Method and apparatus for displaying a predetermined image on a display panel of an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation

摘要

A display controller for use within an electronic device includes a dedicated memory and a low power display processor for displaying information when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation (e.g., sleep mode). The memory stores display data for a predetermined image and the display processor supplies the display data to a display panel of the electronic device when the electronic device is operating in the reduced power mode. The display controller may also include a processor interface for receiving control information from the electronic device's device processor to enable the display processor to determine that the electronic device is operating in reduced power mode. The display processor may be configured to scale the stored display data when, due to memory size constraints, the memory stores the display data at a resolution that is different from (e.g., less than) the display panel resolution.

主权项

1. A display controller comprising:
a processor interface configured to receive control information including a periodic pulse from a device processor of an electronic device when the electronic device is operating in a reduced power mode of operation, the control information excluding display data; a memory configured to store display data for a time of day image; a display processor operably coupled to the processor interface and the memory; and a pulse counter coupled between the processor interface and the display processor that receives the periodic pulse at a time interval conducive for updating a time of day included in the time of day image, and send, to the display processor, a count of a number of pulses received by the pulse counter, wherein the display processor is configured to:
determine, based on the count of the number of pulses, a current time of day;update, based on the current time of day, the display data for the time of day image; andprovide the display data for the time of day image to a display panel of the electronic device so as to enable the display panel to display the time of day image.