PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8760363-B2
Application Number: US-57220409-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Systems and methods for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display

Abstract:
Systems and methods for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display are provided. Control circuitry in an electronic device can analyze visual content to determine one or more features of the visual content. For example, the control circuitry can analyze visual content to determine the rate of change and/or color composition of the visual content. Based on the one or more features, the control circuitry can selectively enable the device&#39;s electronic paper display or the device&#39;s video display.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a processor; 
 an electronic paper display electrically coupled with the processor and comprising:
 a plurality of microcapsules; and 
 an electrical conductor disposed between a first pair of the plurality of microcapsules; and 
 
 a video display electrically coupled with the processor and stacked with the electronic paper display such that, when the video display is enabled, at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display, wherein the processor is operative to:
 determine at least one feature of visual content; and
 selectively enable at least one of the electronic paper display and the video display, based on the at least one determined feature, to display the visual content, wherein the electrical conductor is operative to attract particles in the first pair of microcapsules to side walls of the first pair of microcapsules if the video display is enabled, wherein the at least one feature of the visual content comprises a color composition of the visual content, and wherein the processor is operative to: 
 selectively enable the electronic paper display to display to display the visual content if the color composition is below a threshold , and 
 selectively enable the video display to display the visual content if the color composition is above a threshold. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic paper display is stacked over the video display. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic paper display is operative to configure at least a portion of itself to be translucent if the video display is enabled. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one feature of the visual content comprises a rate of change of the visual content; and 
 the processor is operative to:
 selectively enable the electronic paper display to display the visual content if the rate of change is below a threshold; and 
 selectively enable the video display to display the visual content if the rate of change is above a threshold. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic paper display comprises a plurality of electronic paper display regions; 
 the video display comprises a plurality of video display regions, each of which is electrically coupled with the processor; 
 each of the video display regions is stacked with a respective one of the electronic paper display regions to form a plurality of composite display regions; and 
 the processor is operative to:
 divide the visual content into a plurality of content segments, wherein each of the plurality of content segments corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of composite display regions; 
 determine at least one feature of a first segment of the plurality of content segments, the first segment corresponding to a first region of the plurality of composite display regions; and 
 selectively enable, based on the at least one determined feature, at least one of the first region&#39;s electronic paper display region and the first region&#39;s video display region. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of video display regions comprises a plurality of video display panels. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of electronic display regions is operative to configure itself to be translucent if the corresponding video display region is enabled. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feature of the visual content comprises:
 a rate of change of the visual content. 
 
     
     
       9. An electronic device comprising:
 a processor; 
 an electronic paper display electrically coupled with the processor and comprising: 
 a plurality of microcapsules; and 
 an electrical conductor disposed between a first pair of the plurality of microcapsules; and 
 a video display electrically coupled with the processor and stacked with the electronic paper display such that, when the video display is enabled, at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display, wherein the processor is operative to:
 distinguish first content having a color composition above a threshold from second content having a color composition below the threshold; 
 
 selectively enable the electronic paper display to display the second content; and 
 selectively enable the video display to display the first content, wherein the electrical conductor is operative to attract particles in the first pair of microcapsules to side walls of the first pair of microcapsules if the video display is enabled. 
 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 a first region of the electronic paper display overlaps a first region of the video display; and 
 the processor is further operative to configure the first region of the electronic paper display to be substantially translucent if the first region of the video display is enabled. 
 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 10 , wherein the first region of the electronic paper display comprises:
 a plurality of microcapsules; and 
 an electrical conductor disposed between a first pair of the plurality of microcapsules, wherein the electrical conductor is operative to attract particles in the first pair of microcapsules to side walls of the first pair of microcapsules if the video display is enabled. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the electronic paper display comprises a plurality of electronic paper display regions; 
 the video display comprises a plurality of video display regions, each of the video display regions being associated with an electronic paper display region; and 
 the processor is operative to:
 divide visual content into a plurality of segments, each of the segments being associated with an electronic paper display region and a video display region; 
 for each of the plurality of segments, distinguish dynamic visual content having a rate of change above a threshold from static visual content having a rate of change below a threshold; 
 selectively enable at least one electronic paper display region to display static visual content associated with the at least electronic display region; and 
 selectively enable at least one video display region to display dynamic visual content associated with the video display region. 
 
 
     
     
       13. A method for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display, the method comprising:
 determining whether visual content has a color composition above or below a threshold; and 
 selectively enabling one of an electronic paper display and a video display, based on whether the color composition of the visual content is above or below the threshold, to display the visual content, wherein: 
 the electronic paper display is stacked over the video display in an electronic device such that, when the video display is enabled, at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 configuring at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent if the video display is enabled. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein selectively enabling one of an electronic paper display and a video display to display the visual content comprises: transmitting a display signal to the electronic paper display if a rate of change of the visual contents is below a threshold; and
 transmitting a display signal to the video display if the rate of change is above the threshold. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein selectively enabling one of an electronic paper display and a video display to display the visual content comprises:
 transmitting a display signal to the electronic paper display if the color composition is below a threshold; and 
 transmitting a display signal to the video display if the color composition is above a threshold. 
 
     
     
       17. A method for switching between an electronic paper and a video display, the method comprising:
 dividing visual content into a plurality of visual content segments, wherein each of the plurality of visual content segments corresponds to a region of a composite display; 
 determining whether of a first visual content segment of the plurality of visual content segments has a color composition that is above or below a threshold, wherein: 
 the first visual content segment corresponds to a first region of the composite display; 
 in response to determining whether the color composition of the first visual content segment is above or below the threshold, selectively enabling one of an electronic paper display and a video display to display the first visual content segment; 
 determining at least one feature of a second visual content segment of the plurality of visual content segments, wherein: the second visual content segment corresponds to a second region of the composite display; and 
 the at least one feature of the second visual content segment comprises a rate of change of the second visual content segment and a color composition of the second visual content segment; and 
 in response to determining the at least one feature of the second visual content segment, selectively enabling one of the electronic paper display and the video display to display the second visual content segment, wherein the video display is stacked with the electronic paper display in an electronic device such that, when the video display is enabled, at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 in response to selectively enabling the video display, configuring at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent. 
 
     
     
       19. A method for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display, the method comprising:
 determining a rate of change of visual content; 
 in response to determining that the rate of change is above a first threshold, enabling a video display to display the visual content; 
 determining a color composition of the visual content; 
 in response to determining that the color composition the visual content is above a second threshold, enabling the video display to display the visual content; and 
 in response to determining that the rate of change is below the first threshold and the color composition is below the second threshold, enabling an electronic paper display to display the visual content, wherein the video display is stacked with the electronic paper display in an electronic device such that, when the video display is enabled, at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display. 
 
     
     
       20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium for an electronic device, the computer readable storage medium comprising:
 a first instruction code for determining at least one feature of visual content; 
 wherein the at least one feature of the visual content comprises a rate of change of the visual content and a color composition of the visual content; 
 a second instruction code for determining whether the color composition of the visual content is above or below a threshold; 
 a third instruction code for selectively enabling one of an electronic paper display and a video display that are stacked together in the electronic device, based on the determined feature and based on whether the color composition of the visual content is above or below the threshold , to display the visual content; and 
 a fourth instruction code for configuring, in response to enabling the video display, at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent such that at least a portion of the video display is viewable by a user through a least a portion of the electronic paper display.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This is directed to electronic devices with multiple displays. In particular, this is directed to systems and methods for displaying visual content on a combination of electronic paper and video displays. 
     Traditional electronic devices include a single display for outputting visual content. For example, a traditional device may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display for outputting color visual content. In another example, a traditional device may include an electronic paper display for outputting black-and-white visual content using minimal power. The type of display included in a traditional electronic device is typically based on an assumption about the visual content it will most often display because different types of displays may be optimal, in performance or efficiency, for different types of visual content. For example, an LCD or OLED display may be optimal for high-resolution or dynamic color content while an electronic paper display may be optimal for relatively static black-and-white content. However, a traditional device may display multiple types of visual content even though its display may only be optimal for a single type of visual content. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This is directed to systems and methods for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display based on at least one feature of visual content. 
     Control circuitry in an electronic device can analyze visual content to determine one or more features of the visual content. For example, the control circuitry can analyze visual content to determine the rate of change and/or color composition of the visual content. Based on the one or more features, the control circuitry can selectively enable the device&#39;s electronic paper display or the device&#39;s video display. 
     In some embodiments, portions of a device&#39;s electronic paper display and video display may be selectively enabled based on the visual content to be displayed in that portion. For example, an electronic device may divide visual content into different segments (e.g., different regions of a screen), analyze each segment, and then selectively enable a combination of electronic paper display regions and video display regions based on the visual content of each segment. 
     In some embodiments, the electronic paper display and the video display may each be stacked vertically. For example, the electronic paper display can be stacked over the video display or the video display can be stacked over the electronic paper display. In some embodiments, an electronic device may direct the electronic paper display or the video display to configure itself to be translucent. For example, if an electronic paper display is stacked over a video display and the video display is selectively enabled, the electronic display may direct the electronic paper display to configure itself into a translucent state so that the video display is visible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of an illustrative electronic device for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic views of an illustrative electronic device for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of an illustrative electronic paper display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views of an illustrative electronic paper display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cross-sectional views of an illustrative electronic paper display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an illustrative display for configuring a device to switch between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an illustrative process for switching between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This is directed to systems and methods for switching between electronic paper and video displays in an electronic device based on at least one feature of visual content.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic device for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. For example, electronic device  100  can switch between an electronic paper and a video display based on at least one feature of visual content. Electronic device  100  can include control circuitry  101 , storage  102 , memory  103 , communications circuitry  104 , input interface  105 , electronic paper display  106 , and video display  107 . In some embodiments, one or more of the components of electronic device  100  can be combined or omitted. For example, storage  102  and memory  103  can be combined into a single mechanism for storing data. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  can include other components not combined or included in those shown in  FIG. 1 , such as a power supply (e.g., a battery or kinetics) or a bus. In some embodiments, electronic device  100  can include several instances of the components shown in  FIG. 1  but, for the sake of simplicity, only one of each of the components is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Electronic device  100  can include any suitable type of electronic device operative to play back music. For example, electronic device  100  can include a media player such as an iPod® available from Apple Inc., of 
     Cupertino, California, a cellular telephone, a personal e-mail or messaging device (e.g., a Blackberry® or a Sidekick®), an iPhone® available from Apple Inc., pocket-sized personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), a laptop computer, a cyclocomputer, a music recorder, a video recorder, a camera, and any other suitable electronic device. In some cases, electronic device  100  can perform a single function (e.g., a device dedicated to playing music) and in other cases, electronic device  100  can perform multiple functions (e.g., a device that plays music, displays video, stores pictures, and receives and transmits telephone calls). 
     Control circuitry  101  can include any processing circuitry or processor operative to control the operations and performance of an electronic device of the type of electronic device  100 . Storage  102  and memory  103 , which can be combined can include, for example, one or more storage mediums or memory used in an electronic device of the type of electronic device  100 . In particular, storage  102  and memory  103  can store visual content and/or information related to visual content stored such as the rate of change or color composition of the visual content. 
     Communications circuitry  104  can include any suitable communications circuitry operative to connect to a communications network and to transmit communications (e.g., voice or data) from device  100  to other devices within the communications network. Communications circuitry  104  can be operative to interface with the communications network using any suitable communications protocol such as, for example, Wi-Fi (e.g., a 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth®, radio frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communication systems), cellular networks (e.g., GSM, AMPS, GPRS, CDMA, EV-DO, EDGE, 3GSM, DECT, IS-136/TDMA, iDen, LTE or any other suitable cellular network or protocol), infrared, TCP/IP (e.g., any of the protocols used in each of the TCP/IP layers), HTTP, BitTorrent, FTP, RTP, RTSP, SSH, Voice over IP (VOIP), any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, communications circuitry  104  can be operative to provide wired communications paths for electronic device  100 . 
     Input interface  105  can include any suitable mechanism or component for receiving inputs from a user. In some embodiments, input interface  105  can include a touch interface for receiving touch inputs from a user. For example, input interface  105  can include a capacitive touch assembly for receiving touch inputs from a user. In some embodiments, input interface  105  can include a touch interface for receiving touch inputs from a user that include multi-touch gestures. Input interface  105  can also include circuitry operative to convert (and encode/decode, if necessary) analog signals and other signals into digital data, for example in any manner typical of an electronic device of the type of electronic device  100 . 
     Electronic paper display  106  may include any suitable electronic ink display. In some embodiments, electronic paper display  106  may include an electronic paper display incorporating E Ink available from E Ink 
     Corporation of Cambridge, Mass. Electronic paper display  106  may include individually addressable microcapsules (e.g., microglobules), and each microcapsule may contain particles of different colors. For example, each microcapsule may contain white and black particles suspended in a fluid. Particles of different colors may have different charges, and the particles within a microcapsule may be configured by applying a charge to the microcapsule. For example, applying a negative electric charge under a microcapsule may repel all positively charged particles in the microcapsule to the top of the microcapsule, and the microcapsule may appear to be the color of the positively charged particles. In some embodiments, electronic paper display  106  may be configured to be translucent. A more detailed discussion of techniques for configuring an electronic paper display to be translucent can be found in connection with the description of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     Electronic paper display  106  can display visual content in black-and-white or grayscale. In some embodiments, electronic paper display  106  can display visual content in color. Electronic paper display  106  can display visual content at any suitable brightness level or resolution. In some embodiments, the brightness level or resolution of electronic paper display  106  can be adjusted by a user (e.g., through display configuration options). Electronic paper display  106  can be electrically coupled with control circuitry  101 , storage  102 , memory  103 , any other suitable components within device  100 , or any combination thereof. Electronic paper display  106  can display visual content stored in device  100  (e.g., stored in storage or memory in the device) or generated by device  100  (e.g., generated by a processor in the device). 
     In some embodiments, portions of electronic paper display  106  may be independently enabled. For example, portions of display  106  may be activated to provide visual content while other portions of the display may be configured to be translucent. In some embodiments, electronic paper display  106  may include multiple regions that can be independently enabled. For example, a region of display  106  may be disposed at a particular location of the display, and that region may provide a segment of visual content corresponding to that location (e.g., lower right-hand corner). In some embodiments, electronic paper display  106  may include a single panel that has been divided into regions for controlling the display. In other embodiments, electronic paper display  106  may include multiple panels and each panel may correspond to a region of the display. 
     Video display  107  can include any suitable component for displaying dynamic visual content in color (e.g., videos). For example, video display  107  can include a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic liquid crystal display (OLCD), a plasma display, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED), organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), or any other suitable type of display. In some embodiments, video display  107  can include an active-matrix display for controlling individual pixels. In some embodiments, video display  107  may not require a backlight to be visible. For example, video display  107  can include an OLED display that does not require a backlight. Video display  107  can display visual content in black-and-white, color, or a combination of the two. Video display  107  can display visual content at any suitable brightness level or resolution. In some embodiments, the brightness level or resolution of video display  107  can be adjusted by a user (e.g., through display configuration options). Video display  107  can be electrically coupled with control circuitry  101 , storage  102 , memory  103 , any other suitable components within device  100 , or any combination thereof. Video display  107  can display visual content stored in device  100  (e.g., stored in storage or memory in the device) or generated by device  100  (e.g., generated by a processor in the device). 
     In some embodiments, portions of video display  107  may be independently enabled. For example, portions of display  107  may be activated to provide visual content while other portions of the display remain inactive. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous for video display  107  to operate without a backlight so that select portions of the display can be enabled without illuminating the entire display. For example, video display  107  may include an OLED display that can selectively enable individual pixels of a display without applying a backlight to the entire display. In some embodiments, video display  107  may include multiple regions that can be independently enabled. For example, a region of video display  107  may be disposed at a particular location of the display, and that region may provide a segment of visual content corresponding to that location (e.g., lower right-hand corner). In some embodiments, video display  107  may include a single panel that has been divided into regions for controlling the display. In other embodiments, video display  107  may include multiple panels with independently activated backlights, and each panel may correspond to a region of the display. 
     As previously described, an electronic device can switch between an electronic paper display and a video display based on one or more features of visual content. For example, a device can display visual content with a low rate of change and/or simple color composition on an electronic paper display and visual content with a high rate of change or detailed color composition on a video display.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are, respectively, a schematic view and a cross-sectional view of device  200  for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Device  200  may include any suitable electronic device with an electronic paper display and a video display (see, e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Device  200  may include housing  202  and one or more mechanisms, components, or circuitry interior to or embedded in housing  202  (see, e.g., control circuitry  101 , storage  102 , memory  103 , communications circuitry  104 , input interface  105 , electronic paper display  106 , and video display  107 , all of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Device  200  can include composite display  210  for presenting visual content to a user. Composite display  210  can be electrically coupled with control circuitry in device  200  (see, e.g., control circuitry  101  shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, composite display  210  can be electrically coupled with graphics circuitry or a processor in device  200 . Composite display  210  can display visual content that is stored in device  200  (e.g., stored in storage or memory in the device) or generated by device  200  (e.g., generated by a processor in the device). Composite display  210  can include multiple displays based on different technologies. For example, composite display  210  can include electronic paper display  216  (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ) and video display  217  (see, e.g., video display  107  shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, at least a portion of electronic paper display  206  may be stacked over video display  207  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2B ). For example, at least a portion of electronic paper display  206  may overlap video display  207 . In such embodiments, device  200  can configure electronic paper display  206 , or a portion thereof, to be translucent when video display  207  is providing visual content. For example, when video display  207  is providing visual content, device  200  may configure at least the portion of electronic paper display  206  that overlaps the visual content to be translucent. In some embodiments, electronic paper display  206  may overlap all of video display  207 . In such embodiments, device  200  may configure the entire electronic paper display  206  to be translucent when video display  207  is providing visual content. 
     Composite display  210  can be any suitable shape. For example, composite display  210  may be a rectangular shape (e.g., having a 16:9 aspect ratio). In some embodiments, device  200  may also include an input interface for receiving user inputs (see, e.g., input interface  105 ). For example, device  200  can include touch interface  205  for use in conjunction with composite display  210 . Continuing the example, touch interface  205  may be translucent and may overlap at least a portion of composite display  210 . The combination of composite display  210  and touch interface  205  can form a touch screen that can both display visual content to a user and receive touch inputs from the user. 
     In some embodiments, device  200  can switch between electronic paper display  206  and video display  207  based on at least one feature of visual content. For example, device  200  may analyze visual content to determine one or more feature of the visual content and then, based on the determined one or more feature, display the visual content on electronic paper display  206 , video display  207 , or a combination thereof. As previously described, features of visual content can include any suitable features. In some embodiments, a device can switch between an electronic paper display and a video display based on at least one feature that includes the color composition of the content. For example, when visual content has a simple color composition, device  200  can provide the visual content through electronic paper display  206  (e.g., in black-and-white or grayscale). Continuing the example, when visual content has a complex color composition, device  200  can provide the visual content through video display  207  (e.g., in robust color). In this manner, device  200  can provide visual content on a display appropriate for the color composition of the content. In some embodiments, a device can switch between an electronic paper display and a video display based on at least one feature that includes the content&#39;s rate of change. For example, when visual content has a low rate of change (e.g., relatively static content such as text), device  200  can provide the visual content through electronic paper display  206 . Continuing the example, when visual content has a high rate of change (e.g., relatively dynamic content such as video), device  200  can provide the visual content through video display  207 . 
     In some embodiments, a composite display may include regions that can be independently switched between a portion of an electronic paper display and a portion of a video display. For example, a composite display may be divided into quadrants and each quadrant may be independently switching between a corresponding region of an electronic paper display and a corresponding region of a video display.  FIG. 3  is a schematic view of device  300  for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Device  300  may include any suitable electronic device with an electronic paper display and a video display (see, e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Device  300  may include housing  302  and one or more mechanisms, components, or circuitry interior to or embedded in housing  302  (see, e.g., control circuitry  101 , storage  102 , memory  103 , communications circuitry  104 , input interface  105 , electronic paper display  106 , and video display  107 , all of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, device  300  can include touch interface  305  (see, e.g., input interface  105  shown in  FIG. 1  and touch interface  205  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) for receiving user inputs. 
     Device  300  can include composite display  310  with multiple composite display regions. For example, composite display  310  can include composite display regions  311 - 314 . Each of composite display regions  311 - 314  can include an electronic paper display region and a corresponding video display region. For example, composite display  310  can include an electronic paper display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1  and electronic paper display  206  shown in  FIG. 2B ) and a video display (see, e.g., video display  107  shown in  FIG. 1  and video display  207  shown in  FIG. 2B ). Accordingly, each of composite display regions  311 - 314  may include a portion of the electronic paper display and a corresponding portion of the video display. Composite display regions  311 - 314  may be independently switched between the corresponding portion of the electronic paper display and the corresponding portion of the video display based on one or more features of visual content. In some embodiments, device  300  may determine one or more features of different segments of visual content, whereby each segment corresponds to one of composite display regions  311 - 314 . For example, device  300  may determine a feature of an upper left-hand segment of visual content and then direct composite display region  311  to provide the segment through either an electronic paper display or a video display based on the determined feature. In this manner, each of composite display regions  311 - 314  can display visual content through either a portion of an electronic paper display or a portion of a video display based on one or more features of the corresponding segment of visual content. 
     In some embodiments, composite display regions  311 - 314  may include separate panels for selectively enabling a video display. For example, a video display can include multiple panels, and each panel can correspond to one of composite display regions  311 - 314 . In some embodiments, a video display may include multiple panels with independently activated backlights. Accordingly, a video display that requires a backlight for illumination can be divided into different panels and each panel can be selectively enabled without illuminating the other panels. In some embodiments, both an electronic paper display and a video display can be divided into panels. In other embodiments, an electronic paper display can be a single panel with multiple regions while a video display may be divided into panels. 
     While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3  includes four composite display regions that each correspond to a quadrant of the composite display, it is understood that any suitable number of composite display regions or configuration of composite display regions can be implemented in accordance with the disclosure. For example, a composite display may include three composite display regions and each composite display region may extend from the left side of the display to the right side of the display while covering a third of the vertical height of the display. In other embodiments, a composite display may include 16, 64 or 256 composite display regions that are arranged in a grid. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic device can configure an electronic paper display or a portion of an electronic paper display to be translucent. For example, an electronic device can configure an electronic paper display or a portion thereof to transmit at least 50% of the light incident on the display, at least 60% of the light incident on the display, at least 70% of the light incident on the display, at least 80% of the light incident on the display, at least 90% of the light incident on the display, 100% of the light incident on the display, or any other suitable amount of light incident on the display. An electronic device can configure an electronic paper display or a portion thereof to be translucent so that a user can see visual content provided by a video display under the electronic paper display (see, e.g., video display  207  under electronic paper display  206 , both of which are shown in  FIG. 2B ). An electronic device can configure an electronic paper display or a portion thereof to be translucent using any suitable technique. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic paper display can be configured to be translucent by changing the state of material in the display. An electronic paper display may include individually addressable microcapsules, each of which can include particles of different colors, and the particles may have different properties depending on the state of the particles. For example, the particles may appear a particular color in a solid state (e.g., white or black) but appear translucent in a gaseous state. In such embodiments, the electronic paper display or a portion thereof may be configured to be translucent by changing the state of the particles. For example, an electronic paper display can heat particles to convert them from solid to gas and, therefore, configure the electronic paper display to be translucent. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of electronic paper display  406  that can be configured to be translucent in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display  406  may include any suitable electronic paper display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Display  406  may be located within or embedded in the housing of an electronic device (see, e.g., housing  202  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Electronic paper display  406  may overlap at least a portion of a video display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  206  and video display  207 , both of which are shown in  FIG. 2B ). Electronic paper display  406  may be located adjacent to a touch interface (see, e.g., touch interface  205  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and the combination of the touch interface and display  406  may function as a touch screen. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , electronic paper display  406  can include microcapsules with charged particles. Each microcapsule in display  406  may contain white and black particles suspended in a fluid. For example, microcapsule  410  may include white particles  412  and black particles  414 . Particles of different colors may have different charges, and the particles within a microcapsule may be configured by applying a charge to the microcapsule. For example, white particles  412  may have a positive charge and display  406  may apply a positive electrical charge at the bottom of microcapsule  410  to repel white particles  412  to the top of microcapsule  410 . In this example, microcapsule  410  may appear as a white pixel to a user. 
     In some situations, a device may configure electronic paper display  406  or a portion thereof to be translucent. For example, a device may configure electronic paper display  406  to be translucent if a video display underneath display  406  is providing visual content (see, e.g., video display  207  underneath electronic paper display  206 , both of which are shown in  FIG. 2B ). As shown in  FIG. 4B , electronic paper display  406  may be configured to be translucent by changing the state of material in the display. For example, the state of particles  412  and  414 , as well as other particles in other microcapsules, can be changed to gas and render the display translucent. The state of particles in an electronic paper display can be changed using any suitable technique. In some embodiments, display  406  may generate heat to change the state of the particles in the display. For example, display  406  may generate heat using any suitable technique to change particles  412  and  414  to a gaseous state that is translucent. In some embodiments, display  406  may generate heat by applying a relatively high voltage to the microcapsules so that a substantial amount of current passes through the microcapsules. In some embodiments, display  406  may generate heat by operating an induction heater located near the microcapsules. In some embodiments, an electronic paper display that has been configured to be translucent may be selectively enabled by removing heat. For example, display  406  may remove heat using any suitable technique to return the display&#39;s particles to a solid state for providing visual content. In some embodiments, display  406  may remove heat by applying a heat sink to the display&#39;s microcapsules. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic paper display can be configured to be translucent by moving the display&#39;s microcapsules. As previously discussed, an electronic paper display can include multiple microcapsules with colored particles (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1  and electronic paper display  406  shown in  FIG. 4A ). In some embodiments, the display&#39;s microcapsules can be moved to a storage area to configure the display to be translucent. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views of electronic paper display  506  that can be configured to be translucent in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display  506  may include any suitable electronic paper display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Display  506  may be located within or embedded in the housing of an electronic device (see, e.g., housing  202  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Electronic paper display  506  may overlap at least a portion of a video display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  206  and video display  207 , both of which are shown in  FIG. 2B ). Electronic paper display  506  may be located adjacent to a touch interface (see, e.g., touch interface  205  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and the combination of the touch interface and display  506  may function as a touch screen. 
     Electronic paper display  506  can include microcapsules with charged particles. For example, display  506  can include microcapsule  510  with charged particles (see, e.g., microcapsule  410  shown in  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, an electronic paper display may include concave surfaces for aligning microcapsules. For example, display  506  may include concave surfaces  521 - 524  and each of the concave surfaces may be shaped to accept a microcapsule. In some embodiments, electrical conductors may be integrated into concave surfaces  521 - 524  so that microcapsules can be electrically charged to change their appearance. Electronic paper display  506  can also include storage area  503  for storing microcapsules. As shown in  FIG. 5B , display  506  can be configured to be translucent by moving microcapsules in the display to storage area  503 . For example, microcapsule  510  can be moved from concave surface  511  to storage area  503 . Microcapsules in an electronic paper display can be moved using any suitable technique. In some embodiments, microcapsules in display  506  can be moved using a mechanical force. For example, a structure can push microcapsules into storage area  503 . In another example, pressurized air can push microcapsules into storage area  503 . In some embodiments microcapsules in display  506  can be moved using a magnetic force. For example, a relatively strong magnetic field can be applied to repel or attract microcapsules into storage area  503 . In some embodiments, an electronic paper display that has been configured to be translucent may be selectively enabled by moving the display&#39;s microcapsules back into active position. For example, microcapsules in display  506  may be moved into active position using any suitable technique. As previously discussed, microcapsules in display  506  may be moved using a mechanical or magnetic force and, in some embodiments, the same technique used to move the microcapsules into storage area  503  may also be used to restore the microcapsules to their previous location. In some embodiments, concave surfaces  521 - 524  may be similarly shaped so that each surface can accept any microcapsule in display  506 . In such embodiments, microcapsules can be moved back into active position without necessarily returning to the same concave surface. For example, microcapsule  510  can be moved into any of surfaces  520 - 524  when display  506  is enabled. 
     In some embodiments, display  506  may be vibrated to assist the movement of microcapsules in the display. For example, display  506  may be vibrated to assist the movement of microcapsules from concave surfaces  520 - 524  to storage area  503  or from storage area  503  to concave surfaces  520 - 524 . For example, a device may include a vibrator (e.g., for providing “silent” telephone alerts) and that vibrator may be activated to assist the movement of microcapsules in the electronic paper display. 
     In some embodiments, an electronic paper display can be configured to be translucent by pulling particles within the display&#39;s microcapsules to the side. As previously discussed, an electronic paper display can include multiple microcapsules with colored particles (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1  and electronic paper display  406  shown in  FIG. 4A ). In some embodiments, an electronic paper display&#39;s microcapsules may be elongated to create relatively large side walls and the colored particles in the display&#39;s microcapsules can be moved to the side of the microcapsules to configure the display to be translucent. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are cross-sectional views of electronic paper display  606  that can be configured to be translucent in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Display  606  may include any suitable electronic paper display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Display  606  may be located within or embedded in the housing of an electronic device (see, e.g., housing  202  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). Electronic paper display  606  may overlap at least a portion of a video display (see, e.g., electronic paper display  206  and video display  207 , both of which are shown in  FIG. 2B ). Electronic paper display  606  may be located adjacent to a touch interface (see, e.g., touch interface  205  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and the combination of the touch interface and display  606  may function as a touch screen. 
     Electronic paper display  606  can include microcapsules with charged particles. For example, display  606  can include microcapsule  610  with charged white particles  612  and charged black particles  614  as well as microcapsule  615  with charged white particles  617  and charged black particles  619  (see, e.g., microcapsule  410 , white particles  412  and black particles  414 , each of which is shown in  FIG. 4A ). In some embodiments, microcapsules in display  606  may be oriented vertically with a relatively elongated shape. In embodiments where an electronic paper display can be configured to be translucent by pulling particles within the display&#39;s microcapsules to the side, it may be advantageous to use vertically elongated microcapsules because such microcapsules may have a larger side wall and, therefore, particles can form a thinner layer along the side wall that is less visible to a user. In some embodiments, an electronic paper display may include electrical conductors extending between the microcapsules for repel or attracting colored particles within the microcapsules. For example, display  606  may include electrical conductors  620 - 623 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , display  606  can be configured to be translucent by applying an electric charge to electrical conductors  620 - 623 . For example, a negative charge can be applied to electrical conductor  621  to attract positively-charged white particles  612  and  617  while repelling negatively-charged black particles  614  and  619 . In some embodiments, alternating electrical charges can be applied to conductors  620 - 623  so that, while one conductor is repelling a certain type of particle (see, e.g., negatively-charged conductor  621  and negatively-charged black particles  614  and  619 ), an adjacent conductor is attracting that type of particle (see, e.g., positively-charged conductor  622  and negatively-charged black particles  619 ). In some embodiments, an electronic paper display that has been configured to be translucent may be selectively enabled by removing the charge from electrical conductors in the display. For example, a neutral charge (e.g., ground) can be applied to conductors  620 - 623  so that they do not exert any force on the colored particles. While  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show relatively wide electrical conductors (e.g., a width that is approximately one third that of the microcapsules), it is understood that narrower electrical conductors may be advantageous because they may allow for higher microcapsule density. 
     In some embodiments, a user can configure a system to specify if and how a device switches between an electronic paper display and a video display. A user may be able to configure any aspect of determining one or more features of visual content and switching between displays based on the one or more determined features. For example, a user may be able to specify which feature of the visual content can be the basis for switching between displays.  FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an illustrative display for configuring a device to switch between electronic paper and video displays in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Screen  700  can be provided by an electronic device (e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 ). Screen  700  can be provided through an electronic paper display (e.g., electronic paper display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ) or a video display (e.g., video display  107  shown in  FIG. 1 ). An electronic device can provide display screen  700  as part of the device&#39;s configuration options. In some embodiments, an electronic device can provide screen  700  when a user accesses the configuration options for displays. Screen  700  can include options for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display based on one or more determined features of visual content. As seen in  FIG. 7 , screen  700  can include a title such as “Hybrid Display” to represent, in lay terms, the features associated with configuration screen  700 . Option  702  can correspond to enabling an electronic paper display. If option  702  is switched off, the electronic device may not use an electronic paper display at all. For example, if option  702  is switched off, the electronic device may only use a video display to display visual content. If option  702  is switched on, the electronic device may enable the electronic paper display based on one or more features of visual content. Option  704  can correspond to enabling a video display. If option  704  is switched off, the electronic device may not use a video display at all. For example, if option  704  is switched off, the electronic device may only use an electronic paper display to display visual content. If option  704  is switched on, the electronic device may enable the video display based on one or more features of visual content. 
     In some embodiments, a configuration screen can include an option for specifying if an electronic device can independently switch regions of a composite display between portions of an electronic paper display and corresponding portions of a video display. For example, option  706  may correspond to independently switching regions of a composite display (see, e.g., device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ). If option  706  is turned off, the electronic device may not switch individual regions of a display based on a feature of visual content. For example, if option  706  is turned off, the electronic device may switch between an entire electronic paper display or an entire video display based on one or more features of visual content. If option  706  is turned on, the electronic device may independently switch regions of a composite display between portions of an electronic paper display and corresponding portions of a video display based on one or more features of visual content. 
     In some embodiments, a configuration screen can include options for specifying which features of visual content a device can determine before switching between electronic paper and video displays. Option  708  may correspond to the rate of change of visual content. Rate of change can include any suitable measure of change in visual content (e.g., new frames per second). For example, visual content&#39;s rate of change can be categorized as low (e.g., static text), high (e.g., dynamic video) or any other suitable category. Visual content&#39;s rate of change may be determined by control circuitry in an electronic device (see, e.g., control circuitry  101  shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, visual content&#39;s rate of change can be determined by graphics circuitry or a processor. If option  708  is turned off, the electronic device may not switch displays based on the visual content&#39;s rate of change. If option  708  is turned on, the electronic device may determine visual content&#39;s rate of change and then switch between displays based on the determined rate of change. For example, the electronic device may display relatively static content on an electronic paper display and relatively dynamic content on a video display. 
     Option  710  may correspond to the color composition of visual content. Color composition can include any suitable measure of the color in visual content. For example, the color composition of visual content can be categorized as black-and-white, grayscale, color or any other suitable category. The color composition of visual content may be determined by control circuitry in an electronic device (see, e.g., control circuitry  101  shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example, color composition of visual content can be determined by graphics circuitry or a processor. If option  710  is turned off, the electronic device may not switch displays based on the visual content&#39;s color composition. If option  710  is turned on, the electronic device may determine the color composition of visual content and then switch between displays based on the determined color composition. For example, the electronic device may display black-and-white or grayscale content on an electronic paper display and color content on a video display. 
     While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  includes options  708  and  710  corresponding to particular features of visual content for switching between electronic paper and video displays, it is understood that any suitable feature of visual content or any combination thereof can be the basis for switching between electronic paper and video displays. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of illustrative process  800  for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process  800  can be performed by any suitable electronic device (e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , device  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  or device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Process  800  can begin with block  810 . 
     At block  810 , one or more features of visual content can be determined. For example, a device can determine visual content&#39;s rate of change and/or color composition. As previously described, any suitable feature of visual content can be determined in accordance with the disclosure. A feature of visual content can be determined using any suitable circuitry within the device. For example, graphics circuitry or a processor may determine the visual content&#39;s rate of change by monitoring display driver signals. 
     At block  820 , one of an electronic paper display and a video display can be selectively enabled, based on the determined feature, to display the visual content. As previously described, a device can enable either an electronic paper display or a video display to display the visual content. The device may use the determined at least one feature to enable the most appropriate device for the visual content. For example, if the determined feature indicates that the visual content is relatively dynamic, the device may enable the video display. In another example, if the determined feature indicates that the visual content has a low color composition, the device may enable the electronic paper display. 
     In some embodiments, process  800  may further include configuring at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent. For example, if the video display is enabled at block  820 , the device can configure at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent so that the video display is visible to a user. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of illustrative process  900  for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process  900  can be performed by any suitable electronic device (e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , device  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  or device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Process  900  can begin with block  910 . In some embodiments, process  900  can be performed by an electronic device that includes a composite display with multiple regions (e.g., device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     At block  910 , visual content can be divided into visual content segments. For example, a device can divide visual content into multiple segments and each segment can correspond to a region of a display. As previously discussed in connection with  FIG. 3 , visual content can be divided using any suitable technique into any suitable number of segments. 
     At block  920 , at least one feature of a first visual content segment can be determined. For example, a device can determine the first segment&#39;s rate of change and/or color composition. As previously described, any suitable feature of a visual content segment can be determined in accordance with the disclosure. A feature of a visual content segment can be determined using any suitable circuitry within the device. For example, graphics circuitry or a processor may determine the segment&#39;s rate of change by monitoring display driver signals. 
     At block  930 , one of an electronic paper display and a video display can be selectively enabled to display the first visual content segment. As previously described, a device can enable either an electronic paper display or a video display to display the visual content. 
     The device may use the determined at least one feature to enable the most appropriate device for the visual content. For example, if the determined feature indicates that the visual content is relatively dynamic, the device may enable the video display. In another example, if the determined feature indicates that the visual content has a low color composition, the device may enable the electronic paper display. The enabled display may provide the first segment of the visual content. In some embodiments, only a portion of the display may be enabled (e.g., a panel of a video display). 
     At block  940 , at least one feature of a second visual content segment can be determined. With the exception of the second visual content segment, block  940  may be substantially similar to block  920  and the previous description of the latter can be applied to the former. 
     At block  950 , one of an electronic paper display and a video display can be selectively enabled to display the second visual content segment. With the exception of the second visual content segment, block  950  may be substantially similar to block  930  and the previous description of the latter can be applied to the former. In some embodiments, different display may be enabled for displaying different visual content segments. For example, the electronic paper display may be enabled for displaying the first visual content segment while the video display may be enabled for displaying the second visual content segment. Accordingly, each visual content segment can be displayed on the most appropriate display for that segment. 
     In some embodiments, process  900  may further include configuring at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent. For example, if the video display is enabled at block  930  or block  950 , the device can configure at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent so that the video display is visible to a user. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of illustrative process  1000  for switching between an electronic paper display and a video display in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Process  1000  can be performed by any suitable electronic device (e.g., device  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , device  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  or device  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Process  1000  can begin with block  1010 . 
     At block  1010 , a rate of change of visual content can be determined. For example, a device can determine if the visual content is relatively static or dynamic. The rate of change of visual content can be determined using any suitable circuitry within the device. For example, graphics circuitry or a processor may determine the visual content&#39;s rate of change by monitoring display driver signals. 
     At decision node  1020 , a device can determine whether the rate of change is above a first threshold. For example, a device can compare the rate of change to a threshold to determine if the visual content is relatively static (e.g., below the threshold) or relatively dynamic (e.g., above the threshold). If the rate of change is above the first threshold, process  1000  can proceed to block  1040 . At block  1040 , a video display can be enabled to display the visual content. As previously described, a device can use the rate of change to enable the most appropriate device for the visual content. For example, the video display may be the most appropriate device for displaying dynamic visual content. It may be disadvantageous to use an electronic paper display to display such content because the energy savings typically associated with electronic paper displays may be mitigated when the display changes often. 
     Returning to decision node  1020 , process  1000  can proceed to block  1030  if the rate of change is not above the first threshold. At block  1030 , a color composition of the visual content can be determined. For example, a device can determine if the visual content is black-and-white, grayscale or color. The color composition of visual content can be determined using any suitable circuitry within the device. For example, graphics circuitry or a processor may determine the visual content&#39;s color composition by monitoring display driver signals. 
     At decision node  1050 , a device can determine whether the color composition is above a second threshold. For example, a device can compare the color composition to a threshold to determine if the visual content has a black-and-white or grayscale color composition (e.g., below the threshold) or a relatively complex color composition (e.g., above the threshold). 
     If the color composition is above the first threshold, process  1000  can proceed to block  1040 . As previously described, a device can use the color composition to enable the most appropriate device for the visual content. For example, the video display may be the most appropriate device for displaying visual content with a complex color composition that includes many different colors. It may be disadvantageous to use an electronic paper display to display such content because electronic paper displays typically have limited color range. 
     Returning to decision node  1050 , process  1000  can proceed to block  1060  if the color composition is not above the first threshold. At block  1060 , an electronic paper display can be enabled to display the visual content. As previously described, a device can selectively enable an electronic paper display to display visual content if the visual content is relatively static and has a simple color composition (e.g., black-and-white or grayscale). It can be advantageous to provide such visual content through an electronic paper display because the display can operate in a more energy-efficient manner and cause less strain to a user&#39;s eyes than a video display. 
     In some embodiments, process  1000  may further include configuring at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent. For example, if the video display is enabled at block  1040 , the device can configure at least a portion of the electronic paper display to be translucent so that the video display is visible to a user. 
     In some embodiments, process  1000  may further include dividing visual content into multiple segments that each correspond to a region of a composite display. For example, a device can divide visual content into multiple segments, determine the rate of change and/or color composition of each segment, and then enable either a video display or an electronic paper display accordingly. 
     The various embodiments of the invention may be implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium can be any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of a computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The above described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20091001
Publication Date: 20140624
Grant Date: 20140624
Priority Date: 20091001
Inventors: LIN GLORIA
HODGE ANDREW
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G09G3/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2320/103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/023", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2330/021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/344", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2320/103", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2330/021", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G3/344", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09G2300/023", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 43034629