Host-Display Intermission Driving for Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for intermission driving in liquid crystal display devices do not effectively reduce power consumption in both the host and display devices, and can result in image flickering due to inappropriate image data transfer timing.

Innovation Solution

A data processing device with a frame buffer that detects image data updates and determines the next refreshing timing based on information from the display device, shifting to an intermission state when no updates are detected, and transferring image data back when returning to a normal state, thereby optimizing power saving and image refresh timing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the host continuously transfers image data to the display device during intermission driving, then display image refreshing is maintained, but power consumption in the host increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay image refreshingVSAvoidpower consumption in host

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The host enters an intermission state where image data transfer is periodically suspended during periods of no image updates. The system alternates between normal driving mode (continuous transfer) and intermission driving mode (suspended transfer), reducing power consumption while maintaining display functionality through periodic refreshing only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The display device monitors image data changes and provides feedback to the host about whether refreshing is needed. When no changes are detected, the host transitions to intermission state; when changes are detected, the host returns to normal driving mode, creating a feedback-controlled power management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the host enters intermission state to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but image data transfer timing becomes misaligned causing flickering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidimage display stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The host is configured to return to normal driving mode in advance before the display device needs to refresh image data. This preliminary transition ensures that image data is ready and transferred at the appropriate timing, preventing flickering while still allowing power savings during intermission periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The display device autonomously determines its own refreshing needs and communicates this information to the host. The host then autonomously manages its power state transitions based on this information, creating a self-regulating system that coordinates power saving with display refresh requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the host monitors REQUEST signals from the display device to manage refreshing, then image refresh timing is synchronized, but the host cannot enter deep sleep state reducing overall power saving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage refresh synchronizationVSAvoidoverall power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the host monitoring REQUEST signals from the display device, the approach is inverted: the display device proactively provides information about its refreshing needs to the host. This allows the host to autonomously manage power states without continuous monitoring, enabling deeper sleep states while maintaining synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Use of energy by moving object

If image data is transferred at fixed time intervals during intermission state, then power consumption is reduced, but refreshing may occur at inappropriate timing causing display quality degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption during intermissionVSAvoiddisplay quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The host dynamically adjusts its operating mode between normal driving and intermission driving based on real-time conditions. The system transitions flexibly between states, allowing image data transfer timing to adapt to actual display needs rather than following a rigid fixed schedule, thereby maintaining display quality while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10255865B2Data processing device connected with display device and control method of display device

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 SHARP KK

AI summary

The present invention provides a data processing device connected with an intermission driving. The data processing device achieves a satisfactory power saving while ensuring a high level of display quality of the display device. Upon detection of non-data update in a frame buffer, the host calculates a next refreshing timing based on driving information obtained from a liquid crystal display device (LCD), sets a timer for a timeout after a length of time representing the calculated result, and then the host and the LCD shift to Intermission State 1. Thereafter, when the timer times out to bring the host back to Normal State and a data update at the frame buffer is detected, data for refreshing an display image in the LCD is transferred from the host to the LCD. If the amount of time representing the calculated result is longer than a predetermined baseline, a shift is made to Intermission State 2 which provides greater power saving than Intermission State 1.