System and method of driving an array of optical elements

• US 20020021269A1
• Filed: 08/07/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rastar
• Original Assignee: Rastar
• Inventors: Rast, Rodger H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,292,209 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/82
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0809 Several active elements per pixel in active matrix panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0272 Details of drivers for data electrodes, the drivers communicating data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/00 Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/03 specially adapted for displays having non-planar surfaces, e.g. curved displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/14 Semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3216 using a passive matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3283 in which the data driver supplies a variable data current for setting the current through, or the voltage across, the light-emitting elements

Abstract

A system and/or method for controlling a display array without the use of row and column drivers. The display elements within the system are configured to maintain an active address signal in response to a received signal containing serially encoded display settings. Each display element is loaded with an address of where it is located within the array. The display elements then extract the display information from the signal upon matching the address, wherein they output the correct display setting for their position within the array. An optical programming method is described for setting the address of the display elements in-situ.

Claims

1. A system for displaying visual information, comprising:

a display element;

said display element having means of retaining an array element address;

said display element having means of comparing said address with a received signal;

said display element adapted to extract a display setting upon finding an address match;

said display element adapted to provide a display output according to the extracted display setting;

a display element controller;

said display element controller adapted to generate a signal to a plurality of connected said display elements; and

said display element controller adapted to generate a signal containing a sequence of display settings in an ordered pattern consistent with the addressing of said array elements.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for retaining an array element address comprises cells of a non-volatile memory.

3. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means of comparing address comprises a comparator which compares the present address within the received signal to an address retained within the display element.

4. A display element for use in a display array which receives at least one display signal containing a series of display setting values for the elements within the array, comprising:

a digital circuit for retaining an address value;

an address comparison circuit for comparing the retained address with the received signal;

an data store which extracts a display setting from the display signal upon an address match being detected; and

a visual output which is set in response to the extracted display setting.

5. A controller for the display element recited in claim 4.

6. A method of driving display elements, comprising:

generating a display signal containing a series of display settings in a pattern from which a display element address may be determined;

transmitting said signal to an array of synchronous display element;

receiving said signal within a synchronous display element;

detecting an address match for the display element within the signal;

extracting the display setting from the signal for the display element; and

outputting a display setting in response to the extracted display setting.

7. A method of programming an array address within an element of an array, comprising:

configuring display elements with an optical detector configuring display elements with a non-volatile section of memory for retaining an address;

optically coupling a programming array to the array of display elements;

engaging the address programming for the displaying elements; and

loading the address embedded within the signal in response to the detection of sufficient light input.

8. A display array having a plurality of multiple display elements which are individually addressable by an attached controller, comprising:

(a) an array support member configured with power and ground connections,

(b) a controller operatively coupled to the power and ground connections of said array support member and capable of applying a voltage between the power and ground connections, wherein the controller is further capable of superimposing data signals on said voltage; and

(c) a plurality of display elements operatively connected to the power and ground of said support member, each display element being configured to extract the data signals from the voltage provided by the controller, wherein a display element,