System and method for digitally controlled waveform drive methods for graphical displays

• US 20020000967A1
• Filed: 11/29/2000
• Published: 01/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Snap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Snap, Inc.
• Inventors: Xu, Gang, Bergstrom, Neil, Huston, James R.
• Application Number:
  US09/727,132
• Publication Number:
  US 20020000967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/88
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0408 Integration of the drivers onto the display substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0804 Sub-multiplexed active matrix panel, i.e. wherein one active driving circuit is used at pixel level for multiple image producing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0809 Several active elements per pixel in active matrix panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0814 used for selection purposes, e.g. logical AND for partial update
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0857 Static memory circuit, e.g. flip-flop
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0251 Precharge or discharge of pixel before applying new pixel voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/065 Waveforms comprising zero voltage phase or pause
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0247 Flicker reduction other than flicker reduction circuits used for single beam cathode-ray tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0276 for the purpose of adaptation to the characteristics of a display device, i.e. gamma correction
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/064 by time modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0686 with two or more screen areas displaying information with different brightness or colours
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0428 Gradation resolution change
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/145 related to small screens
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/18 Use of a frame buffer in a display terminal, inclusive of the display panel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2022 using sub-frames
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2033 : with splitting one or more sub-frames corresponding to the most significant bits into two or more sub-frames
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2051 : with use of a spatial dither pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2092 : Details of a display terminals using a flat panel, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/003; specific for a CRT G09G1/165
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3225 : using an active matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 : Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3614 : Control of polarity reversal in general
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3648 : using an active matrix G09G3/367 - G09G3/3696 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/34 : for rolling or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/346 : for systems having a bit-mapped display memory

Abstract

An image generation system is provided. A display matrix is provided and has a plurality of display elements which can include liquid crystal. Each display element includes a pixel. A plurality of display circuits are electrically connected to a display element. A plurality of memory cells are associated with each of the circuits, or form part of the circuit, and a selector continuously electrically connected to more than one of the plurality of memory cells, the selector outputting to the pixel data from one memory cell at a time. Peripheral control circuits preferably control read and write operations to the memory cells. Also provided is a light emitting mechanism, which may be a mechanism provided at each pixel, a light modulating mechanism provided at each pixel, and/or an illumination source for illuminating the pixels. Logic increases response speed of an image display utilizing a digitally controlled waveform. A method for generating an image is also provided. According to the method, a shade of color is generated by controlling a duration that each display element is optically on. Illumination is applied to illuminate the display element.

Claims

1. An image generation system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of display elements, each display element including a pixel;

(b) a plurality of circuits each electrically coupled to a display element;

(c) a plurality of memory cells associated with each of the circuits and a selector for outputting to the display element from one memory cell at a time;

(d) an illumination source for illuminating one or more pixels in a particular color;

(e) a light emitting mechanism and a light modulating mechanism coupled with each of the one or more pixels; and

(f) logic that reduces a response speed requirement of an image display utilizing a digitally controlled waveform.

2. An image generation system as recited in claim 1 wherein an additional data bit is used to display a color image field for each pixel.

3. An image generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the illumination is modulated based on the value of data in a memory cell for varying the intensity of the display element.

4. An image generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein a shade of color is generated by controlling a duration that the display element is optically on.

5. An image generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the width of a pulse defines a grayscale of a color.

6. An image generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one additional bit is utilized for achieving a single rise and fall time.

7. A method for generating an image, comprising the steps of:

(a) controlling a duration that a display element of a display is optically on for generating a shade of color; and

(b) applying illumination for illuminating the display element.

8. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, wherein an additional data bit is used to display a color image field for each pixel.

9. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, wherein the illumination is modulated based on the value of data in at least one memory cell for varying the intensity of the display element.

10. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, wherein a width of a pulse of the illumination defines a grayscale of a color.

11. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, farther comprising the step of applying another illumination pulse for compensating for an insufficient waveform rise.

12. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, wherein multiple illumination pulses are applied, one pulse for each data bit in a sequence of data bits of a color field.

13. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 12, wherein a single rise and fall for a color field occur and is detached from the number of bits employed.

14. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 12, wherein steps (a) and (b) are applied to a plurality of display elements of the display.

15. A method for generating an image as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one additional bit is utilized for achieving a single rise and fall time.