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Samsung patents e-paper screens that sleep to save battery

This filing describes an electronic paper display device that uses two separate processors to manage power. When the device is idle, it shuts down the main processor and high-energy radio components, switching to a low-power mode where a secondary processor handles basic infrared communication.

Why it mattersThis design could help e-paper devices like digital price tags or readers last longer on a single battery by cutting power use during long periods of inactivity.

In the filing’s own words

An e-paper display device includes: a main power supply; a sub-power supply; an IR communication module; an RF communication module; a first processor; and a second processor, wherein the first processor is configured to: control the IR communication module and the RF communication module during a general mode of the device, the first processor activated by power supplied by the main power supply, and switch to a low power mode by controlling the sub-power supply to supply power the second processor and controlling the main power supply to stop supply of power to deactivate the first processor and the RF communication module, and the second processor is configured to: control the IR communication module during the low power mode, the second processor activated by power supplied by the sub-power supply, and switch to the general mode by controlling supply of power to the first processor and the RF communication module.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An electronic paper display device comprising: a power supply including a main power supply and a sub-power supply; an infrared (IR) communication module; a radio frequency (RF) communication module; a first processor; and a second processor, wherein the first processor is configured to: control the IR communication module and the RF communication module during a general mode of the electronic paper display device, the first processor being activated by receiving power supplied by the main power supply during the general mode, and based on a first condition being satisfied during the general mode, switch the electronic paper display device from the general mode to a low power mode by controlling the power supply to supply power from the sub-power supply to the second processor and controlling the power supply to stop supply of power from the main power supply to deactivate the first processor and the RF communication module, and wherein the second processor is configured to: control the IR communication module during the low power mode, the second processor being activated by receiving power supplied by the sub-power supply during the low power mode, and based on a second condition being satisfied during the low power mode, switch the electronic paper display device from the low power mode to the general mode by controlling the power supply to supply power to the first processor and the RF communication module.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Electronic device for minimizing standby power based on user usage time and control method thereof
Patent number
US12749439B2
Application number
19279697
Filed
Jul 24, 2025
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
20

Classified under

G09G 3/32 Physics & computingH04W 52/027 Electricity & electronicsH04W 52/0296 Electricity & electronicsG09G 2330/023 Physics & computingG09G 2330/026 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.