Variable Current Control for Display Contrast and Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image display apparatuses face challenges in improving contrast and reducing heat generated by switching elements, particularly as resolution increases, leading to higher power consumption and potential damage from increased current levels.
Innovation Solution
An image display apparatus with a processor that controls current levels and pulse widths to light source strings based on local dimming data, switching between variable and constant current modes to enhance contrast and reduce heat, thereby protecting circuit elements and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If current level to light sources is increased to improve contrast, then image contrast is improved, but heat generated by switching elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the current level variable rather than fixed. The processor dynamically adjusts the current level flowing into light source strings based on local dimming data, switching between first and second current levels depending on the dimming requirements of different regions. This allows optimization of both contrast and heat generation in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by treating different light source strings differently based on their specific dimming requirements. Each light source string receives a current level customized to its local dimming data, rather than a uniform current level for all strings. This enables improved contrast in regions requiring it while minimizing heat generation where lower current is sufficient.
2Illumination intensity
If current level to light sources is increased to improve contrast, then image contrast is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts current levels based on actual dimming needs rather than operating at constant high current. The processor selects between first and second current levels depending on local dimming data, enabling the system to consume less power when high contrast is not required while maintaining the ability to improve contrast when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light source strings receive different current levels tailored to their local dimming requirements. This localized approach ensures that power is only consumed at high levels where contrast improvement is actually needed, rather than maintaining high power consumption across all light sources regardless of local requirements.
3Device complexity
If constant current level is used to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but contrast improvement capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of current level from constant to variable based on local dimming data. The processor determines whether to use a first current level or a second current level depending on the dimming data received for each light source string. This parameter change enables enhanced contrast improvement capability while maintaining relatively simple control logic through threshold-based decision making.
Data Source
AI summary
An image display apparatus is disclosed. The image display apparatus includes a panel, a plurality of light sources to output light to the panel, a plurality of switching elements to switch the light sources, and a processor to control the switching elements, wherein the processor controls a current having a variable level to flow into each light source string among the light sources, based on local dimming data, thereby improving contrast in displaying images.