Ambient light detection method, proximity sensing method and ambient light charging method applied to display panel

Abstract

The invention provides an ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging method applied to a panel. The method comprises the following steps: providing a display panel, wherein a display area of the display panel comprises a plurality of pixels with a plurality of PN junction diodes; the control circuit is used for providing driving, detecting and charging, is used for driving each pixel or each PN junction diode through a display mode, a standby mode and display blank time, and is used for driving each pixel or each PN junction diode to execute a display function through the setting of the display mode; or ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging is performed in cooperation with each pixel or each PN junction diode through setting of a standby mode or display of blank time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection and sensing method of a display panel, and more particularly to a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a display panel. Background Art

[0002] According to the current display panel technology, it only has display function. If it is to have the functions of ambient light detection, proximity sensing, and ambient light charging, it needs additional sub-systems or ICs to assist in adding.

[0003] In view of this, how to provide a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a display panel so that the display panel can perform ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging functions while performing a display function is indeed one of the important issues in the industry. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned deficiencies in the known technology, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel, comprising the following steps: providing a display panel, wherein the display area of ​​the display panel includes a plurality of pixels having a plurality of PN junction diodes; and providing a driving, detecting and charging control circuit (hereinafter referred to as the control circuit), wherein the control circuit drives each pixel or each PN junction diode through a display mode, a standby mode and a display blank time, wherein the control circuit drives each pixel or each PN junction diode to perform a display function through the setting of the display mode, or cooperates with each pixel or each PN junction diode to perform ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging through the setting of the standby mode or the display blank time.

[0005] In another embodiment, multiple subsystems composed of pixels or PN junction diodes (such as a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, etc.) can be driven, switched and configured for different functions, so that at least one of these subsystems is used to perform a display function, while other parts of these subsystems are used to perform functions such as ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging.

[0006] As a result, the display panel of the present invention can still perform functions such as ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging when in display state, so that the display panel can have more additional functions to cope with different usage scenarios. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 The figure is a flow chart of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2The diagram is a schematic diagram of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to the present invention, which is applied to a passive matrix circuit.

[0009] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention, wherein the display blanking time of the method includes horizontal blanking time and vertical blanking time.

[0010] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention, wherein the ambient light detection and ambient light charging of the present method are in photovoltaic mode.

[0011] Figure 5 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel, wherein the method utilizes vertical blanking time for ambient light detection and utilizes vertical display time to process the collected ambient light data.

[0012] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to the present invention, wherein the method utilizes vertical blanking time to achieve ambient light charging.

[0013] Figure 7 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel, wherein the method inserts a non-display vertical blank pulse time into the vertical display time for ambient light detection or ambient light charging.

[0014] Figure 8 The present invention is a schematic diagram of a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel, wherein the method inserts a blank pulse time without display in a horizontal blank time or a horizontal display cycle.

[0015] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to the present invention, wherein the display panel has independent areas.

[0016] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the ambient light detection function in the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention.

[0017] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the ambient light charging function in the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention.

[0018] Fig.12It is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the proximity sensing function in the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention.

[0019] Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the proximity sensing application in the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention.

[0020] Fig.14 It is a schematic diagram of ToF application in the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention.

[0021] Fig.15 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a 3D sensing application in a method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing, and ambient light charging for a panel according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following will describe ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging methods applied to a display panel according to preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the relevant drawings, wherein the same elements will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing, and ambient light charging applied to a panel includes the following steps:

[0024] Step 10: providing a display panel 100, wherein a display area of ​​the display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels having a plurality of PN junction diodes; and

[0025] Step 20: Provide a driving, detecting and charging control circuit 200 (hereinafter referred to as the control circuit 200), wherein the control circuit 200 drives each pixel or each PN junction diode through a display mode, a standby mode and a display blank time, wherein the control circuit 200 drives each pixel or each PN junction diode to perform a display function by setting the display mode, or performs ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging in coordination with each pixel or each PN junction diode through the setting of the standby mode or the display blank time.

[0026] In detail, it should be understood that the method of the present invention is not limited by the driving form of the display panel. Take the current-driven LED light-emitting driving control circuit in the passive matrix as an example. Figure 2 As shown, when the control circuit 200 is powered on, it is divided into a display mode (display panel emits light), a standby mode (display panel does not display) and a display blank time B. Figure 3As shown, the display blank time B of the control circuit 200 may also include a horizontal blank time BH and a vertical blank time BV. In this way, operation cycles such as ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging may be inserted into the horizontal blank time BH and the vertical blank time BV.

[0027] The various functions of the present invention, including display, ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging, etc., will be described as follows:

[0028] Display: The display panel 100 is used to display data, web pages, and images.

[0029] Ambient light detection: Ambient light detection is achieved by using the display gap or unused part of the pixel of the display panel 100. Ambient light detection can be achieved by using circuit technology and system switching mode (such as photovoltaic mode, photoconductive mode, etc.). In addition, the information of quantifying the intensity of the ambient light can be fed back to the control unit of the display panel 100, so that it can optimize the brightness of the display panel 100 according to the intensity of the ambient light. For example, when the intensity of the ambient light is too strong, the brightness of the display panel 100 can be increased, or when the intensity of the ambient light is weak, the brightness of the display panel 100 can be reduced. The implementation of ambient light detection includes capturing quantitative information of the intensity of ambient light by targeting an entire area, multiple sub-areas, multiple sub-pixels or multiple color units (such as red light, green light, blue light LEDs), and then feeding it back to the control unit of the display panel 100 to perform ambient light analysis and brightness optimization of the display panel 100.

[0030] Proximity sensing: Proximity sensing is achieved by using some pixels of the display panel 100 and some unused pixels. Proximity sensing can be achieved through circuit technology and system switching mode. Proximity sensing can also be combined with additional infrared LED (VCEL) light control to enhance the performance of proximity sensing, additional infrared LED (VCEL) light control or other mechanisms to achieve ToF (time of flight / time of flight ranging) and 3D sensing effects.

[0031] Ambient light charging: Ambient light charging is achieved by using the display gap of the display panel 100 or the unused part of the pixels of the display panel 100. Ambient light charging is achieved by circuit technology and system switching mode (i.e. photovoltaic mode). The implementation of ambient light charging includes absorbing ambient light energy by targeting an entire area, multiple sub-areas, multiple sub-pixels or multiple color units, thereby achieving the function of ambient light charging.

[0032] The above four functions (display, ambient light detection, proximity sensing, and ambient light charging) can be combined with other detection modes (such as touch mode) for circuit or system integration to create richer and more diverse panel functions to achieve corresponding effects.

[0033] It should be noted that the photovoltaic mode used for ambient light detection and ambient light charging is a photovoltaic mode different from the light sensing mode of semiconductor diodes. The current generated by the photovoltaic effect of this photovoltaic mode can be used to charge batteries or energy storage devices. For reference, Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the photovoltaic mode shown.

[0034] In the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention, the time slot when the display panel 100 is not displaying is used to switch other functions. The switching of other functions does not have a specific display cycle and can be arbitrarily designed according to the needs of different uses. Several embodiments of the present invention are described below:

[0035] First, if Figure 5 As shown, in the first embodiment, the vertical blanking time BV has a corresponding vertical display time DV, wherein the vertical blanking time BV is used for ambient light detection, and the vertical display time DV is used for processing the collected ambient light data.

[0036] like Figure 6 As shown, in the second embodiment, the vertical blanking time BV is used for ambient light charging.

[0037] like Figure 7 As shown, in the third embodiment, the vertical blank time BV has a corresponding vertical display time DV, so a non-displayed vertical blank pulse time BPV can be inserted into the vertical display time DV for ambient light detection or ambient light charging.

[0038] like Figure 8 As shown, in the fourth embodiment, the horizontal blank time BH can be made to have a corresponding horizontal display time DH, and a non-displayed horizontal blank pulse time BPH can be inserted into the horizontal display time DH to perform switching effects of different functions, such as ambient light detection or ambient light charging, as described in the first, second, and third embodiments above.

[0039] In addition, the standby time when the display panel 100 is completely non-displaying can be utilized to implement functions such as ambient light detection, ambient light charging, and the like.

[0040] In the method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to the panel of the present invention, different from the above-mentioned embodiment, the pixels of the display panel 100 of another embodiment can also be used for display functions, and the undisplayed pixels (or dots), for example, can be partial undisplayed pixels or all undisplayed pixels, which can be switched to functions such as ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging.

[0041] That is, in this embodiment, the pixels of a single display panel 100 can be used to perform the display function, and some or all of the non-displayed pixels can be switched to the functions of ambient light detection, proximity sensing, or ambient light charging. In other words, the single display panel 100 can achieve the required switching functions.

[0042] There are other embodiments of the above switching function. Fig. 9 As shown, taking the current-driven LED light-emitting driving control circuit in the passive matrix as an example, in another embodiment, the display panel 100 has an independently partitioned mode switching architecture. In other words, the pixels and PN junction diodes of the display panel 100 can form a plurality of subsystems, each of which has a first panel (or first sub-panel) 110, a second panel (or second sub-panel) 120, a third panel (or third sub-panel) 130 and a fourth panel (or fourth sub-panel) 140. The first panel 110, the second panel 120, the third panel 130 and the fourth panel 140 can perform two or three functions of display, ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging within the display time interval.

[0043] For example, in the panel design of this mode, since the first panel 110, the second panel 120, the third panel 130 and the fourth panel 140 are separated independently, the control circuit 200 can be used to make each of the first panel 110, the second panel 120, the third panel 130 and the fourth panel 140 independently select the required functional mode. For example, in a certain display time interval, the first panel 110 and the fourth panel 140 select the display mode, the second panel 120 selects the ambient light detection or proximity sensing (photoconductive or photovoltaic) mode, and the third panel 130 selects the ambient light charging (photovoltaic) mode; and in the next display time interval, the second panel 120 and the third panel 130 can select the display mode, the first panel 110 selects the ambient light detection or proximity sensing (photoconductive or photovoltaic) mode, and the fourth panel 140 selects the ambient light charging (photovoltaic) mode.

[0044] The above application can also be combined with other panel designs or other driving methods. For example, through the active matrix driving method, some or all pixels without display function can be switched to perform ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging functions.

[0045] The combination of the above subsystems is not limited to four sub-panels (or sub-panels), that is, it can be less than four sub-panels (or sub-panels), such as two or three sub-panels (or sub-panels); or it can include five or more sub-panels (or sub-panels).

[0046] like Fig.10As shown, this is an embodiment of the system architecture for ambient light detection as described above.

[0047] like Fig.11 As shown, this is an embodiment of the system architecture for ambient light charging as described above.

[0048] like Fig.12 As shown, this is an embodiment of the system architecture for proximity sensing as described above.

[0049] In the above embodiments, the system architecture with proximity sensing can be combined with additional infrared LED light emission control to enhance the sensing performance or achieve ToF (Time of Flight) sensing effect (Time of Flight Ranging) and 3D sensing effect.

[0050] The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel of the present invention can also be used in the following applications:

[0051] 1. In combination with the present invention, the charging, energy storage, display and other functions of solar cells can be integrated into one.

[0052] The present invention can electrically connect any type of solar cells (including fully transparent solar cells) in the body of the display panel 100 by lamination, embedding, etc. This design allows each PN junction diode of the display panel 100 to perform the functions of charging, storing electricity and displaying at the same time.

[0053] 2. Proximity Sensing Applications

[0054] like Fig.13 As shown, the present invention can realize the application of proximity sensing through the proximity sensing function. For example, the distance between the display panel 100 and an object (eg, a face) can be detected to switch the function of the PN junction diode.

[0055] 3. ToF Application

[0056] like Fig.14 As shown, the present invention can realize ToF (Time of Flight) application through the proximity sensing function, and thus has a distance scanning modeling effect similar to a laser rangefinder (Lidar).

[0057] 4. 3D Sensing Applications

[0058] like Fig.15 As shown, the present invention can realize 3D sensing applications through proximity sensing function. In other words, through the structured light imaging method, uniform infrared light can be projected onto an object using a structured pattern, and the reflected light can be decoded to construct a 3D image. This approach will enhance the camera's ability to recognize faces and objects in a wide range of applications such as augmented reality, games, and unmanned driving.

[0059] In summary, the present invention can utilize the temporary storage time of the human eye, through different circuit designs and mode switching designs, to realize different driving switching and configuration functions for each pixel or each PN junction diode, or for multiple subsystems composed of pixels or PN junction diodes (such as the first panel (or first sub-panel), the second panel (or the second sub-panel), the third panel (or the third sub-panel), the fourth panel (or the fourth sub-panel), etc.), to perform different driving switching and configuration functions. Through the method of the present invention, the display function can be performed in part of the area of ​​the display panel at the same time, while the functions of ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging can be performed in other areas of the display panel. In other words, the display panel can simultaneously perform functions such as display, ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging, so that all areas of the display panel can be effectively utilized to achieve efficient conversion.

[0060] The above description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Any equivalent modifications or changes made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging for a panel, comprising the following steps: Providing a display panel, wherein a display area of ​​the display panel includes a plurality of pixels having a plurality of PN junction diodes; as well as A driving, detecting and charging control circuit is provided, wherein the control circuit drives each pixel or each PN junction diode through a display mode, a standby mode and a display blanking time, wherein the control circuit drives each pixel or each PN junction diode to perform a display function through the setting of the display mode, or cooperates with each pixel or each PN junction diode to perform ambient light detection, proximity sensing or ambient light charging through the setting of the standby mode or the display blanking time.

2. The method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 1, wherein the display blanking time of the control circuit includes a horizontal blanking time and a vertical blanking time.

3. The method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the vertical blanking time has a corresponding vertical display time, the vertical blanking time is used for the ambient light detection, and the vertical display time is used for processing the collected ambient light data. 4 . The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2 , wherein the vertical blanking time is used for the ambient light charging.

5. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the vertical blanking time has a corresponding vertical display time, a non-displayed vertical blanking pulse time is inserted into the vertical display time, and the vertical blanking pulse time is used for the ambient light detection or the ambient light charging.

6. The method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal blanking time has a corresponding horizontal display time, the horizontal blanking time is used for the ambient light detection, and the horizontal display time is used for processing the collected ambient light data. 7 . The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2 , wherein the horizontal blanking time is used for the ambient light charging.

8. The method for ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the horizontal blanking time has a corresponding horizontal display time, a horizontal blanking pulse time that is not displayed is inserted into the horizontal display time, and the horizontal blanking pulse time is used for the ambient light detection or the ambient light charging.

9. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the pixels and the PN junction diodes constitute a plurality of subsystems, each of the subsystems being capable of performing any two or three of the display function, the ambient light detection, the proximity sensing and the ambient light charging within a display time interval.

10. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 9, wherein each of the subsystems has a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a fourth panel, and the first panel, the second panel, the third panel and the fourth panel are capable of performing any two or three of the display function, the ambient light detection, the proximity sensing or the ambient light charging within the display time interval.

11. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging for a panel according to claim 2, wherein the ambient light detection captures ambient light intensity information by targeting an entire area, multiple sub-areas, multiple sub-pixels or multiple color units.

12. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging for a panel according to claim 2, wherein the proximity sensing further has infrared LED light emission control for ToF (Time of Flight) sensing detection (Time of Flight Ranging) or 3D sensing detection.

13. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging for a panel according to claim 2, wherein the ambient light charging absorbs ambient light energy by targeting an entire area, multiple sub-areas, multiple sub-pixels or multiple color units.

14. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the ambient light detection and the ambient light charging are implemented through a photovoltaic mode.

15. The method of ambient light detection, proximity sensing and ambient light charging applied to a panel according to claim 2, wherein the display panel includes a solar cell, the solar cell is electrically connected to each of the PN junction diodes in the display panel, and each of the PN junction diodes has a charging function, a power storage function and a display function.

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