Light detection device

Abstract

The invention provides a light detection device. The light detection device includes a detection panel, a plurality of first gate drive circuits, a second gate drive circuit, and a controller. The detection panel comprises a plurality of first areas, at least one second area, a plurality of first scanning line groups and at least one second scanning line. The controller controls the second gate drive circuit during the first period and detects the dose of the input light using the charge generated by the at least one second region. The controller controls the plurality of first gate driving circuits and the second gate driving circuits during a second period, and generates a data image using charges generated by the plurality of first regions and the at least one second region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a light detection device, and more particularly to a light detection device with an automatic exposure detection (AED) function. Background Art

[0002] Generally speaking, a light detection device receives input light (such as X-rays, etc.) provided by a light source device and generates a data image based on the dose of the input light. The light detection device can use the automatic exposure detection (AED) function to determine whether a light source outputs input light. However, the current AED uses all scan lines of the light detection device to sequentially scan all pixel columns of the light detection device to determine whether the input light is provided. Therefore, the current AED is quite time-consuming. This greatly compresses the time it takes for the light detection device to generate a data image. It can be seen that how to shorten the operation time of the AED is one of the research focuses of technicians in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides a light detection device capable of shortening the operation time of automatic exposure detection (AED).

[0004] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a light detection device includes a detection panel, a plurality of first gate drive circuits, a second gate drive circuit, and a controller. The detection panel converts input light into electric charge. The detection panel includes a plurality of first areas, at least one second area, a plurality of first scan line groups, and at least one second scan line. The plurality of first areas are coupled to the plurality of first scan line groups. The at least one second area is coupled to the at least one second scan line. The plurality of first gate drive circuits are coupled to the plurality of first scan line groups. The second gate drive circuit is coupled to the at least one second scan line. The controller is coupled to the plurality of first gate drive circuits and the second gate drive circuit. The controller controls the second gate drive circuit during a first period and uses the electric charge generated by the at least one second area to detect the dose of the input light. The controller controls the plurality of first gate drive circuits and the second gate drive circuit during a second period and uses the electric charge generated by the plurality of first areas and the at least one second area to generate a data image.

[0005] Based on the above, the light detection device uses the charges generated by the at least one second region to detect the dose of the input light, thereby shortening the operation time of the AED. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0007] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing dosage according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Description of Reference Numerals

[0011] 100, 200, 300: Light detection device

[0012] 110_1 to 110_n: first gate drive circuit

[0013] 120: Second gate drive circuit

[0014] 130: Controller

[0015] 140: Readout circuit

[0016] 250: Power circuit

[0017] CHG1, CHG2: Charge

[0018] DIMG: Data Image

[0019] DPL: Detection Panel

[0020] DS: dose

[0021] LI: Input light

[0022] LSG1_1~LSG1_n: first scanning line group

[0023] LS2_1~LS2_n: second scan line

[0024] PCB1, PCB2: circuit boards

[0025] PWD: Power supply

[0026] R1_1~R1_n: first area

[0027] R2_1~R2_n:Second area

[0028] SS1~SSn: Scan signal

[0029] T1: First period

[0030] T2: Second period

[0031] VT: Threshold value DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals in the following description will identify identical or similar elements when the same numerals appear in different figures. These embodiments are only a portion of the present disclosure and do not purportedly disclose all possible implementations of the present disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are merely examples within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

[0033] Throughout this disclosure and the appended claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that electronic device manufacturers may refer to the same components by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that have the same function but different names. In the following description and claims, the words "including" and "comprising" are open-ended and should be interpreted as meaning "including, but not limited to..."

[0034] Directional terms used herein, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," etc., are used only with reference to the directions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are intended to illustrate, not to limit, this disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, each figure illustrates the general characteristics of the methods, structures, and / or materials used in particular embodiments. However, these figures should not be construed as defining or limiting the scope or nature of the embodiments. For example, the relative sizes, thicknesses, and positions of various layers, regions, and / or structures may be reduced or exaggerated for clarity.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, terms related to bonding and connection, such as "bonding", "connection", "interconnection", etc., unless otherwise defined, may refer to two structures being in direct contact, or may also refer to two structures not being in direct contact, wherein other structures are disposed between the two structures. Furthermore, such terms related to bonding and connection may also include situations where both structures are movable, or both structures are fixed. In addition, the term "coupling" includes any direct or indirect electrical connection means. In the case of direct electrical connection, the endpoints of the components on the two circuits are directly connected or connected to each other by a conductor segment, and in the case of indirect electrical connection, there is a switch, a diode, a capacitor, an inductor, a resistor, other suitable components, or a combination of the above components between the endpoints of the components on the two circuits, but is not limited thereto.

[0036] The terms "about," "equal to," "equal," or "same," "substantially," or "approximately" are generally interpreted as within 20% of a given value or range, or within 10%, 5%, 3%, 2%, 1% or 0.5% of a given value or range.

[0037] The ordinal numbers used in the specification and claims, such as "first" and "second", are used to modify elements. They do not imply or represent that the element, or the multiple elements, have any previous ordinal numbers, nor do they represent the order of one element to another element, or the order in the manufacturing method. The use of these ordinal numbers is only used to make it possible to clearly distinguish an element with a certain name from another element with the same name. The claims and the specification may not use the same words. Accordingly, the first component in the specification may be the second component in the claims. It should be noted that the following embodiments can replace, reorganize, and mix the technical features of several different embodiments to complete other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0038] It should be noted that the following embodiments may be implemented by replacing, recombining, or combining features from several different embodiments to create other embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Features from various embodiments may be mixed and matched as long as they do not violate the spirit of the invention or conflict with each other.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It is understood that these terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the background or context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal manner unless specifically defined in the present disclosure.

[0040] The electronic device disclosed herein may include a light detection device or a splicing device, but is not limited thereto. The electronic device (such as a light detector) may be a bendable or flexible electronic device. In the present disclosure, the electronic device (such as a light detector) may include electronic components, and the electronic components may include passive components and active components, such as capacitors, resistors, inductors, diodes, transistors, etc. The diode may include a light emitting diode or a photodiode. The light emitting diode may, for example, include an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a sub-millimeter light emitting diode (mini LED), a micro light emitting diode (micro LED) or a quantum dot light emitting diode (quantum dot LED), but is not limited thereto. The following text will use the detection device as an electronic device or a splicing device to illustrate the contents of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the light detection device 100 includes a detection panel DPL, first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n, a second gate driver circuit 120, and a controller 130. The detection panel DPL can convert input light LI into electric charge (e.g., charge CHG1 or charge CHG2). For example, the input light LI can be X-rays, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The detection panel DPL can convert the input light LI into visible light, and then convert the visible light into electric charge.

[0042] The detection panel DPL includes first regions R1_1-R1_n, second regions R2_1-R2_n, first scan line groups LSG1_1-LSG1_n, and second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n. Each of the first scan line groups LSG1_1-LSG1_n includes a plurality of first scan lines. The first regions R1_1-R1_n are coupled to the first scan line groups LSG1_1-LSG1_n. The second regions R2_1-R2_n are coupled to the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n.

[0043] Taking this embodiment as an example, the first region R1_1 is coupled to the first scan line group LSG1_1, the first region R1_2 is coupled to the first scan line group LSG1_2, and so on. The second region R2_1 is coupled to the second scan line LS2_1, the second region R2_2 is coupled to the second scan line LS2_2, and so on.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n are coupled to the first scan line groups LSG1_1-LSG1_n. Taking this embodiment as an example, each of the first scan line groups LSG1_1-LSG1_n includes a plurality of first scan lines. The first gate driver circuit 110_1 is coupled to the plurality of first scan lines of the first scan line group LSG1_1. The first gate driver circuit 110_2 is coupled to the plurality of first scan lines of the first scan line group LSG1_2, and so on. The second gate driver circuit 120 is coupled to the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n.

[0045] In this embodiment, the controller 130 is coupled to the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n and the second gate driver circuit 120. The controller 130 controls the second gate driver circuit 120 during a first period and uses the charge CHG1 generated by at least one of the second regions R2_1-R2_n (i.e., the first period charge) to detect the dose DS of the input light LI. Furthermore, the controller 130 controls the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n and the second gate driver circuit 120 during a second period. The controller 130 uses the charge CHG2 generated by the first regions R1_1-R1_n and the second regions R2_1-R2_n (i.e., the second period charge) to generate a data image DIMG.

[0046] Generally speaking, current automatic exposure detection (AED) utilizes all scan lines of a photodetection device to sequentially scan all pixel columns of the photodetection device to determine whether input light LI is provided. It is worth noting that the photodetection device 100 of this embodiment utilizes the charge CHG1 generated by the second regions R2_1 to R2_n to detect the dose DS of the input light LI. This eliminates the need to sequentially scan all pixel columns of the photodetection device 100 using all scan lines to determine whether input light LI is provided. Consequently, the AED operation time of the detection device 100 can be shortened.

[0047] In this embodiment, the light detection device 100 further includes a readout circuit 140. The readout circuit 140 is coupled to the first regions R1_1-R1_n, the second regions R2_1-R2_n, and the controller 130. The readout circuit 140 provides charges generated by at least one of the first regions R1_1-R1_n and the second regions R2_1-R2_n (i.e., charges CHG1 or charges CHG2) to the controller 130.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first regions R1_1-R1_n are separated by the second regions R2_1-R2_n. Specifically, the number of first regions R1_1-R1_n is equal to the number of second regions R2_1-R2_n, and the first regions R1_1-R1_n and the second regions R2_1-R2_n are arranged alternately. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the number of second regions can be one (i.e., one of the second regions R2_1-R2_n). For example, the light detection device 100 includes only a single second region R2_1. The second region R2_1 separates the first regions R1_1 and R1_2.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second regions R2_1 to R2_n are coupled to the second scan lines LS2_1 to LS2_n in a one-to-one manner, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the second region R2_1 is coupled to a plurality of second scan lines.

[0050] In this embodiment, the controller 130 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar device or combination thereof, capable of loading and executing a computer program. In this embodiment, the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n and the second gate driver circuit 120 each include a shift register.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a dosage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, during a first period T1, the light detection device 100 discharges the charge in the first regions R1_1 to R1_n. For example, the controller 130 may control the first gate driver circuits 110_1 to 110_n to discharge the charge in the first regions R1_1 to R1_n during the first period T1. Therefore, during the first period T1, the first regions R1_1 to R1_n do not provide charge CHG1.

[0052] During the first period T1, the controller 130 controls the second gate driver circuit 120. The second gate driver circuit 120 simultaneously provides scan signals SS1-SSn to the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n. For example, the second scan line LS2_1 receives the scan signal SS1. The second scan line LS2_2 receives the scan signal SS2, and so on. The scan signals SS1-SSn have the same timing. The second regions R2_1-R2_n are driven simultaneously. Therefore, the charge CHG1 corresponding to the second regions R2_1-R2_n can be provided simultaneously.

[0053] The controller 130 receives charge CHG1 during the first period T1. During the first period T1, the charge CHG1 of the input light LI is positively correlated with the dose DS. Therefore, the controller 130 can determine the dose DS based on the charge CHG1. When the dose DS is less than the threshold value VT, this indicates that the intensity of the input light LI received by the detection panel DPL is insufficient. For example, the input light LI may not yet be provided. Therefore, the controller 130 maintains operation during the first period T1, continuing to detect the dose DS using the charge CHG1 of the second regions R2_1 to R2_n.

[0054] During the first period T1, when the dose DS is greater than or equal to the threshold value VT, this indicates that the intensity of the input light LI received by the detection panel DPL is sufficient. For example, the input light LI is provided. The controller 130 controls the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n and the second gate driver circuit 120 during the second period T2. The controller 130 controls the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n to stop discharging the charge in the first regions R1_1-R1_n during the second period T2. As a result, the first regions R1_1-R1_n and the second regions R2_1-R2_n generate charge CHG2 during the second period T2.

[0055] In this embodiment, during the second period T2, the controller 130 controls the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n and the second gate driver circuit 120. The first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n each provide scan signals to the corresponding scan lines of the first scan line group. The second gate driver circuit 120 sequentially provides scan signals SS1-SSn to the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n during the second period T2. Therefore, the scan lines of the first scan line group LSG1_1-LSG1_n and the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n sequentially receive scan signals at different timings in the order of the arrangement direction of the first region R1_1-R1_n and the second region R2_1-R2_n. In other words, the scan lines of the first scan line group LSG1_1-LSG1_n and the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n can be sequentially driven based on the aforementioned arrangement direction. For example, multiple pixel columns in the first region R1_1 generate charge CHG2. Next, at least one pixel row in the second region R2_1 generates charge CHG2 , and then multiple pixel rows in the first region R1_2 generate charge CHG2 , and so on.

[0056] For example, each of the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n includes 512 pins (although this disclosure is not limited thereto). Pins 1 through 511 of each of the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n are electrically connected to corresponding scan lines. The first scan line group LSG1_1 includes scan lines 1 through 511. The first pin of the first gate driver circuit 110_1 is electrically connected to the first scan line. The second pin of the first gate driver circuit 110_1 is electrically connected to the second scan line, and so on. Pin 512 of the first gate driver circuit 110_1 is not connected to any scan line. The second scan line LS2_1 to which the second gate driver circuit 120 is connected is the 512th scan line. The first scan line group LSG1_2 includes scan lines 513 through 1023. The first pin of the first gate driver circuit 110_2 is electrically connected to the 513th scan line. The second pin of the first gate driver circuit 110_2 is electrically connected to the 514th scan line, and so on. Pin 512 of the first gate driver circuit 110_2 is not connected to a scan line. The second scan line LS2_2 to which the second gate driver circuit 120 is connected is the 1024th scan line. During the second period T2, all of the first scan lines and the second scan lines LS2_1 to LS2_n are scanned based on the aforementioned arrangement direction. In other words, the first scan line to the second scan line LS2_n can be sequentially driven based on the aforementioned arrangement direction. Furthermore, the time difference between adjacent scan lines from the first scan line to the second scan line LS2_n being sequentially driven is, for example, the same (although this disclosure is not limited thereto).

[0057] In addition, the controller 130 generates the data image DIMG according to the charge CHG2 during the second period T2 , and compensates the partial images corresponding to the second regions R2_1 ˜ R2_n.

[0058] In this embodiment, the partial images corresponding to the second regions R2_1 to R2_n within the data image DIMG may have weaker or stronger grayscales. Therefore, to ensure better display quality of the data image DIMG, the controller 130 may compensate the grayscales of the partial images corresponding to the second regions R2_1 to R2_n. In this embodiment, the partial images corresponding to the second regions R2_1 to R2_n may be compensated using image compensation methods well known to those skilled in the art. For example, the controller 130 may compensate the partial image of the second region R2_1 based on the partial images of the first regions R1_1 and R1_2 adjacent to the second region R2_1. The controller 130 may compensate the partial image of the second region R2_2 based on the partial images of the first regions R1_2 and R1_3 adjacent to the second region R2_2, and so on.

[0059] In some embodiments, during a first period T1, the second gate driver circuit 120 sequentially provides scan signals SS1-SSn to the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n. For example, the second scan line LS2_1 receives scan signal SS1. The second scan line LS2_2 receives scan signal SS2, and so on. The timing of scan signal SS2 lags behind that of scan signal SS1. Therefore, the second scan lines LS2_1-LS2_n sequentially receive scan signals SS1-SSn with different timings in the order of the arrangement direction of the first regions R1_1-R1_n and the second regions R2_1-R2_n. The second regions R2_1-R2_n are sequentially driven. Charges CHG1 corresponding to the second regions R2_1-R2_n can be sequentially provided. In this embodiment, when the dose DS is greater than or equal to the threshold value VT, the controller 130 generates a data image DIMG based on the charge CHG2 during a second period T2.

[0060] It should be noted that in this embodiment, during the first period T1, the charges CHG1 corresponding to the second regions R2_1 to R2_n may be provided sequentially. The partial image of the data image DIMG corresponding to one of the second regions R2_1 to R2_n may have a weaker or stronger grayscale. Therefore, for example, during the first period T1, when the dose DS of the charges CHG2 corresponding to the second region R2_2 is greater than or equal to the threshold value VT, the partial image corresponding to R2_2 may have a weaker or stronger grayscale. Therefore, the controller 130 may compensate the partial image of the second region R2_2 based on the partial images of the first regions R1_2 and R1_3 adjacent to the second region R2_2.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the light detection device 200 includes a detection panel DPL, first gate driver circuits 110_1 to 110_n, a second gate driver circuit 120, a controller 130, a readout circuit 140, and a power supply circuit 250. The implementation details of the detection panel DPL, the first gate driver circuits 110_1 to 110_n, the second gate driver circuit 120, the controller 130, and the readout circuit 140 have been previously described. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The above is clearly described in the embodiments, so it will not be repeated here.

[0062] In this embodiment, the power circuit 250 generates a driving power source PWD, which includes, for example, a voltage source or a current source for driving the detection panel DPL, the first gate driving circuits 110_1 - 110_n , the second gate driving circuit 120 , the controller 130 , and the readout circuit 140 .

[0063] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a light detection device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the light detection device 300 includes a detection panel DPL, first gate drive circuits 110_1 to 110_n, a second gate drive circuit 120, a controller 130, a readout circuit 140, a power supply circuit 250, and circuit boards PCB1 and PCB2. The implementation details of the detection panel DPL, the first gate drive circuits 110_1 to 110_n, the second gate drive circuit 120, the controller 130, and the readout circuit 140 have been previously described. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The implementation details of the power supply circuit 250 have been clearly described in the embodiment of FIG. Figure 3 The above is clearly described in the embodiments, so it will not be repeated here.

[0064] In this embodiment, the controller 130 and the power supply circuit 250 are disposed on a circuit board PCB1. The second gate drive circuit 120 is disposed on a circuit board PCB2. For example, circuit boards PCB1 and PCB2 can each be implemented using a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. Rigid substrates can be implemented using bakelite, fiberglass, or various types of plastic boards, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Flexible substrates can be implemented using a soft plastic substrate, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n are disposed between the circuit board PCB1 and the detection panel DPL. For example, the first gate driver circuits 110_1-110_n are disposed between the circuit board PCB1 and the detection panel DPL using a chip-on-plastic (COP) package or a chip-on-film (COF) package.

[0066] In summary, the disclosed light detection device can detect the dose of input light using the charge generated by at least one second region. This eliminates the need for the light detection device to sequentially scan all pixel columns of the light detection device using all scan lines to determine whether input light is being provided. This shortens the operating time of the AED (Automated Delayed Emission) detection device.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A light detection device, characterized in that The light detection device comprises: a detection panel configured to convert input light into electric charges, the detection panel comprising a plurality of first regions, at least one second region, a plurality of first scan line groups, and at least one second scan line, wherein the plurality of first regions are coupled to the plurality of first scan line groups, and the at least one second region is coupled to the at least one second scan line; a plurality of first gate driving circuits, coupled correspondingly to the plurality of first scan line groups; A second gate driving circuit is coupled to the at least one second scan line; and a controller coupled to the plurality of first gate driving circuits and the second gate driving circuit, wherein the controller controls the second gate driving circuit during the first period and uses the charge generated by the at least one second region to detect the dose of input light, and The controller controls the plurality of first gate driving circuits and the second gate driving circuit during a second period, and utilizes the charges generated by the plurality of first regions and the at least one second region to generate a data image.

2. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein During the first period, when the dose is greater than or equal to a critical value, the controller controls the plurality of first gate driving circuits and the second gate driving circuit during the second period, so that the plurality of first regions and the at least one second region generate charges during the second period.

3. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein During a first period, the photodetection device discharges the charges in the plurality of first regions.

4. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The second gate driving circuit simultaneously provides at least one scan signal to the at least one second scan line during the first period.

5. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The second gate driving circuit sequentially provides at least one scan signal to the at least one second scan line during the first period.

6. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of scan lines of the plurality of first scan line groups and the at least one second scan line are sequentially driven based on an arrangement direction of the first region and the at least one second region.

7. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The light detection device further includes: The readout circuit is coupled to the plurality of first regions, the at least one second region and the controller, and is configured to provide charges generated by at least one of the plurality of first regions and the at least one second region to the controller.

8. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The controller compensates the partial image corresponding to the at least one second area.

9. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of first regions are separated by the at least one second region.

10. The light detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one second region includes a plurality of second regions, and The plurality of second regions and the plurality of first regions are arranged alternately.

Images