Progressive Scanline Display Controller for Low-Latency LCD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LCD display systems suffer from frame delay and visual artifacts due to separate updates of LEDs and LCD pixels, leading to sluggish performance in gaming applications and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A display controller that progressively updates LEDs and LCD pixels in scanline order as portions of an image are scanned into the frame buffer, synchronizing LED and LCD pixel configurations to minimize latency and artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the display controller waits until the entire image is scanned into the frame buffer before analyzing the image, then the image can be displayed with complete data, but the image is delayed by a full frame causing frame delay
Solution Approach 1:
The display controller performs preliminary analysis and configuration of LCD pixels as image data becomes available during the scanning process, rather than waiting for complete frame buffering. This allows the controller to prepare pixel configurations in advance and begin updating pixels before the entire image is scanned, thereby reducing frame delay while ensuring display completeness.
2Ease of manufacture
If the display controller updates the LEDs and LCD pixels separately, then each component can be configured independently, but visual artifacts occur due to brightness and color mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The display controller merges the configuration process of LEDs and LCD pixels by coordinating their updates to occur together. The controller determines LED brightness settings based on pixel requirements and updates both LEDs and corresponding LCD pixels simultaneously or in a coordinated sequence, ensuring that brightness and color remain consistent throughout the transition and eliminating visual artifacts.
3Reliability
If the LEDs are caused to update more slowly to address visual artifacts, then brightness and color consistency is improved, but additional delay is added exacerbating frame delay
Solution Approach 1:
The display controller performs preliminary determination of LED brightness settings based on upcoming pixel configurations as image data is being scanned. By calculating and preparing LED update values in advance during the scanning process, the controller can execute coordinated updates without slowing down the overall process, thus maintaining consistency without adding delay.
Data Source
AI summary
A display controller progressively updates LEDs and LCD pixels in scanline order as portions of an image are scanned into a frame buffer. The display controller analyzes a first portion of the image that includes a first pixel value associated with a first LCD pixel. The display controller identifies a first LED that contributes luminance to the first LCD pixel and determines an LED current setting for the LED based on the first pixel value. The display controller then identifies a second LCD pixel that resides above the first LED and is associated with a second pixel value. The display controller configures the second LCD pixel based on the second pixel value and luminance contributions received at the second LCD pixel. Accordingly, the display controller need not wait for the entire image to be scanned into the frame buffer before initiating display of the image.