Touch-Signal Display Driver for Low-Refresh Responsiveness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in efficiently responding to touch inputs on display panels due to delays in re-displaying images, particularly when operating at lower refresh rates, leading to perceived delays in user interactions.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device employs a display driver circuitry that receives touch signals through a separate path from the processor, allowing it to defer or cancel re-displaying operations within a defined time interval after detecting a touch event, thereby enhancing responsiveness by synchronizing image updates with user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If the display operates at a lower refresh rate to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the responsiveness to touch inputs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The display driver circuit pre-loads image data into a buffer before the actual display refresh. When a touch event occurs, the circuit can immediately switch to displaying the pre-loaded image from the buffer, eliminating the need to wait for the full refresh cycle. This preliminary preparation of display content resolves the contradiction by enabling fast response to touch inputs while maintaining lower refresh rate operation for energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer storage structure between the processor and the display panel. This buffer acts as a mediator that holds image data ready for immediate display. When touch events occur during low refresh rate operation, the buffer enables the display to update images without waiting for the next scheduled refresh cycle, thus improving responsiveness while maintaining energy-efficient low refresh rate operation.
2Device complexity
If the display driver circuitry waits for the next refresh cycle to update the image after a touch event, then the display operation remains simple, but the user experience deteriorates due to perceived delay
Solution Approach 1:
The display driver circuit performs preliminary actions by pre-loading images into the buffer before they are needed. This allows the circuit to immediately respond to touch events by displaying the pre-prepared image, improving user interaction responsiveness without significantly increasing operational complexity. The buffer management logic adds minimal complexity while delivering substantial usability improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic display control where the circuit adapts its behavior based on touch events. When no touch occurs, the circuit follows the standard low refresh rate cycle. When a touch event is detected, the circuit dynamically switches to immediate buffer-based display mode. This dynamic adaptation improves user experience without requiring a completely complex display control system, as the complexity is only activated when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An example electronic device may include at least one processor; a touch circuit; a display panel; a display driver circuit including memory; a first path connecting the touch circuit and the processor; and a second path connecting the touch circuit and the display drive circuit. The display driver circuit may be configured to display an image on the display panel based on a refresh rate that is lower than a reference refresh rate; receive a signal, transmitted to the processor through the first path and indicating contact on the image displayed on the display panel, from the touch circuit through the second path; and refrain from executing, in response to the signal, redisplay of the image, which is executed by scanning the image stored in the memory on the basis of the refresh rate, within a reference time interval from the reception timing of the signal.