Virtual Pixel Mapping for LED Display Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large electronic displays face challenges in presenting rich visual content accurately and cost-effectively while maintaining a high apparent resolution, as they require a large number of dedicated LEDs, which can be expensive and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The method involves creating virtual pixels that share pixel information among shared LEDs, using interleaved rows of LEDs with repeating patterns of different colors, and presenting a repeating sequence of frames to achieve an apparent resolution higher than the physical pixel resolution, reducing the number of required LEDs and enhancing image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a large number of dedicated LEDs are used to achieve high apparent resolution, then image quality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparent resolutionVSAvoidnumber of LEDs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each physical LED serves multiple virtual pixels across different frames. The same physical LED is reused to represent different virtual pixel positions in different frames of the sequence, allowing a smaller number of physical LEDs to achieve the appearance of higher resolution through temporal multiplexing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system displays a periodic sequence of frames where each frame shows a different subset of virtual pixels. By cycling through multiple frames and relying on human visual integration, the system creates the perception of high-resolution static image from a lower-resolution physical display through temporal repetition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If more LEDs are used to increase resolution, then image quality is improved, but LED lifetime and cost efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresolutionVSAvoidLED lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously driving all LEDs at full brightness, the system periodically activates different subsets of LEDs across frames. This temporal distribution reduces the cumulative operating hours and stress on each individual LED, extending their operational lifetime while maintaining the appearance of high resolution through frame sequencing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8502758B2Apparatus and method for mapping virtual pixels to physical light elements of a display

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Methods and displays are disclosed for presenting media content on display systems. A display is configured as an array of LEDs. The array of LEDs includes a first set of rows including first LEDs in a repeating pattern of a first color LED, a second color LED, and a third color LED. A second set of rows includes second LEDs in a repeating pattern of the first color LED, the second color LED, and the third color LED, wherein the second set of rows are interleaved between the first set of rows and the second LEDs are offset relative to the first LEDs. Visual content to be presented on the display includes a repeating sequence of four frames of an array of virtual pixels such that each virtual pixel of the array comprises at least one of the first LEDs and at least one of the second LEDs.