Active matrix display devices
First Claim
1. An active matrix display device comprising:
- an array of pixels,a set of row conductors through which rows of pixels are selected,a set of column conductors through which data signals are supplied to selected pixels, each pixel comprising a plurality of sub pixels in which sub pixels are each associated with a respective switching transistor for controlling the supply of a data signal to the sub pixel,a timing and control unit for controlling a row drive circuit and a column drive circuit that provide driving signals and the data signals to the array of pixels, the timing and control unit selectively switching between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation in response to a mode selection control signal,wherein the plurality of sub pixels of a pixel are coupled to a column conductor associated with the pixel via a common switching transistor through which data signals are supplied to the sub pixels, andwherein the device is selectively operable in the first mode in which the plurality of sub-pixels of a pixel are addressed simultaneously with a data signal and in the second mode in which the sub pixels of a pixel are addressed individually with respective data signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an active matrix display device, such as AMLCD, having an array of pixels (P) addressed via sets of row and column conductors (14, 15) to which, respectively, selection and data signals are applied, each pixel comprises a plurality of sub pixels (P1-P4) which each have an associated switch, for example a TFT, (T1-T4) and which are addressed with data signals through a common switch (T1) coupled to a column conductor (15). Addressing the sub pixels through a common switch reduces the effective capacitance of the column conductor. By appropriate control of the switches (T1-T4) the pixels can be driven in a first mode in which the common switch (T1) is operated to control the simultaneous addressing of the sub pixels (P1-P4) with a data signal, for example, for a video display with full grey scale capability, and in a second mode in which the switches (T1-T4) are controlled sequentially to allow different data signals to be applied to the individual sub pixels, for example, as required for a low power standby mode of operation with limited grey scale and color capability.
33 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An active matrix display device comprising:
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an array of pixels, a set of row conductors through which rows of pixels are selected, a set of column conductors through which data signals are supplied to selected pixels, each pixel comprising a plurality of sub pixels in which sub pixels are each associated with a respective switching transistor for controlling the supply of a data signal to the sub pixel, a timing and control unit for controlling a row drive circuit and a column drive circuit that provide driving signals and the data signals to the array of pixels, the timing and control unit selectively switching between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation in response to a mode selection control signal, wherein the plurality of sub pixels of a pixel are coupled to a column conductor associated with the pixel via a common switching transistor through which data signals are supplied to the sub pixels, and wherein the device is selectively operable in the first mode in which the plurality of sub-pixels of a pixel are addressed simultaneously with a data signal and in the second mode in which the sub pixels of a pixel are addressed individually with respective data signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An active matrix device comprising:
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a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least two sub pixels; a plurality of column conductors and a plurality of row conductors for addressing the pixels; a first row conductor that controls a signal path between one of the pixels and one of the column conductors, the first row conductor controlling a signal path between two sub pixels of another pixel; a second row conductor that controls a signal path between the other pixel and one of the column conductors; and a timing and control unit for controlling a row drive circuit and a column drive circuit that provide driving signals and the data signals to the plurality of pixels, the timing and control unit selectively switching between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation in response to a mode selection control signal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of pixels in which each pixel comprises at least one pair of sub pixels; column conductors each being connected to the pixels of one column of the array of pixels; row conductors in which two or more of the row conductors are connected to the pixels of one row of the array of pixels, and some row conductors each being connected to two pixels in the same column; and a display controller for providing data signals to the column conductors and switching signals to the row conductors, the display controller being selectively operable in a first mode to switch the switching transistors associated with the sub pixels of a pixel at the same time so as to supply a data signal on the associated column conductor to each sub pixel, and the display controller being selectively operable in a second mode to switch the switching transistors associated with the sub pixels of the pixel selectively in sequence such that data signals on the associated column conductor are supplied to respective sub pixels; wherein each of the pairs of sub pixels is associated with a circuit for connecting to a column conductor and two row conductors, the circuit comprising; a first switching transistor with its input terminal connected to the column conductor, its output connected to the first sub pixel in the pair, and its control terminal connected to the first row conductor; and a second switching transistor with its input terminal connected to the output terminal of the first switching transistor, its output terminal connected to the second sub pixel in the pair, and its control terminal connected to the second row conductor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method comprising:
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driving a display device in a first mode in which a plurality of sub-pixels of each of an array of pixels of the display device are addressed simultaneously with a data signal; and driving a display device in a second mode in which the sub pixels of each pixel are addressed individually with respective data signals; using a timing and control unit to control a row drive circuit and a column drive circuit that provide driving signals and the data signals to the array of pixels, the timing and control unit selectively switching between the first mode and the second mode in response to a mode selection control signal; wherein the display device comprises a set of row conductors through which rows of pixels are selected, a set of column conductors through which data signals are supplied to selected pixels, and each sub pixel is associated with a respective switching transistor for controlling the supply of the data signal to the sub pixel. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification