Dynamic reference voltage control in display devices

In some examples, an electronic device comprises a voltage supply circuit to provide a reference voltage usable to discharge pixels in a display device; and a scaler circuit coupled to the voltage supply circuit. The scaler circuit is to buffer first and second frames and dynamically control the voltage supply circuit to modify the reference voltage based on a frequency of the first frame differing from a frequency of the second frame.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as televisions, notebooks, laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones are equipped with display devices. A display device displays images, such as documents, pictures, and videos, of an electronic device. To render quality images, the display device is to support different frame rates of the variety of images.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, electronic devices may be equipped with display devices to render a variety of images that may have different frame rates. A frame rate, as used herein, is a measure of a number of frames, or images, per second that an electronic device may display. For instance, the electronic device may play a video at 60 frames per second (fps). To render an image, a display device charges and discharges pixels of a display panel. The display device has a frequency that is based on the charge and discharge rates of the pixels. The frequency is a measure of the number of times per second that the display device redraws the images on display. Refresh rate, as used herein, is the frequency of the display device. If the display device has a 60 Hertz (Hz) frequency and the electronic device plays the video at 60 fps, the redrawing of the images is indiscernible to a user.

A video game application (e.g., executable code, or machine-readable instructions, that enable a user to play a game) played on the electronic device may generate images at a variable frame rate. The variable frame rate enables the video game to generate more complex images (e.g., images having more data) in response to actions occurring within the video game. For instance, a first image of the video game may be a two-dimensional (2-D) image and a second image may be a three-dimensional (3-D) image. The 3-D image comprises more data that takes longer to render than the 2-D image. Tearing, or image splitting, occurs in response to the display device refreshing before the 3-D image fully renders. To prevent tearing, the display device may take longer to refresh the 3-D image (e.g., reduce the refresh rate). However, flickering of the display device occurs in response to a frequency of a subsequent frame exceeding the frequency of the previous frame because the pixels of the display panel have not had sufficient time to discharge. The flickering of the display device diminishes the user experience. Additionally, the unbalanced discharge of the pixels stresses the pixels, and the stress reduces a quality of the images displayed on the display panel over time.

This description describes an electronic device that reduces flickering of the display device by adjusting a reference voltage of the pixels to modify the discharge rate of the pixels. The electronic device adjusts the reference voltage in response to a variable frequency of image data transmitted to the display device. The image data may include audio data, video data, a frame rate, a frequency, or a combination thereof for a frame of the image data. Video data, as used herein, includes individual images as well as videos comprising multiple images, where an individual image is a subsequent frame of a previous individual image. The electronic device comprises a processor, a timing controller, a first voltage supply circuit, a second voltage supply circuit, and a scaler circuit comprising a buffer and a counter. The scaler circuit receives the image data from the processor and determines whether a second frame has a different frequency than a first frame. The second frame is subsequent and sequential to the first frame. In response to the second frame having a different frequency than the first frame, the scaler circuit adjusts a voltage of the second voltage supply. By adjusting the reference voltage supplied to the pixels, the stress on the pixels is reduced, flickering is mitigated, and the user experience is enhanced.

In some examples, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises a voltage supply circuit to provide a reference voltage usable to discharge pixels in a display device; and a scaler circuit coupled to the voltage supply circuit. The scaler circuit is to buffer first and second frames and dynamically control the voltage supply circuit to modify the reference voltage based on a frequency of the first frame differing from a frequency of the second frame.

In some examples, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises a processor and a display device coupled to the processor. The display device comprises a timing controller circuit a first voltage supply circuit coupled to the timing controller circuit, the first voltage supply circuit to provide a supply voltage to charge pixels in the display device, a second voltage supply circuit coupled to the first voltage supply circuit, the second voltage supply circuit to provide a reference voltage to discharge the pixels in the display device, and a scaler circuit coupled to the second voltage supply circuit and the timing controller circuit. The scaler circuit is to receive first and second frames from the processor, buffer the second frame, transmit the first frame to the timing controller circuit, responsive to a frequency of the second frame differing from a frequency of the first frame, control the second voltage supply circuit to dynamically adjust the reference voltage, and transmit the second frame to the timing controller circuit.

In some examples, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises a first voltage supply to provide a driving signal to charge pixels in a display device, the driving signal having a variable frequency, a second voltage supply to provide a reference signal to discharge the pixels in the display device, and a scaler circuit coupled to the second voltage supply. The scaler circuit is to determine that a second image signal is to have a different frequency than a first image signal based on data stored in a buffer of the scaler circuit, and control the second voltage supply to vary an amplitude of the reference signal based on the determination.

Referring now toFIG.1, a schematic diagram of an electronic device100for controlling reference voltage in a display device104is depicted in accordance with various examples. The electronic device100may comprise a processor102, the display device104, and a storage device116. The electronic device100may be a television, a desktop, a laptop, a notebook, a tablet, a smartphone, or any other suitable electronic device including the display device104. The processor102may be a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a microcontroller, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, or other suitable device for managing operations of the electronic device100. The display device104may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display device104, a light-emitting diode (LED) display device104, a quantum dot (QD) display device104, or any suitable display device104that includes pixels that have charge and discharge rates. The storage device116may be a hard drive, a solid-state drive (SSD), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), or other suitable memory device for storing data and executable code of the electronic device100. The storage device116may store machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor102, may cause the processor102to perform some or all of the actions attributed herein to the processor102. The machine-readable instructions may be the machine-readable instructions118.

The display device104may comprise a scaler106, a controller108, a voltage supply110, a reference voltage supply112, and a display panel120. A scaler circuit, as used herein, is any circuit suitable for receiving and buffering image data, converting the image data from a first resolution to a second resolution, and driving the controller108, the voltage supply110, and the reference voltage supply112to display a frame of the image data on the display panel120. The scaler106may be any suitable scaler circuit. As used herein, a timing controller circuit may be any suitable circuit for driving the display panel120according to a timing provided by the controller108to display the frame. The controller108may be any suitable timing controller circuit. The controller108may be a timing controller (TCON), for example. A voltage supply circuit, as used herein, is a circuit for supplying and regulating direct current (DC) voltages. The voltage supply110and the reference voltage supply112may be any suitable voltage supply circuits. The display panel120may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light-emitting diode (LED) display panel, a quantum dot (QD) display panel, or any other suitable display panel120including pixels122that have charge and discharge rates.

In various examples, the processor102couples to the display device104and the storage device116. In some examples, the processor102couples to the scaler106. The scaler106couples to the reference voltage supply112via the path114, the controller108, and the processor102. The controller108couples to the scaler106and the voltage supply110. The voltage supply110couples to the controller108, the reference voltage supply112, and the display panel120. The reference voltage supply112couples to the voltage supply110, the scaler106via the path114, and the display panel120. The display panel120couples to the voltage supply110and the reference voltage supply112. In some examples, the voltage supply110and the reference voltage supply112couple to thin-film transistors (TFTs) (not explicitly shown) that control the charge and the discharge rates of the pixels122.

In some examples, the processor102may be a central processing unit (CPU). In other examples, the processor102may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In various examples, the processor102may be any suitable device for processing image data that is input into the scaler106.

While the display device104is shown as an in-built display device104of the electronic device100, in other examples, the display device104may be coupled to the electronic device100via a wired connection (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB)), Video Graphics Array (VGA), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL), transistor-to-transistor logic (TTL)) or may be a stand-alone display device104coupled to the electronic device100via a wireless connection (e.g., WI-FI®, BLUETOOTH®). In some examples, the display device104may be a flexible display. Flexible display, as used herein, is a display device104that may be deformed (e.g., rolled, folded, etc.) within a given parameter or specification (e.g., a minimum radius of curvature) without losing electrical function or connectivity. The display device104may be a TFT LCD, an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED), an active matrix quantum dot light emitting diode (AMQLED), or a micro-light emitting diode (microLED), for example.

As described above, the electronic device100reduces flickering of the display device104by adjusting a reference voltage of the pixels122to modify the discharge rate of the pixels122. The scaler106adjusts the reference voltage in response to a variable frequency of image data transmitted to the display device104from the processor102. The scaler106receives the image data from the processor102. The scaler106determines whether a second frame has a different frequency than a first frame. In response to the second frame having a different frequency than the first frame, the scaler106adjusts a voltage of the reference voltage supply112. By adjusting the reference voltage supplied to the pixels, the stress on the pixels is reduced, flickering is mitigated, and the user experience is enhanced.

In various examples, the scaler106calculates a voltage to which to modify the reference voltage. The reference voltage is based on the frequency of the first frame and the frequency of the second frame. The scaler106determines a discharge rate of the pixels122displaying the first frame based on the first frequency. In some examples, the scaler106compares the first frequency to the second frequency. Based on a determination that the first frequency is a same frequency as the second frequency, the scaler106may maintain the reference voltage of the first frame. In other examples, the scaler106compares the discharge rate of the first frame to the frequency of the second frame. Based on a determination that the frequency of the second frame prevents the pixels122from discharging before rendering of the second frame, the scaler106adjusts the voltage of the reference voltage supply112to increase the discharge rate of the pixels122. In various examples, the scaler106modifies the reference voltage responsive to a charge of the pixels. For example, responsive to the pixels122having a positive charge, the scaler106increases the reference voltage. Responsive to the pixels122having a negative charge, the scaler106decreases the reference voltage.

Referring now toFIG.2, a schematic diagram of an electronic device200for controlling reference voltage in a display device204is depicted in accordance with various examples. The electronic device200comprises a processor202, the display device204, and a storage device228. The processor202may be the processor102. The display device204may be the display device104. The storage device228may be the storage device116. The storage device228may store machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor202, may cause the processor202to perform some or all of the actions attributed herein to the processor202. The machine-readable instructions may be the machine-readable instructions230. The machine-readable instructions230may be the machine-readable instructions118. The display device204may comprise a scaler206, a controller208, a voltage supply210, a reference voltage supply212and a display panel232. The scaler206may be the scaler106. The controller208may be the controller108. The voltage supply210may be the voltage supply110. The reference voltage supply212may be the reference voltage supply112. The display panel232may be the display panel120. The display panel232includes pixels234. The pixels234may be the pixels122.

The scaler206may comprise a data multiplexer (MUX) (data MUX)216, an audio processing (audio) circuit218, a video processing (video) circuit220, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)222, a scaling circuit224, and a transmission (TX) interface226. The data MUX216may be any circuit for receiving and routing image data having different input formats (e.g., VGA, DVI, HDMI). The audio circuit218may be any circuit to process or buffer audio data of the image data. Buffer, as used herein, is to store data in a storage device, or buffer, of a circuit. The video circuit220may be any circuit to process or buffer video data of the image data. In some examples, the audio circuit218, the video circuit220, or a combination thereof may comprise a counter. The DAC222may be any circuit for converting a digital input to an analog output. The scaling circuit224may be any circuit to convert a resolution of an input image to a resolution of an output image. The scaling circuit224may comprise a counter in some examples. The TX interface226may be any circuit for transmitting an output of the scaler206to the controller208and the reference voltage supply212.

In various examples, the processor202couples to the display device204and the storage device228. In some examples, the processor202couples to the scaler206. The scaler206couples to the reference voltage supply212via the path214, the controller208, and the processor202. The controller208couples to the scaler206and the voltage supply210. The voltage supply210couples to the controller208, the reference voltage supply212, and the display panel232. The reference voltage supply212couples to the scaler206via the path214, the voltage supply210, and the display panel232. The display panel232couples to the voltage supply210and the reference voltage supply212. In some examples, the voltage supply210and the reference voltage supply212couple to thin-film transistors (TFTs) (not explicitly shown) that control the charge and the discharge rates of the pixels234.

As described above with respect toFIG.1, the electronic device200reduces flickering of the display device204by adjusting a reference voltage of the pixels234to modify the discharge rate of the pixels234. The scaler206adjusts the reference voltage in response to a variable frequency of image data transmitted to the display device204from the electronic device200. The data MUX216receives the image data from the processor202. The data MUX216determines a format of the image data and routes data of the image data to an appropriate buffer for processing. For example, the data MUX216routes audio data to the audio circuit218and video data to the video circuit220. The data of the image data is stored in the buffer while awaiting transmission by the TX interface226. The scaling circuit224determines whether a second frame of the video data has a different frequency than a first frame of the video data that is buffered in the video circuit220. The scaling circuit224may utilize a counter to determine whether the second frame of the video data has a different frequency than a first frame of the video data that is buffered in the video circuit220, for example. The scaling circuit224determines a discharge rate of the pixels234displaying the first frame. The scaling circuit224compares the discharge rate to the frequency of the second frame. Based on a determination that the frequency of the second frame prevents the pixels234from discharging before rendering of the second frame, the scaling circuit224calculates a voltage to which to modify the reference voltage based on the frequency of the first frame and the frequency of the second frame. In some examples, the TX interface226transmits the voltage to the reference voltage supply212to increase the discharge rate of the pixels234. In other examples, the DAC222converts the voltage calculated by the scaling circuit224to an analog value. The TX interface226transmits the analog value to the reference voltage supply212to increase the discharge rate of the pixels234. In various examples, the scaling circuit224modifies the reference voltage responsive to a charge of the pixels234. For example, responsive to the pixels234having a positive charge, the scaling circuit224increases the reference voltage. Responsive to the pixels234having a negative charge, the scaling circuit224decreases the reference voltage. By adjusting the reference voltage supplied to the pixels, the stress on the pixels is reduced, flickering is mitigated, and the user experience is enhanced.

While the scaler106,206is depicted as a component of the display device104,204, in some examples, the scaler106,206may be external to the display device104,204. For example, the display device104,204may be coupled to the electronic device100,200via a wired or wireless connection, the scaler106,206is internal to the electronic device100,200, and the scaler106,206controls the reference voltage supply112,212by transmitting a signal to the controller108,208.

Referring now toFIG.3, a flow diagram of a method300for controlling reference voltage in a display device (e.g., the display device104,204) in accordance with various examples. The method300may be performed by the electronic device100,200. The method300includes providing, by a voltage supply circuit (e.g., the reference voltage supply112,212) a reference voltage usable to discharge pixels (e.g., the pixels122,234) in the display device (302). The method300also includes buffering, by a scaler circuit (e.g., the scaler106,206), first and second frames (304). Additionally, the method300includes dynamically controlling, by the scaler circuit, the voltage supply circuit to modify the reference voltage based on a frequency of the first frame differing from a frequency of the second frame (306).

In some examples, the method300includes controlling, by the scaler circuit, the voltage supply circuit to modify the reference voltage based on the frequency of the first frame. The method300also includes transmitting, by the scaler circuit, the first frame to a timing controller circuit. Additionally, the method300includes determining, by the scaler circuit, the frequency of the first frame differs from the frequency of the second frame. The method300also includes controlling, by the scalar circuit, the voltage supply circuit to modify the reference voltage based on the frequency of the second frame.

As discussed above with respect toFIG.2, a video processing circuit (e.g., the video circuit220) of the scaler circuit may buffer the first and the second frames. A transmission (TX) interface (e.g., the TX interface226) of the scaler circuit may transmit the first frame to the timing controller circuit. In various examples, a DAC (e.g., the DAC222) of the scaler circuit converts the buffered data from digital to analog values prior to transmission. In some examples, the method300includes determining, by a scaling circuit (e.g., the scaling circuit224) of the scaler circuit, whether a second frame of the video data has a different frequency than a first frame of the video data that is buffered in the video processing circuit. The method300also includes, determining, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, a discharge rate of pixels (e.g., the pixels122,234) displaying the first frame. Additionally, the method300includes comparing, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, the discharge rate to the frequency of the second frame. Based on a determination that the frequency of the second frame prevents the pixels from discharging before rendering of the second frame, the method300includes, calculating, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, a voltage to which to modify the reference voltage based on the frequency of the first frame and the frequency of the second frame. In various examples, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit modifies the reference voltage responsive to a charge of the pixels. For example, responsive to the pixels having a positive charge, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit increases the reference voltage. Responsive to the pixels having a negative charge, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit decreases the reference voltage. The method300also includes converting, by the DAC, the voltage calculated by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit to an analog value. The method300includes transmitting, by the TX interface of the scaler circuit, the analog value to the voltage supply to increase the discharge rate of the pixels.

In various examples, the method300includes buffering, by the scaler circuit, a third frame. The method300also includes, transmitting, by the scaler circuit, the second frame to the timing controller circuit. Additionally, the method300includes controlling, by the scaler circuit, the voltage supply circuit to maintain the reference voltage based on the frequency of the third frame having a same frequency as a frequency of the second frame. By dynamically adjusting the reference voltage supplied to the pixels, the scaler circuit reduces the stress on the pixels, mitigates flickering, and enhances the user experience.

Referring now toFIG.4, a flow diagram of a method400for controlling reference voltage in a display device (e.g., the display device104,204) in accordance with various examples. The method400may be performed by the electronic device100,200. The method400includes providing, by a first voltage supply circuit (e.g., the voltage supply110,210), a supply voltage to charge pixels (e.g., the pixels122,234) in the display device (402). The method400also includes providing, by a second voltage supply circuit (e.g., the reference voltage supply112,212), a reference voltage to discharge the pixels in the display device (404). Additionally, the method400includes receiving, by a scaler circuit (e.g., the scaler106,206), first and second frames from a processor (e.g., the processor102,202) (406). The method400includes buffering, by the scaler circuit, the second frame (408). Additionally, the method400includes transmitting, by the scaler circuit, the first frame to a timing controller circuit (e.g., the controller108,208) (410). The method400also includes, responsive to a frequency of the second frame differing from a frequency of the first frame, controlling, by the scaler circuit, the second voltage supply circuit to dynamically adjust the reference voltage (412). The method400includes transmitting, by the scaler circuit, the second frame to a timing controller circuit (414).

In some examples, as described above with respect toFIGS.2-3, the method400includes receiving, by a data MUX (e.g., the data MUX216) of the scaler circuit, third and fourth frames from the processor. The method400also includes buffering, by a video processing circuit (e.g., the video circuit220) of the scaler circuit, the third and the fourth frame. Additionally, the method400includes, responsive to a frequency of the third frame having a same frequency as the frequency of the second frame, dynamically controlling, by a scaling circuit (e.g., the scaling circuit224) of the scaler circuit, the second voltage supply circuit to maintain the reference voltage. The method400includes transmitting, by a transmission (TX) interface (e.g., the TX interface226) of the scaler circuit, the third frame. The method400also includes, responsive to a frequency of the fourth frame differing from the frequency of the third frame, dynamically controlling, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, the second voltage supply circuit to adjust the reference voltage. In various examples, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit modifies the reference voltage responsive to a charge of the pixels. For example, responsive to the pixels having a positive charge, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit increases the reference voltage. Responsive to the pixels having a negative charge, the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit decreases the reference voltage.

Referring now toFIG.5, a flow diagram of a method500for controlling reference voltage in a display device (e.g., the display device104,204) in accordance with various examples. The method500may be performed by the electronic device100,200. The method500includes providing, by a first voltage supply circuit (e.g., the voltage supply110,210), a driving signal having a variable frequency to charge pixels (e.g., the pixels122,234) in the display device (502). The method500also includes providing, by a second voltage supply circuit (e.g., the reference voltage supply112,212), a reference signal to discharge the pixels in the display device (504). Additionally, the method500includes determining, by a scaler circuit (e.g., the scaler106,206), that a second image signal is to have a different frequency than a first image signal based on data stored in a buffer of the scaler circuit (506). The method500includes controlling, by the scaler circuit, the second voltage supply circuit to vary an amplitude of the reference voltage based on the determination (508).

As described above with respect toFIGS.1-4, in addition to having a variable frequency, the driving signal that charges the pixels may have a positive voltage or a negative voltage. In various examples, the scaler circuit modifies the reference voltage responsive to a voltage of the driving signal. In some examples, responsive to the driving signal having a positive voltage, the scaler circuit increases the amplitude of the reference signal based on the determination. Responsive to the driving signal having a negative voltage, the scaler circuit decreases the amplitude of the reference signal based on the determination. In other examples, the voltage of the driving signal varies from an upper limit voltage and a lower limit voltage. Responsive to the driving signal having the upper limit voltage, the scaler circuit increases the amplitude of the reference signal based on the determination. Responsive to the driving signal having the lower limit voltage, the scaler circuit decreases the amplitude of the reference signal based on the determination.

In various examples, as described above with respect toFIGS.2-4, the method500includes receiving, by a data MUX (e.g., the data MUX216) of the scaler circuit, the first and the second image signals. The method500also includes buffering, by the buffer (e.g., the video circuit220), the second image signal. Additionally, the method500includes transmitting, by a transmission (TX) interface (e.g., the TX interface226) the first image signal. The method500includes determining, by a scaling circuit (e.g., the scaling circuit224) of the scaler circuit, whether the second image signal that is buffered by the buffer has a different frequency than the first image signal. The method500also includes, determining, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, a discharge rate of the pixels driven by the first image signal. Additionally, the method500includes comparing, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, the discharge rate to the frequency of the second image signal. Based on a determination that the frequency of the second image signal prevents the pixels from discharging before transmission of the second image signal, the method500includes, calculating, by the scaling circuit of the scaler circuit, an amplitude to which to modify the amplitude of the reference voltage signal based on the frequency of the first image signal and the frequency of the second image signal.

Though the actions of the methods300,400,500are depicted sequentially as a matter of convenience, at least some of the actions shown may be performed in a different order or performed in parallel. Additionally, some examples may perform only some of the actions shown. In various examples, at least some of the actions of the methods300,400,500may be implemented as instructions stored in a storage device and executed by a processor.

Referring now toFIG.6, a timing diagram600of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device100,200) for controlling reference voltage in a display device (e.g., the display device104,204) is depicted, in accordance with various examples. The timing diagram600illustrates a reference voltage signal602of the display device for time frames606,608,610,612,614during which images having variable frame rates are rendered. A baseline604illustrates a second reference voltage signal of a second display device for time frames606,608,610,612,614during which images having a non-variable frame rate are rendered.

A duration of the time frames606,608,610,612,614equals the inverse of an image refresh rate. For example, if the image refresh rate for a time frame606is 60 Hz, then a duration of the time frame606equals 1/60 seconds, or 0.016 seconds. As described above with respect toFIGS.1-5, the variable frequency of the image signal results in the duration of the time frames606,608,610,612,614varying. As described above with respect toFIGS.1-5, responsive to the driving signal having a positive voltage, the pixels (e.g., the pixels122,234) have a positive charge, and responsive to the driving signal having a negative voltage, the pixels have a negative charge. To increase the discharge rate of the pixels, a scaler circuit (e.g., the scaler106,206) of the electronic device may increase the reference voltage for pixels having a positive charge and may decrease the reference voltage for pixels having a negative charge utilizing the techniques described above with respect toFIGS.1-5.

For example, the scaler circuit may determine the frequency of the image for display during the time frame608is different than the frequency of the image displayed during the time frame606. Responsive to the pixels having a positive charge, the scaler circuit increases an amplitude of the reference voltage signal602for the time frame606. The scaler circuit may determine the frequency of the image for display during the time frame610is different than the frequency of the image displayed during the time frame608. Responsive to the pixels having a negative charge, the scaler circuit decreases the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame608. The resulting amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame608is less than the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame606. The scaler circuit may determine the frequency of the image for display during the time frame612is different than the frequency of the image displayed during the time frame610. Responsive to the pixels having a positive charge, the scaler circuit increases the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame610. The resulting amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame610is greater than the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame608. The scaler circuit may determine the frequency of the image for display during the time frame614is different than the frequency of the image displayed during the time frame612. Responsive to the pixels having a negative charge, the scaler circuit decreases the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame612. The resulting amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame612is less than the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame610. The scaler circuit may determine the frequency of the image for display during a subsequent time frame (not explicitly shown) to the time frame614is different than the frequency of the image displayed during the time frame614. Responsive to the pixels having a positive charge, the scaler circuit increases the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602. The resulting amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame614is greater than the amplitude of the reference voltage signal602during the time frame612.

The baseline604illustrates the second display device having a static reference voltage. The static reference voltage has a value to balance a voltage supplied by a voltage supply (e.g., the voltage supply110,210) to the pixels. The value to balance the voltage of the voltage supply may be an average value of an upper voltage and a lower voltage supplied to a display panel (e.g., the display panel120,232) by the voltage supply. The static reference voltage may be 3.3 volts (V) for the voltage supply supplying a positive 6 V during a first time frame (e.g., the time frames606,610,614) and supplying a −0.6 V during a second time frame (e.g., the time frames608,612), for example. In some examples, responsive to a non-variable frame rate, the electronic device100,200may control the reference voltage supply to supply the static reference voltage.

By adjusting the reference voltage supplied to the pixels, the electronic device100,200performing the method300,400,500reduces stress on the pixels, mitigates flickering, and enhances the user experience.

The above description is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present description. Numerous variations and modifications become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above description is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

In the figures, certain features and components disclosed herein may be shown in exaggerated scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In some of the figures, in order to improve clarity and conciseness, a component or an aspect of a component may be omitted.

In the above description and in the claims, the term “comprising” is used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to be broad enough to encompass both direct and indirect connections. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. Additionally, the word “or” is used in an inclusive manner. For example, “A or B” means any of the following: “A” alone, “B” alone, or both “A” and “B.”