In-Frame Sensing for Electronic Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic displays face challenges in sensing environmental and display-related operational parameters while maintaining image quality, particularly in dark environments where light emission during sensing can affect perceived image quality.
Innovation Solution
The electronic display performs sensing operations by illuminating sense pixels during the refresh of display pixels, allowing for simultaneous sensing and image frame refreshment without pausing the refresh process, thereby reducing perceivability of luminance variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing operations are performed by illuminating sense pixels during image frame display, then environmental and display parameters can be sensed during normal operation, but light emission during sensing may affect perceived image quality especially in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The display panel is divided into two distinct pixel types: sense pixels dedicated to sensing operations and display pixels for image rendering. This segmentation allows sensing and display functions to coexist without interfering with each other, as sense pixels can be illuminated for sensing while display pixels maintain their intended visual output
Solution Approach 2:
Sense pixels act as intermediary elements between the sensing circuitry and the display output. These dedicated sense pixels capture environmental light and display parameter information without directly contributing to the visible image, serving as a mediator that enables sensing while preserving image quality
2Measurement precision
If the refresh process is paused during sensing operations, then sensing can be performed accurately, but image refresh rate and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The refresh process continues uninterrupted during sensing operations. Display pixels maintain their refresh cycle while sense pixels are simultaneously illuminated for sensing. This continuous operation of the refresh process ensures high productivity and maintains the intended refresh rate without pauses
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the pixel array into sense pixels and display pixels, the system enables parallel operation where sensing and refreshing occur simultaneously on different pixel subsets, eliminating the need to pause refresh for sensing
3Productivity
If multiple non-contiguous refresh pixel groups are used to increase refresh rate, then productivity increases, but timing complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sense pixel illumination scheme is designed to work universally with any refresh pixel group configuration. Whether using single or multiple non-contiguous refresh pixel groups, the same sense pixel illumination approach applies, making the sensing system adaptable to various refresh strategies without increasing its own complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the electronic display to accurately sense operational parameters while maintaining image quality and reducing the perceivability of sensing-related artifacts, ensuring consistent and high-quality image rendering.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic display may control light emission (e.g., actual luminance) from its display pixels
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating an electronic display includes receiving, using a controller, sensor data related to operational parameters of the electronic display based at least in part on illuminating a sense pixel of at least one row of pixels of the electronic display, wherein a first set of pixels below the at least one row of pixels renders a portion of a first image frame and a second set of pixels above the at least one row of pixels renders a portion of a second image frame. The method also includes adjusting, using the controller, image display on the electronic display based at least in part on the sensor data.