Method and apparatus for driving device and display

• US 6,690,344 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NGK Insulators Limited
• Original Assignee: NGK Insulators Limited
• Inventors: Takeuchi, Yukihisa, Nanataki, Tsutomu, Akao, Takayoshi, Ohwada, Iwao
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/570,697
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 345/84, 345/85, 345/102, 345/108, 345/88, 345/95, 345/89, 310/328, 310/330, 310/331, 310/332, 310/334, 359/290-297, 327/535
• US Class Current: 345/85
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/02 Addressing, scanning or driving the display screen or processing steps related thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0224 Details of interlacing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0275 Details of drivers for data electrodes, other than drivers for liquid crystal, plasma or OLED displays, not related to handling digital grey scale data or to communication of data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/06 Details of flat display driving waveforms
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/061 for resetting or blanking
• 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 2320/0285 using tables for spatial correction of display data
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/029 by monitoring one or more pixels in the display panel, e.g. by monitoring a fixed reference pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2022 using sub-frames
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2025 the sub-frames having all the same time duration
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3473 based on light coupled out of a light guide, e.g. due to scattering, by contracting the light guide with external means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3493 using light modulating elements actuated by a piezoelectric effect

Abstract

A display driving device drives a display which includes a plurality of actuators which control light emitted from specified parts of an optical wave guide plate. A first drive circuit controls the row electrodes, while a second drive circuit controls the column electrodes by outputting a data signal. The data signal includes a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot in the display, based on an input image signal. The column electrode drive circuit controls gradation only by a temporal modulation method. A signal processing circuit, which controls the first and second drive circuits, also controls brightness correction data. Brightness correction data are determined upon manufacture of the display and can be modified during the life of the display to correct for brightness deterioration.

Claims

1. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting and separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

a first drive circuit which applies an offset potential to all of said actuators;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on said image signal, said data signal comprising one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits wherein one dot is configured by one or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots, and wherein said second drive circuit controls gradation by at least a temporal modulation method.

2. A display driving device as described in claim 1 wherein:

a display interval for one image is one frame, and said frame includes a plurality of subfields; and

each subfield is designated a time duration corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

3. A display driving device as described in claim 2 wherein:

a timing of said second drive circuit is controlled by said signal processing circuit so that a display time for each dot is allocated to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

created dot data is output as data signals to actuators associated with said dots.

4. A display driving device as described in claim 3 wherein said signal processing circuit includes:

a data creating mechanism which obtains dot data that is to be allocated to all dots based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which is provided for each dot and outputs said dot data for corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding subfields.

5. A display driving device as described in claim 4 wherein said data transfer section includes:

a first shift register which accepts dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

a second shift register which accepts dot data stored in said first shift register in parallel and successively outputs bit information of said dot data based on timing corresponding to time duration of corresponding subfields.

6. A display driving device as described in claim 1 wherein

a display interval for one image is one frame, and said frame includes a plurality of linear subfields of equal length;

and

a timing of said second drive circuit is controlled by said signal processing circuit so that for each dot, display time corresponding to respective gradation levels is continuously allotted to necessary linear subfields and created dot data are output to actuators corresponding to said dots.

7. A display driving device as described in claim 6 wherein said signal processing circuit includes:

a data creating mechanism which obtains dot data that is to be allotted to all dots based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which outputs bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of said linear subfields.

8. A display driving device as described in claim 7 wherein:

said second drive circuit includes multiple driver IC'"'"'s;

said data transfer portion includes one first data output circuit and a plurality of second data output circuits corresponding to a number of output terminals of said first data output circuit;

said first data output circuit outputs data sets in dot succession with each specified timing in each output terminal, said data sets allotted to each output terminal in each frame and configured by k×

m×

n, where (k) is a number of outputs per said driver IC, (m) is a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and (n) is a number of bits corresponding to a maximum gradation level; and

said second data output circuit includes output terminals corresponding to said number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and outputting data from said first data output circuit in parallel to allotted driver IC'"'"'s via said output terminals.

9. A display device as described in claim 1, wherein said signal processing circuit includes means for correcting brightness to compensate for brightness variations between each of said dots.

10. A display driving device as described in claim 1, wherein said signal processing circuit includes linear correction means for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

11. A display driving device as described in claim 10 wherein said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

12. A display driving device as described in claim 1 further comprising a light adjustment control mechanism which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one frame when a display interval of one image is one frame.

13. A display driving device as described in claim 1 further comprising a preliminary interval which separates all dots in one frame with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame.

14. A display driving device as described in claim 13 wherein said preliminary interval is formed coinciding with variations in an output level of said first drive circuit.

15. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

a first drive circuit which alternately selects pixels for odd numbered rows and even numbered rows;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on image signal, said data signal including one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits, wherein one dot is configured by one or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots, and wherein said signal processing circuit controls at least said second drive circuit which in turn controls gradation at least by a temporal modulation method.

16. A display driving device as described in claim 15 wherein:

a display interval for one image is one frame, said frame is divided into two fields, and each field includes a plurality of subfields; and

each subfield is designated a time duration corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

17. A display driving device as described in claim 16 wherein:

a timing of said second drive circuit is controlled by said signal processing circuit so that a display time for each dot in rows selected by said first drive circuit is allocated to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

created dot data is output to actuators corresponding to said dots.

18. A display driving device as described in claim 17 wherein said signal processing circuit includes:

a data creating mechanism which obtains dot data that is to be allocated to dots associated with said selected rows based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which is provided for each dot which is selected in an interval of one field and which outputs said dot data for selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding subfields.

19. A display driving device as described in claim 18 wherein said data transfer section includes:

a first shift register which accepts dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

a second shift register which accepts dot data stored in said first shift register in parallel and which successively outputs bit information of said dot data based on timing corresponding to time duration of corresponding subfields.

20. A display driving device as described in claim 15 wherein:

a display interval for one image is one frame, said frame is divided into two fields, and each field includes a plurality of linear subfields;

a timing of said second drive circuit being controlled by said signal processing circuit so that for each dot selected by said first drive circuit, display time corresponding to respective gradation levels is continuously allotted to necessary linear subfields so that created dot data is output to at least one actuator associated with said dots.

21. A display driving device as described in claim 20 wherein said signal processing circuit includes:

a data creating mechanism which obtains dot data to be allotted to all dots selected in one field based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which outputs bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots in line with an initial timing of corresponding linear subfields.

22. A display driving device as described in claim 21 wherein:

said second drive circuit includes multiple driver IC'"'"'s,

said data transfer section includes one first data output circuit and a plurality of second data output circuits corresponding to a number of output terminals of said first data output circuit,

said first data output circuit outputs data sets in dot succession with each specified timing in each output terminal, said data sets allotted to each output terminal in each field and configured by k×

m×

n, where (k) is a number of outputs per said driver IC, (m) is a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and (n) is a number of bits corresponding to a maximum gradation level; and

said second data output circuit includes output terminals corresponding to said number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and outputting data from said first data output circuit in parallel to allotted driver IC'"'"'s via said output terminals.

23. A display device as described in claim 15, wherein said signal processing circuit includes means for correcting brightness to compensate for brightness variations between each of said dots.

24. A display driving device as described in claim 15, wherein said signal processing circuit includes linear correction means for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

25. A display driving device as described in claim 24 wherein said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

26. A display driving device as described in claim 15 further comprising a light adjustment control mechanism which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of two fields.

27. A display driving device as described in claim 15 further comprising a preliminary interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of two fields.

28. A display driving device as described in claim 27 wherein said preliminary interval is formed coinciding with variations in an output level of said first drive circuit.

29. A method of driving displays, comprising the steps of:

introducing light in an optical wave guide plate;

providing a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots;

providing a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate which controls a displacement of said actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said input image signal by controlling leakage light of specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

configuring each dot by at least one actuator;

configuring each pixel by at least one dot;

applying an offset potential to said plurality of dots;

outputting a data signal comprising a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot based on said input image signal; and

controlling gradation by at least a temporal modulation method.

30. A method as described in claim 29 further comprising:

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, wherein said frame includes a plurality of subfields; and

designating a time duration for each subfield corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

31. A method as described in claim 30 further comprising:

controlling timing so that a display time for each dot is allocated to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

outputting created dot data to actuators associated with said dots.

32. A method as described in claim 31, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allocated to all dots based on said input image signal; and

outputting, for all dots, said dot data to corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding subfields.

33. A method as described in claim 32, further comprising:

accepting dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

successively outputting bit information of said dot data after said dot data is accepted in parallel, wherein said outputting is based on timing corresponding to time duration of corresponding subfields.

34. A method as described in claim 29, further comprising:

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, wherein said frame is equally divided into a plurality of linear subfields; and

continuously allotting display time corresponding to respective gradation levels to each dot; and

controlling timing so that created dot data is output to each actuator corresponding to said dots.

35. A method as described in claim 34, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allotted to all dots based on said input image signal; and

outputting bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding linear subfields.

36. A method as described in claim 35, further comprising:

allotting a plurality of driver IC'"'"'s to control said plurality of actuators;

dividing all dots into groups of multiple dots;

allocating data sets configured by k×

m×

n to each group in one frame period, wherein (k) is a number of outputs per said driver IC, (m) is a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and (n) is a number of bits corresponding to a maximum gradation level; and

outputting said data sets in dot succession in each group with each specified timing.

37. A method as described in claim 29, further comprising the step of performing brightness correction processing to correct brightness variations for each dot.

38. A method as described in claim 29, further comprising performing linear correction processing for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

39. A method as described in claim 38, in which said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

40. A method as described in claim 29, further comprising the step of performing light adjustment control processing which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one frame when a display interval of one image is one frame.

41. A method as described in claim 29, further comprising the step of providing an interval which separates all dots in one frame with respect to said optical waveguide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame.

42. A method of driving displays, comprising the steps of:

introducing light in an optical wave guide plate;

providing a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots;

providing a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate which controls a displacement of said actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said input image signal by controlling leakage light of specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

configuring each dot by at least one actuator;

configuring each pixel by at least one dot;

alternately selecting pixels of odd number rows and even number rows;

outputting display information to pixels of said selected rows for each dot based on said input image signal, wherein said display information includes a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

controlling gradation by at least a temporal modulation method.

43. A method as described in claim 42, further comprising:

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, and partitioning said frame into two fields, wherein each field includes a plurality of subfields; and

designating a time duration for each subfield corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

44. A method as described in claim 43, further comprising:

allocating display time for each dot of selected rows to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

controlling timing so that created dot data output is output to actuators associated with said dots.

45. A method as described in claim 44, further comprising:

obtaining, based on said input image signal, dot data that is to be allocated to dots corresponding to said selected rows; and

outputting said dot data to selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of a corresponding subfield for dots which are selected in an interval of one field.

46. A method as described in claim 45, further comprising:

accepting dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

successively outputting, based on timing corresponding to time duration of said subfields, bit information of said dot data after said dot data is accepted in parallel.

47. A method as described in claim 46, further comprising:

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, and partitioning said frame into two fields, wherein each field is divided into a plurality of linear subfields; and

controlling timing so that, for each dot of selected rows, display time corresponding to respective gradation levels is continuously allotted to necessary linear subfields so that created dot data is output to said actuators associated with said dots.

48. A method as described in claim 47, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allotted to all dots selected in an interval of one field based on said input image signal; and

outputting bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding linear subfields.

49. A method as described in claim 48, further comprising:

allotting a plurality of driver IC'"'"'s to control said plurality of actuators;

dividing dots selected in an interval of one field into groups of multiple dots;

configuring in k×

m×

n data sets to each group allocated in one field interval, wherein a number of outputs per said driver IC is (k), a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted in one group is (m), and a number of bits corresponding to the maximum gradation level is (n); and

outputting said data sets with specified timing in dot succession in each group.

50. A method as described in claim 42, further comprising the step of performing brightness correction processing to correct brightness variations for each dot.

51. A method as described in claim 42, further comprising performing linear correction processing for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

52. A method as described in claim 51, in which said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

53. A method as described in claim 42, further comprising the step of performing light adjustment control processing which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of two fields.

54. A method as described in claim 42, further comprising the step of providing an interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of two fields.

55. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

a first drive circuit which selects dots of designated rows for said plurality of pixels;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on said input image signal, said data signal including one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits,

wherein one dot is configured by two or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots, and wherein said signal processing circuit controls said first and second drive circuits which in turn control gradation by at least a temporal modulation method,

wherein a display interval for one image is one frame, said frame is divided into a plurality of fields, one field per designated row, and each field includes a plurality of subfields, and each subfield is designated a time duration corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

56. A display driving device as described in claim 55, wherein said designated rows are three rows matching three primary colors.

57. A display driving device as described in claim 56 wherein a color emitted by said light source is switched in synchronization with a selection of said dots.

58. A display driving device as described in claim 55, wherein:

a timing of said second drive circuit is controlled by said signal processing circuit so that display time for each dot of rows selected by said first drive circuit is allocated to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

created dot data is output to actuators associated with said dots.

59. A display driving device as described in claim 58, further comprising:

a data creating mechanism in said signal processing circuit which obtains dot data that is to be allocated to dots associated with said selected rows based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which corresponds to a number of dots which are selected in an interval of one field and outputs said dot data for selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of a corresponding subfield.

60. A display driving device as described in claim 59 wherein said data transfer section includes:

a first shift register which accepts dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

a second shift register which accepts dot data stored in said first shift register in parallel and successively outputs bit information of said dot data based on timing corresponding to a time duration of said subfields.

64. A display driving device as described in claim 55, wherein said signal processing circuit includes means for correcting brightness to compensate for brightness variations between each of said dots.

65. A display driving device as described in claim 55, wherein said signal processing circuit includes linear correction means for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

66. A display driving device as described in claim 65 wherein said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

67. A display driving device as described in claim 55, further comprising a light adjustment control mechanism which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

68. A display driving device as described in claim 55, further comprising a preliminary interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame an one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

69. A display driving device as described in claim 68 wherein said preliminary interval is formed coinciding with variations in an output level of said first drive circuit.

61. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

a first drive circuit which selects dots of designated rows for said plurality of pixels;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on said input image signal, said data signal including one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits,

wherein one dot is configured by two or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots, and wherein said signal processing circuit controls said first and second drive circuits which in turn control gradation by at least a temporal modulation method,

wherein a display interval for one image is one frame, said frame is divided into a plurality of fields, with one field per designated row, and each field is equally divided into a plurality of linear subfields, and a timing of said second drive circuit is controlled by said signal processing circuit so that for each dot selected by said first drive circuit, display time corresponding to respective gradation levels is continuously allotted to necessary linear subfields so that created dot data is output to said actuators associated with said dots.

62. A display driving device as described in claim 61 wherein said signal processing circuit includes:

a data creating mechanism which obtains dot data that is to be allotted to all dots selected in one field based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which outputs bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots with an initial timing of corresponding linear subfields.

63. A display driving device as described in claim 62, wherein:

said second drive circuit includes multiple driver IC'"'"'s,

said data transfer section includes one first data output circuit and a plurality of second data output circuits corresponding to a number of output terminals of said first data output circuit,

said first data output circuit outputs data sets in dot succession with each specified timing in each output terminal, said data sets allotted to each output terminal in each field and configured by k×

m×

n, where (k) is a number of outputs per said driver IC, (m) is a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and (n) is a number of bits corresponding to a maximum gradation level; and

said second data output circuit includes output terminals corresponding to said number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted, and outputting data from said first data output circuit in parallel to allotted driver IC'"'"'s via said output terminals.

96. A display driving device as described in claim 61, wherein said designated rows are three rows matching three primary colors.

97. A display driving device as described in claim 61, wherein a color emitted by said light source is switched in synchronization with a selection of said dots.

98. A display driving device as described in claim 61, wherein:

each subfield is designated a time duration corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

99. A display driving device as described in claim 61, further comprising:

a data creating mechanism in said signal processing circuit which obtains dot data that is to be allocated to dots associated with said selected rows based on said input image signal; and

a data transfer section which corresponds to a number of dots which are selected in an interval of one field and outputs said dot data for selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of a corresponding subfield.

100. A display driving device as described in claim 99, wherein said data transfer section includes:

a first shift register which accepts dot data by bit shift action based on constant timing; and

a second shift register which accepts dot data stored in said first shift register in parallel and successively outputs bit information of said dot data based on timing corresponding to a time duration of said subfields.

101. A display driving device as described in claim 61, wherein said signal processing circuit includes means for correcting brightness to compensate for brightness variations between each of said dots.

102. A display driving device as described in claim 61, wherein said signal processing circuit includes linear correction means for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

103. A display driving device as described in claim 102, wherein said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

104. A display driving device as described in claim 61, further comprising a light adjustment control mechanism which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

105. A display driving device as described in claim 61, further comprising a preliminary interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

106. A display driving device as described in claim 105, wherein said preliminary interval is formed coinciding with variations in an output level of said first drive circuit.

70. A method of driving displays, comprising the steps of:

introducing light in an optical wave guide plate;

providing a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots;

providing a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate which controls a displacement of said actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said input image signal by controlling leakage light of specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

configuring each dot by at least two actuators;

configuring each pixel by at least one dot;

selecting, in turn, dots of all pixels in designated rows;

outputting a data signal comprising a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot based on said input image signal;

controlling gradation by at least a temporal modulation method; and

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, partitioning said frame into a plurality of fields corresponding to a number of said designated rows, and each field includes a plurality of subfields, and designating a time duration for each subfield corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

71. A method of driving displays as described in claim 70, wherein said designated rows are three rows matching three primary colors.

72. A method of driving displays as described in claim 70, further comprising switching a color emitted by said light source in synchronization with said step of selecting said dots.

73. A method of driving displays as described in claim 72, further comprising:

controlling timing so that display time for each dot of selected rows is allocated to necessary subfields corresponding to respective gradation levels; and

outputting created dot data to said actuators associated with said dots.

74. A method of driving displays as described in claim 73, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allocated to dots associated with said selected rows based on said input image signal;

outputting dot data to selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of a corresponding subfield for dots which are selected in an interval of one field.

75. A method of driving displays as described in claim 74, further comprising:

accepting dot data by virtue of bit shift action based on constant timing; and

successively outputting bit information of said dot data, after said dot data is accepted in parallel, based on timing corresponding to time duration of said subfields.

79. A method as described in claim 70, further comprising the step of performing brightness correction processing to correct brightness variations for each dot.

80. A method as described in claim 70, further comprising performing linear correction processing for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

81. A method as described in claim 80, in which said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

82. A method as described in claim 70, further comprising the step of performing light adjustment control processing which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

83. A method as described in claim 70, further comprising the step of providing an interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

76. A method of driving displays, comprising the steps of:

introducing light in an optical wave guide plate;

providing a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots;

providing a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate which controls a displacement of said actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said input image signal by controlling leakage light of specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

configuring each dot by at least two actuators;

configuring each pixel by at least one dot;

selecting, in turn, dots of all pixels in designated rows;

outputting a data signal comprising a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot based on said input image signal;

controlling gradation by at least a temporal modulation method;

setting a display interval for one image as one frame, and partitioning said frame into a plurality of fields conforming to a number of designated rows, wherein each field is equally divided into a plurality of linear subfields; and

controlling timing so that for each dot of selected rows, display time corresponding to respective gradation levels is continuously allotted to necessary linear subfields so that created dot data is output to said actuators associated with said dots.

77. A method of driving displays as described in claim 76, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allotted to all dots selected in an interval of one field based on said input image signal; and

outputting bit information configuring said dot data to corresponding dots in conformance with an initial timing of corresponding linear subfields.

78. A method of driving displays as described in claim 77, further comprising:

allotting a plurality of driver IC'"'"'s to control said plurality of actuators;

dividing dots selected in an interval of one field into groups of multiple dots;

configuring in k×

m×

n data sets to each group allocated in one field interval, wherein a number of outputs per said driver IC is (k), a number of driver IC'"'"'s allotted in one group is (m), and a number of bits corresponding to the maximum gradation level is (n); and

outputting said data sets with specified timing in dot succession in each group.

107. A method of driving displays as described in claim 76, wherein said designated rows are three rows matching three primary colors.

108. A method of driving displays as described in claim 76, further comprising switching a color emitted by said light source in synchronization with said step of selecting said dots.

109. A method of driving displays as described in claim 76, further comprising:

designating a time duration for each subfield corresponding to a unit gradation level assigned to that subfield.

110. A method of driving displays as described in claim 76, further comprising:

obtaining dot data that is to be allocated to dots associated with said selected rows based on said input image signal; and

outputting dot data to selected dots in conformance with an initial timing of a corresponding subfield for dots which are selected in an interval of one field.

111. A method of driving displays as described in claim 110, further comprising:

accepting dot data by virtue of bit shift action based on constant timing; and

successively outputting bit information of said dot data, after said dot data is accepted in parallel, based on timing corresponding to time duration of said subfields.

112. A method as described in claim 76, further comprising the step of performing brightness correction processing to correct brightness variations for each dot.

113. A method as described in claim 76, further comprising performing linear correction processing for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

114. A method as described in claim 113, in which said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

115. A method as described in claim 76, further comprising the step of performing light adjustment control processing which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one field when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

116. A method as described in claim 76, further comprising the step of providing an interval which separates all dots in one field with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame and one frame consists of a plurality of fields.

84. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting and separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

a first drive circuit which applies an offset potential to all of said actuators;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on said image signal, said data signal comprising one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal;

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits wherein one dot is configured by one or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots;

wherein said signal processing circuit includes means for controlling gradation; and

wherein said signal processing means includes correction means for correcting brightness to compensate for brightness variations between each of said dots.

85. A display driving device as described in claim 84, wherein said signal processing circuit includes linear correction means for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

86. A display driving device as described in claim 85 wherein said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

87. A display driving device as described in claim 84 further comprising a light adjustment control mechanism which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one frame when a display interval of one image is one frame.

88. A display driving device as described in claim 84 further comprising a preliminary interval which separates all dots in one frame with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame.

89. A display driving device as described in claim 88 wherein said preliminary interval is formed coinciding with variations in an output level of said first drive circuit.

90. A method of driving displays, comprising the steps of:

introducing light in an optical wave guide plate;

providing a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots;

providing a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate which controls a displacement of said actuators in contacting/separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said input image signal by controlling leakage light of specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

configuring each dot by at least one actuator;

configuring each pixel by at least one dot;

applying an offset potential to said plurality of dots;

outputting a data signal comprising a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal for each dot based on said input image signal;

controlling gradation; and

performing brightness correction processing to correct brightness variations between each of said dots.

91. A method as described in claim 90, further comprising performing linear correction processing for making display properties of said dots linear with respect to said gradation.

92. A method as described in claim 91, in which said display properties are at least display properties with respect to a gradation level in a transmission system of said input image signal.

93. A method as described in claim 91, further comprising the step of performing light adjustment control processing which switches power of a light source in at least two stages at a desired timing in one frame when a display interval of one image is one frame.

94. A method as described in claim 90, further comprising the step of providing an interval which separates all dots in one frame with respect to said optical wave guide plate when a display interval of one image is one frame.

95. A display driving device for a display, comprising:

an optical wave guide plate which introduces light to said display;

a drive section disposed opposite one face of said optical wave guide plate, said drive section including a plurality of actuators arranged corresponding to a plurality of pixels which in turn correspond to a plurality of dots, said drive section controlling a displacement of said plurality of actuators in contacting and separating directions with respect to said optical wave guide plate, said displacement corresponding to attributes of an input image signal, thereby causing an image to be displayed on said optical wave guide plate corresponding to said image signal by controlling a leakage light from specified parts of said optical wave guide plate;

each of said actuators including a shape retaining portion consisting of at least first and second layers, wherein said first and second layers are partially separated by a row electrode, and wherein said shape retaining portion is bounded on an upper and lower side by a column electrode;

a first drive circuit which applies an offset potential to all of said actuators;

a second drive circuit which outputs a data signal for each dot, said data signal being based on said image signal, said data signal comprising one of a light emitting signal and a light extinguishing signal; and

a signal processing circuit which controls said first and second drive circuits,

wherein one dot is configured by two or more actuators and one pixel is configured by one or more dots.