Dynamic Backlight Adjustment for LCD Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless handheld mobile communication devices face significant power drain issues due to their display and backlight systems, which consume a large percentage of battery power, necessitating a more efficient method to control and adjust backlight levels based on image intensity and ambient lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically adjusts the backlight level of a display by determining new pixel intensity values and applying a gain or offset factor to favor specific colors, such as green, while accounting for ambient light conditions, thereby reducing the overall backlight intensity and extending battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the backlight level is increased to improve display visibility, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklight levelVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic backlight adjustment by continuously analyzing image content and adapting the backlight level accordingly. The system transitions from static backlight control to dynamic control that responds to changing display conditions, adjusting the backlight level in real-time based on image intensity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the backlight level parameter based on image analysis results. By calculating image statistics (mean intensity, standard deviation) and applying gain/offset adjustments, the system dynamically modifies the backlight parameter to match the actual display needs, reducing power consumption when high backlight levels are not required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the image intensity is increased to improve visibility in dark images, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage intensityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality adjustment by selectively modifying only the intensity characteristics of dark regions in the image rather than uniformly increasing the entire image or backlight. The gain and offset adjustments are applied based on local image statistics, enhancing visibility where needed while minimizing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by applying intensity adjustments only to the extent necessary to achieve acceptable visibility. Rather than uniformly boosting all image content, the system analyzes image statistics and applies minimal necessary adjustments to dark regions, avoiding excessive power consumption while maintaining visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the backlight level is reduced to save power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the display visibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously analyzes the displayed image content and adjusts the backlight level accordingly. By monitoring image intensity characteristics and comparing them against visibility requirements, the system provides feedback-driven backlight control that maintains visibility while optimizing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary image analysis before displaying content, calculating image statistics (mean intensity, standard deviation) in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-determine the appropriate backlight level needed for the upcoming display content, preventing visibility deterioration while avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If image processing is added to adjust pixel intensity values, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hardware-based image processing systems with software-based statistical analysis and calculation methods. By using algorithmic approaches to analyze image pixels and determine appropriate adjustments, the system achieves high image quality without requiring additional complex hardware components, thereby minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functional image processing that simultaneously performs multiple tasks: analyzing image intensity, calculating statistics, determining backlight adjustments, and applying gain/offset corrections. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single integrated process, improving image quality without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8194028B2System and method for adjusting an intensity value and a backlight level for a display of an electronic device
Publication Date: 2012.06.05 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD
  • US8194028B2 patent drawing
  • US8194028B2 patent drawing
  • US8194028B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a system and method for determining pixel intensity values (luma values) for an image being displayed on a display of an electronic device, then adjusting the pixel intensity and the backlight level for the image that is output to a liquid crystal display (LCD). The system comprises: a display for displaying an image to be displayed on the device; an image adjustment module to identify the pixel intensity values of the image, to determine new pixel intensity values for the image based in part on the original pixel intensity values, to provide the (adjusted) image at the new pixel intensity values to the display and to determine a backlight level for the image at the new pixel intensity values. The system further comprises a backlight system to provide a backlight for the adjusted image at the adjusted backlight level.