Scrolling Display Using Virtual Memory Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display apparatuses on portable devices face challenges in displaying large images due to limited storage capacity, making it cumbersome to scroll through images, and increasing storage capacity is difficult and costly, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus that utilizes a virtual memory area to store image data exceeding the display memory capacity by moving the display screen area and allocating virtual memory in external devices or networks, allowing seamless scrolling of large images through movement detection and intelligent memory management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the storage capacity of the display memory is increased to display larger images, then the image display capability is improved, but the device size, cost, and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into two segments: display memory for active image data and external storage for virtual memory. This segmentation allows the system to display large images without requiring the entire storage capacity in the display memory, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to display large images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (virtual memory management system) that mediates between the limited display memory and the external storage. This intermediary allows the system to access larger image data sets without directly increasing display memory capacity, thereby avoiding the associated power consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the storage capacity of the display memory is increased to display larger images, then the image display capability is improved, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the virtual memory function from the display memory and places it in external storage. This extraction allows the display memory to maintain its small size suitable for portable devices, while still enabling the display of large images through the external storage resource.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If the storage capacity of the display memory is increased to display larger images, then the image display capability is improved, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes external storage resources that are relatively inexpensive compared to increasing display memory capacity. By leveraging the external storage system for virtual memory, the device can display large images without incurring the high costs associated with expanding display memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If a button operation is used to scroll the display, then the scroll function is implemented, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll operationVSAvoidoperation section size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service scrolling mechanism where the display automatically scrolls based on detected movement of the portable terminal. This eliminates the need for manual button operations, making the scrolling operation more intuitive and easier to use while not requiring additional operation section components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button operation system with a movement detection system. By using sensors to detect terminal movement and automatically triggering scroll actions, the system eliminates the need for physical button presses, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7477235B2Display apparatus having a scroll feature

Publication Date: 2009.01.13 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a display memory for storing an image of a first area forming a portion of an entire image; a display section including a display screen having a display area usable for displaying at least a partial image of the first area; a case for exposing the display screen; a scroll unit operable to move a display screen area appearing on the display screen over the image in accordance with a movement of the case; and a controller operable to provide a virtual memory area for storing an image of a second area having a size greater than the size of the first area in the image when the scroll unit moves the display screen area beyond the first area.