Scanning needle and scanning display system comprising a scanning needle

Abstract

A scanning needle includes a substrate (102), a first color light emitting pixel array (110) including a plurality of first color light emitting pixels (112) formed on the substrate (102), a second color light emitting pixel array (120) including a plurality of second color light emitting pixels (122) formed on the substrate (102), and a third color light emitting pixel array (130) including a plurality of third color light emitting pixels formed on the substrate (102). The first color light emitting pixel array is parallel to the second color light emitting pixel array (120) which is parallel to the third color light emitting pixel array (130).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,343, filed August 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,341, filed August 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,354, filed August 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,368, filed August 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,372, filed August 5, 2020; and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 985,382, filed August 5, 2020. The entire contents of the above-cited applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a display system, and more specifically to a display system including a scanning probe and a display method of said display system. Background Technology

[0004] A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor diode that can convert electrical energy into light energy and emits different colors of light depending on the material of the light-emitting layer included in the LED.

[0005] Conventional LED display panels are formed by assembling multiple LEDs onto a substrate. To display an image in the display area of ​​a conventional LED display panel, these multiple LEDs need to be formed across the entire display area, which can potentially lead to complex manufacturing processes and high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, due to the large number of LEDs involved, conventional LED displays exhibit high power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a scanning probe is provided. The scanning probe includes a substrate, a first color emitting pixel array including a plurality of first color emitting pixels formed on the substrate, a second color emitting pixel array including a plurality of second color emitting pixels formed on the substrate, and a third color emitting pixel array including a plurality of third color emitting pixels formed on the substrate. The first color emitting pixel array is parallel to the second color emitting pixel array, and the second color emitting pixel array is parallel to the third color emitting pixel array. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 is a top view of a scanning needle according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0008] Figures 2A and 2B are enlarged top views of a region of the scanning needle of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0009] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the scanning probe of Figure 1 along section line B-B' according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the scanning needle of Figure 1 along section line B-B' according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 is a top view of a scanning needle according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating a scanning display system according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 is a top view of the scanning needle and image display screen according to an embodiment of this disclosure during the image scanning process.

[0014] Figure 7 is a top view of an image display screen on which an image is displayed during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8 is a schematic view illustrating a scanning display system according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 9 is a top view of an image display screen on which an image is displayed during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 10 is a top view of the scanning needle and image display screen according to an embodiment of this disclosure during the image scanning process.

[0018] Figure 11 is a top view of an image display screen on which an image is displayed during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 12 is a top view of the scanning needle and image display screen according to an embodiment of this disclosure during the image scanning process.

[0020] Figure 13 is a top view of an image display screen on which an image is displayed during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0022] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a scanning needle includes a plurality of light-emitting pixels for emitting light representing each of a plurality of image portions. The light emitted from the scanning needle is moved relative to a picture display screen at a predetermined frequency to continuously project image portions onto the picture display screen. As a result, an image formed by the image portions is displayed on the picture display screen.

[0023] Figure 1 is a top view of a scanning probe 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the scanning probe 100 includes a substrate 102, a first color emitting pixel array 110 including a plurality of first color emitting pixels 112 formed on the substrate 102, a second color emitting pixel array 120 including a plurality of second color emitting pixels 122 formed on the substrate 102, and a third color emitting pixel array 130 including a plurality of third color emitting pixels 132 formed on the substrate 102. The first color emitting pixel array 110 is parallel to the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the second color emitting pixel array 120 is parallel to the third color emitting pixel array 130.

[0024] The X-axis direction shown in the figure is defined as the horizontal direction. The Y-axis direction, perpendicular to the X-axis direction, is defined as the vertical direction. The Z-axis direction is perpendicular to both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In this disclosure, "horizontal direction" and "vertical direction" are used for convenience of interpretation and are not intended to limit the specific orientation of any component described herein.

[0025] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130 includes pixels 112, 122, or 132 formed in a single row extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). The first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130 are arranged sequentially in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction).

[0026] The first-color emitting pixel 112 in the first-color emitting pixel array 110 emits light of the first color. The second-color emitting pixel 122 in the second-color emitting pixel array 120 emits light of the second color. The third-color emitting pixel 132 in the third-color emitting pixel array 130 emits light of the third color. The first color, the second color, and the third color are different from each other.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in FIG1, the scanning probe 100 further includes a light-isolating wall 150 formed on the substrate 102. The light-isolating wall 150 is disposed between the first color emitting pixel array 110 and the second color emitting pixel array 120, and between the second color emitting pixel array 120 and the third color emitting pixel array 130. The light-isolating wall 150 may be formed of any non-transparent material (e.g., non-transparent metal) to isolate light emitted from the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130.

[0028] The first color can be any color selected from red, green, blue, yellow, orange, and cyan, and is different from the second and third colors. The second color can be any color selected from green, blue, red, yellow, orange, and cyan, and is different from the first and third colors. The third color can be any color selected from blue, red, green, yellow, orange, and cyan, and is different from the first and second colors. In one embodiment, each of the first color emitting pixels 112 includes a red emitting pixel, each of the second color emitting pixels 122 includes a blue emitting pixel, and each of the third color emitting pixels 132 includes a green emitting pixel.

[0029] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first spacing p1 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent first color emitting pixels 112) in a row of the first color emitting pixel array 110 is less than 5 μm. The second spacing p2 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent second color emitting pixels 122) in a row of the second color emitting pixel array 120 is less than 5 μm. The third spacing (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent third color emitting pixels 132) in a row of the third color emitting pixel array 130 is less than 5 μm. The first interval s1 between the first color emitting pixel array 110 and the second color emitting pixel array 120 is less than 100 μm. The second interval s2 between the second color emitting pixel array 120 and the third color emitting pixel array 130 is less than 100 μm.

[0030] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first color emitting pixels 112 in the first color emitting pixel array 110 are formed to have the same size and the same structure. The second color emitting pixels 122 in the second color emitting pixel array 120 are formed to have the same size and the same structure. The third color emitting pixels 132 in the third color emitting pixel array 130 are formed to have the same size and the same structure.

[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG1, the scanning probe 100 includes all of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In alternative embodiments of this disclosure (not shown), the scanning probe 100 may include only one of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, or the third color emitting pixel array 130 formed on the substrate 102. In still some alternative embodiments of this disclosure (not shown), the scanning probe 100 may include only two of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the number of first-color emitting pixels 112 in the first-color emitting pixel array 110 is the same as the number of second-color emitting pixels 122 in the second-color emitting pixel array 120. Furthermore, the number of second-color emitting pixels 122 in the second-color emitting pixel array 120 is the same as the number of third-color emitting pixels 132 in the third-color emitting pixel array 130.

[0033] In the embodiment shown in FIG1, each of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130 includes pixels 112, 122, or 132 formed in a single row extending in the horizontal direction. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments explained in further detail below, at least one of the first color emitting pixel array 110, the second color emitting pixel array 120, and the third color emitting pixel array 130 may include pixels formed in a two-dimensional array comprising at least two columns and two rows.

[0034] Figure 2A is an enlarged top view of region A of the scanning probe 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 2A, region A of the scanning probe 100 includes a first color emitting pixel 112_1, a second color emitting pixel 122_1, and a third color emitting pixel 132_1. In the top view, each of the first color emitting pixel 112_1, the second color emitting pixel 122_1, and the third color emitting pixel 132_1 is substantially circular. The shape of a single emitting pixel is not limited here. That is, the shape of a single emitting pixel can be circular, square, rectangular, etc.

[0035] The size of a single emitting pixel ranges from 0.5 μm to 50 μm. In one embodiment, the diameters of each of the first color emitting pixel 112_1, the second color emitting pixel 122_1, and the third color emitting pixel 132_1 are substantially the same, for example, from 0.5 μm to 50 μm. However, the size of the three emitting pixels is not limited here. That is, the sizes of the three emitting pixels 112_2, 122_2, and 132_2 can be the same as each other, or they can be different from each other.

[0036] Figure 2B is an enlarged top view of region A of a scanning probe 100 according to another embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to Figure 2B, region A of the scanning probe 100 includes a first color emitting pixel 112_2, a second color emitting pixel 122_2, and a third color emitting pixel 132_2. In the top view, each of the first color emitting pixel 112_2, the second color emitting pixel 122_2, and the third color emitting pixel 132_2 is substantially rectangular. The dimensions of the first color emitting pixel 112_2, the second color emitting pixel 122_2, and the third color emitting pixel 132_2 along the horizontal (X-axis) direction are substantially the same, for example, 0.5 μm to 50 μm. The dimension of the first color emitting pixel 112_2 along the vertical (Y-axis) direction is, for example, 0.5 μm to 50 μm. The dimension of the second color emitting pixel 122_2 along the vertical direction is, for example, 0.5 μm to 50 μm. The dimension of the third color emitting pixel 132_2 along the vertical direction is, for example, 0.5 μm to 50 μm.

[0037] In one embodiment, the area of ​​the first color emitting pixel 112_2 is larger than the area of ​​the second color emitting pixel 122_2, and the area of ​​the second color emitting pixel 122_2 is larger than the area of ​​the third color emitting pixel 132_2. However, the areas of these three emitting pixels are not limited here. That is, the areas of the three emitting pixels 112_2, 122_2, and 132_2 can be the same as each other, or they can be different from each other.

[0038] Figure 3A illustrates the configuration of a scanning needle 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in a cross-sectional view along section line B-B' of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 3A, the scanning needle 100A includes first color emitting pixels 112_3A in a first color emitting pixel array 110, second color emitting pixels 122_3A in a second color emitting pixel array 120, and third color emitting pixels 132_3A in a third color emitting pixel array 130, arranged side-by-side on a substrate 102. The first color emitting pixel 112_3A includes a first color emitting diode, and is referred to herein as first color emitting diode 112_3A. The second color emitting pixel 122_3A includes a second color emitting diode, and is referred to herein as second color emitting diode 122_3A. The third color emitting pixel 132_3A includes a third color emitting diode, and is referred to herein as third color emitting diode 132_3A.

[0039] Although Figure 3A shows the first color LED 112_3A, the second color LED 122_3A, and the third color LED 132_3A arranged along a vertical (Y-axis) direction, this disclosure is not limited thereto. In some alternative embodiments, the first color LED 112_3A, the second color LED 122_3A, and the third color LED 132_3A may be arranged in a horizontal (X-axis) direction.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3A, the first color light-emitting diode 112_3A includes, from bottom to top, at least a first segment 301_1 of a first metal layer and a first segment 302_1 of a first color light-emitting layer. The second color light-emitting diode 122_3A includes, from bottom to top, at least a second segment 301_2 of a first metal layer, a second segment 302_2 of a first color light-emitting layer, a first segment 303_1 of a second metal layer, a first segment 304_1 of a second color light-emitting layer, and at least one first electrical connector 307. The second segment 301_2 of the first metal layer and the first segment 303_1 of the second metal layer are electrically connected to each other via the at least one first electrical connector 307. The third color light-emitting diode 132_3A, in a bottom-to-top order as shown in FIG. 3A, includes at least a third segment 301_3 of a first metal layer, a third segment 302_3 of a first color light-emitting layer, a second segment 303_2 of a second metal layer, a second segment 304_2 of a second color light-emitting layer, a third metal layer 305, and a third color light-emitting layer 306, as well as at least one second electrical connector 308. The third segment 301_3 of the first metal layer, the second segment 303_2 of the second metal layer, and the third metal layer 305 are electrically connected to each other via at least one second electrical connector 308.

[0041] The scanning probe 100A also includes an insulating layer 310 and a transparent conductive layer 320 covering a first-color light-emitting diode 112_3A, a second-color light-emitting diode 122_3A, and a third-color light-emitting diode 132_3A. The insulating layer 310 has openings that expose portions of the top surface of the first segment 302_1 of the first-color light-emitting layer, portions of the top surface of the first segment 304_1 of the second-color light-emitting layer, and portions of the top surface of the third-color light-emitting layer 306. The transparent conductive layer 320 covers the insulating layer 310 and is formed in the openings of the insulating layer 310, thereby contacting the exposed top surfaces of the first segment 302_1 of the first-color light-emitting layer, the first segment 304_1 of the second-color light-emitting layer, and the exposed top surfaces of the third-color light-emitting layer 306 via the openings.

[0042] The scanning probe 100 also includes optical isolation walls 350 disposed between the first color LED 112_3A and the second color LED 122_3A, and between the second color LED 122_3 and the third color LED 132_3. The height of the optical isolation wall 350 may be greater than the tallest of the first color LED 112_3, the second color LED 122_3, and the third color LED 132_3. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the height of the optical isolation wall 350 is greater than the height of the third color LED 132_3.

[0043] Furthermore, the scanning probe 100 includes a transparent insulating layer 330 covering all of the first color LED 112_3A, the second color LED 122_3A, the third color LED 132_3A, the insulating layer 310, the transparent conductive layer 320, and the optical insulating wall 350. Additionally, a microlens 360 is formed on each of the first color LED 112_3A, the second color LED 122_3A, and the third color LED 132_3A.

[0044] The substrate 102 may be an integrated circuit (IC) substrate, which includes an interconnect layer electrically connected to a first segment 301_1 of the first metal layer in the first color LED 112_3, a second segment 301_2 of the first metal layer in the second color LED 122_3, and a third segment of the first metal layer 301_3 in the third color LED 132_3. Here, the IC substrate includes at least a driving circuit for controlling each of the first color LED 112_3A, the second color LED 122_3A, and the third color LED 132_3A.

[0045] Figure 3B illustrates another configuration of the scanning needle 100 according to another embodiment of this disclosure, as shown in a cross-sectional view along section line B-B' of Figure 1. Elements of the scanning needle 100B that are identical to those of the scanning needle 100A are identified by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 3B, the scanning needle 100B includes a first color light-emitting diode 112_3B in a first color light-emitting pixel array 110, a second color light-emitting diode 122_3B in a second color light-emitting pixel array 120, and a third color light-emitting diode 132_3B in a third color light-emitting pixel array 130, arranged side-by-side on a substrate 102.

[0046] The first color LED 112_3B, in a bottom-to-top order as shown in Figure 3B, includes at least a first segment 301_1 of the first metal layer and a first color LED 302. The second color LED 122_3B, in a bottom-to-top order as shown in Figure 3B, includes at least a second segment 301_2 of the first metal layer and a second color LED 304. The third color LED 132_3B, in a bottom-to-top order as shown in Figure 3B, includes at least a third segment 301_3 of the first metal layer and a third color LED 306.

[0047] The scanning probe 100B also includes an insulating layer 310 and a transparent conductive layer 320 covering the first color light-emitting diode 112_3B, the second color light-emitting diode 122_3B, and the third color light-emitting diode 132_3B. The insulating layer 310 has openings that expose portions of the top surfaces of the first color light-emitting layer 302, the second color light-emitting layer 304, and the third color light-emitting layer 306. The transparent conductive layer 320 covers the insulating layer 310 and is formed in the openings of the insulating layer 310, thereby contacting the exposed top surfaces of the first color light-emitting layer 302, the second color light-emitting layer 304, and the third color light-emitting layer 306 via the openings.

[0048] The scanning probe 100B also includes an optical isolation wall 350 disposed between the first color LED 112_3B and the second color LED 122_3B, and between the second color LED 122_3B and the third color LED 132_3B. The height of the optical isolation wall 350 may be greater than the tallest of the first color LED 112_3B, the second color LED 122_3B, and the third color LED 132_3B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, the first color LED 112_3B, the second color LED 122_3B, and the third color LED 132_3B have substantially the same height. Therefore, the height of the optical isolation wall 350 is greater than the tallest of the first color LED 112_3B, the second color LED 122_3B, and the third color LED 132_3B.

[0049] Furthermore, the scanning probe 100B includes a transparent insulating layer 330 covering all of the first color light-emitting diode 112_3, the second color light-emitting diode 122_3, the third color light-emitting diode 132_3, the insulating layer 310, the transparent conductive layer 320, and the optical insulating wall 350. Additionally, a microlens 360 is formed on each of the first color light-emitting diode 112_3, the second color light-emitting diode 122_3, and the third color light-emitting diode 132_3.

[0050] While Figures 3A and 3B illustrate two examples of the structure of the light-emitting pixels, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first-color light-emitting pixel 112, the second-color light-emitting pixel 122, and the third-color light-emitting pixel 132 can be formed into any structure capable of emitting light of the first color, the second color, and the third color, respectively.

[0051] Figure 4 is a top view of a scanning probe 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, the scanning probe 400 includes a substrate 402, a first color emitting pixel array 410 including a plurality of first color emitting pixels 412 formed on the substrate 402, a second color emitting pixel array 420 including a plurality of second color emitting pixels 422 formed on the substrate 402, and a third color emitting pixel array 430 including a plurality of third color emitting pixels 232 formed on the substrate 402. The first color emitting pixel array 410 is parallel to the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the second color emitting pixel array 420 is parallel to the third color emitting pixel array 430.

[0052] Each of the first color emitting pixel array 410, the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the third color emitting pixel array 430 includes pixels formed in a two-dimensional array (i.e., a matrix) having at least two rows extending in the horizontal direction and at least two columns extending in the vertical direction, as seen in FIG4.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the scanning probe 400 further includes a light-isolating wall 450 formed on the substrate 402. The light-isolating wall 450 is disposed between the first color emitting pixel array 410 and the second color emitting pixel array 420, and between the second color emitting pixel array 420 and the third color emitting pixel array 430. The light-isolating wall 450 may be formed of any non-transparent material (e.g., non-transparent metal) to isolate light emitted from the first color emitting pixel array 410, the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the third color emitting pixel array 430.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, each of the first color emitting pixel array 410, the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the third color emitting pixel array 430 is an 18×2 array, comprising 18 columns extending vertically and 2 rows extending horizontally. In some alternative embodiments of this disclosure, each of the first color emitting pixel array 410, the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the third color emitting pixel array 430 may be a 4000×50 array, comprising 4000 columns extending vertically and 50 rows extending horizontally.

[0055] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first spacing p1 of the first color emitting pixels 412 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent first color emitting pixels 412) is less than 5 μm in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The second spacing p2 of the second color emitting pixels 422 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent second color emitting pixels 422) is less than 5 μm in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The third spacing of the third color emitting pixels 432 (i.e., the distance between the centers of two adjacent third color emitting pixels 432) is less than 5 μm in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The first interval s1 between the first color emitting pixel array 410 and the second color emitting pixel array 420 is less than 100 μm. The second interval s2 between the second color emitting pixel array 420 and the third color emitting pixel array 430 is less than 100 μm.

[0056] The aspect ratio of the light-emitting pixel array is defined herein as the ratio of the width of the light-emitting pixel array (i.e., the dimension of the long side of the light-emitting pixel array) to the length of the light-emitting pixel array (i.e., the dimension of the short side of the light-emitting pixel array). According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the aspect ratio of the first color light-emitting pixel array 410 is not less than 10:1. According to alternative embodiments of this disclosure, the aspect ratio of the first color light-emitting pixel array 410 is not less than 100:1.

[0057] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the total vertical dimension of the scanning probe 400 is no greater than 1 mm. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the overall aspect ratio of the scanning probe 400 is no less than 3:1.

[0058] In a scanning probe according to some embodiments of this disclosure, at least one of the first color emitting pixel array, the second color emitting pixel array, and the third color emitting pixel array may be formed in a single row, and at least one of the remaining first color emitting pixel array, the second color emitting pixel array, and the third color emitting pixel array may be formed in a two-dimensional array. For example, the scanning probe may include a first color emitting pixel array formed in a single row, and a second color emitting pixel array and a third color emitting pixel array formed in a two-dimensional array.

[0059] In some implementations, the total area of ​​the first color emitting pixel array 410 may be the same as the total area of ​​the second color emitting pixel array 420, and the total area of ​​the second color emitting pixel array 420 may be the same as the total area of ​​the third color emitting pixel array 430.

[0060] Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating a scanning display system 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 5, the scanning display system 500 includes an image receiving unit 510, a scanning needle 520, an image display screen 530 having first and second opposing surfaces 531 and 532, and a driving unit 540.

[0061] Image receiving unit 510 is configured to receive image data and coupled to a driving circuit of scanning needle 520 (e.g., a driving circuit formed in substrate 102 shown in FIG. 3) to transmit image data to the driving circuit of scanning needle 520. Scanning needle 520 is configured to be driven by the driving circuit to emit light 550 representing each of a plurality of portions of an image (hereinafter referred to as "image portions"), and to sequentially project the light 550 representing the plurality of image portions onto a first surface 531 of image display screen 530. Image display screen 530 is configured to receive the emitted light 550 on the first surface 531 and display the image portions on a second surface 532. Driving unit 540 is coupled to scanning needle 520 and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving scanning needle 520 to scan vertically relative to the first surface 531 of image display screen 530 at a predetermined frequency, such that the plurality of image portions displayed on the second surface 532 of image display screen 530 are sequentially arranged along the vertical direction of image display screen 530. The predetermined frequency may be not less than 10 Hz. In other words, the time interval for a certain image portion to reappear at a certain location on the image display screen 530 can be less than 0.1 s. Due to the persistence of visual phenomena (the human eye can continue to hold an image for about 0.1 s to 0.4 s after the image disappears), the image display screen 530 displays an image including the plurality of image portions on the second surface 532.

[0062] Figure 6 schematically illustrates the scanning needle 520 and image display 530 during the image scanning process according to an embodiment of this disclosure, as seen along the Z-axis from the front side of the image display 530 and facing the second surface 532 of the image display 530. For ease of description of the relative positions of the scanning needle 520 and the image display 530, the image display 530 is shown as transparent in Figure 6 to show the scanning needle 520 arranged behind the image display 530.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the scanning probe 520 includes: a first-color emitting pixel array 522 comprising a plurality of first-color emitting pixels (not shown); a second-color emitting pixel array 524 comprising a plurality of second-color emitting pixels (not shown); and a third-color emitting pixel array 526 comprising a plurality of third-color emitting pixels (not shown). The first-color emitting pixel array 522, the second-color emitting pixel array 524, and the third-color emitting pixel array 526 are parallel to each other and arranged sequentially in the vertical direction.

[0064] Figure 7 schematically illustrates an image display screen 530 displaying an image 700 on a second surface 532 during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0065] Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 7, during the image scanning process, the drive unit 540 drives the scanning needle 520 to move vertically relative to the first surface 531 of the image display screen 530. At the initial time point t1 during the image scanning process, the scanning needle 520 is in the initial position and projects the first image portion 710_1 onto the image display screen 530 at the first and topmost positions. At the second time point t2, the scanning needle 520 moves downward vertically and projects the second image portion 710_2 onto the image display screen 530 at a second position below the first position. Image portion 710_2 may be adjacent to image portion 710_1. Alternatively, the top of image portion 710_2 may overlap with the bottom of image portion 710_1. At the third time point t3, the scanning needle 520 moves downward vertically and projects the third image portion 710_3 onto the image display screen 530 at a third position below the second position. Image portion 710_3 may be adjacent to image portion 710_2. Alternatively, the top of image portion 710_3 can overlap with the bottom of image portion 710_2. In this way, the image scanning process continues, with the scanning needle 520 continuously projecting image portions at consecutive time points until the scanning needle 520 projects the final image portion 710_n onto the display screen 530 at its bottommost position. As a result, a complete image 700 formed by image portions 710_1, 710_2, 710_3, ..., and 710_n is displayed on the image display screen 530. Afterward, the drive unit 540 moves the scanning needle 520 back to its initial position and then projects a series of updated image portions 710_1, 710_2, 710_3, ..., 710_n onto the image display screen 530 to display the updated image. The relatively high scanning frequency of the scanning needle 520 allows the human eye to observe a continuous series of images on the image display screen 530.

[0066] Figure 8 is a schematic view illustrating a scanning display system 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 8, the scanning display system 800 includes an image receiving unit 810, a scanning needle 820, an image display screen 830 having first and second opposing surfaces 831 and 832, a driving unit 840, and a projection unit 850.

[0067] Image receiving unit 810 is configured to receive image data and coupled to a scanning needle to transmit the image data to scanning needle 820. Scanning needle 820 is configured to continuously emit light 822 representing each of a plurality of portions of an image (hereinafter referred to as "image portions") at consecutive time points. Projection unit 850 may include a lens or a mirror and is configured to continuously project the light 822 representing the plurality of image portions emitted from scanning needle 820 onto a first surface 831 of image display screen 830. Image display screen 830 is configured to receive the projected light 822 on the first surface 831 and display the image portions on a second surface 832. Driving unit 840 is coupled to projection unit 850 and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving the lens or mirror in projection unit 850 to redirect the light 822 projected from projection unit 820 such that the light 822 moves vertically relative to the first surface 831 of image display screen 830 at a predetermined frequency. For example, the drive unit 840 can be configured to rotate or tilt the lens or mirror included in the projection unit 850 to redirect the light 822 emitted from the scanning needle 820 to different positions on the first surface 831 of the image display screen. As a result, the image display screen 830 displays an image including the plurality of image portions on the second surface 832.

[0068] Figure 9 schematically illustrates an image display screen 830 displaying an image 900 on a second surface 832 during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0069] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, during the image scanning process, the projection unit 850 is driven by the driving unit 840 to scan light 822 in the vertical direction relative to the first surface 831 of the image display screen 830. At the initial time point t1 during the image scanning process, the projection unit 850 is in an initial position to project a first image portion 910_1 onto the image display screen 830 at a first and topmost position. The first image portion 910_1 is represented by the light 822 emitted by the scanning needle 820, representing the image data projected by the projection unit 850. At the second time point t2, the projection unit 850 is moved by the driving unit 840 to project a second image portion 910_2 onto the image display screen 830 at a second position below the first position, as seen in Figure 9. The image portion 910_2 may be adjacent to the image portion 910_1. Alternatively, the top of the image portion 910_2 may overlap with the bottom of the image portion 910_1. At the third time point t3, the projection unit 850 is moved by the drive unit 840 to project the third image portion 910_3 onto the image display screen 830 at a third position below the second position, as shown in FIG9. Image portion 910_3 may be adjacent to image portion 910_2. Alternatively, the top of image portion 910_3 may overlap with the bottom of image portion 910_2. In this way, the image scanning process continues, and the projection unit 850 continuously projects image portions at consecutive time points until the projection unit 850 projects the final image portion 910_n onto the display screen 830 at the bottommost position. As a result, the full image 900 formed by image portions 910_1, 910_2, 910_3, ..., and 910_n is displayed on the image display screen 830. Then, the drive unit 840 moves the projection unit 850 back to the initial position, and then projects a series of updated image portions 910_1, 910_2, 910_3, ..., 910_n onto the image display screen 830 to display the updated image.

[0070] Figure 10 schematically illustrates the scanning needle 1020 and image display 1030 during the image scanning process according to an embodiment of this disclosure, as seen along the Z-axis and facing the display 1030. For ease of description of the relative positions of the scanning needle 1020 and the image display 1030, the image display 1030 is shown as transparent in Figure 10 to show the scanning needle 1020 arranged behind the image display 1030.

[0071] As shown in Figure 10, the scanning probe 1020 includes: a first color emitting pixel array 1022 including a plurality of first color emitting pixels (not shown); a second color emitting pixel array 1024 including a plurality of second color emitting pixels (not shown); and a third color emitting pixel array 1026 including a plurality of third color emitting pixels (not shown). The first color emitting pixel array 1022, the second color emitting pixel array 1024, and the third color emitting pixel array 1026 are parallel to each other and arranged sequentially along the horizontal direction.

[0072] Figure 11 schematically illustrates an image display screen 1030 displaying an image 1100 on a surface during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0073] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, during the image scanning process, the scanning needle 1020 can be driven by a driving unit (such as driving unit 540 in Figure 5) to move horizontally relative to the image display screen 1030. At an initial time point t1 during the image scanning process, the scanning needle 1020 is in an initial position and projects a first image portion 1110_1 onto the image display screen 1030 at a first and leftmost position. At a second time point t2, the scanning needle 1020 moves horizontally and projects a second image portion 1110_2 onto the image display screen 1030 at a second position to the right of the first position, as seen in Figure 11. The second image portion 1110_2 can be adjacent to the image portion 1110_1. Alternatively, the left portion of the image portion 1110_2 can overlap with the right portion of the image portion 1110_1. At the third time point t3, the scanning needle 1020 moves horizontally and projects the third image portion 1110_3 onto the image display screen 1030 at a third position to the right of the second position, as shown in Figure 11. Image portion 1110_3 may be adjacent to image portion 1110_2. Alternatively, the left portion of image portion 1110_3 may overlap with the right portion of image portion 1110_2. In this way, the image scanning process continues, with the scanning needle 1020 continuously projecting image portions at consecutive time points until the scanning needle 1020 projects the final image portion 1110_n onto the display screen 1030 at the rightmost position. As a result, the complete image 1100 formed by image portions 1110_1, 1110_2, 1110_3, ..., and 1110_n is displayed on the image display screen 1030. Afterward, the scanning probe 1020 moves back to its initial position and projects a series of updated image portions 1110_1, 1110_2, 1110_3, ..., 1110_n onto the image display screen 1030 to display the updated image.

[0074] In some alternative embodiments (not shown) of this disclosure, a projection unit (such as projection unit 850 in FIG. 8) may be used to project light emitted from scanning needle 1020 onto image display screen 1030, and the projection unit may be driven by a driving unit (such as driving unit 840 in FIG. 8) to perform an image scanning process that scans the light horizontally relative to image display screen 1030. The image scanning process may be similar to the image scanning process described with respect to FIG. 8 and 9, except that the light emitted by scanning needle 1020 in the current embodiment is scanned horizontally instead of vertically. Therefore, a detailed description of this alternative embodiment will not be repeated.

[0075] In some alternative embodiments (not shown) of this disclosure, the scanning probe may not be positioned along a horizontal or vertical direction relative to the image display screen. Instead, one side of the scanning probe may form an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with one side of the image display screen.

[0076] Figure 12 schematically illustrates the scanning needle 1220 and image display 1230 during the image scanning process according to an embodiment of this disclosure, as seen along the Z-axis and facing the image display 1230. For ease of depicting the relative positions of the scanning needle 1220 and the image display 1230, the image display 1230 is shown as transparent in Figure 12 to show the scanning needle 1220 arranged behind the image display 1230.

[0077] The scanning probe 1220 includes only one pixel, which includes at least one of a first-color light-emitting diode (LED), a second-color LED, and a third-color LED. The aspect ratio of the pixel included in the scanning probe 1220 is not less than 1:3. The horizontal dimension of the pixel is not greater than 50 μm and can be in the range of 10 μm to 12 μm. The vertical dimension of the pixel is not greater than 50 μm and can be in the range of 10 μm to 30 μm. In one embodiment, the size of a single LED is in the range of 0.5 μm to 50 μm. The pixel shape is circular or rectangular. In some embodiments, the pixel includes a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LED. The area of ​​the red LED is larger than the area of ​​the blue LED, and the area of ​​the blue LED is larger than the area of ​​the green LED.

[0078] Figure 13 schematically illustrates an image display screen 1230 displaying an image 1300 during an image scanning process, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0079] Referring to Figures 12 and 13, during the image scanning process, the scanning needle 1220 can be driven by a driving unit (such as driving unit 540 in Figure 5) to move horizontally and vertically relative to the image display screen 1230. At the initial time point t1 during the image scanning process, the scanning needle 1220 is in the initial position and projects image portion 1310_1_1 onto the image display screen 1230 at the leftmost position in the first row. At the second time point t2, the scanning needle 1220 moves horizontally and projects image portion 1310_1_2 onto the image display screen 1230 at a position to the right of the previous position. In this way, the image scanning process continues until the scanning needle 1220 projects image portion 1310_1_m onto the image display screen 1230 at the upper right position. Then, the scanning needle 1220 moves back to the left in the horizontal direction and moves downward in the vertical direction to project image portion 1310_2_1 onto the leftmost position of the second row on the image display screen 1230. The drive unit continues to move the scanning needle 1220 to scan in the horizontal direction to project image portions 1310_2_2, ..., 1310_2_m in the second row onto the image display screen 1230. The process continues until the scanning needle 1220 projects image portions 1310_n_1, 1310_n_2, ..., 1310_n_m in the bottom row onto the image display screen 1230. As a result, the full image 1300 formed by image portions 1310_1_1, ..., and 1310_n_m is displayed on the image display screen 1230. The drive unit then moves the scanning needle 1020 back to its initial position and projects a series of updated image portions 1310_1_1, ..., and 1310_n_m onto the image display screen 1230 to display the updated image.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) of this disclosure, a projection unit (such as projection unit 850 in FIG. 8) may be used to project light emitted from scanning needle 1220 onto image display screen 1230, and the projection unit may be driven by a driving unit (such as driving unit 840 in FIG. 8) to perform an image scanning process that scans the light relative to image display screen 1230 in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The image scanning process may be similar to the image scanning process described with respect to FIG. 8 and 9, except that the light emitted by scanning needle 1220 in the alternative embodiment is scanned in both the horizontal and vertical directions, rather than only in the vertical direction. Therefore, a detailed description of this alternative embodiment will not be repeated.

[0081] In the embodiments described above in this disclosure, the scanning display system includes a scanning pin comprising only three light-emitting pixel arrays, or even fewer. The area of ​​the scanning pin is smaller than the total display area of ​​the image display screen. Therefore, compared to conventional display systems that include light-emitting pixels formed across the entire display area, the scanning display system of the embodiments of this disclosure includes far fewer light-emitting pixels. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified, manufacturing costs can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and package size can be decreased.

[0082] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A scanning probe, comprising: substrate; A first color light-emitting pixel array includes a plurality of first color light-emitting pixels formed on the substrate; The second color light-emitting pixel array includes a plurality of second color light-emitting pixels formed on the substrate; as well as The third-color light-emitting pixel array includes a plurality of third-color light-emitting pixels formed on the substrate. Wherein, the first color emitting pixel array is parallel to the second color emitting pixel array, and the second color emitting pixel array is parallel to the third color emitting pixel array; One of the first color emitting pixels includes a first segment of a first color emitting layer formed on the substrate; One of the second color-emitting pixels includes: The second segment of the first color emitting layer formed on the substrate; The first segment of the second color emitting layer is formed above the second segment of the first color emitting layer; The second segment of the first metal layer located below the bottom of the second segment of the first color emitting layer; and The first segment of the second metal layer located between the second segment of the first color emitting layer and the first segment of the second color emitting layer; Wherein, the second segment of the first color emitting layer is electrically connected to the second segment of the first metal layer and the first segment of the second metal layer, and the second segment of the first metal layer is electrically connected to the first segment of the second metal layer; One of the third color emitting pixels includes: The third segment of the first color emitting layer formed on the substrate; The second segment of the second color emitting layer is formed above the third segment of the first color emitting layer; A third color emitting layer is formed above the second segment of the second color emitting layer; The third segment of the first metal layer located below the bottom of the third segment of the first color emitting layer; The second segment of the second metal layer located between the third segment of the first color emitting layer and the second segment of the second color emitting layer; and A third metal layer located on top of the second segment of the second color emitting layer; Wherein, the third segment of the first color emitting layer is electrically connected to the third segment of the first metal layer and the second segment of the second metal layer, and the third segment of the first metal layer is electrically connected to the second segment of the second metal layer; The second segment of the second color emitting layer is electrically connected to the second segment of the second metal layer and the third metal layer, and the second segment of the second metal layer is electrically connected to the third metal layer.

2. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first color emitting pixels in the first color emitting pixel array are formed in a single row or in a two-dimensional array having at least two rows and two columns; The plurality of second-color emitting pixels in the second-color emitting pixel array are formed in a single row or in a two-dimensional array having at least two rows and two columns; and The plurality of third-color emitting pixels in the third-color emitting pixel array are formed in a single row or in a two-dimensional array having at least two rows and two columns.

3. The scanning needle according to claim 2, wherein: The first color-emitting pixel array is a 4000×50 array; The second color-emitting pixel array is a 4000×50 array; and The third color luminescent pixel array is a 4000×50 array.

4. The scanning probe according to claim 1, wherein: The spacing between the first color emitting pixels in a row of the first color emitting pixel array is less than 5 μm; The spacing between the first color emitting pixel array and the second color emitting pixel array is less than 100 μm; The spacing between the second color emitting pixels in a row of the second color emitting pixel array is less than 5 μm; The spacing between the second color emitting pixel array and the third color emitting pixel array is less than 100 μm; and The spacing between the third color emitting pixels in a row of the third color emitting pixel array is less than 5 μm.

5. The scanning probe according to claim 1, wherein: The aspect ratio of the first color-emitting pixel array is not less than 10:1; The size of one of the first color-emitting pixels in the row direction of the first color-emitting pixel array is the same as the size of one of the second color-emitting pixels in the row direction of the second color-emitting pixel array; and The size of one of the second color emitting pixels in the row direction of the second color emitting pixel array is the same as the size of one of the third color emitting pixels in the row direction of the third color emitting pixel array.

6. The scanning needle according to claim 5, wherein, The aspect ratio of the first color-emitting pixel array is not less than 100:

1.

7. The scanning probe according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first color light-emitting pixels includes a first color light-emitting diode; Each of the second color emitting pixels includes a second color emitting diode; and Each of the third-color light-emitting pixels includes a third-color light-emitting diode.

8. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein, The total width of the scanning needle is no greater than 1 mm.

9. The scanning needle according to claim 8, wherein, The overall aspect ratio of the scanning needle is not less than 3:

1.

10. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein: The number of first-color emitting pixels in the first color emitting pixel array is the same as the number of second-color emitting pixels in the second color emitting pixel array; and The number of second-color emitting pixels in the second-color emitting pixel array is the same as the number of third-color emitting pixels in the third-color emitting pixel array.

11. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein, The shape of each of the first color emitting pixel, the second color emitting pixel, and the third color emitting pixel is circular or rectangular.

12. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first color-emitting pixels includes a red-emitting pixel; Each of the second color-emitting pixels includes a blue-emitting pixel; and Each of the third color emitting pixels includes a green emitting pixel.

13. The scanning needle according to claim 12, wherein: The area of ​​one of the first color-emitting pixels is larger than the area of ​​one of the second color-emitting pixels; and The area of ​​one of the second color emitting pixels is greater than the area of ​​one of the third color emitting pixels.

14. The scanning probe according to claim 1, further comprising: An optical isolation wall is formed on the substrate and between the first color emitting pixel array and the second color emitting pixel array, and between the second color emitting pixel array and the third color emitting pixel array.

15. The scanning needle according to claim 14, wherein, The height of the light-isolating wall is greater than the height of the highest of the first color emitting pixel, the second color emitting pixel, and the third color emitting pixel.

16. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein, The area of ​​one of the first color-emitting pixels is the same as the area of ​​one of the second color-emitting pixels, and The area of ​​one of the second color emitting pixels is the same as the area of ​​one of the third color emitting pixels.

17. The scanning needle according to claim 1, wherein: The area of ​​one of the first color-emitting pixels is larger than the area of ​​one of the second color-emitting pixels; and The area of ​​one of the second color emitting pixels is greater than the area of ​​one of the third color emitting pixels.

18. The scanning probe according to claim 1, further comprising: Microlenses are formed on at least one of the first color emitting pixel, the second color emitting pixel, and the third color emitting pixel.

19. A scanning display system, comprising: Image receiving unit; The scanning needle according to any one of claims 1 to 18; A picture display screen having opposing first and second surfaces; as well as Drive unit, in: The image receiving unit is configured to receive image data and couple it to the scanning needle to transmit the image data to the scanning needle. The drive unit is coupled to the scanning needle and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving the scanning needle to scan in the vertical direction relative to the first surface of the image display screen at a predetermined frequency. The scanning probe is configured to emit light representing the image data toward the first surface of the image display to project image lines, each image line being projected by the scanning probe during the scanning process. The image display screen is configured to receive the emitted light on the first surface and display an image including the image lines on the second surface.

20. A scanning display system, comprising: Image receiving unit; The scanning needle according to any one of claims 1 to 18; A picture display screen having opposing first and second surfaces; Projection unit; as well as Drive unit, in: The image receiving unit is configured to receive image data and couple it to the scanning needle to transmit the image data to the scanning needle. The scanning probe is configured to emit light representing the image data. The projection unit is configured to project the light emitted from the scanning needle onto the first surface of the image display screen. The driving unit is coupled to the projection unit and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving the projection unit at a predetermined frequency to scan the light projected from the projection unit in the vertical direction relative to the first surface of the image display screen to form multiple image lines. The image display screen is configured to receive the projected light on the first surface and display an image including the image lines on the second surface.

21. A scanning display system, comprising: Image receiving unit; The scanning needle according to any one of claims 1 to 18; A picture display screen having opposing first and second surfaces; as well as Drive unit, in: The image receiving unit is configured to receive image data and coupled to the scanning needle to transmit the image data to the scanning needle; The drive unit is coupled to the scanning needle and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving the scanning needle to scan in the horizontal direction relative to the first surface of the image display screen at a predetermined frequency; The scanning probe is configured to emit light representing the image data toward the first surface of the image display to project image lines, each image line being formed by the scanning probe during the scanning process. The image display screen is configured to receive the emitted light on the first surface and display an image including the image lines on the second surface.

22. A scanning display system, comprising: Image receiving unit; The scanning needle according to any one of claims 1 to 18; A picture display screen having opposing first and second surfaces; as well as Drive unit, in: The image receiving unit is configured to receive image data and couple it to the scanning needle to transmit the image data to the scanning needle. The drive unit is coupled to the scanning needle and configured to perform an image scanning process by moving the scanning needle at a predetermined frequency to scan relative to the first surface of the image display screen in both horizontal and vertical directions. The scanning probe is configured to emit light representing the image data toward the first surface of the image display to project image portions, each image portion being formed by the scanning probe during the scanning process; and The image display screen is configured to receive the emitted light on the first surface and display an image including the image portion on the second surface.

Images