Memory Display Thermal Management via Dynamic Update Intervals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic paper display devices with memory functions face challenges in managing driver temperature, leading to potential operation failures, performance degradation, and breakdowns due to high temperatures, especially as panel size increases and heat generation rises.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a memory function that includes a temperature acquiring unit, an image load value calculating unit, a temperature increase estimating unit, and an image update determining unit, which work together to estimate driver temperatures and adjust image update intervals to prevent overheating, using heat dissipation methods like heat plates or cooling fans and redesigning the driver for high heat resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the panel size of the display device with memory function is increased, then the display area is improved, but the driver temperature increases due to higher driving load and heat generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoiddriver temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by estimating the driver temperature increase before the image update operation actually occurs. The temperature increase estimating unit calculates the expected temperature rise based on the image load value and current driver temperature, allowing the system to proactively adjust the image update interval or activate cooling measures before overheating occurs, thus preventing temperature-related failures while maintaining large panel operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the image update interval adjustable rather than fixed. The image update determining unit dynamically modifies the update interval based on real-time driver temperature and estimated temperature increase, allowing the system to adapt its operation to thermal conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables large panels to operate safely by reducing update frequency when temperature thresholds are approached

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If high voltage is applied to the display element to achieve memory function, then the power consumption is reduced, but heat generation in the driver increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the driver temperature with the temperature acquiring unit and using this information to adjust subsequent operations. The system measures actual temperature, estimates future temperature increase based on planned image updates, and modifies the update schedule accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain the power-efficient high-voltage operation while compensating for heat generation through intelligent timing adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by transforming the image update operation from a potentially continuous process to a periodically spaced sequence. By calculating appropriate image update intervals based on thermal conditions, the system creates periodic update cycles that allow the driver to cool down between high-power operations, thereby managing heat generation while maintaining the power-saving benefits of the memory function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If image update operation is performed frequently to maintain display quality, then the display refresh rate is improved, but the driver temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay refresh rateVSAvoiddriver temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the image update interval parameter based on driver temperature conditions. Rather than maintaining a fixed high refresh rate, the system modifies the time parameter between updates according to thermal state. This allows the display to operate at high refresh rates when cooling conditions are favorable while automatically reducing frequency when temperature limits are approached, balancing display quality with thermal management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11335280B2Display device, terminal device, and driving method with a memory function for temperature acquisition and waveform selection

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 TIANMA MICRO ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An image update determining unit compares a previously set temperature with a temperature estimated by a temperature increase estimating unit, and determines whether or not an image update operation is executable, and an image update interval is appropriately set according to the estimated temperature by performing image update on an image to be displayed next when the image update determining unit determines the image update operation to be executable but not performing image update when the image update determining unit determines the image update operation to be non-executable.