CN103329189A

CN103329189A - An electronic display with improved grey level partition

Info

Publication number: CN103329189A
Application number: CN2011800581998A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W.马克沃特; B.皮特斯; M.范米尔; P.范利肖特
Original assignee: Creator Technology BV
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-01
Filing date: 2011-11-29
Publication date: 2013-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-29
Also published as: WO2012074393A1; EP2646998A1; CN103329189B

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic display comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel being operable within a pre-defined intrinsic number of grey levels, the display being capable of displaying an image comprising a plurality of adjacent pixels, wherein said pixels are provided with different dimensions for generating an image having a further number of grey levels being higher than the intrinsic number of grey levels, wherein the pixels having different dimensions are arranged to enable regrouping of pixels, whereby in at least a portion of a pixel sequence two pixels having a smaller size are provided between the pixels having the largest size. The invention further relates to an electronic apparatus and a method of manufacturing an electronic display.

Description

Has the electronic console that the Improvement type GTG is separated

Technical field

A kind of electronic console with the gray scale capability of providing is provided, and wherein this GTG is that usable floor area modulation (area modulation) is to operate.

The present invention is also about a kind of electronic installation that comprises electronic console, and wherein the GTG of this electronic console is that usable floor area is modulated to operate.

The present invention is also about a kind of method of making electronic console, and wherein the GTG of this electronic console is that usable floor area is modulated to operate.

Background technology

The patent No. is US5, and 254,981 United States Patent (USP) has disclosed a kind of embodiment of electronic console.Known electronic console uses electrophoresis (eletrophoretic) principle and operates, and wherein each pixel is by electrically energy supply, so that by obtaining a target gray scale in a plurality of selectable default built-in GTGs.

In known display technique, in order to reach the GTG modulation, for example, by the pixel that changes B﹠W adjacent pixel is carried out addressing (address) and energy supply, the complexion that makes human eye can perceive its accumulation is a certain (middle) GTG.Therefore, the GTG quantity that obtains is the function of the resolution of display.

The shortcoming of known display technologies is, when carrying out area modulated, is that contemplated gray area can reduce whole resolution in conjunction with individual pixel.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of electronic console that has the Improvement type GTG and can not reduce in essence display resolution.

For that reason, electronic console provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel is to operate in any GTG in a plurality of GTGs of a default built-in quantity, display can show the image that comprises a plurality of neighbors, wherein above-mentioned pixel is of different sizes to produce an image with the advanced GTG quantity that is higher than built-in GTG quantity, and configuration has the pixel of different size to carry out the reconstitution steps of pixel, so that at least in the pixel sequence of a part, the pixel of two reduced sizes is to be disposed between two maximum sized pixels.

In an embodiment of electronic console, electronic console can use principle of electrophoresis.Generally speaking, use the display of principle of electrophoresis to comprise a plurality of capsules (capsule), above-mentioned capsule comprises black particles, white particles or black and white particle, and wherein above-mentioned particle can drift about in capsule according to the voltage that applies.In order to change the picture material in the electrophoretic display device (EPD), be connected to the suitable electrodes of these capsules by use, new image information can be written into a special time (100ms to 800ms).Because the refresh rate of active matrix is usually above these numerical value, such difference can cause carrying out in the frame (5 to 40 frames, frame rate 50Hz) in some quantity the addressing of same image content.For example, electrophoretic display device (EPD) comprises the black and white particle, in the addressing process, by deceiving to pixel capacitance being charged to a negative voltage in the time cycle of 200ms to 250ms in vain.At this moment, white particles drift is (jointly) electrode to the top, and black particles (active matrix backboard) electrode that drifts about to the bottom.Switch to black and need a positive voltage.When the voltage on the pixel was 0V, the electrophoresis capsule can not switch, that is the black and white particle can not move.In a short time, with a specific voltage (for example pulse-length modulation) electrophoretic display device (EPD) is carried out addressing, can cause mixing of visible white and black particles.Because these particles are very little, human eye can be considered as the ratio of black and white particle one specific grey-scale.The GTG that produces in this way is the built-in GTG of electrophoretic display device (EPD).

By suitable addressing, just can produce so-called built-in GTG.Technical method of the present invention is the resolution in the finite space of human eye of laying a foundation, and therefore may use the built-in GTG of minority (for example two) producing GTG, and the area ratio of the pixel by modulation display and in conjunction with built-in GTG to improve GTG.

For that reason, pixel provided by the present invention has different size, to produce an image with the advanced GTG quantity that is higher than built-in GTG quantity, and configuration has the pixel of different size to carry out the reconstitution steps of pixel, so that at least in the pixel sequence of a part, the pixel of two reduced sizes is to be disposed between two maximum sized pixels.

Situation is preferably, and elemental area is modulated this as known technology, and can discuss at follow-up collocation Fig. 1.Yet in known elemental area modulation principle, the pixel after the processing can have the size larger than original pixels basically, thereby has the shortcoming of the whole resolution that reduces display.

Yet the original size of the maximum pixel that the pixel after reconfiguring in the present invention provides with display hardware basically can be not variant.Therefore, in the present invention, Pixel Dimensions does not have difference in improved resolution and original resolution.

In the embodiment of electronic console provided by the present invention, the configuration of restructuring is in order to produce a series of regular pixel, and the size of above-mentioned regular pixel (regular pixel) is equal to the size of maximum pixel.The shape of regular pixel is preferably square.Better, in electronic console provided by the present invention, a series of pixels in the picture element matrix are to provide according to following rule:

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH

W1/2H 1/2W1/2H 1/2Wl/2H W1/2H

W1/2H 1/2W1/2H 1/2W/2H Wl/2H

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH，

Wherein W is the width of row name pixels (nominal pixel), and H is the height of row name pixel.Pixel sequence can use same rule to be extended at both direction, that is again is connected in series identical sequence.

For in the situation that keep original maximum pixel size and recombinate, recombination form in conjunction with have same size than small pixel.Therefore, the pixel of overall with half high (W1/2H) can be recombinated with the pixel of adjacent overall with half high (W1/2H), and the pixel of half-breadth half high (1/2W1/2H) can be recombinated with the pixel of adjacent half-breadth half high (1/2W1/2H).Situation is preferably, in conjunction with the high pixel of two overall withs half producing a new pixel, and in conjunction with the high pixel of four half-breadths half to produce a new pixel.Better, in display provided by the present invention, the formed row of pixel and/or row are arranged to (mirrored) by mirror in a sequence, and for example WH1/2WH1/2WH WH is in delegation, and WH W1/2H W1/2H WH is in row.Yet situation is preferably, during this mirror is applied to the pixel with different absolute dimensions that the present embodiment proposes to sequence.The more details of the present embodiment Fig. 2 that will arrange in pairs or groups is discussed.

In another embodiment proposed by the invention, above-mentioned reconstitution steps is the sequence that has the informal pixel of about same size in order to generation.

Because human eye can't carry out distinguishing of micron grade, another kind of possible way is, in conjunction with the pixel that does not have regular shape (square or rectangle).Yet, because sub-pixel is not defined as half of maximum pixel or 1/4th rectangular area, in conjunction with than small pixel, in the design of the size of sub-pixel, can have larger elasticity by maximum pixel.The geometric center of the non-rectangle pixel that produces in the case, can be aimed at along broken line.Therefore, can provide more improvement GTG.In the case, can be in conjunction with the pixel of maximum pixel and reduced size to recombinate.Fig. 3 will discuss the more details of the present embodiment.

In another embodiment proposed by the invention, the changeable high interpretive model in having built-in GTG of display, and the advanced pattern (further mode) with improvement GTG.

Because high gray and resolution are difficult to take into account sometimes, so feature has advantage.Therefore, this switchable display can operate in the pattern with highest resolution, and the pattern with high gray.Better, in electronic console proposed by the invention, the viewing area is divided the zone second time that the first time with built-in GTG is regional and have the improvement GTG.Under this pattern, can provide the highest resolution to give the specific image zone, the picture of literal is for example arranged on every side.This picture can show with the GTG quantity of improvement, and literal can show with the higher pixel quantity of every English inch.

The present invention further is relevant to the electronic display unit that comprises display, and aforementioned display device is the display according to arbitrary claim.

The present invention further is relevant to the method for making display, and aforementioned display device comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein steps of the method are:

Each pixel of-configuration, so that each pixel is to operate in a plurality of GTGs of a default built-in quantity,

-configuration display and show the image that comprises a plurality of neighbors,

-pixel of different size is provided, in order to producing an image with the advanced GTG quantity that is higher than built-in GTG quantity,

These pixels that-configuration has a different size to be carrying out the restructuring of pixel, so that at least in the pixel sequence of a part, the pixel of two reduced sizes is to be disposed between two maximum sized pixels.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, reconstitution steps is in order to produce the sequence of regular pixel, and wherein the size of regular pixel is equal to the size of maximum pixel.Situation is preferably, and a series of pixels in the picture element matrix are to provide according to following rule:

WH 1/2wH1/2wHWH

W1/2H 1/2W1/2H 1/2W1/2H Wl/2H

W1/2H 1/2W/2H 1/2W1/2H Wl/2H

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH，

Wherein W is the width of row name pixel, and H is the height of row name pixel.Pixel sequence can use same rule to be extended at both direction, that is again is connected in series identical sequence.

In another embodiment according to method proposed by the invention, reconstitution steps is in order to produce the sequence of the informal pixel with about same size.For example, so that the geometric center of informal pixel can aim at along broken line.

Cooperate referenced in schematic will discuss device and the using method of various embodiments of the invention in detail.Yet it should be noted that many feasible inventive concepts provided by the present invention may be implemented in the various particular ranges.These specific embodiments only are used for illustrating device of the present invention and using method, but non-be used to limiting scope of the present invention.

Description of drawings

The schematic diagram of the embodiment of the elemental area modulation that Fig. 1 provides for prior art;

Fig. 2 a is the schematic diagram of the first embodiment of elemental area modulation provided by the present invention;

Fig. 2 b is the schematic diagram that the embodiment of Fig. 2 a carries out pixel reorganization;

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the second embodiment of elemental area modulation provided by the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of display provided by the present invention.

Embodiment

The schematic diagram of the embodiment of the elemental area modulation that Fig. 1 provides for prior art.Have larger area pixel 1a and 2a in the first row of the configuration mode 10 of prior art and than pixel 1b and the 2b cross arrangement of small size.In next column, less pixel 1c and 1d cross arrangement.

When the display 10 of previous technology uses the elemental areas modulation, all increased by 0.5 times width at both direction along with the pixel 1a of maximum, basically therefore increased total elemental area.Therefore, cause the reduction of resolution, this is the shortcoming place.

When in conjunction with pixel 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d producing the first pixel, and in conjunction with

pixel

2a, 2b, 2c and 2d when producing the second pixel, the display 10 of prior art can use two built-in GTGs of each pixel to produce about 10 GTGs.Each pixel should configure three built-in GTGs, and then the GTG total number of display 10 may be 20.It should be noted that this principle is not limited to electrophoretic display device (EPD), can be applicable to any displaying principle with effectiveness.Fig. 2 a is the schematic diagram of the first embodiment of elemental area modulation provided by the present invention.Technological means of the present invention is based on the layout that reconfigures pixel, and particularly it sequentially therefore can be in the situation that image resolution ratio be basically not completely deteriorated, and construction goes out the

picture element matrix

20 and 25 that the Improvement type GTG can be provided.

Therefore, in the pixel sequence of at least a portion, two pixel 20b and the 21a of reduced size are disposed between two maximum sized pixel 20a and the 21b, this will (regroup) be less pixel so that sub-pixel can be recombinated, the pixel of for example recombinating 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and

pixel

21a, 21b, 21c, 21d are less pixel, or

restructuring pixel

20b, 21a, 20c, 20c ', 20d, 21c, 20d ', 21c ' are less pixel.Such restructuring so that the size of the pixel of pixel sequence not greater than the original size of pixel 20a maximum in the display.Pixel 25a shown in Fig. 2 b, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f have shown the grey order array of corresponding this configuration.By pixel 25a, the 25c of accordingly energy supply (energizing) maximum and

pixel

25d, 25b, 25e, the 25f after the combination, just can obtain desired Improvement type GTG.The absolute dimension of maximum pixel 25a is 137x137 micron (micrometer) square, that is every English inch (inch) comprises 190 pixels.In another embodiment, the absolute dimension of maximum pixel 25a is 100 microns, that is every English inch comprises 254 pixels.

In the situation of Fig. 2 a, all sub-pixels need indivedual addressing.But in the situation of Fig. 2 b, the sub-pixel (for

example pixel

20b and 21a or 20d, 20d ', 21c and 21c ') that is driven to same gray level can be refreshed (refresh) simultaneously.The output of driver can be connected together (physically or in logic).See it with this, can obtain more efficient driving design, cause lower line frequency (line frequency) and thereby fall lower powered consumption.In addition, the negative effect such as cross-talk (crosstalk) can be lowered.

Shown in the 1st form, according to display provided by the present invention, follow-up GTG (totlev) can be used as the function of the built-in GTG (intlev) of each pixel.

intlev	totlev
		1	1
2	10
		3	19
4	28
		5	37
6	46
		7	55
8	64
		9	73
10	82
		11	91
12	100
		13	109
14	118
		15	127
16	136

The GTG that the 1st form display of the present invention presents

Fig. 3 is the schematic diagram of the second embodiment of elemental area modulation provided by the present invention.In this embodiment,

pixel

31 and 36 is maximum pixels, and

pixel

32,35,33,34,37, the 38th, less pixel.In this embodiment, less pixel and misalignment, therefore when larger pixel moderately in conjunction with adjacent during than small pixel, will obtain the pixel such as

pixel

31,32,33,34 non-rectangle.In conjunction with

pixel

35,36,37,38 with form one row in next pixel.Therefore, pixel column may have at least one non-border along straight line.In conjunction with after the barycentric system of pixel along broken line L.

The shown layout of Fig. 2 a, Fig. 2 b and Fig. 3 has suitable (comparable) pixel quantity, thereby has suitable process rate.Yet such layout may present the resolution of different space (spatial) and GTG.When using the layout of Fig. 3, can obtain having the 190ppi of 2 GTGs, or have the 127ppi of 10 GTGs.Shown in Fig. 2 b, when using the sub-pixel of equivalent size, can obtain having the 254ppi of 2 GTGs, or have the 127ppi of 5 GTGs.

Situation is preferably, in preferred embodiment, and the advanced pattern (further mode) that display can switch on the high interpretive model with built-in GTG and have the improvement GTG.Carefully, in an electronic console, a viewing area can be divided into the zone first time with built-in GTG, and the zone second time with improvement GTG.The latter is particularly suitable for requiring different GTGs to manifest and/or the image of the different objects of resolution.

Fig. 4 is the schematic diagram of the embodiment of display provided by the present invention.In order to reduce the pixel (for example pixel 20a of Fig. 2 a and Fig. 4) that comprises single part and the difference between the composite pixel (for example the pixel 25b/d of Fig. 2 b and 25e), but the pixel layout figure of the mutual pixel space of using compensation (inter-pixel spacing).Shown in sub-pixel 20a ', 20a ' ' among the

view

40b, 20a ' ' ', 20a ' ' ' ', shown all pixels (for example the pixel 20a of Fig. 2 a and 20b/c) of view (view) 40a can and be connected to the pixel institute construction of same pixel circuit alternately by the area of 2 or 4 pixel 20d that are of a size of Fig. 2 a.The active area of summation (total active area) of the method energy slight reduction pixel.Mutual pixel space is approximately 5 to 10 microns.

The above person of thought, it only is preferred embodiment of the present invention, when not limiting scope of the invention process with this, the simple equivalence of namely generally doing according to claim scope of the present invention and invention description content changes and modifies, and all still belongs in the scope that patent of the present invention contains.In addition, arbitrary embodiment of the present invention or claim scope must not reached the disclosed whole purposes of the present invention or advantage or characteristics.In addition, summary part and title only are the usefulness of auxiliary patent document search, are not to limit claim scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. electronic console comprises:

A plurality of pixels, each pixel is to operate in a plurality of GTGs of a default built-in quantity, and this electronic console comprises an image of a plurality of adjacent pixels in order to demonstration, wherein these pixels are of different sizes to produce an image with the advanced GTG quantity that is higher than built-in GTG quantity, and configure these pixels with different size to carry out the reconstitution steps of these pixels, so that at least in a pixel sequence of a part, the pixel of two reduced sizes is to be disposed between two maximum sized pixels.

2. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein this reconstitution steps is in order to produce the regular pixel of a sequence, and the size of these regular pixels is equal to the size of this maximum sized pixel.

3. electronic console according to claim 2, wherein these regular pixels be shaped as square.

4. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein the pixel of the sequence in a picture element matrix is to provide according to following rule:

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH

W1/2H1/2W1/2H 1/2W1/2H W1/2H

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH，

Wherein W is the width of a row name pixel, and H is the height of this row name pixel.

5. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein this reconstitution steps is in conjunction with having these less pixels of same size.

6. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein this reconstitution steps is for producing the informal pixel of a sequence, and wherein these informal pixels have approximately identical size.

7. electronic console according to claim 2, wherein this reconstitution steps is for producing the informal pixel of a sequence, and wherein these informal pixels have approximately identical size.

8. electronic console according to claim 6, wherein the geometric center of these informal pixels is to aim at along a broken line.

9. electronic console according to claim 6, wherein this reconstitution steps becomes this maximum sized pixel for the pixel in conjunction with these reduced sizes.

10. electronic console according to claim 7, wherein this reconstitution steps becomes this maximum sized pixel for the pixel in conjunction with these reduced sizes.

11. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein this electronic console can in the high interpretive model with built-in GTG and have the improvement GTG an advanced pattern in switch.

12. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein the zone of this electronic console is divided the zone for the first time with built-in GTG, and the zone for the second time with improvement GTG.

13. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein a pixel column and/or a pixel column in a plurality of pixels by mirror to arrangement.

14. electronic console according to claim 1, wherein an electronic display unit comprises this electronic console.

15. a method of making electronic console, wherein this electronic console comprises a plurality of pixels, comprising:

Configure this each pixel, so that this each pixel is to operate in a plurality of GTGs of a default built-in quantity;

Configure this electronic console, comprise the image of a plurality of adjacent pixels in order to demonstration;

Provide these pixels of different size, in order to produce an image with the advanced GTG quantity that is higher than built-in GTG quantity;

Configure these pixels with different size carrying out the reconstitution steps of these pixels, so that at least in a pixel sequence of a part, the pixel of two reduced sizes is to be disposed between two maximum sized pixels.

16. the method for manufacturing electronic console according to claim 15, wherein this reconstitution steps is in order to produce the regular pixel of a sequence, and the size of these regular pixels is equal to the size of this maximum sized pixel.

17. the method for manufacturing electronic console according to claim 16, wherein the pixel of the sequence in a picture element matrix is to provide according to following rule:

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH

W1/2H1/2W1/2H 1/2W1/2H W1/2H

W1/2H1/2Wl/2H 1/2W1/2H W1/2H

WH 1/2WH1/2WHWH，

18. the method for manufacturing electronic console according to claim 15, wherein this reconstitution steps is for producing the informal pixel of a sequence, and wherein these informal pixels have approximately identical size.

19. the method for manufacturing electronic console according to claim 18, wherein the geometric center of these informal pixels is to aim at along a broken line.

20. an electronic console comprises:

An array that is formed by a plurality of pixel cells, each pixel cell has a pre-set dimension, the formation of this pre-set dimension is the group of composition of the pixel element of the pixel element of the pixel element of selecting the free first kind, a Second Type and one the 3rd type, wherein the area of the pixel element of this first kind is greater than the area of the pixel element of this Second Type, the area of the pixel element of this Second Type is greater than the area of the pixel element of the 3rd type, and the pixel element of this first kind is of a size of the pre-set dimension of these pixel cells.

21. electronic console according to claim 20, wherein the area of the pixel element of this Second Type is half of area of the pixel element of this first kind.

22. electronic console according to claim 21, wherein the area of the pixel element of the 3rd type is half of area of the pixel element of this Second Type.

23. an electronic console comprises:

An array that is formed by a plurality of pixel cells, wherein this each pixel cell has a pre-set dimension, the formation of this pre-set dimension is a group of selecting the pixel element from the pixel element of a first kind and a Second Type to form, wherein the area of the pixel element of this first kind is greater than the area of the pixel element of this Second Type, and the pixel element of this first kind is of a size of the pre-set dimension of these pixel cells.