Methods for enhancing longevity in electronic device displays

摘要

An electronic device may contain components such as a processor, video circuitry, camera flash, communications circuitry, and other components that may generate heat during operation. The device may have a display with a backlight unit that contains light-emitting diodes. Control circuitry within the electronic device can apply drive powers to the light-emitting diodes in a way that is sensitive to the operating temperature of the light-emitting diodes. The control circuitry can determine whether the temperature of the light-emitting diodes is elevated by determining which components are active in the device. Activity levels can be ascertained by gathering status information on each component. Temperature sensors may be used to make real time temperature measurements. Based on factors such as component activity levels and measured temperature values, the control circuitry can adjust the maximum allowed light-emitting diode drive power level to avoid overdriving the diodes during operation at elevated temperatures.

主权项

1. A method of operating an electronic device with a display and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: a processor, a video driver circuit, a camera flash, and a communications circuit, comprising:
determining a current activity level of the at least one component; estimating a current temperature based on the current activity level of the at least one component; during operation of the electronic device, powering each light source that illuminates the display at a level that is based at least partly on the estimated current temperature, wherein each light source comprises a light-emitting diode, wherein powering each light source comprises applying a drive power to each light-emitting diode that has a value that is bounded by a maximum light-emitting diode drive power value, and wherein the maximum light-emitting diode drive power value is determined based at least partly on the estimated current temperature; and adjusting the drive power to each light-emitting diode while operating the light-emitting diode at a non-zero drive power value below the maximum light-emitting diode drive power value.