CN101436385B - Power-saving mechanism and control method for display - Google Patents

Abstract

A display power saving mechanism and control method do not require the user to set whether to enter a power saving state or shut down the display in the traditional technology. The display power saving mechanism can automatically enter the power saving mode when it determines that the frame of the display is static for a certain period of time. The display power saving mechanism is configured in the hardware structure of the display and automatically determines whether to enter the power saving operation state without the need for user settings.

Description

Display power saving mechanism and control method

technical field

The present invention relates to a display power saving system, and in particular to a display power saving mechanism and control method that can be automatically executed without user settings.

Background technique

In recent years, due to the increasingly important awareness of environmental protection, the demand for energy conservation has also been paid more and more attention. All mechanical equipment, home appliances, and computer products related to power supply are designed in the direction of how to use the minimum power to achieve the maximum performance.

Taking the current display devices on the market as an example, the general power saving setting can be set by the user in the operating system used by the user, such as the power saving function provided in the computer operating system. Operation mode setting, the user can enter the power backup mode, and set the monitor to enter the power-saving operation mode or automatically shut down the entire system if the computer has not been used for a long time. However, the lack of power in this operation is that the user must deliberately set the operation mode. If the parameters of this mode are not preset, the energy saving effect will not be achieved.

In addition, if a monitor that complies with the VESA (Video Electronics Standard Association) standard is connected to a computer without any operation for a long time, the computer will notify the calibration controller (Scalar) of the monitor to enter the suspend mode (Suspend Mode). The timing controller (TCON for short) and the backlight will be turned off. However, the operation method formulated by the VESA standard only makes the entire display completely stop working, which is very inconvenient for the user. Because of such a structure, the monitor can only be in use or turned off, and there is no other choice. Therefore, in order to prevent the user from stopping the operation for a short time and directly turning off the monitor, usually the computer controls the time to turn off the monitor. Long, the effect of saving power on the whole will not be as expected.

Contents of the invention

The invention provides an intelligent display power-saving system, which can solve the disadvantage of requiring users to set the shutdown time in the traditional technology. That is to say, when the frame of the display device is automatically judged to be static and reaches a certain period of time, the power saving mode is entered.

The display with a power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention includes a power saving control device and an overdrive computing unit. The power saving control device is used to receive a plurality of continuously displayed frame data, and after comparing these frame data, judge whether to enter the energy saving operation mode. When the display enters the energy saving operation mode, the power saving control device outputs a display energy saving control signal respectively The energy-saving backlight control signal is sent to the display control unit and the backlight module control unit to adjust the frame displayed on the display panel and the light emitted by the backlight module. The overdrive computing unit is used to provide an overdrive signal to the power saving control device, and the power save control device records the number of times the overdrive signal is enabled, and when the number of times the drive signal is enabled reaches a predetermined number, it controls the display to enter the energy saving operation mode.

The above power saving control device includes a first frame register, a second frame register, an adder, a content comparator and a power saving controller. The first frame register and the second frame register are used to store frame data, and the frame data is sequentially obtained from continuously displayed frame data. The adder is used to perform an addition operation on the frame data to output a frame difference value accordingly. The content comparator compares the frame difference value with the previous frame difference value to obtain a count value, and when the count value is greater than a predetermined number of times within a time interval, a judgment result can be obtained. The power-saving controller is connected to the content comparator, and when the judgment result is that the display enters the energy-saving operation mode, it outputs a display energy-saving control signal and an energy-saving backlight control signal to the display control unit and the backlight module control unit to adjust the display. The frame displayed on the panel and the light emitted by the backlight module.

In an embodiment, the method for controlling power saving of a display proposed by the present invention firstly receives a plurality of consecutively displayed frame data. Compare two consecutive frame data in the frame data, and record the comparison result. When the comparison result reaches a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time interval, the display is controlled to enter an energy-saving operation mode. When the display enters the energy-saving operation mode, the power-saving control device respectively outputs an energy-saving backlight control signal for adjusting the frames displayed on the display to enter the energy-saving operation mode.

The above-mentioned energy-saving backlight control signal is realized by using pulse width modulation (PWM) technology. By converting the control voltage into a pulse signal and changing the width, quantity or distribution rules of the pulse signal, the backlight used to control the display is changed. intensity and frequency.

The above-mentioned backlight intensity and frequency control method is to control a cold cathode lamp (CCFL) backlight module or a light emitting diode (LED) backlight module of the display.

The above-mentioned energy-saving backlight control signal uses low-voltage DC (Low-voltage DC) current control technology to change the intensity and frequency of the backlight used to control the display.

In an embodiment, the present invention proposes a control method for saving power of a display with an overdrive function. Firstly, receiving an overdrive signal that is output after comparing two consecutive frame data of a plurality of consecutively displayed frame data through the overdrive calculation function. record the enabled state of the overdrive signal recording, and obtain the count value, wherein when the count value reaches a predetermined number of times within a time interval, control the display to enter the energy-saving operation mode, wherein when the display enters the energy-saving operation mode, the power saving control device The energy-saving backlight control signals are respectively output to adjust the frames displayed on the monitor to enter the energy-saving operation mode.

The above-mentioned energy-saving backlight control signal is realized by using pulse width modulation (PWM) technology. By converting the control voltage into a pulse signal and changing the width, quantity or distribution rules of the pulse signal, the backlight used to control the display is changed. intensity and frequency.

The above-mentioned backlight intensity and frequency control method is to control a cold cathode lamp (CCFL) backlight module or a light emitting diode (LED) backlight module of the display.

The above-mentioned energy-saving backlight control signal uses low-voltage DC (Low-voltage DC) current control technology to change the intensity and frequency of the backlight used to control the display.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 respectively illustrate the frames used for judging by the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power saving mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display with a display power saving mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a circuit structure of a preferred embodiment of the power saving control device 320 proposed by the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display with a display power saving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the structure of the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention when it is applied to a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of the operation steps of the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention.

Description of main component symbols

112, 114: display cursor

110, 120: frame

210, 220 and 230: frame

212, 214, 216: Cursor

300: display

310: image receiving unit

320: Power Saver Control

330: Display control unit

340: Backlight Module (Back Light Module) control unit

350: display panel

360: backlight module

410 and 420: frame register

430: Adder

440: Content Comparator

450: Power saving controller

510: Overdrive computing unit

512: Overdrive output signal

600A, 600B: display

610: Power Saver Control

612: Display energy saving control signal

614: Energy-saving backlight control signal

620: LCD control unit

630: Cold cathode lamp backlight module control unit

640: display panel

650: Cold cathode lamp backlight module

660: LED backlight module control unit

670: LED backlight module

Detailed ways

The invention provides a power saving mechanism for a display, which does not require users to set whether to enter a power saving state or shut down in the traditional technology. The power saving mechanism of the display can judge that the frame of the display is still and reaches a certain period of time, that is, automatically enters the power saving mode. The power saving mechanism of the display is configured in the hardware structure of the display, and automatically judges whether to enter the state of energy-saving operation without setting by the user.

The display power saving mechanism provided by the present invention can detect the frames displayed on the display, and compare two of the consecutive frames, if the change is less than a predetermined value, it will be determined that these consecutive frames may be static, And use a count value to count, and when the count value exceeds another predetermined value, it means that there is no change in the continuous frame for a period of time, or the degree of change is quite small, and the display can be identified as a display that the user has not operated. state, so it can enter the so-called power saving mode. The two frames in the so-called continuous frames mentioned here can be two frames continuously displayed on the display, or for a plurality of consecutive frames, two frames are captured for a certain time as a judgment. Both cases apply to the scope of the present invention and also to all the embodiments described below.

The power saving mechanism of the display provided by the present invention can control the device that provides the light source for the display, such as the backlight module, by reducing the operating frequency and reducing the continuous frame when it is detected that the user has not operated or the frame has not changed for a period of time. Display the frequency, or reduce the current value and other different ways to enter the energy-saving operation.

The power saving mechanism of the display provided by the present invention can be an independent component, which is arranged inside the display. In an embodiment, the display power saving mechanism can be configured in the controller of the display, or in the timing controller (Time Controller, TCON for short), or in the calibration controller (Scalar), etc., and can also be It has the function of adjusting the operating state of the backlight module of the display to achieve the effect of saving power and energy.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 first to illustrate the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention. FIG. 1 shows two consecutive frames 110 and 120 displayed on the display. On frame 110 , for example, a cursor 112 is displayed, while another frame 120 displays another cursor 114 . In the two frames with cursors, it can be clearly seen that the cursor 112 is different from the cursor 114. If a comparison is made for the two frames 110 and 120, it can be understood that the user is operating. will not increase. The frames 110 and 120 mentioned here are two frames obtained in the continuous display frame, but the time interval between the two frames 110 and 120 should not be too long, so as to avoid the judgment speed being too slow and distorted. In an embodiment, two frames displayed successively in the frames may be continuously displayed, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of consecutive frames displayed on the display, in which only frames 210 , 220 and 230 are illustrated. In these consecutive frames, the cursor 212 on the frame 210, the cursor 222 on the frame 220 and the cursor 232 on the frame 230 after a period of time, it can be clearly seen that the cursor 212, the cursor 214 and the cursor 216 are all located at the same position, therefore, the above continuous frames can be judged to be in a static state, therefore, the count value will continue to increase until the count value is greater than a threshold, then it can be determined that the user has stopped operating, so it can enter the so-called Power saving mode. According to such a judging mechanism, the display can judge whether to automatically enter the power saving mode.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display with a display power saving mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The display 300 includes an image receiving unit 310 , a power saving control device 320 , a display control unit 330 , a backlight module (Back Light Module) control unit 340 , a display panel 350 and a backlight module 360 . The display control unit 330 transmits a display control signal 332 to the display panel 350 for controlling the display frame content. The backlight module control unit 340 transmits a backlight control signal 342 to the backlight module 360 for controlling the backlight module 360 to provide the light intensity required by the display panel 350 for displaying frames. The display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention is built in the power saving control device 320 .

The power saving control device 320 receives a plurality of frames obtained from the continuous display frames to determine whether the frames are still. After it can be determined whether the frame of the display 300 is still and reaches a predetermined time, the power saving mode is automatically entered. The power saving mechanism of the display is configured in the hardware structure of the display, and automatically judges whether to enter the state of energy-saving operation without setting by the user. And when the power saving control device 320 confirms to enter the frame static state, it can transmit the display control unit 330 and the backlight module control unit 340 through the display power saving control signal 322 and the power saving backlight control signal 324 respectively. The display control unit 330 can adjust the display of the display panel 350 through the display control signal 332 . The backlight module control unit 340 can adjust the intensity or frequency of light emitted by the backlight module 360 through the backlight control signal 342 . The energy-saving adjustment of the display panel 350 and the energy-saving adjustment of the backlight module 360 can be performed at the same time, or one can be selected as required.

The multiple frames obtained from the continuous display frames received by the power saving control device 320 come from an image source 305, and the image source 305 can be connected to a video signal source received by the display 300 from, for example, a computer host. In an embodiment, the received images may be stored in the image receiving unit 310 first, and then the image data signal 312 is transmitted to the power saving control device 320 .

The structure of the above-mentioned power saving control device 320 is shown in FIG. 4 in a preferred embodiment. The power saving control device 320 includes two frame registers 410 and 420 , an adder 430 and a power saving controller 450 . The image data signal 312 includes a plurality of frames obtained from the continuous display frames, here two consecutive display frames are taken as an example for illustration. Two consecutive displayed frames are respectively stored in the frame registers 410 and 420 , for example, the frame register 410 stores the N+1th frame, and the frame register 420 stores the Nth frame. The successively displayed frames transmitted from the subsequent image data signal 312 are also stored in the frame registers 410 and 420 in sequence. Next, the output of the frame register 410 is connected to the positive terminal of the adder 430 and the output of the frame register 420 is connected to the negative terminal of the adder 430 . The adder 430 subtracts the Nth frame content stored in the frame register 420 from the N+1 frame content stored in the frame register 420, and the obtained result 432 is sent to the content comparator 440, and the content comparator 440 performs this calculation according to the content comparator 440. After the difference between the second result and the previous result is compared, it is sent to the power saving controller 450, so that the power saving controller 450 can send a control signal to the display control unit 330 and the backlight module control unit 340 according to the adjusted mode, so as to control the display. Adjust the display of the panel or adjust the light intensity or frequency of the backlight module and so on. The adjustment mode mentioned above can be selected according to the characteristics of the display panel or the backlight module, as long as it can save power, it is applicable to the scope of application of this embodiment.

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a display with a display power saving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. The main components are similar to those in FIG. 3 , and the same parts will not be repeated, but the difference is that the power saving control device 320 receives an overdrive output signal 512 from an overdrive (Overdrive) computing unit 510, and does not need to be connected to a video signal source . This overdrive technology is currently equipped with such a function on some displays, especially liquid crystal displays. This technology can improve the response speed of liquid crystals, and increase the driving voltage to speed up the response speed of liquid crystals. The calculation method of the overdrive technology is usually to compare the difference between two consecutive frames. If the change is too large, the drive voltage will be provided, and the result of the comparison can be transmitted to the power saving mechanism of the display of the present invention, so as to automatically adjust the energy saving. The above-mentioned power saving control device 320 is connected to the overdrive (Overdrive) computing unit 510, and the two devices can be configured in the timing controller (TCON) of the display or in the calibration controller (Scalar) to achieve power saving Energy saving effect.

Of course, if the timing controller (TCON) or the calibration controller (Scalar) with the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention does not have the overdrive (Overdrive) technology, it is only necessary to add an additional frame register to achieve power saving Energy saving effect.

If the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display, the structures are shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B respectively. The difference lies in whether the backlight module adopts a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp, CCFL for short) backlight module or a light emitting diode (LED) backlight module. Please refer to FIG. 6A first. In the display 600A, when the power saving control device 610 confirms that the frame is in a static state, the display energy saving control signal 612 and the energy saving backlight control signal 614 are sent to the LCD control unit 620 and the cold cathode lamp respectively. tube backlight module control unit 630 . The liquid crystal display control unit 620 can adjust the display of the display panel 640 through the display control signal. The CCFL backlight module control unit 630 can adjust the intensity or frequency of light emitted by the CCFL backlight module 650 through the backlight control signal. The control method can be realized by using pulse width modulation (Pulse Width Modulation, PWM for short) technology or low-voltage direct current (Low-voltage DC) current control technology. The PWM technology is to convert the output voltage of the converter into a pulse signal with a certain width. By changing the width, quantity or distribution rules of the pulse signal, the control method of changing the value and frequency of the output voltage can be used to control the cold cathode lamp. The intensity or frequency of the light emitted by the tube backlight module 650 and so on.

Then referring to FIG. 6B , in the display 600B, when the power saving control device 610 confirms that the frame is in a static state, the display energy saving control signal 612 and the energy saving backlight control signal 614 are transmitted to the LCD control unit 620 and the LED backlight respectively. Module control unit 660. The liquid crystal display control unit 620 can adjust the display of the display panel 640 through the display control signal. The LED backlight module control unit 630 can adjust the intensity of light emitted by the LED backlight module 670 through the backlight control signal, for example, adjust the driving current provided to the LEDs and so on.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of the operation steps of the display power saving mechanism proposed by the present invention. Step 712 is for the power saving mechanism to receive the video source signal 710 in the normal display state, and read the data of the Nth frame into the first frame register. Next to step 714, read the data of the N+1th frame into the second frame register in the normal display state. The Nth frame and the N+1th frame are actually two consecutive frames, but as mentioned above, it is not limited thereto.

In step 716 , the power saving mechanism subtracts the pixel difference values of the Nth frame and the N+1th frame, and fills the calculation result into a count value P. Step 718 is to compare the count value P with the frame pixel difference threshold (namely the first set value) set inside the power saving mechanism of the display. The first setting value can be given as an initial value by hardware or software, and if the user needs to set additionally, it can be changed through software interface or hardware setting. If the count value P is smaller than the first set value, go to step 720 . If the count value P is greater than the first set value, go to step 728 .

Step 720 is when the count value P is smaller than the first set value, that is, the frame pixel difference between the Nth frame and the N+1th frame is smaller than the threshold value set inside the power saving mechanism, it means that the difference between the two frames at this time is Small enough to be considered as two consecutive still frames. Therefore, at this time, it is first judged according to step 720 whether the screen display is in a normal display state, and if so, proceed to step 722 . If not, it means that the screen display is already in the power saving mode, and since the read frames are all continuous still frames, the power saving mode will continue to be maintained. The power saving mechanism returns to step 712 to continue reading subsequent frame data.

Step 722 represents that the number of still frames at this time has not yet reached the state of starting the power saving mode, so another count value Q needs to be counted up by one, that is, Q=Q+1. Then enter step 726, judge whether the count value Q value of the still frame at this time is greater than the threshold value (ie the second set value) of the number of still frames set inside the power saving mechanism. The second setting value can be given an initial value by hardware or software, and if the user needs to set additionally, it can be changed through software interface or hardware setting. When the count value Q is greater than the second set value, go to step 726, that is, enter the power saving mode. Its Q value is less than the second set value, which means that the still frame at this time has not accumulated to the second set value inside the power saving mechanism, and there is no need to enter the power saving mode, so go back to step 712 and continue to read the next frame data.

When the P value is greater than the first set value, it means that the pixel difference between the Nth frame and the N+1th frame is relatively large, and it is determined that they are not continuous static frames. Therefore, at step 728, it is confirmed whether the screen display is in the power saving mode at this time. If yes, the Q value is cleared to 0 to re-accumulate the number of still frames to the Q value, and leave the power saving mode, and return to step 712 to continue reading the data of the next frame. If not, then directly return to step 712 to continue reading the data of the next frame.

To sum up, the present invention can use the power saving system to achieve the function of saving the power of the LCD screen, and can automatically reach the power saving mode without the need for the user to make relevant settings. However, if the user wants to change the relevant settings, the system can still provide software interface or hardware settings to change the settings, which is quite flexible.

Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. display with mechanism for saving power supply of display comprises:

One display pannel;

One display control module is connected to this display display pannel, in order to control the shown content frame of this display display pannel;

One backlight module is in order to provide this display pannel display frame needed light;

One backlight module control module, the light that is provided in order to this control backlight module;

One saves power control, in order to receive the frame data of a plurality of continuous demonstrations, and after comparing according to these a plurality of frame data, judge whether to enter a power save mode of operation, when this display enters this power save mode of operation, this saving power control is exported an energy-conservation backlight control signal to this backlight module control module, in order to adjust the light that this backlight module sends; And

One arithmetic element of overdriving, in order to being provided, the signal of overdriving saves power control to this, and this saving power control writes down the number of times that this signal of overdriving is enabled, and after number of times that this drive signal is enabled reaches a pre-determined number, promptly controls this display and enters this power save mode of operation.

2. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein when this display entered this power save mode of operation, this was saved power control output one and shows the Energy Saving Control signal to this display control module, in order to adjust the frame that this display pannel shows.

3. display as claimed in claim 2, wherein this saving power control comprises:

One first frame register is in order to deposit one first frame data;

One second frame register, in order to deposit one second frame data, the data that from the frame data of these a plurality of continuous demonstrations, obtain in regular turn for this display of these first frame data and second frame data wherein;

One totalizer is exported a frame difference value according to this after these first frame data and this second frame are imposed an add operation;

One content comparators after this frame difference value of contrast complex, obtains a count value, after this count value in a time interval is greater than a pre-determined number, can obtain a judged result;

One power-saving control device, be connected to this content comparators, when this judged result enters this power save mode of operation for this display, then export this demonstration Energy Saving Control signal according to this and arrive this display control module and this backlight module control module, in order to adjust the light that frame and this backlight module sent that this display pannel shows with this energy-conservation backlight control signal.

4. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein this display pannel is a display panels, and this display control module is a LCD control module.

5. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein this backlight module is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlight module, and this backlight module control module is a cold cathode fluorescent lamp backlight module control module.

6. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein should save power control adjustment mode realizes for using a pulse-length modulation (PWM) technology, transfer a pulse signal to by controlling voltage swing, and change width, quantity or the distribution rule of this pulse signal, with the numerical value that changes this backlight module control module output voltage of control and the control method of frequency.

7. display as claimed in claim 1 wherein should be saved power control adjustment mode for using a low voltage and direct current flow control technology.

8. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein this backlight module is a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight module, and this backlight module control module is a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight module control module.

9. display as claimed in claim 8, wherein this overdrive arithmetic element and this saving power control are configured in the time schedule controller in this display.

10. display as claimed in claim 8, wherein this overdrive arithmetic element and this saving power control are configured in one in this display and demarcate controller.

11. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein this saving power control is configured in the interior time schedule controller of this display.

12. display as claimed in claim 1, wherein this saving power control is configured in one in this display and demarcates controller.

13. the control method of a saving power supply of display is applicable to the display with the calculation function of overdriving, wherein this method comprises:

Reception is overdrived via this in the frame data of calculation function to a plurality of continuous demonstrations, and continuous two frame data compare one of the back output signal of overdriving;

Write down the initiate mode of this signal record of overdriving, and obtain a count value, wherein when this count value reaches a pre-determined number in a time interval after, control this display and enter a power save mode of operation, wherein,

When this display entered this power save mode of operation, this saving power control was exported an energy-conservation backlight control signal, entered this power save mode of operation in order to the frame of adjusting this display demonstration.

14. control method as claimed in claim 13, wherein this energy-conservation backlight control signal is to use a pulse width modulating technology to realize, transfer a pulse signal to by controlling voltage swing, and change width, quantity or the distribution rule of this pulse signal, with change this display of control show an employed backlight intensity with and frequency.

15. control method as claimed in claim 14, wherein this backlight intensity and frequency control system are a cold cathode fluorescent lamp backlight module of this display of control.

16. control method as claimed in claim 14, wherein this backlight intensity and frequency control system are a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight module of this display of control.

17. control method as claimed in claim 13, wherein this energy-conservation backlight control signal is to use a low voltage and direct current flow control technology, shows an employed backlight intensity and frequency to change this display of control.

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