Backlight Control for LCD Power Reduction via Histogram Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LCD image display devices face challenges in achieving high brightness and long lifespan due to the inverse proportionality of brightness and lifespan in CCFL light sources, leading to increased power consumption and reliability issues when adjusting brightness across different images.

Innovation Solution

A low-power image display device that adjusts contrast and backlight brightness simultaneously by using a brightness determining unit, histogram analyzing unit, and backlight control unit to apply weights to pixels based on reference brightness levels, reducing power consumption and enhancing image sharpness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high current is applied to CCFL to increase brightness, then brightness is improved, but lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidlifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic backlight control by adjusting backlight brightness based on image content analysis. The system calculates histogram data of input images and dynamically adjusts backlight driving voltage to match actual display needs, transitioning from static high-current operation to adaptive current control that maintains brightness only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operating parameters of the CCFL backlight by adjusting driving voltage and current based on image characteristics. By analyzing image brightness distribution and modifying backlight parameters accordingly, the system achieves optimal brightness while reducing overall power consumption and extending lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high current is applied to CCFL to achieve high brightness, then brightness is improved, but power consumption is increased

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic backlight control that adjusts brightness in real-time based on image content. By analyzing histogram data and determining appropriate backlight levels for each scene, the system consumes power only at the level necessary for optimal display, avoiding continuous high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial backlight illumination rather than full brightness for all images. By determining that maximum brightness is not always necessary and adjusting backlight intensity to match actual display requirements, the system reduces power consumption while maintaining adequate image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Illumination intensity

If brightness is increased for all images, then image visibility is improved, but power consumption is increased

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different backlight brightness levels to different image regions or different images based on their specific characteristics. By analyzing each image's histogram and determining local brightness requirements, the system provides high brightness only where and when needed rather than uniformly across all displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts backlight intensity based on real-time analysis of image content. By continuously monitoring image characteristics and adapting backlight levels accordingly, the system maintains optimal visibility while minimizing power consumption for each specific display scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2037441B1Low-power image display device and method
Publication Date: 2015.03.18 MAGNACHIP SEMICON LTD
  • EP2037441B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2037441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2037441B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a low-power image display device including a brightness determining unit (210) that determines the brightness (Y) of image data applied from outside; a histogram analyzing unit (220) that is connected to the brightness determining unit (210), calculates a cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the determined image data, and selects the brightness of the image data, corresponding to the number of pixels preset in the calculated CDF, as reference brightness; a brightness control unit (230) that is connected to the brightness determining unit (210) and the histogram analyzing unit (220) and converts the image data such that the contrast of the image data is converted into contrast corresponding to the reference brightness; a data drive (240) that is connected to the brightness control unit (230), receives the image data of which the contrast is changed, and converts the image data into an image output signal (D0) for displaying an image to the outside; a backlight control unit (250) that is connected to the histogram analyzing unit (220) and the data drive (240) and generates a driving voltage (Vc) for controlling the brightness of backlight to brightness corresponding to the reference brightness; and an image display unit (260) that is connected to the data drive (240) and the backlight control unit (250), receives the driving voltage (Vc) generated from the backlight control unit (250) and the image output signal (D0), and displays an image by using the image data, of which the contrast is changed, and the backlight of which the brightness is changed.