CN1755750A - Display region architectures - Google Patents

Abstract

A bit depth of a pixel comprising multiple display elements, such as interferometric modulators, may be increased through the use of display elements having different intensities, while the lead count is minimally increased. An exemplary pixel with at least one display element having an intensity of 0.5 and N display elements each having an intensity of one can provide about 2N+1 shades (e.g., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, [N+0.5]). In comparison, a pixel having N display elements, each having an intensity of one, can only provide about N+1 shades (e.g., 0, 1, 2, . . . , N). Thus, using at least one display element having an intensity lower than the intensity of each of the other display elements increases the number of shades provided by the pixel by an approximate factor of two and increases the bit depth of the pixel, while minimizing the number of additional leads.

Description

Display region architectures

Technical field

Technical field of the present invention relates to MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) (MEMS) by and large, more specifically relates to the display region architectures with MEMS element arrays.

Background technology

The aperture of pixel or arbitrarily other viewing areas are zones of pixel output light.In general, the aperture of pixel can reduce because of row and the row otch that is used for each row and each row sub-pixel or subregion are carried out the electricity isolation.These row and row otch are not generally exported light, thereby these otch are equivalent to " dead zone " on the pixel.Correspondingly, when the quantity of subregion in the pixel increased, also increased thereupon in the dead zone in the pixel, thereby the aperture of pixel is reduced.Therefore, because pixel is divided into the resolution that sub-pixel increases pixel, the aperture of pixel can reduce because of these dead zones.Correspondingly, expectation is provided for increasing pixel resolution and reduces system and method to the improvement of the influence of pixel aperture.

When being used for that pixel is connected to the increase (but for example because of pixel being divided into the sub-pixel of independent drive) of quantity of lead-in wire of device driver, the complexity of these lead-in wires being carried out routing also can increase.In addition, when the number of leads that is routed to a pixel increased, the complexity that driver is attached to display also can increase, and also may need to use extra driver to handle extra lead-in wire.Therefore, when number of leads increased, the complexity and the cost that lead-in wire are connected to pixel also can increase.Correspondingly, when design during pixel, between the aperture of cost, complexity and the pixel of available bit depth and pixel, exist usually and trade off.

Summary of the invention

System of the present invention, method and device all have many aspects, and arbitrary single aspect all can not determine its desired characteristic separately.Now, its main characteristic is carried out brief description, this not delimit the scope of the invention.Checking this argumentation, especially reading title for after the part of " embodiment ", how people provides the advantage that is better than other display device if can understanding feature of the present invention.

In certain embodiments, a pixel with bit depth of each color comprises the subregion of a plurality of equivalent size basically, and the subregion of described a plurality of equivalent size basically has one first subregion group and one second subregion group.Each subregion includes that each subregion includes each color one second quantity display element in the subregion of each color one first quantity display element and described second group in the subregion of described first group.Described second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

In certain embodiments, a pixel with a bit depth comprises the display element of a plurality of basic equivalent size, and each display element all has the position of " closing (off) ", one " opening (on) " position and.Described display element all sends visible light when being in " opening " position.The display element of described a plurality of basic equivalent size comprises one first group's display element and one second group's display element.The display element of described first group all has one when being in " opening " position be the intensity of a predetermined value, and the display element of described second group all has the intensity for a mark of described predetermined value when being in " opening " position, the intensity the when intensity of described pixel equals that each display element is in " opening " position in described a plurality of display element.

In certain embodiments, a kind of pixel with each colour bits degree of depth n comprises one first quantity N sub regions, and each subregion all has each color c display element.Each display element all has one first area.Described pixel further comprises one second quantity M sub regions, and each subregion all has each color c+2 ^(n-p)Individual display element.Described c+2 ^(n-p)During (c-1) of individual display element is individual each all has a second area and described c+2 ^(n-p)The 1+2 of individual display element ^(n-p)In individual each all has one the 3rd area.Described first area equates substantially with described second area and described the 3rd area equals described first area substantially divided by 1+2 ^(n-p), wherein p is less than n.

In certain embodiments, a kind of method of arranging a plurality of display elements in a pixel comprises described pixel is divided into one first group's subregion and one second group's subregion that the described subregion in wherein said first and second group has the basic area that equates.Described method is included as further that each subregion distributes each color one first quantity display element in the subregion of described first group.Described method is included as further that each subregion distributes each color one second quantity display element in the subregion of described second group.Described second quantity deducts described first quantity and equals 2 substantially from taking the power less than the bit depth of each color of described pixel.

In certain embodiments, a kind ofly can comprise a plurality of pixels in response to the display device with signal of a plurality of, each pixel includes a plurality of subregions in the described pixel.Described display device further comprises one first a plurality of subregions, and wherein each subregion all has one first area.Described first a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of first.Described display device further comprises one second a plurality of subregions, and wherein each subregion all has a second area, and described second area is less than described first area.Described second a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of second portion, and institute's rheme of wherein said second portion is effective not as institute's rheme of described first.

In certain embodiments, provide a kind of display device, described display device comprises that at least one has the pixel of the bit depth of each color.Described device further comprises the member that is used to show comprising of an image of a plurality of basic subregions that equate.Described display member comprises: the member that is used to show the member of one first group's subregion and is used to show one second group's subregion, wherein said first group equates substantially with the size of the subregion of described second group, each subregion all comprises each color one first quantity display element in the subregion of described first group, and each subregion all comprises each color one second quantity display element in the subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and equals 2 substantially from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

In certain embodiments, provide a kind of and can have the display device of a plurality of signal in response at least one, described display device comprises the member that comprises a plurality of subregions that is used to show an image, described display member comprises the member that is used in response to a described a plurality of first, described response member in response to first comprises one first a plurality of subregions, and each subregion all has one first area in described first a plurality of subregions.Described display member further comprises the member that is used in response to a described a plurality of second portion, described response member in response to second portion comprises one second a plurality of subregions, each subregion has a second area in described second a plurality of subregions, wherein said second area is less than described first area, and the position of first is effectively as described in the position of wherein said second portion.

In certain embodiments, provide a kind of display device, described display device comprises at least one pixel with each colour bits degree of depth.Described display device further comprises the member that is used to provide the member of one first strength range and is used to provide one second strength range.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is first-class axle figure, it shows the part of an embodiment of an interferometric modulator display, wherein one of one first interferometric modulator removable reflection horizon is in an off-position, and a removable reflection horizon of one second interferometric modulator is in an excited target position.

Fig. 2 is a system block diagram, and it shows that one comprises an embodiment of the electronic installation of one 3 * 3 interferometric modulator displays.

Fig. 3 is the removable mirror position of an exemplary embodiment of interferometric modulator shown in Figure 1 and the graph of a relation of the voltage that applies.

Fig. 4 is one group of synoptic diagram that can be used for driving the row and column voltage of interferometric modulator display.

Fig. 5 A is presented at an exemplary frame of display data in 3 * 3 interferometric modulator displays shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 5 B demonstration can be used for writing the capable signal of frame shown in Fig. 5 A and an exemplary sequential chart of column signal.

Fig. 6 A is the sectional view of a device shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 6 B is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

Fig. 6 C is a sectional view of another alternate embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

Fig. 7 one shows that schematically one comprises an embodiment graphic of the pixel of a plurality of subregions.

Fig. 8 is an exemplary subregion graphic in the displayed map 7 schematically, and this subregion has a staggered RGB structure.

Fig. 9 is another exemplary subregion graphic in the displayed map 7 schematically, and this subregion has a ribbon RGB structure.

Figure 10 one shows that schematically one comprises another embodiment graphic of the pixel of one 18 * 18 subregion arrays.

Figure 11 A is a close up view, and it schematically describes an embodiment of a sub regions of pixel shown in Figure 10.

Figure 11 B is a close up view, an embodiment of the subregion that its warp schematically describing pixel shown in Figure 10 further segments.

Figure 12 shows that schematically one has another embodiment of a subregion structure of pixel of the number of leads of minimizing.

Figure 13 A and 13B are system block diagrams, and it shows that one comprises an embodiment of the visual display unit of a plurality of interferometric modulators.

Embodiment

One bit depth that comprises the pixel of a plurality of display elements (for example interferometric modulator) can obtain by the display element that use has a varying strength increasing, and the increase of pin count is minimum simultaneously.One has single intensity is respectively 1 display element for 0.5 display element and N intensity exemplary pixel can provide about 2N+1 kind tone (for example 0,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0, [N+.5]).By contrast, one have pixel that N intensity is respectively 1 display element only can provide about N+1 kind tone (for example 0,1,2 ..., N).Therefore, be lower than the intensity of each display element in other display elements by the intensity that makes employed at least one display element, can make the quantity of the tone that pixel provides increase about 1 times, and can increase the bit depth of pixel, the quantity of additional lead is minimized.

Below describe in detail and relate to some embodiments of the invention.But, the present invention can implement by being permitted different ways.In this explanation, can be with reference to accompanying drawing, in the accompanying drawings, identical parts use identical Digital ID from start to finish.Find out easily that according to following explanation the present invention can implement in arbitrary configuration is used for the device of display image (no matter no matter is dynamic image (for example video) or still image (for example rest image), be character image or picture also).More specifically, imagination the present invention can be associated in enforcement in numerous kinds of electronic installations (but being not limited to) below for example or with these electronic installations: mobile phone, wireless device, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer or portable computer, gps receiver/omniselector, camera, the MP3 player, video camera, game machine, wrist-watch, clock, counter, TV monitor, flat-panel monitor, computer monitor, automotive displays (for example mileometer display etc.), driving cabin control device and/or display, camera scenery display (for example rear view cameras display of vehicle), electronic photo, electronics billboard or label, projector, building structure, packing and aesthetic structures (for example image display on jewelry).The MEMS device that has similar structures with MEMS device described herein also can be used for non-display application, for example is used for electronic switching device.

Show an interferometric modulator display embodiment who contains an interfere type MEMS display element among Fig. 1.In these devices, pixel is in bright state or dark state.Under bright (" on (opening) " or " open (opening) ") state, display element reflexes to the user with most of incident visible light.Be in dark (" closing (off) " or " closed (closing) ") state following time, display element reflects the incident visible light to the user hardly.Decide on embodiment, can put upside down the light reflectance properties that " on (opening) " reaches " off (pass) " state.The MEMS pixel can be configured to mainly reflect under selected color, also can realize colored the demonstration except that black and white.

Fig. 1 is first-class axle figure, and it shows two neighbors in a series of pixels of a visual displays, and wherein each pixel all comprises a MEMS interferometric modulator.In certain embodiments, an interferometric modulator display comprises a row/column array that is made of these interferometric modulators.Each interferometric modulator includes a pair of reflection horizon, and this is positioned to each other to have a variable-sized optical resonance cavity at a distance of a variable and controlled distance at least to form one to the reflection horizon.In one embodiment, one of them reflection horizon can be moved between the two positions.Be referred to herein as on the primary importance of release conditions, the local reflex layer that the position of this displaceable layers distance one is fixed is far away relatively.On the second place, the position of this displaceable layers is more closely near this local reflex layer.Decide position according to removable reflection horizon, from the incident light of this two layers reflection can with mutually long or mutually the mode of disappearing interfere, thereby form the mass reflex or the non-reflective state of each pixel.

The pixel array portion that shows in Fig. 1 comprises two adjacent interferometric modulator 12a and 12b.In the interferometric modulator 12a in left side, demonstration one movably high reflection layer 14a is in an off-position, and this off-position is apart from fixing local reflex layer 16a one preset distance.In the interferometric modulator 12b on right side, demonstration one movably high reflection layer 14b is in an excited target position, and this excited target position is near fixing local reflex layer 16b.

Fixed bed 16a, 16b conduct electricity, the part is transparent and local is reflectivity, and can the layer of one or more respectively do for oneself chromium and tin indium oxides be made by for example depositing on a transparent substrates 20.Described each layer is patterned into parallel band, and can form the column electrode in the display device, as further specifying hereinafter. Displaceable layers 14a, 14b can form by one or more depositing metal layers that is deposited on pillar 18 tops (and column electrode 16a, 16b quadrature) and and be deposited on the series of parallel band that the middle expendable material between the pillar 18 constitutes.After expendable material was etched, these deformable metal levels separated with the air gap 19 of the metal level of fixing by a regulation.These deformable layer can use one to have high conductivity and reflexive material (for example aluminium), and those bands can form the row electrode in the display device.

When not applying voltage, cavity 19 remains between a layer 14a, the 16a, and deformable layer is in the mechanical relaxed state shown in pixel 12a among Fig. 1.Yet after a selected row and column applies potential difference (PD), the capacitor that forms at the respective pixel place of described row and column electrode intersection is recharged, and electrostatic force pulls to these electrodes together.If voltage is enough high, then displaceable layers generation deformation, and be forced on the fixed bed (can on fixed bed, deposit a dielectric material (not shown in this Figure), preventing short circuit, and the control separation distance), shown in the pixel 12b on right side among Fig. 1.Regardless of the potential difference (PD) polarity that is applied, the behavior is all identical.This shows, may command reflection and row/row of non-reflective pixel state encourage to traditional LCD and other display techniques in used row/row encourage similar in many aspects.

Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 shows the example process and the system that use an interferometric modulator array in a display application.Fig. 2 is a system block diagram, and this figure shows that one can embody an embodiment of the electronic installation of each side of the present invention.In this exemplary embodiment, described electronic installation comprises a processor 21-, and it can be any general purpose single-chip or multicore sheet microprocessor, for example ARM, Pentium ^, Pentium II ^, PentiumIII ^, Pentium IV ^, Pentium ^Pro, 8051, MIPS ^, Power PC ^, ALPHA ^, or any special microprocessor, for example digital signal processor, microcontroller or programmable gate array.According to convention in the industry, processor 21 can be configured to carry out one or more software modules.Except that carrying out an operating system, also this processor can be configured to carry out one or more software applications, comprise web browser, telephony application, e-mail program or any other software application.

In one embodiment, processor 21 also is configured to communicate with an array controller 22.In one embodiment, this array control unit 22 comprises a horizontal drive circuit 24 and the column drive circuit 26 that signal is provided to a pel array 30.Array sectional view shown in Fig. 1 illustrates with line 1-1 in Fig. 2.For the MEMS interferometric modulator, described row/row excitation protocol can utilize the hysteresis property of these devices shown in Figure 3.It for example may need, and 10 volts potential difference (PD) makes a displaceable layers be deformed into actuated state from release conditions.Yet, when described voltage when this value reduces, reduce when being back to below 10 volts at described voltage, described displaceable layers will keep its state.In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 3, before voltage drop was low to moderate below 2 volts, displaceable layers can not discharge fully.Therefore, in example shown in Figure 3, exist one to be approximately the voltage range that 3-7 lies prostrate, exist one to apply voltage window in this voltage range, described device is stabilized in and discharges or actuated state in this window.Be referred to as " lag windwo " or " stability window " in this article.For an array of display with hysteresis characteristic shown in Figure 3, OK/the row excitation protocol can be designed to be expert at during the gating, the pixel that is energized is applied about 10 a volts voltage difference to selected in current, and to d/d pixel being applied one near 0 volt voltage difference.After gating, it is poor to apply about 5 a volts steady state voltage to pixel, and gating makes its residing any state so that its maintenance is expert at.After being written into, in this example, each pixel is all born a potential difference (PD) that is in the 3-7 volt " stability window ".This characteristic makes pixel design shown in Figure 1 be stabilized in an existing foment or release conditions under identical the voltage conditions that applies.Because each pixel of interferometric modulator, no matter be in foment or release conditions, in fact all be one by described fixed reflector and capacitor that mobile reflection horizon constituted, therefore, this steady state (SS) can be kept under the voltage in the lag windwo and consumed power hardly.If the current potential that is applied is constant, then there is not electric current to flow into pixel basically.

In the typical case uses, can be by determining that according to one group of desired actuated pixels in first row one group of row electrode forms a display frame.After this, horizontal pulse is put on the electrode of the 1st row, thereby encourage the pixel corresponding with determined alignment.After this, determined one group of row electrode is become corresponding with desired one group of actuated pixels in second row.After this, with a pulse put on the 2nd the row electrode, thereby according to determined row electrode encourage the 2nd the row in respective pixel.The pixel of the 1st row is not subjected to the influence of the pulse of the 2nd row, thereby the state that keeps it to set at the impulse duration of the 1st row.The property mode repeats above-mentioned steps to the row of whole series in order, to form described frame.Usually, repeating this process continuously by the speed with a certain desired frame number/second to refresh and/or upgrade these frames with new video data.Also have a variety of row and the row electrodes that are used to drive pel array to be known by people, and can use with the present invention with the agreement that forms display frame.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a kind of possible excitation protocol that is used for forming a display frame on 3 * 3 arrays shown in Figure 2.Fig. 4 shows one group of possible row and column voltage level of can be used for having the pixel of hysteresis curve shown in Figure 3.In the embodiment of Fig. 4, encourage a pixel to comprise and be set to-V being listed as accordingly _Bias, and will go accordingly and be set to+Δ V, it can correspond respectively to-5 volts and+5 volts.Discharging pixel then is to be set to+V by being listed as accordingly _BiasAnd will go accordingly and be set to identical+Δ V, form one 0 volts potential difference (PD) at described pixel two ends thus and realize.In the row of 0 volt of those wherein capable voltages maintenance, pixel is stable at its initial residing state, and is in+V with these row _BiasStill-V _BiasIrrelevant.

Fig. 5 B is the sequential chart of a series of row of demonstration and column signal, and those signals put on 3 * 3 arrays shown in Figure 2, and it will form the demonstration shown in Fig. 5 A and arrange that wherein actuated pixels is non-reflectivity.Before writing the frame shown in Fig. 5 A, pixel can be in any state, and in this example, all row all are in 0 volt, and all row all be in+5 volts.Under these institute's voltages that apply, all pixels are stable at its existing actuated state or release conditions.

In the frame shown in Fig. 5 A, pixel (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) are encouraged.For realizing this effect, at the line time of the 1st row, the 1st row and the 2nd row are set at-5 volts, the 3rd row are set at+5 volts.This can not change the state of any pixel, because all pixels all remain in the stability window of 3-7 volt.After this, rise to 5 volts of pulses that are back to 0 volt that descend again then by one from 0 volt and come gating the 1st row.Actuate pixel (1,1) and (1,2) and discharge pixel (1,3) thus.Other pixels in the array are all unaffected.For the 2nd row is set at desired state, the 2nd row are set at-5 volts, the 1st row and the 3rd row are set to+5 volts.After this, apply identical strobe pulse with actuate pixel (2,2) and discharge pixel (2,1) and (2,3) to the 2nd row.Equally, other pixels in the array are all unaffected.Similarly, by the 2nd row and the 3rd row are set at-5 volts, and be listed as the 1st be set at+5 volts to the 3rd capable the setting.The strobe pulse of the 3rd row is set at the state shown in Fig. 5 A with the 3rd row pixel.After writing incoming frame, the row current potential is 0, and the row current potential can remain on+5 or-5 volts, and after this demonstration will be stable at the layout shown in Fig. 5 A.Should be appreciated that, can use identical programs the array that constitutes by tens of or hundreds of row and columns.The timing, order and the level that should also be clear that the voltage that is used to implement the row and column excitation can alter a great deal in above-described General Principle, and above-mentioned example only is exemplary, and any actuation voltage method all can be used with the present invention.

Detailed structure according to the interferometric modulator of above-mentioned principle operation can be ever-changing.For example, Fig. 6 A-6C shows three kinds of different embodiment of moving lens structure.Fig. 6 A is a sectional view embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, wherein deposition one strip of metal material 14 on the support member 18 that quadrature extends.In Fig. 6 B, movably reflecting material 14 only is on the tethers 32 at corner and is attached to support member.In Fig. 6 C, movably reflecting material 14 is suspended on the deformable layer 34.Because the structural design and the material therefor of reflecting material 14 can be optimized aspect optical characteristics, and the structural design of deformable layer 34 and material therefor can be optimized aspect the desired mechanical property, so this embodiment has some advantages.In many open files, comprise that for example No. 2004/0051929 U.S. discloses in the application case, the production of various dissimilar interference devices has been described.Can use the known technology of a variety of people to make said structure, this comprises a series of material depositions, patterning and etching step.

As indicated above, display device comprises a plurality of pixels or other and is configured to the viewing area activated according to the drive signal that is received.The pixel of display device can respond to drive signal by linear mode or nonlinear way.For example, for the black and white display of linearity, the gray tone of pixel is varied to direct ratio with the drive signal that is applied to pixel.Therefore, the pixel of linear display is in the consistent tonal variation of the two ends of its output spectrum experience.At some among this kind embodiment, in dividing, the more highlights of pixel output spectrum forms the variation that the variation of the required drive signal of the noticeable variation of an observer forms the required drive signal of the noticeable variation of an observer in may be greater than the more low key tone at same display.On the contrary, the tone of pixel then may be according to the variation of corresponding drive signal and change in the disproportional mode in the non-linear display, for example changes with exponential manner.

The pixel of display has a bit depth that is associated, and wherein said bit depth defines the quantity of the different colours that pixel is configured to show or a kind of different tones of color.Term used herein " bit depth " generally is meant linear or non-linear bit depth.One pixel with linear bit depth can be in response to the tone or the change color that change are experienced basically identical of drive signal.One pixel with non-linear bit depth can be in response to drive signal change is experienced inconsistent tone or change color.For example, in response to the equal variation in the drive signal, one to have pixel tonal variation for bright more tone of non-linear bit depth big more, and tonal variation is more little for dark more tone.

In certain embodiments, the tone quantitaes of the color that a pixel can be shown is total bit depth of this pixel, and wherein tone quantity equals 2 substantially from taking this this power of total bit depth.Therefore, a total bit depth is that six pixel can show about 2 ⁶=64 kinds of tones.Gray-scale monitor and color monitor are characterized by this total bit depth usually, in this article total bit depth are called " n ".Thereby each pixel in one 8 the gray-scale monitor (n=8) can describe about 2 ⁸=256 kinds of tones of gray, and each pixel in one 13 the color monitor (n=13) can be described each color about 2 ¹³=8192 kinds of tones.

Each colour element in the display generally includes the subregion or the sub-pixel of the light that can export one of three kinds of colors (for example red, green or blue) respectively.Other colors are to produce by the intensity that changes each colored subregion.For example, a color computer monitor generally includes 24 displays that every pixel has 24 positions.24 displays are generally 8 positions of each color assignment in three kinds of three primary colors, thereby obtain surpassing about 1,600 ten thousand kinds of possible shade of color (promptly 2 altogether ²⁴Or 16,777,216 kinds of possible shade of color).

This explanation and claims have hereinafter carried out general description to pixel and subregion.Use a pixel as an exemplary viewing area in this article, the those skilled in the art will know, the pixel that arbitrary place is mentioned is also applicable to other viewing areas, for example some part of (for example) pixel or a plurality of pixel.Each pixel can comprise a plurality of subregions or sub-pixel.In addition, each subregion can comprise a plurality of display elements, and described in this article display element is commonly defined as the smallest elements that can change intensity in the display.Therefore, the subregion of pixel and pixel all can comprise a plurality of display elements, and wherein each display element all has the component position degree of depth of a correspondence, and this component position degree of depth is corresponding to the tone quantity of the every kind of color that is produced by display element.

And the display element of some embodiment compatibility disclosed herein includes but not limited to that the component position degree of depth is 1 (for example each display element changes, and for example changes) between black and white or connecting and disconnecting between two states.In some other embodiment, the component position degree of depth of display element is 2 or above (for example, each display element can provide single multiple color tones or multiple color of planting color).Other embodiment comprise the mixing of the display element with different elements bit depth, thereby make display obtain various total bit depth.

Display receives drive signal from a display source signal usually.Decide on embodiment, this display source signal can provide the analog or digital drive signal.In the display of some type, each pixel (or subregion) comprises can send or reflect a single display element near continuous range of light intensity.In such display, each subregion includes single display element, and described single display element can drive because of each gray scale or the different drive signal of color shades by one.Example display with independent display element of the output that can change includes but not limited to cathode ray tube (CRT) display and LCD (LCD).

A Consideration when design display is the quantity for the required signal lead of each display element that display source signal is connected to display.CRT monitor is that an electron beam with change intensity is guided to each display element in order, thereby CRT monitor does not have the lead-in wire that is used for each display element.LCD then usually uses an independent lead-in wire to receive drive signal to each gray-scale pixels or to each the display element group of each color in the subregion.Therefore, if a LCD pixel comprises multirow and multiple row display element, then this pixel needs a plurality of leads and drives a plurality of display elements in this pixel.

In some display, each display element is with dual mode or the work of on/off pattern.Thereby the output of each display element to have one be 1 bit depth.The interferometric modulator that this kind display element is hereinbefore to be illustrated in greater detail.In certain embodiments, make the size of display element of display enough little, on normal viewing distance, tell the shape of display element to prevent human eye.Thus, some this kind embodiment can advantageously avoid appearance can disperse the illusion of vision.

In certain embodiments, a display that comprises a plurality of display elements (each display element has an element bit depth) can provide higher total bit depth by each pixel being divided into the subregion that comprises one group of display element respectively.In certain embodiments, each display element in the subregion of a pixel has essentially identical size, and the intensity of each subregion depends on the quantity of the display element that is in its " connection " state.In some other embodiment, the size of each display element in the subregion is different.Among this kind embodiment, each subregion comprises a plurality of display elements at some, and the area of these display elements is different pro rata mutually, thereby the intensity of each subregion depends on the area of the display element of " connection ".For example, the subregion of some embodiment comprises four display elements, and wherein the area of second display element area that is about twice, the 3rd display element of the area of first display element area that is about the twice of second display element, the 4th display element is about the twice of the area of the 3rd display element.In these embodiments, the bit depth of this subregion is 4 (that is, can produce 24 kinds of tones).

Have the pixel of the subregion that comprises the binary display element for driving one, use signal lead to drive each subregion of this pixel.For the display element of the viewing area of arbitrary type-no matter is liquid crystal display cells, interferometric modulator, the still optical switch of any other types, and the signal lead quantity of this pixel structure can characterize substantially by mathematical way.More specifically, typical pixel need be used a lead-in wire and each row display element is used a lead-in wire each row display element.Therefore, one to comprise the exemplary pixel that 3 row and 4 row subregions and each subregion comprise single display element be to be driven by 7 lead-in wires.If each subregion comprises a plurality of display elements, then number of leads can increase.For example, for one have 3 row and 4 row subregions and wherein each subregion comprise the exemplary embodiment of two row that constitute by three display elements (for example red, green and blue display element), number of leads can increase to 18, comprising 6 line leads (3 row subregions, each row subregion has 2 row display elements again respectively) and 12 row lead-in wires (4 row subregions, each row subregion has 3 row display elements again).More generally, have the pixel that capable subregion of x and y row subregion and each subregion comprise capable display element of w and z row display element for one, the number of leads of each pixel equals:

(xw)+(yz) (formula 1)

In certain embodiments, each row and display element quantity of each row be equal to each other (being z=w) in the subregion.For some this embodiment, each subregion comprises one or more display elements corresponding to each color in three kinds of colors (for example red, green and blue).For example, a 3x3 subregion can comprise three red display elements, three green display elements and three blue display element.

For one comprise the capable subregion of x and y row subregion, wherein each subregion comprise the c kind color that is arranged to capable color display element of c and c row display element display element (for example, for redness, green and blue display element, c=3) exemplary pixel, the number of leads of this pixel equal (x+y) c.Although embodiments disclosed herein generally are to use c=3 to describe, yet the those skilled in the art will know that system and method as herein described can be applicable to arbitrary other selected c value, for example (for example) 1,2 comparably, 4,5,6,7,8,9,10, or 20.The quantity of the available hues that this pixel provided equals:

Xyc+1 (formula 2)

It is relevant with total bit depth of each color that it generally presses formula:

Xyc+1 ≈ 2 ⁿ(formula 3)

Wherein n is total bit depth of each color of this pixel.Equation in the formula 3 used herein is an approximate expression, thereby total bit depth of each color is to produce low order power of 2 that is equal to or greater than the tone quantity of xyc+1.

Fig. 7 schematically shows the example architecture of formed 13 color monitors of 52 * 52 arrays that are made of subregion 1110.Each subregion 1110 can comprise one or more display elements 1120, and for example a plurality of display elements 1120 are exported each color in one group of color (for example red, green and blue).Fig. 8 and 9 schematically illustrates two kinds of alternative arrangements of a colored subregion 1110 among Fig. 7, and wherein each subregion 1110 all comprises three display elements 1120 for each color in three kinds of colors.Therefore, for each wherein the component position degree of depth of each color with three display elements 1120 (for example three red display elements, three green display elements and three blue display element) and each display element be 1 52x52 subregion 1110, pixel 1110 can produce each color 52 ²3+1=8113 kind tone (i.e. 8113 kinds of red tones, 8113 kinds of green tones and 8113 kinds of blue color), this total bit depth that is equivalent to each color substantially is 13 (2 ¹³=8192 kinds of tone/each colors).

The pixel element 1120 of subregion 1110 shown in Figure 8 has a staggered structure.In this cross structure, that the display element 1120 of each color follows and is listed as is staggered (for example, first behavior redness-green-blueness, second behavior blueness-redness-green, the third line are green-blueness-redness).Fig. 9 schematically illustrates prize another configuration in dice zone 1110 of pixel 100 shown in Figure 7.In configuration shown in Figure 9, the display element 1120 of subregion 1110 has a belt structure, and wherein red, green and blue display element 1120 are arranged to make the display element of same color layouts of embarking on journey, thereby along the colored band of each row formation.Another is chosen as, thereby by redness, green and blue display element 1120 being arranged to make the display element of same color become row to arrange along the colored band of each row formation, also can form a belt structure.

In certain embodiments, the complexity of the conductive lead wire of ribbon layout display element shown in Figure 9 is less than the conductive lead wire with interconnected display element 1120 shown in Figure 8.Yet the alternating expression layout of display element 1120 can advantageously make the output light of each color distribute more equably on the whole area of subregion 1110.For bigger subregion area, to compare with the ribbon configuration, this specific character of alternating expression layout can alleviate the visual artifacts that is associated with non-point-like subregion.

Institute's brief discussion as mentioned, the exemplary pixel 1100 among Fig. 7,8 and 9 can characterize as follows:

Total bit depth n=13

The display element quantity c=3 of each each color of subregion

Line number amount (equaling number of columns) m=52

Tone=the m of each each color of pixel ²C+1=52 ²3+1=8113, or be about 2 ¹³And

Lead-in wire=the mc2=5232=312 of each pixel

Thereby for a display that comprises 4 * 3 arrays of this kind pixel 1100, the lead-in wire sum will be each color (4+3) 312=2184 bar lead-in wire.Generally speaking, when the number of leads of display increased, the cost that driver is attached to display can raise and the cost of driver itself also may raise.

In some applications, display is characterized by pixel aperture.More little aperture is associated with the low more brightness of display and low more contrast usually.The aperture of pixel 1100 can reduce because of " dead zone " that is associated with the row of not exporting light and row otch.Lead-in wire tails off and can advantageously reduce the quantity of pixel upper cut or the area of otch.Therefore, need have the system and method that the total bit depth of the pixel that can provide desired is reduced to the improvement that drives the required number of leads of pixel simultaneously.

The display drive signal of some embodiment is one to comprise several digital signal, and these digital signals are divided into highest significant position and general significance bit.In certain embodiments, highest significant position is used to drive the bigger display element of area, thereby uses display element still less that brighter output stage and more rough tone classification is provided.In certain embodiments, can drive the littler display element of area, darker output stage and thinner tone classification is provided by the least significant bit (LSB) that uses display drive signal.In certain embodiments, these littler display elements are assembled along the row or column of smaller amounts, so that the required number of leads of these display elements minimizes.

In certain embodiments, pixel comprises that the display element of a plurality of equivalent size and each display element have an intensity I that equates _DeFor a pixel that can show 8193 kinds of tones (for example bit depth is 13), the pixel arrangement of some embodiment becomes to show from 0 to 8192I _DeTone.Described herein intensity I _DeBe a referenced strength, it is used for the intensity of pixels illustrated display element.Therefore, I _DeCan from because of pixel different, perhaps different because of display.

In certain embodiments, the display element of equivalent size that can be by connecting respective amount makes the bulk strength of pixel or tone with I _DeThe multiple form 0 to 8192I _DeBetween change.In these embodiments, the intensity of pixel or tone can be I _DeIncremented.In these embodiments, because each pixel element all provides an intensity I _De, thereby these 8192 pixel elements can provide 8193 kinds of different pixel tones.

Usually, for increasing the bit depth of pixel, can increase extra display element, thereby realize more tone.For example, for the scale-of-two display element, each extra display element can make and can increase 1 from the tone quantity that pixel obtains.Yet, when increasing extra display element, also can increase for driving the required number of leads of pixel.Increase display element and can make the quantity of display element and increase sharply for obtaining each extra desired tone for driving the required number of leads of pixel.

According to some embodiment of system and method described herein, have the display element of varying strength by use, can increase the bit depth of pixel, the increase of number of leads is minimum simultaneously.For example, a pixel can comprise a plurality of intensity and is respectively I _De=1 display element and one or more intensity are respectively 0.5 display element.One have single intensity is respectively 1 display element for 0.5 display element and 8191 intensity exemplary pixel can provide 16,384 kinds of tones (for example 0,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5,3.0 ... 8,191.5).By contrast, the intensity with 8,192 display elements and each display element be 1 pixel only can provide 8,193 kinds of tones (for example 0,1,2 ..., 8,192).Therefore, use single littler display element the tone quantity that pixel provided can be increased about 1 times, and the bit depth that makes pixel is from 13 (2 ¹³=8,192) increase to 14 (2 ¹⁴=16,384).

In other embodiments, pixel comprises the combination of the display element with other intensity.It is that 1 display element and one or more separately intensity are respectively 0.2,0.4,0.6 and 0.8 display element that another exemplary pixel can comprise a plurality of intensity separately.Such as hereinafter detailed description, by in pixel, comprising one or more more low intensive display elements that have, can obtain a mark intensity, thereby by using these to have total bit depth that more low intensive display element can increase pixel.Correspondingly, the aperture of the one or more display elements by reducing pixel can increase total bit depth of display.

In certain embodiments, the display element that size is littler has the aperture littler than other display elements, the more tone classification that it can provide pixel to produce.For example, the aperture of one or more display elements of pixel can manufacture the mark of a pre-selected in the aperture of other display elements.In this way, having the display element of small-bore more can be provided at the mark tone that can't obtain when having large aperture display element is more only arranged.

In another embodiment, be to form with the aperture that reduces these display elements by at least a portion of sheltering one or more bigger display elements to have the more display element of small-bore.In one embodiment, mask (so-called " black mask ") is to be made by the organic material of black, black mask chromium or a dielectric lamination.In above-mentioned two kinds of situations, by comprising the display element that intensity is lower than the intensity of other display elements, can advantageously increase total bit depth of pixel, only increase the number of leads that is used to drive pixel simultaneously slightly.Hereinafter explanation will provide example system and the method that increases the bit depth of pixel by working strength less than the display element of the intensity of other display elements in the pixel.

Figure 10,11A and 11B are an exemplary improved arrangement graphic of display pixel 1400.Used herein term " total bit depth " is meant the bit depth of whole pixel (for example pixel 1400), and term " the component position degree of depth " is meant the bit depth of single display element (for example display element 1420).Pixel 1400 comprises the subregion of a plurality of basic equivalent size, and these subregions have one first group's subregion 1410 and one second group's subregion 1430.Each subregion 1410 equal each color of first group comprise the display element 1420 of one first quantity.Each subregion 1430 equal each color of second group comprise the display element 1440 of one second quantity.Second quantity deducts first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than total bit depth of each color.

More specifically, Figure 10 shows that schematically one comprises the pixel 1400 of a 18x 18 subregion arrays, and this subregion array comprises 18 * 17=306 subregion 1410 and 18 subregions 1430 that are illustrated schematically among Figure 11 B of being illustrated schematically among Figure 11 A.Although the subregion that pixel 1400 had obviously is less than the pixel 100 of the demonstration of meaning property shown in Fig. 7, yet total the bit depth of pixel 1100 among Fig. 7 and pixel 1400 the two each color that is provided among Figure 10 is 13 (n=13).Yet the subregion quantity that pixel 1400 is comprised is compared pixel 1100 and is reduced, thereby driving pixel 1400 required lead-in wires reduce.Correspondingly, compare with pixel 1100, pixel 1400 provides total bit depth and the lead-in wire identical with pixel 1100 to tail off, thereby aperture loss reduces.

In exemplary pixel 1400, each subregion 1410 comprises each color c display element 1420.For example, shown in Figure 11 A, subregion 1410 comprises c=3 red pixel element, a c=3 green pixel element and c=3 blue pixel element.In Figure 10, subregion 1410 be arranged to 17 the row, but its configuration also with other embodiment compatibilities as herein described.Generally speaking, the array of the subregion 1410 of a 18x18 can provide each color (18 * 18 * 3)+1=973 kind tone, and this total bit depth that is equivalent to each color is 10 (each color 2 ¹⁰=1024 kinds of tones).

For obtaining one from 18 * 18 subregion arrays above introduced, must provide extra tone greater than total bit depth of 10.For example, for acquisition size in pixel 1400 is total bit depth of 13, need 2 ¹³/ 2 ¹⁰=8 kinds of extra tones.In certain embodiments, these extra tones are to replace corresponding subregion 1410 to provide by one or more subregions 1430.In Figure 10, for example, pixel 1400 is divided into 18 row and 18 row (m=18) subregion, wherein 17 row comprise 1410,1 row of subregion and comprise subregion 1430.

In exemplary pixel 1400, all subregion 1430 is divided into 11 display elements respectively.More specifically, this 18 sub regions 1430 comprise respectively display element 1440a that two row and display element 1420 have same size, and 9 row less than the display element 1440b of display element 1420.Therefore, each subregion 1430 is Duoed 8 display elements than each subregion 1410 each color.In the embodiment shown in Figure 11 B, display element 1440b be of a size of display element 1440a, 1420 1/9.Correspondingly, display element 1440b intensity separately is the mark of display element 1440a, 1420 intensity.These littler display element 1440b provide 8 kinds of extra tones between available each tone when not using littler display element 1440b.Thereby by increasing these extra littler display element 1440b, the quantity of the tone that pixel provided can increase 7 times.Although display element 1440b shown in Figure 10 is the single row formation along pixel 1400, yet in other embodiments, display element 1440b may be interspersed in the whole pixel 1400.

Among pixel 1100 and the embodiment that the size of pixel 1400 equates substantially, the display element 1420 among Figure 11 A and the 11B is greater than the display element in Fig. 8 and 9 1120, thereby its negligible amounts therein.For example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 10, subregion 1410 than the subregion among Fig. 7 1110 about 8 times (for example, pixel 1110 comprises 52 ²=2,704 sub regions, and pixel 1410 comprises 18 ²=324 sub regions, thereby the subregion of pixel 1410 is big by 2,704/324=8.34 is doubly).Thereby, in pixel 1400, showing the highest significant position of display drive signal, need to activate 162 (18 ²/ 2) sub regions 1410, and are the highest significant position that shows display drive signal in pixel 1110, need to activate 1352 (52 ²/ 2) sub regions 1110.Thisly can reduce required number of leads accordingly for the minimizing that produces the required subregion quantity of the tone be associated with the highest significant position of display drive signal.Therefore, the lead-in wire of pixel 1400 is less than pixel 1100, and the bit depth of essentially identical each color is provided simultaneously.

In certain embodiments, property ground shows that pixel 1400 is subdivided into the plurality of sub zone as schematically shown in Figure 10, and these subregions are configured to the row and the row m of equal amount.In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, pixel 1400 is according to being subdivided into the plurality of sub zone with following formula:

m ²C+1=2 ^p, (formula 4) wherein p one is lower than total bit depth of desired total bit depth n, for example p＜n.In one embodiment, p represents one to have m basically ²The bit depth of the pixel of individual equivalent size display element.Thereby, in (for example) Fig. 7, p=n.Hereinafter will discuss, by one or more display elements further being subdivided into littler extra display element, a total bit depth of pixel with display element of basic equivalent size can increase to n from p.These littler display elements can be by providing linearity and/or non-linear increment to increase total bit depth of pixel between by the tone that bigger display element provided.

In one embodiment, the value of p can be chosen under one group of given observation condition and display dynamic range situation, each display element often is not the visible spatial frequency distribution of human eye with one all in each redness, green and the blue display element 1420.In another embodiment, the quantity of the lead-in wire that can be configured to handle according to pixel is selected p, and described number of leads can be depending on the factors such as size of cost for example and/or pixel.Therefore, the value of p can be different in response to using.In an exemplary embodiment as herein described, p=8.Yet p can be arbitrary other values, for example 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, as long as p is less than n.

As indicated above, littler display element 1440b produces 2 between adjacent tone ^N-pIndividual increment, thereby the tone in the pixel 1400 adds up to 2 ^p2 ^N-p=2 ⁿ, thereby a total bit depth n is provided.

Although exemplary pixel 1400 comprises a full line subregion 1430, yet in other embodiments, in a pixel, can comprise the subregion of varying number, and all subregion 1430 may be interspersed in the whole pixel.In addition, decide, be adjustable as the quantity that obtains the required extra division of total bit depth n on the value of p and n.

Have among the embodiment of one or more subregions 1430 that comprise display element 1440b and a plurality of subregions 1410 that comprise display element 1420 at some, the number of leads of each pixel 1400 can be expressed as:

[mc2]+2 ^N-p(formula 5)

In other words, the number of leads of pixel 1400 equal a bit depth be number of leads used in the pixel of p add into drive display element 1440b required 2 ^N-pThe bar additional feedthrough.In exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 10, number of leads is [1832]+2 ^(13-10)=116.For ease of comparing, the pixel 1100 shown in Fig. 7 comprises 312 lead-in wires, to obtain 13 identical color depths.

In other embodiments, can carry out dividing unequally,, look the size of the display element 1440b that is activated thus and the change color of different brackets is provided with the display element 1440b that formation has non-linear size to all subregion.In such an embodiment, can use display element 1440b to approach a specific display Response Distribution, for example be commonly referred to as the display Response Distribution of gamma.

In other embodiments, can form littler display element (for example display element 1140b) by being different from above with reference to Figure 10 and the described mode of 11B.For example, can use a black mask or those skilled in the art will other proper methods easy to know to reduce the aperture of one or more display elements, to form littler linearity or non-linear display element.In one embodiment, can reduce 2 ^N-pThe aperture of individual display element is so that obtain desired total bit depth.In this embodiment, the quantity with the display element in the aperture that reduces only is the sub-fraction in the display element sum, thus total aperture of pixel reduce generally not remarkable.

Figure 12 one shows that another can make up to obtain the graphic of exemplary subregion framework that desired total bit depth and number of leads reduce.In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, a pixel 1600 is divided into the array of a subregion 1610, and these subregions 1610 are corresponding to the highest significant position of drive signal, and for example those cover the most subregion in total aperture of pixel 1600.In certain embodiments, the array of subregion 1610 cover pixel 1600 total aperture greater than about 90%.In some other embodiment, the array of subregion 1610 cover pixel 1600 total aperture greater than about 98%.In some other embodiment, the part that is covered by the array of subregion 1610 in total aperture of pixel 1600 is between about 85% and about 100%.As mentioned below, the distribution mode of these subregions 1610 makes corresponding to the loss in the aperture of these useful signal positions generally very little.The remainder of drive signal or be used to drive littler display element 1636 than low order.Because display element 1636 has the size that reduces, thereby the required lead-in wire of the display element 1636 of a given area is more than the required lead-in wire of the bigger subregion 1610 in an equivalent size zone.Correspondingly, display element 1636 generally shows the aperture loss that these low live parts more vast scale and signal are associated.Because these of monitor signal are to be associated with one of the aperture of pixel 1100 much smaller part (for example less than 10%) than low order, thus should loss not obvious.In one embodiment, pixel 1600 is subdivided into the plurality of sub zone according to following formula:

NM=2 ^K+2-4 (formulas 6)

Wherein Integer N is the quantity of subregion 1610 in the delegation of pixel 1600, and integer M is the quantity of subregion 1610 in the row of pixel 1600, and integer K is the quantity that is known as the position of " significance bit " in the signal.This K in the drive signal position is used for driving pixel 1600 and is considered to most important display element-the it typically is bigger display element that is used to produce the most frequently used tone or color.In the drive signal all the other are used to drive the display element in the remainder that is included into pixel 1600.The size of the display element in this remainder can be determined by reducing its effective aperture.In this way, these more the display element of small-bore can represent suitable binary weights, and because its aperture is relatively little, thereby its shared area is insignificant relatively.In one embodiment, be arranged in the cross area by the described display element that drives than low order, this cross area is divided into the quadrant of property demonstration as schematically shown in Figure 12 with pixel.

In pixel shown in Figure 7 100, for example, the highest significant position of display drive signal can be corresponding to half of equivalent size subregion 1110 switched.Half of the subregion 1110 of one simple scale-of-two grid switched needs to use a signal that comes half corresponding in the pixel structure since then lead-in wire.Thereby the quantity that reduces the subregion that is associated with the highest significant position of display drive signal can make number of leads reduce.Some pixel structures uses to have a plurality of subregions that area increases with physical dimension and produces from the output that is low to moderate highest significant position most of controlling signal.This framework can obviously reduce the lead-in wire sum.Yet as indicated above, in large area display, the big subregion in this kind display can form the demonstration illusion, for example when subregion big in the pixel is visible to the observer.

In exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 12, pixel 1600 provides a total bit depth that equals 13, and the number of leads that can be used in display drive signal simultaneously is with respect to reducing above with reference to 13 pixels, 1100 described number of leads.For obtaining total bit depth 13, drive signal comprises 13 positions, comprising some significance bit and some is than low order.Exemplary pixel 1600 is divided into N=18, M=14 and K=6, thereby this pixel comprises that 252 (1814=252) sub regions 1610 and drive signal comprise that 6 significance bits and 7 are than low order.The those skilled in the art will know that this line number and columns only are exemplary and as indicated above, and in other embodiments, line number and columns can be different.In 252 sub regions in the present embodiment, the highest significant position that has 128 sub regions (being labeled as " position 1 ") to be configured to drive signal activates, there are 64 sub regions (being labeled as " position 2 ") to be configured to activate by second highest significant position, there are 32 sub regions (being labeled as " position 3 ") to be configured to activate by the 3rd highest significant position, there are 16 sub regions (being labeled as " position 4 ") to be configured to activate by the 4th highest significant position, there are 8 sub regions (being labeled as " position 5 ") to be configured to activate, have 4 sub regions (being labeled as " position 6 ") to be configured to activate by the 6th highest significant position by the 5th highest significant position.

For color monitor, each subregion 1610 can further be divided into the display element of each primary colors.For example, an embodiment can use alternative arrangement shown in Figure 8.In exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 12, subregion 1610 is bigger approximately 10 times than the subregion in embodiment illustrated in fig. 7.Thereby, for showing the highest significant position of display drive signal, only need to activate 128 sub regions 1610, but not as in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, activate 1352 sub regions 1110.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 12, the row and the Column Layout of subregion is divided into four quadrants 1630, these four quadrants are separated by a cross area 1632.This cross area can further be divided into plurality of sub zone 1634.Remaining seven (in a color depth is 13 embodiment) " than low orders " are used for the display element in driven element zone 1634.In one embodiment, little central subregion 1636 can keep not being used, thereby stays 32 sub regions 1632.In one embodiment, first can be used for driving 11 in these little subregions 1634 than low order (for example position 7), and position 8 can be used for driving 7 sub regions 1634, and position 9 can be used for driving 4 sub regions 1634, and position 10 can be used for driving 2 sub regions 1634.In one embodiment, position 11,12 and 13 is used to drive a sub regions 1634 separately.Thereby these 32 crosshair subregions 1634 are by driving than low order.Because these " than low orders " do not fill up all crosshair subregions 1634, thereby its definite size of scalable obtains accurate binary weighting.These influences untapped and 1634 pairs of total body apertures of subregion that part is used are about 0.1%, thereby generally not obvious.Yet the simplification of subregion layout for example will be incorporated in single file with the subregion 1634 that is associated than low order and/or single-row, can realize the further reduction of number of leads.In other embodiments, the size of scalable subregion 1634 realizes different linear and non-linear classifications.In addition, other embodiment can comprise more or less subregion 1634, and subregion 1634 can intersperse among in the whole pixel by other means.

The lead-in wire sum of pixel 1600 shown in Figure 12 can be characterized by:

N+[Mc]+1+3 (formula 7)

Wherein N represents the lead-in wire of each horizontal sub-pixel, and Mc represents the lead-in wire of each color of each vertical sub-pixel, adds 1 expression planche cross silk lead-in wire, adds 3 vertical crosshair lead-in wires of expression.Thereby specifically with reference to the foregoing description, total pin count is 14+ (183)+1+3=72.Compare with use 312 lead-in wires in the embodiment that is equivalent to 13 bit depth shown in Figure 7, this is highly beneficial.

Because the pixel that is driven by " highest significant position " can keep relatively large, thereby each embodiment of this pixel structure may have high aperture ratio when using with original design rule.In addition, can be distributed in by the subregion 1610 that makes a quadrant distributing to each " highest significant position " in each quadrant in four quadrants 1630 of pixel 1600, make with the illusion of using big pixel (for example in) to be associated to minimize such as big display such as billboard.This output energy that observer is felt seems the whole surface from pixel 1600, and the restriction observer tells the ability of isolated bright spot (it is perceived as illusion or noise in shown image) from these subregions 1610.

Figure 13 A and 13B are the system block diagrams of an embodiment of demonstration one display device 2040.Display device 2040 for example can be cellular phone or mobile phone.Yet the same components of display device 2040 and the form of doing slightly to change thereof also can be used as for example illustration of all kinds such as TV and portable electronic device display device.

Display device 2040 comprises a shell 2041, a display 2030, an antenna 2043, a loudspeaker 2045, an input media 2048 and a microphone 2046.Shell 2041 is made by any technology in the known numerous kinds of manufacturing process of those skilled in the art usually, comprises injection moulding and vacuum forming.In addition, shell 2041 can be made by any material in the numerous kinds of materials, includes but not limited to the combination of plastics, metal, glass, rubber and pottery or one.In one embodiment, shell 2041 comprises removable part (not shown), and these removable parts can have removable part different colours or that comprise different identification, picture or symbol with other and use instead.

The display 2030 of exemplary display device 2040 can be any in the numerous kinds of displays, comprises bi-stable display as herein described.In other embodiments, display 2030 comprises flat-panel monitors such as plasma scope for example mentioned above, EL, OLED, STN LCD or TFT LCD or non-tablet display such as CRT or other tubular devices for example, and these displays are known by the those skilled in the art.Yet for ease of the explanation present embodiment, display 2030 comprises just like interferometric modulator display as herein described.

Figure 13 B schematically shows the assembly among the embodiment of exemplary display device 2040.Example illustrated display device 2040 comprises a shell 2041, and can comprise that other are closed in assembly wherein at least in part.For example, in one embodiment, exemplary display device 2040 comprises a network interface 2027, and this network interface 2027 comprises that one is coupled to the antenna 2043 of a transceiver 2047.Transceiver 2047 is connected to processor 2021, and processor 2021 is connected to again regulates hardware 2052.Regulating hardware 2052 can be configured to a signal is regulated (for example a signal being carried out filtering).Regulate hardware 2052 and be connected to a loudspeaker 2045 and a microphone 2046.Processor 2021 also is connected to an input media 2048 and a driving governor 2029.Driving governor 2029 is coupled to one frame buffer 2028 and is coupled to array driver 2022, and array driver 2022 is coupled to an array of display 2030 again.One power supply 2050 is all component power supply according to the designing requirement of particular exemplary display device 2040.

Network interface 2027 comprises antenna 2043 and transceiver 2047, so that exemplary display device 2040 can communicate by network and one or more device.In one embodiment, network interface 2027 also can have some processing capacity, to reduce the requirement to processor 2021.Antenna 2043 is to launch being used to known to the those skilled in the art and any antenna of received signal.In one embodiment, this antenna is launched according to IEEE802.11 standard (comprising IEEE 802.11 (a), (b), or (g)) and is received the RF signal.In another embodiment, this antenna is launched according to bluetooth (BLUETOOTH) standard and is received the RF signal.If be cellular phone, then this antenna is designed to receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS or other and is used for the known signal that communicates at the mobile phone network.2047 pairs of signals that receive from antenna 2043 of transceiver carry out pre-service, so that it can be received and further be handled by processor 2021.Transceiver 2047 is also handled the signal that self processor 2021 receives, so that they can be by antenna 2043 from exemplary display device 2040 emissions.

In an alternate embodiment, can replace transceiver 2047 by a receiver.In another alternate embodiment, can replace network interface 2027 by an image source, this image source can store or produce and send out the view data of delivering to processor 2021.For example, this image source can be the software module that hard disk drive or that digital video disk (DVD) or contains view data produces view data.

The overall operation of processor 2021 common control examples display device 2040.Processor 2021 automatic network interfaces 2027 or an image source receive data (for example Ya Suo view data), and this data processing is become raw image data or is processed into a kind of form that is easy to be processed into raw image data.Then, the data after processor 2021 will be handled are sent to driving governor 2029 or are sent to frame buffer 2028 and store.Raw data typically refers to the information that can discern the picture characteristics of each position in the image.For example, described picture characteristics can comprise color, saturation degree and gray level.

In one embodiment, processor 2021 comprises a microcontroller, CPU or is used for the logical block of the operation of control examples display device 2040.Regulating hardware 2052 generally includes and is used for sending signals and being used for amplifier and wave filter from microphone 2046 received signals to loudspeaker 2045.Adjusting hardware 2052 can be the discrete component in the exemplary display device 2040, perhaps can incorporate in processor 2021 or other assemblies.

Driving governor 2029 direct self processors 2021 or receive the raw image data that produces by processor 2021 from frame buffer 2028, and suitably with the raw image data reformatting so as high-speed transfer to array driver 2022.Particularly, driving governor 2029 is reformated into a data stream with raster-like format with raw image data, so that it has a chronological order that is suitable for scanning array of display 2030.Then, the information after driving governor 2029 will format is sent to array driver 2022.Although driving governor 2029 (for example lcd controller) normally as one independently integrated circuit (IC) be associated with system processor 2021, yet these controllers also can make up by many kinds of modes.It can be used as hardware and is embedded in the processor 2021, is embedded in the processor 2021 or fully integrated with example, in hardware and array driver 2022 as software.

Usually, the self-driven controllers 2029 of array driver 2022 receive the information after the format and video data are reformated into one group of parallel waveform, and the parallel waveform per second of this group many times is applied to from hundreds of of the x-y pel array of display, thousands of lead-in wires sometimes.

In one embodiment, driving governor 2029, array driver 2022, and array of display 2030 be applicable to the display of arbitrary type as herein described.For example, in one embodiment, driving governor 2029 is a traditional display controller or bistable display controllers (a for example interferometric modulator controller).In another embodiment, array driver 2022 is a legacy drive or a bistable display driver (a for example interferometric modulator display).In one embodiment, a driving governor 2029 is integrated mutually with array driver 2022.This embodiment is very common in the integrated system of for example cellular phone, wrist-watch and other small-area display equal altitudes.In another embodiment, array of display 2030 is a typical array of display or a bistable array of display (a for example display that comprises an interferometric modulator array).

Input media 2048 makes the operation that the user can control examples display device 2040.In one embodiment, input media 2048 comprises a keypad (for example qwerty keyboard or telephone keypad), a button, a switch, a touch sensitive screen, a pressure-sensitive or thermosensitive film.In one embodiment, microphone 2046 is input medias of exemplary display device 2040.When using microphone 2046, can provide voice command to come the operation of control examples display device 2040 by the user to these device input data.

Power supply 2050 can comprise various energy storing devices, and this is well-known in affiliated field.For example, in one embodiment, power supply 2050 is a rechargeable accumulator, for example a nickel-cadmium accumulator or a lithium-ions battery.In another embodiment, power supply 2050 is a regenerative resource, capacitor or solar cell, comprises plastic solar cell and solar cell lacquer.In another embodiment, power supply 2050 is configured to the socket reception electric power on wall.

In certain embodiments, programmability is as indicated above is present in the driving governor in control, and this driving governor can be arranged on several positions of electronic display system.In some cases, the control programmability is present in the array driver 2022.The those skilled in the art will know, can reach the above-mentioned optimization of enforcement in different configurations in number of hardware and/or the component software arbitrarily.

Although above describe in detail is to show, illustrate and point out the novel feature that is applicable to various embodiment of the present invention, yet should be appreciated that, the those skilled in the art can be to the various omissions of making of shown device or technology, alternative and change on form and details, and this does not deviate from spirit of the present invention.Should know,, thereby can not provide in the form of all features as herein described and advantage one and implement the present invention because some feature can use with other features or try out mutually independently.

Claims (65)

1, a kind of device that comprises the pixel of the bit depth that at least one has each color, described device comprises:

The subregion of a plurality of equivalent size basically, it has one first subregion group and one second subregion group, each subregion includes each color one first quantity display element in the subregion of wherein said first group, and each subregion includes each color one second quantity display element in the subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

2, device as claimed in claim 1, each display element described in the wherein said second subregion group in the display element includes c+2 ^(n-p)Individual display element, wherein c is the quantity of the display element of each each color of subregion in described first group, n is the bit depth of described each color of described pixel, and p is less than n.

3, device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said subregion are arranged to N row and M row, and each row and row drive by at least one lead-in wire, and the lead-in wire sum that wherein is used for driving described all described display elements of pixel is [(N+M) c]+2 ^(n-p)

4, device as claimed in claim 1, each subregion of wherein said second group all has a unique size.

5, device as claimed in claim 1, it further comprises:

One display;

One processor that communicates with described display electricity, described processor is configured to image data processing; And

One memory storage that communicates with described processor electricity.

6, device as claimed in claim 5, it further comprises:

One drive circuit, it is configured to send at least one signal to described display.

7, device as claimed in claim 6, it further comprises:

One controller, it is configured to send to described driving circuit at least a portion of described view data.

8, device as claimed in claim 5, it further comprises:

One image source module, it is configured to send described view data to described processor.

9, device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said image source module comprise a receiver, transceiver, reach at least one in the transmitter.

10, device as claimed in claim 5, it further comprises:

One input media, it is configured to receive the input data and described input data is sent to described processor.

11, a kind ofly comprise the device that at least one has the pixel of a bit depth, described device comprises:

The display element of a plurality of basic equivalent size, each display element has the position of " closing (off) ", one " opening (on) " position and, wherein said display element all sends visible light when being in described " opening " position, the display element of described a plurality of basic equivalent size comprises one first display element group and one second display element group, the intensity of the display element of described first group when being in described " opening " position respectively is a predetermined value, and the intensity of the display element of described second group when being in described " opening " position respectively is the mark of described predetermined value, the intensity the when intensity of described pixel equals each display element in described a plurality of display element and all is in described " opening " position.

12, device as claimed in claim 11, it further comprises one the 3rd display element group, the intensity of the display element of described the 3rd group when being in described " opening " position is less than the described mark of described predetermined value, the intensity when the described intensity of described pixel equals that each display element all is in described " opening " position in described a plurality of display element.

13, device as claimed in claim 11, the intensity of at least one display element is configured to become according to a driver signal in the described display element of wherein said second group.

14, device as claimed in claim 11, the described display element of wherein said second group comprise the mask in the aperture that is used to reduce described display element.

15, device as claimed in claim 11, the intensity of at least one display element in the described display element of wherein said second group are half of described predetermined value.

16, device as claimed in claim 11, the intensity of at least one display element in the described display element of wherein said second group is 1/4th of described predetermined value.

17, device as claimed in claim 11, the described display element conductively-closed of wherein said second group is to provide non-linear intensity increment up to reaching described predetermined value.

18, device as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second group comprises at least four display elements, described at least four display elements have be respectively described predetermined value 0.1,0.2,0.4, and 0.8 intensity.

19, a kind ofly comprise the device that at least one has the pixel of each colour bits degree of depth n, described device comprises:

One first quantity N sub regions, each subregion all have each color c display element, and wherein each display element all has one first area; And

One second quantity M sub regions, each subregion all has each color c+2 ^(n-p)Individual display element, each during (c-1) of wherein said display element is individual all has a second area, and the 1+2 of described display element ^(n-p)In individual each all has one the 3rd area, and wherein said first area equates substantially with described second area, and described the 3rd area equals described first area substantially divided by 1+2 ^(n-p), wherein p is less than n.

20, device as claimed in claim 19, wherein a bit depth of the subregion of the individual basic equivalent size that has each color c display element respectively of p representative (N+M).

21, a kind of method of in a pixel, arranging a plurality of display elements, described method comprises:

Described pixel is divided into one first subregion group and one second subregion group, and the subregion in wherein said first and second group has the basic area that equates;

For each subregion in the subregion of described first group distributes each color one first quantity display element; And

For each subregion in the subregion of described second group distributes each color one second quantity display element, wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and equals 2 substantially from taking the power less than the bit depth of each color of described pixel.

22, a kind of display device of making according to claim 21.

23, a kind of device that can have a plurality of signal in response at least one, described device comprises:

A plurality of pixels, each pixel includes a plurality of subregions in the described pixel;

One first a plurality of subregions, each subregion all has one first area in described first a plurality of subregions, and described first a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of first; And

One second a plurality of subregions, each subregion all has a second area in described second a plurality of subregions, wherein said second area is less than described first area, described second a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of second portion, and institute's rheme of wherein said second portion is effective not as institute's rheme of described first.

24, device as claimed in claim 23, it further comprises:

One display;

One processor that communicates with described display electricity, described processor is configured to image data processing; And

One memory storage that communicates with described processor electricity.

25, device as claimed in claim 24, it further comprises:

One drive circuit, it is configured to send at least one signal to described display.

26, device as claimed in claim 25, it further comprises:

One controller, it is configured to send to described driving circuit at least a portion of described view data.

27, device as claimed in claim 24, it further comprises:

One image source module, it is configured to send described view data to described processor.

28, device as claimed in claim 27, wherein said image source module comprise a receiver, transceiver, reach at least one in the transmitter.

29, device as claimed in claim 24, it further comprises:

One input media, it is configured to receive the input data and described input data is sent to described processor.

30, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein K is the figure place in the described first, and described a plurality of subregion comprises 2 ^K+2-4 sub regions.

31, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said first a plurality of subregions comprise described pixel the aperture greater than about 90 percent.

32, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said first a plurality of subregions comprise described pixel the aperture greater than about 98 percent.

33, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said second a plurality of subregions comprise the subregion between each row subregion that delegation or multirow be arranged at described first a plurality of subregions.

34, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said second a plurality of subregions comprise row or multiple row and are arranged at subregion between each row subregions of described first a plurality of subregions.

35, device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said second a plurality of subregions comprise the subregion between each row subregion that subregion between each row subregion that delegation or multirow be arranged at described first subregion and row or multiple row be arranged at described first subregion.

36, a kind of display device that comprises the pixel of at least one bit depth with each color, described display device comprises:

Be used to provide the member of one first strength range; And

Be used to provide the member of one second strength range.

37, display device as claimed in claim 36, the described member that provides of wherein said first strength range comprises one first subregion group, and the described member that provides of described second strength range comprises one second subregion group, wherein said first group has the size that equates basically with the subregion of described second group, each subregion comprises each color one first quantity display element in the described subregion of described first group, and each subregion comprises each color one second quantity display element in the described subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

38, display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said display element all comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

39, display device as claimed in claim 37, the described member that provides of wherein said first strength range comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

40, display device as claimed in claim 37, the described member that provides of wherein said second strength range comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

41, a kind of can have the display device of a plurality of signal in response at least one, and described display device comprises:

Be used to show the member that comprises a plurality of subregions of an image, described display member comprises:

Be used for the member in response to a described a plurality of first, comprise one first a plurality of subregions in response to the described response member of described first, each subregion all has one first area in described first a plurality of subregions, and

Be used for the member in response to a described a plurality of second portion, comprise one second a plurality of subregions in response to the described response member of described second portion, each subregion all has a second area in described second a plurality of subregions,

Wherein said second area is less than described first area, and institute's rheme of wherein said second portion is effective not as institute's rheme of described first.

42, display device as claimed in claim 41, the wherein said member that provides comprises one drive circuit.

43, display device as claimed in claim 41, wherein said display member comprises a plurality of interferometric modulators.

44, display device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the described response member in response to described first comprises a plurality of interferometric modulators.

45, display device as claimed in claim 41, wherein the described response member in response to described second portion comprises a plurality of interferometric modulators.

46, a kind ofly arrange that one can be in response at least one method of display device with signal of a plurality of, described method comprises:

At least one pixel is provided;

Described pixel is divided into one first a plurality of subregions, and described first each subregion in a plurality of all has one first area, and described first a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of first; And

Described pixel is divided into one second a plurality of subregions, described second each subregion in a plurality of all has a second area, wherein said second area is less than described first area, described second a plurality of subregions can be in response to a described a plurality of second portion, and institute's rheme of wherein said second portion is effective not as institute's rheme of described first.

47, a kind of display device of making according to claim 46.

48, a kind of device that comprises the pixel of at least one bit depth with each color, described device comprises:

One first area, it is configured to provide one first strength range; And

One second area, it is configured to provide one second strength range.

49, device as claimed in claim 48, wherein said first area comprises one first subregion group, and described second area comprises one second subregion group, wherein said first group has the size that equates basically with the subregion of described second group, each subregion comprises each color one first quantity display element in the described subregion of described first group, and each subregion comprises each color one second quantity display element in the described subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

50, device as claimed in claim 49, wherein said display element comprises at least one interferometric modulator respectively.

51, device as claimed in claim 48, it further comprises:

One display;

One processor that communicates with described display electricity, described processor is configured to image data processing; And

One memory storage that communicates with described processor electricity.

52, device as claimed in claim 51, it further comprises:

One drive circuit, it is configured to send at least one signal to described display.

53, device as claimed in claim 52, it further comprises:

One controller, it is configured to send to described driving circuit at least a portion of described view data.

54, device as claimed in claim 51, it further comprises:

One image source module, it is configured to send described view data to described processor.

55, device as claimed in claim 54, wherein said image source module comprise a receiver, transceiver, reach at least one in the transmitter.

56, device as claimed in claim 51, it further comprises:

One input media, it is configured to receive the input data and described input data is sent to described processor.

57, a kind of display device that comprises the pixel of at least one bit depth with each color, described display device comprises:

Be used to show the member of comprising of an image of a plurality of subregions that equate basically, described display member comprises:

Be used to show the member of one first subregion group, and

Be used to show the member of one second subregion group, wherein said first group has the size that equates basically with the subregion of described second group, each subregion comprises each color one first quantity display element in the described subregion of described first group, and each subregion comprises each color one second quantity display element in the described subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

58, display device as claimed in claim 57, wherein said display element comprises at least one interferometric modulator respectively.

59, display device as claimed in claim 57, the described display member of wherein said image comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

60, display device as claimed in claim 57, the described display member of the wherein said first subregion group comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

61, display device as claimed in claim 57, the described display member of the wherein said second subregion group comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

62, a kind ofly arrange that one comprises the method for display device of the pixel of at least one bit depth with each color, described method comprises:

One first viewing area is provided, and described first viewing area is configured to provide one first strength range; And

One second viewing area is provided, and described second viewing area is configured to provide one second strength range.

63, method as claimed in claim 62, wherein said first viewing area comprises one first subregion group, and described second viewing area comprises one second subregion group, wherein said first group has the size that equates basically with the subregion of described second group, each subregion comprises each color one first quantity display element in the described subregion of described first group, and each subregion comprises each color one second quantity display element in the described subregion of described second group, and wherein said second quantity deducts described first quantity and is substantially equal to 2 from taking the power less than the bit depth of described each color.

64, as the described method of claim 63, wherein said display element comprises at least one interferometric modulator respectively.

65, a kind of display device of making according to claim 62.

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