Source Driver Voltage Slew Rate Control Based on Luminance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices consume excessive power due to a uniform slew rate of the source voltage, which is not adaptable to varying luminance levels, leading to inefficient power management in display systems.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a display panel and a source driver, where a timing controller identifies image luminance to set a source bias current, adjusting the slew rate of the source voltage based on luminance, using a combination of amplifier and boosting circuits to optimize power usage by varying the drive strength and slope of the voltage output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a boosting circuit is always used to increase the slew rate of the source voltage, then the voltage change rate is improved, but the power consumption of the source driver increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslew rate of source voltageVSAvoidpower consumption of source driver
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the boosting circuit by selectively enabling it based on the luminance level of the displayed image. The timing controller adjusts the source bias current dynamically - using a first source bias current when luminance exceeds a reference value (requiring fast voltage changes) and a second, lower source bias current when luminance is at or below the reference value. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve high slew rates only when necessary, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining performance when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a uniform slew rate is applied regardless of luminance level, then the source voltage change rate is consistent, but the time required for voltage output varies depending on luminance, leading to inefficient power management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of slew rateVSAvoidpower management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of source bias current based on luminance conditions. The timing controller compares the luminance value with a reference value and selectively applies different source bias current levels. When luminance exceeds the reference value, a higher source bias current is applied to achieve faster slew rate; when luminance is at or below the reference value, a lower source bias current is applied. This parameter change approach optimizes the balance between slew rate uniformity and power management efficiency by adapting the electrical parameters to the actual display requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11521560B2Electronic device for controlling voltage slew rate of source driver on basis of luminance
Publication Date: 2022.12.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11521560B2 patent drawing
  • US11521560B2 patent drawing
  • US11521560B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is an electronic device including a display panel displaying an image, a source driver supplying a source voltage to the display panel, and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) including a timing controller controlling the source driver. The timing controller may be configured to identify information associated with a luminance of the image and to set a source bias current for controlling a slew rate of the source voltage based on the luminance of the image. Besides, various embodiments as understood from the specification are also possible.