Rounded Display Pixel Dimming for Smoother Corner Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies struggle to achieve smooth, rounded display corners due to the inherent jaggedness of square or rectangular pixels at rounded edges, leading to non-smooth edges and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of diode-connected transistors in pixel circuits to route a portion of current away from OLEDs, adjusting aspect ratios and bias voltages to dim pixels at or near rounded corners, thereby approximating smooth curves using square or rectangular pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If square or rectangular pixels are used to form rounded display corners, then the display can be manufactured with standard pixel structures, but the edges appear jagged and non-smooth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making pixels at rounded corners have different brightness characteristics than standard pixels. Specifically, corner pixels are dimmed to different degrees based on their position within the rounded corner region, creating a gradient effect that smooths the visual appearance of the rounded edge while maintaining the standard square pixel structure throughout the display
2Shape
If pixels at rounded corners are dimmed to approximate smooth curves, then edge smoothness is improved, but power consumption increases due to additional pixel circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the brightness parameter of pixels at rounded corners by controlling the current through diode-connected transistors. By adjusting the aspect ratios of these transistors and applying bias voltages, the patent achieves different dimming levels for corner pixels without requiring additional complex circuitry, thus reducing power consumption compared to other dimming techniques
3Ease of operation
If diode-connected transistors are added to pixel circuits to route current away from OLEDs for dimming, then pixel brightness control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using diode-connected transistors that serve dual purposes: they are part of the standard pixel circuit structure and simultaneously provide the dimming function for rounded corners. The same transistor infrastructure used for normal pixel operation is leveraged to control brightness at rounded corners, avoiding the need for separate dedicated dimming circuitry and thus limiting the increase in device complexity
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
Improves the smoothness of rounded display corners and reduces power consumption in display SoCs and DDICs compared to other techniques, while maintaining efficient image rendering.
Implementation Method 1
The pixel circuits of the dimmed pixels include diode-connected transistors that are connected to the anode electrode of the respective pixel OLEDs to route a portion of current away from the OLEDs to achieve the dimming
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An electronic device includes a display device that includes a plurality of pixels that form an active area of the display device, the active area of the display device defining a rounded edge portion, wherein multiple pixels that form at least part of the rounded edge portion have stepped relative brightness levels determined by hardware structures of the multiple pixels, such that a first pixel of the multiple pixels that is located at a first position in the rounded edge portion has a first relative brightness level defined by a first pixel hardware structure and a second pixel of the multiple pixels that is located at a second position has a second relative brightness level defined by a second pixel hardware structure, the first relative brightness level being different from the second relative brightness level, the first pixel hardware structure being different from the second pixel hardware structure.