Electro-optical Device Pixel Block Refresh Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-optical devices with memory circuits for each pixel face high power consumption due to the need for continuous refreshing of pixel states, leading to challenges in reducing power usage, especially in portable electronic devices where flatness and lightweight designs are required.
Innovation Solution
The electro-optical device configuration includes X and Y address decoders, pixel blocks with shared bit and complementary bit lines, and transistors that selectively conduct to store and rewrite data bits, allowing only necessary pixel blocks to be rewritten, thereby reducing power consumption by minimizing unnecessary circuit operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous refreshing of pixel states is implemented, then display reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching between two display modes: a refresh mode where all pixel circuits are updated periodically, and a power-saving mode where only selected pixel circuits are refreshed. The control circuit determines when to switch between these modes based on display content, allowing the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing power consumption during static displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the display into multiple pixel blocks with separate memory circuits and selection circuits. This segmentation allows the control circuit to selectively refresh only specific pixel blocks rather than the entire display, enabling localized updates that reduce overall power consumption while maintaining display reliability for changed content.
2Reliability
If pre-charging of data bit line and complementary bit line is performed, then data inversion prevention is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing pre-charging only for the specific data bit line and complementary bit line corresponding to the pixel block being refreshed, rather than pre-charging all bit lines across the display. This localized approach maintains data integrity for active pixels while avoiding unnecessary power consumption from pre-charging inactive pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by performing pre-charging only when and where it is necessary - specifically, only for bit lines associated with pixel blocks that are being refreshed. The control circuit selectively enables pre-charging based on the refresh requirements, avoiding the excessive action of pre-charging all bit lines regardless of actual need.
3Stability of the object's composition
If all pixel circuits are refreshed for every frame, then display stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by refreshing pixel circuits at different intervals based on their state. Frequently changing content is refreshed more often, while static content is refreshed less frequently or not at all during power-saving mode. This selective periodic refreshing maintains display stability for dynamic content while reducing power consumption for static content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the display into multiple pixel blocks that can be independently controlled. The control circuit identifies which pixel blocks contain changed content and refreshes only those blocks, leaving other blocks in their current state. This segmentation enables display stability for active regions while conserving power in inactive regions.
4Ease of operation
If memory circuit selection transistors are made conductive for all pixels, then data rewriting capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control of memory circuit selection transistors into groups corresponding to different pixel blocks. The control circuit selectively activates selection transistors only for pixel blocks that require data rewriting, rather than activating all selection transistors across the entire display. This selective activation maintains full data rewriting capability where needed while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by making memory circuit selection transistors conductive only for the specific pixel blocks that need data updating, rather than making all selection transistors conductive across the display. The control circuit determines which pixel blocks require rewriting and activates only those, avoiding unnecessary power consumption from activating all pixels.
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-optical device includes an X address decoder that selects one of plural X selection lines, a Y address decoder that selects one of plural Y selection lines, and plural pixel blocks. Each pixel block is provided with respect to an intersection of a corresponding X selection line and a corresponding Y selection lines. Each pixel block includes a pixel circuit and the pixel circuits corresponding to a column share a bit line and a complementary bit line. Each pixel circuit includes a memory circuit, a selection circuit, and a pixel electrode. The memory circuit includes plural transistors that become conductive between the bit line, the complementary bit line, and terminals of the memory circuit at the time of concurrent selection of an X selection line and a Y selection line corresponding to the pixel block to which the plural transistors belong.