Segmented Power Control for Foldable Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable displays face challenges in power conservation, as segments that become obscured during folding are not efficiently powered down, leading to unnecessary energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a sensory subsystem to detect the positions and orientations of display segments, allowing a graphics source to send power control commands to transition segments from a standard-power to a reduced-power state when they are not in use, using a display interface for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If all display segments are kept in standard-power state to ensure availability, then display readiness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple independently controllable segments, each capable of being powered down individually. The graphics source can send power control commands to specific segments based on their visibility state, allowing obscured segments to be powered down while keeping visible segments active, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining display readiness and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power state of display segments is made dynamic rather than static. Segments automatically transition between standard-power and reduced-power states based on real-time visibility detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining readiness by quickly transitioning segments back to standard-power state when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If power control commands are sent to each display segment, then power control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display interface is designed to carry both graphics data and power control commands through the same communication channel. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve precise segment-level power control without adding separate control wiring or communication interfaces, thereby avoiding excessive complexity while maintaining high control precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If display segments are powered down to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains display segments in a reduced-power state with preserved display information, allowing for rapid reactivation. By keeping the display data in memory during the reduced-power state, segments can quickly transition back to standard-power state without requiring lengthy data reloading, thus minimizing response time while still achieving power savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10269322B2Power conservation techniques for foldable displays

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Power conservation techniques for foldable displays are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise at least one memory and logic, at least a portion of which is implemented in circuitry coupled to the memory, the logic to identify a use state of a display segment of a flexible display, determine whether to alter a power state of the display segment based on the use state of the display segment, and in response to a determination to alter the power state of the display segment, send a power control command to cause the display segment to initiate a power state transition. Other embodiments are described and claimed.