Backlight Control for LCD Display Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses waste power by keeping the backlight on for the entire display area, even when users are not actively viewing the information, as they often do not look at the LCD panel or only glance at specific parts of the displayed information during operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus gradually turns off the backlight part by part when no user operation is detected, and allows specific regions of the display to be illuminated only when needed, using a control section to manage the lighting and content displayed on the LCD panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the backlight illuminates the entire display area of the LCD panel, then visibility of information is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight is divided into multiple independent light sources (first backlight and second backlight) that can be controlled separately. The control section selectively activates only the necessary backlight regions based on display content and user interaction, rather than illuminating the entire display area uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display have different lighting requirements. The patent applies local quality by providing enhanced illumination (first backlight) only in regions where information is actively displayed or where user interaction is expected, while other regions use standard or no backlighting.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the backlight is turned off completely to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but user interaction capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by turning on the backlight in advance before user interaction is needed. When the control section detects that user input is expected or information needs to be displayed, it activates the appropriate backlight regions proactively, ensuring visibility is ready when the user interacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section continuously monitors user operations and display content, using this feedback to dynamically adjust backlight illumination. When user input is detected or information needs to be presented, the system responds by activating the appropriate backlight regions, creating a responsive lighting system.
3Illumination intensity
If the backlight remains on during prolonged inactivity, then information visibility is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight system transitions from a static on/off state to a dynamic, multi-state system. The control section adjusts backlight illumination levels and regions based on real-time conditions including user presence, display content importance, and inactivity detection, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full backlight illumination during inactivity, the system applies partial action by illuminating only critical information regions or using reduced intensity lighting. This ensures that essential information remains visible while minimizing power consumption during periods when complete illumination is not necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an operating section accepting an operation by a user, a receiving section receiving data for a print job from an externally connected instrument, an image forming section starting an image forming based on a print job if the operating section accepts an operation to start the print job or if the receiving section receives data for the print job, a display section displaying varieties of information for printing on a display area, a lighting section illuminating the display section from a back portion thereof, and a control section causing lighting of the lighting section to be turned off gradually part by part until finally turned off entirely if entire lighting of the lighting section is in a state of keeping being turned on when the image forming section starts an image forming.