Nonlinear Pixel Scaling for OLED Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices face challenges in reducing display device power consumption without compromising image quality, especially since OLED displays lack a backlight, making it difficult to save power without impacting visual quality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining a compressed pixel intensity range based on a target power scaling value, scaling pixel intensity levels, and adjusting pixel values to reduce power consumption while preserving contrast and image quality, independent of backlight levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If pixel intensity levels are reduced to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but image quality and contrast are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay device power consumptionVSAvoidimage quality and contrast

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the pixel intensity values through a nonlinear scaling function that maps the original intensity range to a compressed range. This changes the parameter distribution of pixel values to achieve lower average intensity (reducing power consumption) while preserving the relative contrast relationships between different intensity levels. The scaling function dynamically adjusts intensity levels based on the desired power consumption target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the intensity scaling adaptive rather than static. The scaling function adjusts pixel intensity levels based on the current power consumption target and the distribution of original pixel values. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and image quality in real-time, maintaining contrast perception while reducing average luminance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by stationary object

If backlight is turned down to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but viewing comfort in dark environments is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay device power consumptionVSAvoidviewing comfort in dark

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming pixel intensity values through a nonlinear scaling function that preserves contrast relationships while reducing absolute luminance. This allows the display to operate at lower power levels without requiring reduced backlight, thereby maintaining viewing comfort in dark environments. The scaling function dynamically adjusts intensity levels to optimize the balance between power consumption and visual comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10186232B2Nonlinear signal scaling for display device power saving

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Techniques are described in which pixel intensity values of a display of a computing device may be nonlinearly scaled down to reduce the power consumption of the display. The computing device may determine a compressed pixel brightness range for the display. The computing device may determine a set of initial scaled pixel intensity levels based at least in part on the compressed pixel intensity range. The computing device may determine a set of scaled pixel intensity values based at least in part on an estimated power consumption value associated with the set of initial scaled pixel intensity levels. The computing device may scale the pixel brightness of pixels of the display from one of a plurality of pixel intensity levels to a corresponding scaled pixel intensity level of the set of scaled pixel intensity levels.