External Memory for Display Driver IC Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices consume excess power when displaying static images due to the need for continuous image data from a graphics-processing device, and existing methods like Panel Self Refresh increase the size and power consumption of the display driver IC, especially at higher image resolutions.
Innovation Solution
A display device configuration where a memory is located externally to the display driver IC, allowing still image data to be stored and supplied externally, reducing the need for continuous data transfer and minimizing the IC's size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a frame memory is added in the display driver IC to enable Panel Self Refresh, then power consumption is reduced by disabling the graphics-processing device, but the size of the display driver IC increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame memory is extracted from the display driver IC and placed as an external memory component. This separation allows the display driver IC to maintain reduced size while still enabling Panel Self Refresh functionality, as the memory storage function is externalized but remains integral to the system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is segmented into distinct functional components: the display driver IC handles control and driving functions, while the external memory handles data storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the IC remaining compact and the memory providing sufficient capacity for high-resolution still image storage.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a frame memory is added in the display driver IC to enable Panel Self Refresh, then power consumption is reduced, but the power consumption of the IC increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the memory function from the IC, the power consumption burden of memory operations is shifted to the external memory component. The IC only needs to manage data transfer and control, significantly reducing its power consumption while still enabling the overall power savings of Panel Self Refresh.
3Measurement precision
If the image resolution is higher, then image quality is improved, but the area for frame memory increases leading to larger IC size
Solution Approach 1:
The frame memory is taken out from the IC and placed externally, allowing high-resolution image data to be stored in the external memory without constraining the IC size. This enables the system to support high image resolutions while maintaining a compact display driver IC.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels and configured to display an image; a driving controller including a timing controller and a driver controlled by the timing controller, the driving controller being configured to supply an electrical signal to the display panel; a memory configured to receive static image data from the driving controller and to store the static image data; and an interface configured to couple the driving controller to the memory so as to transmit and receive the static image data, wherein the driving controller and the memory are separate individual components.