Segmented Backlight Unit for LCD Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-self-light-emitting display devices, such as liquid crystal displays, the existing edge-lit backlight units waste energy by providing light to pixels that are turned off, especially during monochrome image display, leading to inefficient power consumption and energy loss.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit with a light source comprising multiple color light-emitting units and a light guide plate divided into preset regions, where a backlight control unit analyzes image data to derive chrominance and luminance information, controlling the light-emitting units to provide light only where needed, using a convergent light spread and pulse width modulation to optimize energy allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the backlight source provides light to all pixels continuously, then the display panel can maintain normal display functionality, but power consumption increases and energy is wasted on closed pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight source is segmented into multiple independent light-emitting units (first, second, third light-emitting units) corresponding to different color channels (red, green, blue). Each unit can be independently controlled to emit or stop emitting light based on the display requirements, allowing selective illumination of only the necessary color channels for each pixel rather than illuminating all pixels with all color channels continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The backlight control unit dynamically adjusts the emission state of each light-emitting unit based on real-time image data analysis. When a pixel is closed or monochrome display is detected, the corresponding light-emitting unit is controlled to stop emitting light. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt its power consumption to the actual display needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining display reliability and reducing power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all light-emitting units emit light continuously, then color display can be maintained, but energy loss increases when displaying monochrome images
Solution Approach 1:
Different light-emitting units are assigned to different color channels (red, green, blue) with specific local functions. The backlight control unit analyzes image data to determine which color channels are actually needed for display, and selectively activates only those corresponding light-emitting units. This local quality assignment allows the system to maintain full color display capability when needed while avoiding energy loss by deactivating unnecessary color channels during monochrome or limited-color displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the light-emitting units by color channel, allowing independent control of each color component. By taking out the unnecessary color channels from active emission when displaying monochrome or limited-color images, the system eliminates energy loss associated with emitting light that will not be utilized by the display panel, while preserving the capability to restore full color emission when required.
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
This solution reduces power consumption, enhances image contrast, and achieves more accurate color display by ensuring only necessary light is provided to the display panel, especially during monochrome image display, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the backlight unit.
Implementation Method 1
Through a light guide plate, the direction of the backlight incident onto a display panel may be changed
Implementation Method 2
Through a light guide plate, the direction of the backlight incident onto a display panel may be changed
Implementation Method 3
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used as a backlight source
Implementation Method 4
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are often used as a backlight source
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight unit includes a light source having a plurality of light-emitting units that emit light in at least three different colors, a light guide plate having N preset regions, where N is a positive integer, and a backlight control unit controlling the light-emitting units to provide light to the N preset regions. The light guide plate has a light incidence side, and the light source is disposed opposite to the light incidence side. The light emitted by the light source spreads in the preset regions. The backlight control unit acquires image data information corresponding to the preset regions, and derives chrominance and luminance information of the image corresponding to the preset regions, by calculating the acquired image data information. The backlight control unit then, based on the chrominance and luminance information of the preset regions, controls the light-emitting units to provide light to the preset regions.