Active matrix display device and method of driving such
First Claim
1. A method of driving an active matrix display device having sets of row and column address conductors and an array of electro-optic display elements operable to produce a display each of which is connected in series with a two terminal non-linear device between a row address conductor and a column address conductor, in which a selection voltage signal is applied to each row address conductor during a row selection period to select a row of display elements and data voltage signals are applied to the column address conductors whereby the selected display elements are driven to voltage levels according to the data voltage signals, characterised in that the selection signal supplied to a row address conductor comprises a voltage pulse signal whose magnitude increases gradually in a controlled fashion to a maximum selection voltage amplitude during the row address period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an active matrix display device having an army of electro-optic, e.g. liquid crystal, display elements (12) which are each connected in series with a two-terminal non-linear device (15), such as a MIM type thin film diode, between associated row and column address conductors (16,17), and are driven by a circuit, (20,22) to produce a display effect by applying a selection signal to each row address conductor in turn and data signals to the column address conductors, a selection signal comprising a voltage pulse signal whose magnitude is increased gradually and in a controlled fashion to a maximum selection voltage amplitude is used so as to reduce the extent of ageing in the non-linear devices and differential ageing effects on display elements driven to different levels over a period of use by reducing peak currents flowing through the non-linear devices. The rising edge of the selection pulse signal is suitably shaped, for example by ramping or stepping, for this purpose. When using a five level row drive waveform comprising positive and negative selection signals and a reset signal, the reset selection signal can be shaped in this way, preferably together with the selection signal of opposite polarity.
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Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A method of driving an active matrix display device having sets of row and column address conductors and an array of electro-optic display elements operable to produce a display each of which is connected in series with a two terminal non-linear device between a row address conductor and a column address conductor, in which a selection voltage signal is applied to each row address conductor during a row selection period to select a row of display elements and data voltage signals are applied to the column address conductors whereby the selected display elements are driven to voltage levels according to the data voltage signals, characterised in that the selection signal supplied to a row address conductor comprises a voltage pulse signal whose magnitude increases gradually in a controlled fashion to a maximum selection voltage amplitude during the row address period.
- 14. An active matrix display device comprising sets of row and column address conductors, an array of electro-optic display elements operable to produce a display, each of which is connected in series with a two-terminal non-linear device between a row address conductor and a column address conductor, and a drive circuit connected to the sets of row and column address conductors for applying a selection voltage signal to each row address conductor during a row address period to select a row of display elements and data signals to the column address conductors by means of which the selected display elements are driven to voltage levels according to the data voltage signals, characterised in that the drive circuit is adapted to provide selection voltage signals for supply to the row address conductors which comprise a voltage pulse signal whose magnitude increases gradually in a controlled fashion to a maximum selection voltage amplitude during the row address period.
Specification