Signal Controller Image Compression for Display Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices face increased manufacturing costs and larger non-display areas due to the need for frame memory in power-saving PSR modes, which do not effectively reduce power consumption during both still image and motion picture displays.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a signal controller that compresses and stores image data, using a mixer to generate mixed image data by combining recovered compression data with input data, allowing for reduced frame memory size and efficient data transmission during transitions between still images and motion pictures, thereby minimizing power consumption and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If frame memory is added to enable PSR mode for power saving, then power consumption is reduced during still image display, but manufacturing cost increases and non-display area size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of frame memory (storing image data for PSR mode) and implements it minimally within the signal controller rather than adding a separate full-featured frame memory component. This reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining the power-saving capability during still image display.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame memory within the signal controller is designed to serve multiple functions: storing image data for PSR mode during still images, and providing data during transitions between still images and motion pictures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, lowering manufacturing cost.
2Use of energy by moving object
If frame memory is added to enable PSR mode for power saving, then power consumption is reduced during still image display, but size of non-display area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame memory function with the existing signal controller architecture rather than adding a separate physical memory component. This integration approach minimizes the additional space required in the non-display area while enabling PSR mode for power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame memory is nested within the signal controller structure, utilizing the existing controller space and architecture. This nesting approach allows the memory to be housed within the existing footprint, minimizing the increase in non-display area size.
3Ease of manufacture
If compressed image data is stored in frame memory, then manufacturing cost and non-display area are reduced, but compression errors may be recognized by viewers during image transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary dithering processing to the compressed image data before storing it in the frame memory. This pre-processing step prepares the data in a way that minimizes visible compression artifacts during subsequent display, especially during transitions between still images and motion pictures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dithering processing unit as an intermediary between the compressed image data and the frame memory output. This intermediary processes the data to reduce the visibility of compression errors, ensuring high image quality during transitions while maintaining the benefits of compressed storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a display panel displaying a still image and a motion picture; a display panel which displays a still image and a motion picture; a signal controller which controls signals to drive the display panel; and a graphics processing unit which transmits input image data to the signal controller, where the signal controller includes a frame memory which stores compressed image data generated by compressing the input image data, and a mixer which mixes compression recovered image data generated by recovering the compressed image data and the input image data to generate mixed image data.