Electronic Shelf Label Partial Refreshing by Pixel Region Coding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic shelf labels lack the capability for partial refreshing at arbitrary positions on the display area.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for partial refreshing at arbitrary positions on electronic shelf labels by dividing pixel regions, assigning non-refresh-required pixels to one region and pixels with identical transition requirements to another, determining a code and drive waveform for each region, and refreshing the pixels accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If full-screen refreshing is performed on electronic shelf label, then all pixels can be updated, but energy consumption increases and refreshing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefreshing efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display area into multiple refresh regions based on pixel transition requirements. Pixels are grouped into different regions according to their color transition needs, allowing independent refreshing of each region. This segmentation enables partial refreshing of only the necessary areas rather than the entire screen, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving refreshing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different refresh strategies to different regions of the display based on local pixel transition requirements. By identifying regions where pixel transitions are needed and refreshing only those specific areas while leaving other regions unchanged, the system optimizes energy usage and refreshing performance according to the actual display needs of each local region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If partial refreshing at arbitrary position is implemented, then refreshing flexibility improves, but drive instruction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefreshing flexibilityVSAvoiddrive instruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a unified drive instruction structure that can handle both full-screen refreshing and partial refreshing at arbitrary positions through the same instruction format. By using region identification codes and transition requirement classifications within the existing drive instruction framework, the system achieves versatile refreshing capabilities without requiring separate complex instruction sets for different refresh modes.

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

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

Enables flexible partial refreshing at arbitrary positions without the need for separate drive instructions, reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

An electronic paper screen (E-paper) is a display screen manufactured using an electrophoretic display technology. Specifically, a drive voltage is applied to individual pixels through a control circuit on a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) substrate to achieve the effect of image displaying.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoretic display: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP4651122A1Method and device for local refreshing at any position of electronic shelf label
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 HANSHOW TECH CO LTD
  • EP4651122A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4651122A1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~5
  • EP4651122A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Disclosed in the present disclosure are a method and apparatus for partial refreshing at arbitrary position on an electronic shelf label. The method includes: dividing positional regions of pixels of a target image in an electronic shelf label, and non-refresh-required pixels are assigned to an identical positional region, and pixels which have identical pixel transition requirements are assigned to another identical positional region; determining a code of each positional region and a drive waveform corresponding to the code; and refreshing the pixels of the target image according to the drive waveform. The present disclosure can achieve partial refreshing at arbitrary position on the electronic shelf label.