Selective Attenuation Element for Pixel Grayscale Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses face inefficiencies in controlling grayscale intensity of pixels, as each pixel typically requires dedicated circuitry, which can be costly and complex, especially when trying to share light sources and attenuation elements across multiple pixels.

Innovation Solution

The use of a selective attenuation element shared by multiple pixels, combined with an array of mono-chrome light filters and a controller to manage light sources and attenuation, allows for efficient grayscale control of pixels by selectively attenuating light from a common source, enabling more flexible and cost-effective pixel intensity management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If each pixel has dedicated circuitry for controlling grayscale intensity, then pixel intensity control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrayscale intensity control precisionVSAvoidcircuitry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the grayscale control function from individual pixel circuitry into a shared selective attenuation element that serves multiple pixels. This single attenuation element can be selectively activated to control the light intensity for an entire row of pixels, eliminating the need for separate circuitry in each pixel while maintaining precise grayscale control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The selective attenuation element serves multiple pixels simultaneously, acting as a universal control mechanism for grayscale intensity across a row of pixels. This multi-functional component replaces the traditional dedicated circuitry for each pixel, reducing overall system complexity while preserving the ability to control intensity precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If light sources and attenuation elements are shared across multiple pixels, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but control precision over individual pixel intensity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuitry complexityVSAvoidpixel intensity control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display into rows where each row shares a common selective attenuation element, but maintains independence between rows. This segmentation allows precise control at the row level while sharing resources within the row, achieving a balance between control precision and complexity reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The selective attenuation element provides dynamic control over light intensity for the entire row of pixels it serves. By selectively activating and adjusting the attenuation level of this single element, the system can precisely control the grayscale intensity for multiple pixels simultaneously, maintaining precision despite the shared architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables efficient grayscale control of pixels by sharing light sources and attenuation elements, reducing complexity and cost while improving the rendering of images by allowing for precise intensity adjustments across multiple pixels.

Implementation Method 1

a selective attenuation element (SAE) 4, used for a plurality of adjacent pixels and configured to attenuate light from the at least one light source 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight attenuation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a group 10 of adjacent mono-chrome light filters 8, used for the plurality of adjacent pixels, the group 10 comprising: a first mono-chrome light filter 8, for a first one of the plurality of adjacent pixels, configured to filter light transmitted via the selective attenuation element 4 for the first one of the adjacent pixels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP2646999B1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2646999B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~3B
  • EP2646999B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C
  • EP2646999B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: at least one light source; a selective attenuation element, used for a plurality of adjacent pixels and configured to attenuate light from the at least one light source; and a group of adjacent mono-chrome light filters, used for the plurality of adjacent pixels, the group comprising: a first mono-chrome light filter, for a first one of the plurality of adjacent pixels, configured to filter light transmitted via the selective attenuation element for the first one of the adjacent pixels; and a second mono-chrome light filter, for a second one of the plurality of adjacent pixels, configured to filter light transmitted via the selective attenuation element for the second one of the adjacent pixels.