EP0193759A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Active display matrix addressable without crossed lines on any one substrate and method of using the same
Assignee: Ovonic Imaging Systems Inc
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Filing: 1986-02-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A light influencing display (50) is provided which has a plurality of pixels, each pixel (51) including a first electrode (20) and a second electrode (44). A separate control device (22) is associated with and connected to each pixel (51). Associated with each pixel (51) is also a voltage supply lead (32), a control lead (30) and a data lead (44). A desired voltage can be applied between the electrodes of a given pixel by using a selected control lead (30) to turn on its control device (22), and by using a selected data lead (44) to supply a data voltage to its second electrode. Addressing of the display pixels is performed without crossing leads, avoiding the risk of short circuits between such leads. The voltage supply and control leads can also be combined, greatly reducing the number of leads required in such a display.
Inventors
- 👤 Yaniv Zvi
- 👤 Alan Lien Shui-Chih
- 👤 Walter E. Chapelle
- 👤 Yang Mohshi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:20
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/1368; G02F1/13624; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3611; G09G3/3648; G09G3/3659; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/12; G02F2201/122; G09G2330/00; G09G2330/08; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A light influencing display including first and second surfaces, a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each including a first electrode formed on the first surface, an opposing second electrode formed on the second surface and light influencing material between the first and second electrodes, characterized by: a separate three terminal control device (22), formed of semiconductor material on the first surface associated with each of said pixels, with each of the control devices having two current path terminals (26, 28) and a control terminal (24) which controls the conductivity between those two current path terminals, and with a first of the current path terminals (26) of each control device being connected to the first pixel electrode of its associated pixel; a separate conductive voltage supply lead (32) formed on the first surface in association with each row of pixels, said voltage supply lead extending in the direction of its associated row and being connected to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with its row; a separate conductive control lead (30 ' ) formed on the first surface in association with each row of pixels, said control lead extending in the direction of its associated row and being connected to the control terminals of the control devices in that row; and a separate conductive data lead (44) formed on the second surface in association with each column of pixels, said data lead extending in the direction of its associated column and being connected to the second pixel electrodes in that column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A light influencing display including first and second surfaces, a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each including a first electrode formed on the first surface, an opposing second electrode formed on the second surface and light influencing material between the first and second electrodes, characterized by: a separate three terminal control device (22), formed of semiconductor material on the first surface associated with each of said pixels, with each of the control devices having two current path terminals (26, 28) and a control terminal (24) which controls the conductivity between those two current path terminals, and with a first of the current path terminals (26) of each control device being connected to the first pixel electrode of its associated pixel; a separate conductive voltage supply lead (32) formed on the first surface in association with each row of pixels, said voltage supply lead extending in the direction of its associated row and being connected to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with its row; a separate conductive control lead (30 ' ) formed on the first surface in association with each row of pixels, said control lead extending in the direction of its associated row and being connected to the control terminals of the control devices in that row; and a separate conductive data lead (44) formed on the second surface in association with each column of pixels, said data lead extending in the direction of its associated column and being connected to the second pixel electrodes in that column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light influencing display according to Claim 1, further characterized by said light influencing display material being liquid crystal material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light influencing display according to anyone of Claims 1 or 2, further characterized by said control devices being transistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-3, further characterized by said control devices being thin film field effect transistors and said current path terminals being source electrodes and drain electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-4, further characterized by said control devices being formed of deposited semiconductor material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A. light influencing display according to Claim 5, further characterized by said deposited semiconductor material being an amorphous semiconductor alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-6, further characterized by the voltage supply leads and the control leads not crossing each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-7, further characterized by each first pixel electrode having two of said three terminal control devices formed in association with it to provide redundancy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A light influencing display according to Claim 8, further characterized by at least one of the two control devices formed in association with each first pixel electrode having a laser blowable fuse (82) connected to at least one of its electrodes to enable it to be removed from effective operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-9, further characterized by the voltage supply lead associated with one row of.pixels being arranged to function as the control lead associated with another row of pixels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-10, further characterized by the voltage supply lead and control lead associated with each pixel row being two parallel conductive lines extending in the direction of that row.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
82 words
A light influencing display according to any one of Claims 1-11 further characterized by a given data lead being connected to each of the second pixel electrodes in a given pixel column, so that by selectively supplying the proper voltage through a control lead associated with a selected pixel row, and by supplying a voltage through a data lead connected to a selected pixel column, the pixel at the intersection of the selected row and column has a voltage applied across it.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
220 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display including a first insulative surface characterized by: a plurality of first pixel electrodes (20) formed on the first surface, with said pixel electrodes being divided into a plurality bf pixel electrode groups (14, 15, 16), each consisting of a separate plurality of pixel electrodes; a corresponding plurality of three terminal control devices (22) formed of deposited semiconductor material on the first surface, with one such control device being formed in association with each of said pixel electrodes, with each control device having two current path terminals (26, 28) and a control terminal (24) which controls the conductivity between those two current path terminals, and with a first of the current path terminals (26) of each control device being connected to its associated first pixel electrode; a separate conductive voltage supply lead (32) formed on the first surface in association with each of said pixel electrode groups, with each of said voltage supply leads being connected to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with its electrode-group; and a separate conductive control lead (30) formed on the first surface in association with each of said pixel electrode groups, with each of said control leads being connected to the control terminals of the control devices associated with its electrode group.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
220 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display including a first insulative surface characterized by: a plurality of first pixel electrodes (20) formed on the first surface, with said pixel electrodes being divided into a plurality bf pixel electrode groups (14, 15, 16), each consisting of a separate plurality of pixel electrodes; a corresponding plurality of three terminal control devices (22) formed of deposited semiconductor material on the first surface, with one such control device being formed in association with each of said pixel electrodes, with each control device having two current path terminals (26, 28) and a control terminal (24) which controls the conductivity between those two current path terminals, and with a first of the current path terminals (26) of each control device being connected to its associated first pixel electrode; a separate conductive voltage supply lead (32) formed on the first surface in association with each of said pixel electrode groups, with each of said voltage supply leads being connected to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with its electrode-group; and a separate conductive control lead (30) formed on the first surface in association with each of said pixel electrode groups, with each of said control leads being connected to the control terminals of the control devices associated with its electrode group.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to Claim 13, further characterized by said control devices being transistors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13 or 14, further characterized by said control devices being thin film field effect transistors and said current path terminals being source electrodes and drain electrodes
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13-15, further characterized by said control devices being formed of deposited semiconductor material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to Claim 16, further characterized by said deposited semiconductor material being an amorphous semiconductor alloy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A subassembly for use in'a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13-17, further characterized by the voltage supply leads and the control leads not crossing each other.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13-18, further characterized by each first pixel electrode having two of said three terminal control devices formed in association with it to provide redundancy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to Claim 19, further characterized by at least one of the two control devices formed in association with each first pixel electrode having a laser blowable fuse (82) connected to at least one of its electrodes to enable it to be removed from effective operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13-20, further characterized by the voltage supply lead associated with one pixel electrode group being arranged to function as the control lead associated with another pixel electrode group.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A subassembly for use in a light influencing display according to any one of Claims 13-21, further characterized by the voltage supply leads and control leads being parallel conductive lines.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of supplying a voltage to a selected pixel from among a plurality of pixels divided into separate pixel groups, in which each pixel has a first and a second electrode, and in which each pixel has a separate three terminal control device associated with it, each having two current path terminals and a control terminal which controls the conductivity between them, with a first of the current path terminals of each control device being connected to the first electrode of its associated pixel, said method characterised by: supplying preselected voltages to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with each pixel; supplying a data voltage through a selected data lead to one second electrode in each pixel group, including the second electrode of the selected pixel; supplying an "on" signal to each of the control terminals of the control devices associated with the pixel group which includes the selected pixel, so as to select that pixel group by turning on the conductivity between the current path terminals of its control devices, effectively connecting the first electrode of the selected pixel to a given preselected voltage; and supplying an "off" signal to each of the control terminals of the control devices associated with other, non-selected pixel groups, so as to turn off the conductivity between the current path terminals of their control devices effectively isolating their first electrodes from said preselected voltages.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of supplying a voltage to a selected pixel from among a plurality of pixels divided into separate pixel groups, in which each pixel has a first and a second electrode, and in which each pixel has a separate three terminal control device associated with it, each having two current path terminals and a control terminal which controls the conductivity between them, with a first of the current path terminals of each control device being connected to the first electrode of its associated pixel, said method characterised by: supplying preselected voltages to the second current path terminals of the control devices associated with each pixel; supplying a data voltage through a selected data lead to one second electrode in each pixel group, including the second electrode of the selected pixel; supplying an "on" signal to each of the control terminals of the control devices associated with the pixel group which includes the selected pixel, so as to select that pixel group by turning on the conductivity between the current path terminals of its control devices, effectively connecting the first electrode of the selected pixel to a given preselected voltage; and supplying an "off" signal to each of the control terminals of the control devices associated with other, non-selected pixel groups, so as to turn off the conductivity between the current path terminals of their control devices effectively isolating their first electrodes from said preselected voltages.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to Claim 23, further characterized by supplying a plurality of separately selectable data voltages in parallel through a corresponding plurality of data leads, with each selected voltage being supplied to one second pixel electrode in each pixel group, so that a plurality of pixels in the selected pixel group have separately selected voltages applied between their first and second pixel electrodes at the same time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
A method according to Claim 23, further characterized by arranging the pixels in an x - y array in which each pixel groups forms a row of the array and each pixel, besides being in a pixel row, is also in a pixel column; and the supplying of a voltage through a selected data lead including supplying such a voltage through a data lead to each second electrode of each pixel belonging to a given pixel column.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
113 words
A method according to Claim 23, further characterized by using a separate voltage supply lead to supply the preselected voltages to the second current path terminals associated with each pixel group, using a separate control lead to supply the "on" and "off" signal to the control terminals associated with each pixel group; and using the same conductive lead as the control lead to apply said "on" and "off" signals to the control terminals associated with one pixel group at other times as the voltage supply lead to supply a certain preselected voltage to the second current path terminals associated with another pixel group when that other pixel group is the selected pixel group.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to Claim 23 for use with liquid crystal displays, further characterized by the preselected voltage supplied to the second current path terminals associated with the selected pixel groups is held constant and the polarity of the data voltages applied to the second pixel electrodes is periodically reversed, so as to reduce the net direct current flow across the pixels of said display.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
108 words
A method according to Claim 23 for use with liquid crystal displays, further characterized by: changing the preselected voltage supplied to the second current path terminals associated with the selected pixel groups periodically between a more negative voltage level and a more positive voltage level; and limiting the data voltages supplied to the second pixel electrodes substantially to voltages below said preselected voltage when said preselected voltage is at the more positive level and substantially limiting the data voltages above said preselected voltage when said preselected voltage is at the more negative level, so as to reduce the net direct current flow across the pixels of said display.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to Claim 23, further characterized by supplying preselected voltages in common to the second current path terminals of all of the pixel groups.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
111 words
A method according to Claim 23, further characterized by; the control devices being thin film field effect transistors, said current path terminals being the sources and drains of such transistors and the control terminals being the gate electrodes of such transistors; the "on" signal supplied to the gate electrodes of the selected pixel group being a voltage sufficiently higher than the preselected voltage supplied to the source electrodes of the selected group, so as to turn the transistors of the selected group on; and the "off" signal supplied to the gate electrodes associated with the non-selected pixel groups being sufficiently low tQ keep the transistors of those non-selected pixel groups off.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to Claim 30, further characterized by the "off" signal supplied to the gate electrodes associated with non-selected pixel groups being a voltage which is sufficiently low to keep the transistors of the non-selected pixel groups off even when the voltage on the first pixel electrodes connected to the first current path terminals of such transistors is less than the preselected voltage supplied to the source electrodes of such transistors by twice the largest data voltage applied across said pixels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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