Selective Display Illumination for Mobile Terminal Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminals face inefficiencies in resource utilization as they increasingly incorporate multiple functions, leading to challenges in optimizing hardware and software components to support these functionalities effectively.

Innovation Solution

The design of a mobile terminal that incorporates a flexible display unit and selective illumination of only necessary areas, along with a power-saving mechanism that activates only specific portions of the display based on user interaction, to minimize power consumption while maintaining essential functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are incorporated into mobile terminals, then functionality and versatility are improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple independent regions (first display region and second display region) that can be independently controlled and activated. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary display region based on the current function being used, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal dynamically adjusts which display region is activated based on the current operating mode or function. The activation state of display regions changes dynamically according to user interaction and system state, optimizing resource usage for each specific function while preserving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire display is activated for all functions, then all functionalities are supported, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional supportVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the display have different activation states based on local requirements. Only the specific display region needed for the current function is activated, while other regions remain inactive. This local quality approach ensures functional support where needed while minimizing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of activating the entire display (excessive action), the system activates only the necessary portion of the display (partial action) required for the current function. This partial activation reduces power consumption while still providing full functional support for the active application or mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If selective display activation is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into independently controllable regions with distinct activation states. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by allowing the system to manage each region separately based on clear activation criteria, reducing the overall control complexity despite the selective activation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3187966B1Mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3187966B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3187966B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP3187966B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A mobile terminal including a light guide plate; a plurality of light sources disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate; a display positioned on a front surface of the light guide plate; and a controller configured to control the display to operate in one of operation states including a first state, in which all of the plurality of light sources are activated such that an entire portion of the display is illuminated, and a second state, in which at least one light source corresponding to a partial portion of the display among the plurality of light sources is selectively activated such that the partial portion of the display is illuminated, perform an operation in accordance with a first touch input applied to the partial portion of the display in the second state, and not perform an operation in accordance with a second touch input applied to a remaining portion excluding the partial portion of the display in the second state.