high-speed data transmission, leading to potential system resource shortages and inefficient power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a microprocessor with a buffer memory that receives image data, stores it in a buffer memory during idle communication states, and performs display operations sequentially, including initialization, power management, and sleep state management to optimize resource usage and power conservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the electric paper display is configured to render a lossless image, then the image quality is improved, but the memory requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmemory requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image data into multiple frames and processes them sequentially. The buffer memory stores only the current frame data being processed rather than the entire lossless image, reducing memory requirements while maintaining image quality through progressive rendering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing image data in buffer memory before actual display rendering. This allows the system to prepare data in advance during idle communication states, reducing peak memory requirements during high-quality image rendering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If data transmission speed is increased, then the transmission efficiency is improved, but the system resource availability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidsystem resource availability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a buffer memory as an intermediary between the high-speed communication interface and the electric paper display. This buffer absorbs the speed mismatch, allowing fast data reception while the display processes at its slower native speed, preventing system resource exhaustion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data reception and buffering during idle communication states before the display needs to process the data. This staging approach prevents resource conflicts during high-speed transmission by separating data acquisition from data processing timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the system enters a sleep state to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to control the electric paper display is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay controllability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management where the system adaptively adjusts between active and sleep states based on real-time conditions. The microprocessor monitors communication state and display processing status to dynamically transition power modes, maintaining controllability when needed while conserving power during idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor communication connection state and display processing completion. Based on this feedback, the microprocessor intelligently determines when to enter or exit sleep state, ensuring the system remains controllable during active operations while achieving power savings during idle periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Speed

If the microprocessor processes received data rapidly, then the data processing speed is improved, but the time available for controlling the electric paper display decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidtime for display control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data processing task into distinct phases: rapid data reception and buffering during communication idle states, followed by sequential display processing. This segmentation allows high-speed data acquisition without compromising display control time, as processing occurs in organized batches rather than competing for the same time resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12525201B2Electronic paper device, controlling method thereof, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 E INK HLDG INC

AI summary

This disclosure provides an electronic paper device which includes an electronic paper display, an application circuit, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor establishes a communication connection with an external device to continuously receive image data, and stores the image data in a buffer memory of the microprocessor. This image data is a portion of a frame. When the communication connection enters an idle state, the microprocessor writes the image data into the electronic paper display through the application circuit without initiating a refresh process of the electronic paper display.