LED Pixel Array Controller With Standby Buffer for High Refresh
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pixel arrays with CMOS circuitry face challenges in manufacturing, power management, and data refresh rates, particularly in supporting high-speed image refresh for thousands of emitting pixels.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller with a serial interface and an address generator connected to an external data bus, an image frame buffer, and a command and control module that includes a calibration data storage module and a pulse width modulator, enabling high-speed image refresh and individual pixel control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If individual light intensity of thousands of emitting pixels is controlled at refresh rates of 30-60 Hz, then image quality is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the LED pixel array into multiple scan lines and columns, allowing systematic addressing and control of individual pixels through row-column decoding. This segmentation enables manageable data transmission by dividing the control data into smaller units that can be processed sequentially, reducing overall data management complexity while maintaining individual pixel control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing calibration data for each pixel in calibration memory, and by pre-encoding control signals with address information before transmission. This preliminary preparation of data and control signals simplifies the real-time data management process during operation, as the system only needs to retrieve and apply pre-prepared data rather than process everything in real-time
2Productivity
If high data refresh rates are implemented for thousands of pixels, then image refresh quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by implementing sequential scanning of pixel rows or columns in a systematic cycle, rather than updating all pixels simultaneously. This periodic scanning approach allows the system to maintain high refresh rates by efficiently time-multiplexing data transmission across multiple pixels, reducing the peak power demand compared to simultaneous updates while maintaining overall refresh quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining constant data flow to the shift register and continuous scanning through the pixel array during active periods. This continuous operation maximizes the utilization of the data bus and control circuits, improving productivity by eliminating idle cycles and ensuring that power consumption is consistently utilized for useful pixel updates rather than intermittent operations
3Manufacturing precision
If systematic control of pixel arrays is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a shift register that acts as a buffer between the control circuit and pixel array, and calibration memory that serves as an intermediary for storing and retrieving pixel-specific calibration data. These intermediaries simplify the control circuit design by handling complex addressing and data storage functions separately, allowing the main control logic to focus on systematic pixel control while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based individual pixel control mechanisms with electronic addressing and digital signal processing. By using binary address codes and digital shift registers to control pixel selection and intensity, the system achieves precise manufacturing-level control of pixel arrays while reducing mechanical complexity and improving manufacturability compared to physically complex control architectures
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
The solution supports high-speed image refresh rates of 60 Hz or greater, enabling efficient data management and precise control of light intensity and spatial distribution for applications such as vehicle headlamps and street lighting.
Implementation Method 1
A LED controller for an LED pixel array includes a serial interface to an external data bus, along with an address generator connected to the serial interface and the LED pixel array. An image frame buffer is connected to the interface to receive image data and further connected to the address generator to receive an image frame buffer address. A command and control module is connected to the serial interface and configured to modify image frame buffer output signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A LED controller for an LED pixel array includes an image frame buffer to receive image data and a standby image buffer connected to the image frame buffer to hold a standby image. A command and control module connected is configured to substitute the standby image in the standby image buffer for the image in the image frame buffer when image data is unavailable.