Semiconcurrent driving for multijunction multicolor devices

Abstract

A lighting system and method of driving an array is disclosed. The array includes vertically stacked multi-color devices having junctions that emit different colors of light. The junctions of each multi-color device along a particular row or column of the array are driven by simultaneously driving a plurality of separate junctions during one phase of a drive cycle, and driving one or more junctions between the separate junctions during another phase of the drive cycle. The multi-color devices are driven by interleaving the rows and columns of the array, or by first driving all in one row or column, and then driving all in the other rows or columns.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18 / 387,205, filed November 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Compared to traditional light sources, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer an efficient and relatively small light source. The use of LEDs has evolved from systems providing simple illumination to more complex systems that utilize light in various ways, rather than just providing area lighting. Therefore, efforts are underway to improve the technology using LED arrays and to discover additional uses for them. Attached Figure Description

[0003] Figure 1 An example of a triple-junction multicolor device is shown.

[0004] Figure 2 An example of a multicolor matrix is ​​shown.

[0005] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The example shown is a fully simultaneous RGB driven triple-junction multicolor device.

[0006] Figure 4 It shows the use of Figure 1 An example of two-stage pixel addressing for a three-junction multicolor device using a semi-simultaneous method is shown.

[0007] Figure 5 An example of the first driving phase of a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown.

[0008] Figure 6 An example of the second driving phase of a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown.

[0009] Figure 7 An example of interleaved pixel traversal in a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown.

[0010] Figure 8 An example block diagram of a system for semi-simultaneously driving a multicolor matrix is ​​shown.

[0011] Figure 9 An example lighting system containing a multicolor matrix is ​​shown.

[0012] Figure 10 Examples of electronic devices according to some embodiments are shown.

[0013] Figure 11 A block diagram is shown as an example of a visualization system containing the multicolor matrix described herein.

[0014] Figure 12An example method for driving a multicolor matrix is ​​shown.

[0015] In the various views, corresponding reference numerals denote the corresponding parts. Elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The use of LEDs in electronic devices is rapidly increasing as the number and types of devices expand in various ways. Beyond pure displays, compact light sources have recently been incorporated, for example, into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) devices. Such devices can be achieved using microLED arrays.

[0017] MicroLED arrays can contain thousands to millions of tiny microLEDs that can be controlled individually or in pixel groups (e.g., 5×5 pixel groups). MicroLEDs are relatively small (e.g., <0.07 mm on one side) and can use inorganic semiconductor materials to provide monochromatic or multicolor light, typically red, green, blue, or yellow. Other LEDs can have, for example, a diameter of approximately 4 mm. 2 Sizes of 250 micrometers × 250 micrometers or larger. Note that while this article refers to microLEDs, in some respects, multicolor matrices may use LEDs of other sizes (e.g., small LEDs larger than microLEDs or LEDs larger than small LEDs).

[0018] The active layer of a microLED can typically be formed from one or more inorganic materials (e.g., binary compounds such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), ternary compounds such as aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), quaternary compounds such as indium gallium phosphide (InGaAsP), gallium nitride (GaN), or other suitable materials), typically group III-V materials (defined by columns of the periodic table) or group II-VI materials.

[0019] MicroLEDs in different arrays can emit light in the visible spectrum (approximately 400 nm to approximately 800 nm) and / or emit light in the infrared spectrum (above approximately 800 nm). MicroLEDs can be formed by epitaxially growing active n-type and p-type semiconductors on a rigid substrate, which may be textured. The substrate can include, for example, sapphire alumina (Al₂O₃) or silicon carbide (SiC). Specifically, various layers are deposited and processed on the substrate during the fabrication of the microLEDs to form the microLED array. Prior to depositing the various layers, the substrate surface can be pretreated by annealing, etching, polishing, etc. The original substrate can be removed and replaced with a thin, transparent rigid substrate (e.g., glass) or a flexible substrate (e.g., plastic). Typically, the various active layers can be fabricated using epitaxial semiconductor deposition to deposit one or more semiconductor layers, metal deposition (e.g., by sputtering), oxide growth, and operations such as etching, stripping, and cleaning.

[0020] In some aspects, the growth substrate can be removed from the microLED structure after fabrication and after contacts on the backplane are attached via metal bonding (such as wire bonding or ball bonding). The backplane can be a printed circuit board or wafer containing integrated circuits (ICs), such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) IC wafer. Semiconductor deposition operations can be used to produce microLEDs with active regions where electron-hole recombination occurs and light is generated from the microLEDs. The active regions can be, for example, one or more quantum wells. Metal contacts can be used to provide current from the IC on the backplane, on which the microLED array is disposed, to drive n-type and p-type semiconductors. Methods for depositing materials, layers, and thin films can include, for example, sputtering deposition, atomic layer deposition (ALD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), and combinations thereof.

[0021] In some aspects, one or more other layers (e.g., a phosphor conversion layer containing phosphor particles) may be disposed on some or all of the microLEDs or microLED arrays to convert at least a portion of the light from the microLEDs into light of different wavelengths. For example, blue light can be converted into near-infrared light or white light through the phosphor conversion layer.

[0022] Recently, multi-junction multi-color microLED devices have been developed using InGaN as the active semiconductor. Multi-color InGaN devices are vertically stacked multi-color (typically RGB) devices, in which three pn junctions (for three colors) are connected by tunnel junctions. The term "vertical" as used herein refers to the direction in which the devices are grown or deposited on the substrate (therefore, an array of such devices has devices arranged in a horizontal [or lateral] direction). Manufacturing details of multicolor microLED devices can be found in US10236409B2, US10749070B2, US10541352B2, US10804429B2, US10622206B2, US11069836B2, US11069524B2, US11069525B2, US11404599B2, US11081622B2, US11594572B2, US6822991B2, and US6847057B1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Speed ​​and resolution constraints can be improved compared to other sequential driving schemes. The embodiments described herein coordinate the concept of simultaneous driving while adhering to the inherent limitations of working with individually addressable RGB pixels.

[0023] Although this article describes a triple-junction device, as it is perhaps the most basic for a color display engine, the number of junctions is not limited to this. Other devices can be fabricated using double-junction or quad-junction (or more) junction devices when the junctions are stacked vertically. This makes it possible to access each junction individually by creating appropriate contacts via photolithography and etching, as well as deposition techniques.

[0024] Figure 1 An example of a triple-junction multicolor device is shown. The triple-junction multicolor device 100 has four electrical contact terminals 102a, 102b, 102c, and 102d, which can independently control three current values. Each current value can be used to control different junctions (micro-LEDs) 104a, 104b, and 104c of the triple-junction multicolor device 100. In some aspects, each junction 104a, 104b, and 104c of the multicolor device 100 can be a different color, for example, such as... Figure 1 The red-green-blue (RGB) color sequence is shown. In other respects, at least one color of the multicolor device 100 (regardless of whether three or more junctions are fabricated) can be the same, which allows for more precise control over the relative intensity of the colors.

[0025] Figure 2 An example of a multicolor matrix is ​​shown. The multicolor matrix 200 can contain a large number (e.g., thousands to millions or more) of cells (also called pixels) formed in an array of cells 202. Figure 1The triple-junction multicolor device is shown. Cells 202 can be addressed using an individually addressable bus 204, which can extend across the entire multicolor matrix 200. Therefore, each cell 202 includes four terminals coupled to the addressable bus 204. In some aspects, Figure 2 The multicolor matrix 200 in the matrix can have a rectangular shape. As mentioned above, in other respects, for those having... Figure 1 The matrix of multicolor devices with different numbers of junctions shown can have different numbers of addressable buses 204.

[0026] To construct display devices, multicolor device wafers can be fabricated using photolithography. Since unit 202 has four terminals, and for individual operation of the junction... Figure 2 The horizontal bus 204 shown is G+ / R- and B-, and the vertical bus 204 is R+ and B+ / G-. In various respects, although the colors provided by the horizontal and vertical buses 204 are interchangeable, due to... Figure 1 In the vertically stacked circuit shown, the pairings of R+ and B+ / G-, and R- / G+ and B-, are fixed. Within this... Figure 1 The color order shown is different from other aspects, and bus 204 can be changed accordingly.

[0027] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The example shown is a fully simultaneous RGB drive of a triple-junction multicolor device. During each cycle of the drive cycle, current 302 enters the first junction of the multicolor device 300 (at the R+ terminal) and exits the grounded last junction (at the B- terminal). Figure 2 All junctions 304 in the specific cell shown can be driven simultaneously as illustrated by providing current along the G+ bus and grounding the B- bus associated with the cell. The length of the drive cycle can be set as needed. As shown, each junction 304 can emit R, G, and B colors of light separately; in other respects, the number of junctions and / or the colors emitted by each junction can differ from those shown.

[0028] Simultaneous driving of a triple-junction multicolor device can be a technique for achieving mixed colors (e.g., white light). The resulting color can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of the current flowing through each of the three junctions. To adjust this ratio, current can flow into and out of different intermediate contact terminals. However, independently controlling the different currents flowing through the different junctions at any given time is a source of significant complexity in circuit design and may, in some cases, result in the unattainable desired color. Alternatively, the junctions can be driven sequentially, such that each junction is driven during different phases of the driving cycle; that is, at any given time, at most only one junction in the vertically stacked multicolor junctions is driven by a forward current. At some times, no junction can be driven, i.e., the multicolor device is turned off. As mentioned above, the triple-junction RGB multicolor device is merely an example of a vertically stacked junction LED device, and the number of individual microLEDs and therefore the colors may differ from those described herein.

[0029] Another driving scheme alleviates at least some of the problems associated with simultaneous driving and image display, while improving upon issues related to purely sequential driving schemes. This scheme combines simultaneous and sequential driving to provide a partially simultaneous and partially sequential driving approach. Compared to a fully sequential driving scheme, this approach improves speed and resolution constraints while consuming more logic, power, and area resources. Specifically, a two-stage addressing strategy, referred to herein as semi-simultaneous driving, can be used to drive triple-junction multicolor devices. Figure 4 An example of two-stage pixel addressing for a triple-junction multicolor device using a semi-simultaneous approach is shown.

[0030] Due to the persistence of human vision, color mixing can be achieved by switching primary colors at a relatively fast rate in the time domain (e.g., faster than the video frame rate of 24 or 30 frames per second). A frame is a single image provided by the display; a series of frames forms video. One benefit of using semi-simultaneous drive circuitry for achieving color mixing that is satisfactory to the human eye is that it significantly reduces the wiring complexity of the array of cells and drivers by sharing common traces of junctions across the same columns or rows of the array. Additionally, the overall panel load remains reduced because the activation of at least some junctions occurs at different times. Color tuning can be achieved by adjusting the current per cycle (analog dimming), but it can also be achieved by adjusting the on-time of each cycle (digital dimming).

[0031] Semi-simultaneous driving may include simultaneously driving at least one junction of a multi-junction multicolor device during a first phase of the driving cycle, sequentially following the driving of at least one other junction of the multicolor device during a second phase of the driving cycle, driving more than one junction during at least one phase of the first or second cycle. Figure 4In the aspects shown, during the first stage, currents 402a and 402b can be supplied to terminals 404a (R+) and 404c (B+ / G-) of the multicolor device 400, respectively, and terminals 404b (R- / G+) and 404d (B-) can be coupled to grounds 408a and 408b. This simultaneously drives junctions 406a and 406c, in Figure 4 The R and B micro-LEDs are shown in the diagram, while junction 406b (G) is not driven (i.e., inactive / off).

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, current is supplied to the anodes of the driven junctions 406a, 406b, and 406c, and the cathodes of the driven junctions 406a, 406b, and 406c are grounded.

[0033] Figure 5 An example of the first driving phase of a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown. Matrix 500 may have multiple multicolor devices 502, each having a red junction 502a (LED) configured to emit red light, a green junction 502b configured to emit green light, and a blue junction 502c configured to emit blue light. Each multicolor device 502 has multiple terminals 504a, 504b, 504c, 504d. Each terminal 504b, 504d of each multicolor device 502 along a row of matrix 500 is coupled to a corresponding terminal 504b, 504d of each other multicolor device 502 in the same row. Figure 5 As shown, during the first phase, the entire row of red junctions 502a and blue junctions 502c of the M multicolor devices 502 are coupled to an LED driver (not shown) via corresponding R+ terminals 504a and B+ (G-) terminals 504c, while G+ (R-) terminals 504b and B- terminals 504d are coupled to ground. Using separate drivers and grounding paths for the red junctions 502a and blue junctions 502c allows simultaneous activation of the red junctions 502a and blue junctions 502c of the multicolor devices 502 in the entire row of matrix 500.

[0034] On the contrary, Figure 4 In the aspect shown, during the second stage, current 402c can be supplied to terminal 404b (R- / G+), and terminal 404c (B+ / G-) can be coupled to ground 408c. This drives junction 406b, in Figure 4 The image shows a microLED G, while junctions 406a and 406c (G) are not driven (i.e., inactive / off). Therefore, junctions 406a and 406c are driven simultaneously, while junction 406b is driven sequentially with junctions 406a and 406c.

[0035] Figure 6An example of the second driving stage of a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown. Matrix 600 may have multiple multicolor devices 602, each having a red junction 602a (LED) configured to emit red light, a green junction 602b configured to emit green light, and a blue junction 602c configured to emit blue light. Each multicolor device 602 has multiple terminals 604a, 604b, 604c, 604d. Each terminal 604a, 604c of each multicolor device 602 along a column of matrix 600 is coupled to a corresponding terminal 604a, 604c of each other multicolor device 602 in the same column. Figure 6 As shown, during the second phase, the entire row of green junctions 602b of the M multicolor devices 602 is coupled to an LED driver (not shown) via the corresponding G+ (R-) terminal 604b, while the B+ (G-) terminal 604c is coupled to ground. Using driver and ground paths independent of the other (red junction 502a and blue junction 502c) drivers allows simultaneous activation of the green junctions 602b of the entire row of multicolor devices 602 in matrix 600, because each G+ (R-) terminal 604b independently receives source current.

[0036] Figure 7 An example of interleaved pixel traversal in a multicolor matrix using a semi-simultaneous method is shown. Figure 7 The semi-simultaneous method 700 shown illustrates different groups 706a, 706b, 706c, 706d of multicolor devices 706aa driven in multicolor matrix 704, depending on the specific stages 702a, 702b, 702c, 702d of the driving cycle.

[0037] The semi-simultaneous method 700 can then follow one of three sequences to drive the multicolor matrix 704: a) drive the interleaved rows and columns of the multicolor devices 706aa of the multicolor matrix 704, b) first drive the rows of the multicolor devices 706aa of the multicolor matrix 704, and then drive the columns, c) first drive the columns of the multicolor devices 706aa of the multicolor matrix 704, and then drive the rows. Figure 7 The diagram illustrates an interleaving method in which the activation of row-wise polycolor device 706aa is followed by the activation of column-wise polycolor device 706aa. That is, each node of a specific row of polycolor device 706aa is activated before each node of a specific column of polycolor device 706aa is activated.

[0038] As shown, in the first stage 702a, the first group 706a of the multicolor devices 706aa is limited to the first row of the multicolor devices 706aa. In some aspects, such as the multicolor devices 706aa described herein, the red microLEDs and blue microLEDs of the multicolor devices 706aa in the first row are driven simultaneously.

[0039] In the second stage 702b, the second group 706b of the multicolor devices 706aa is confined to the first column of the multicolor devices 706aa. The first group 706a and the second group 706b of the multicolor devices 706aa share a common single multicolor device 706aa. As described above, in the second stage 702b, the green microLEDs of the multicolor devices 706aa in the first column are simultaneously driven.

[0040] In the third stage 702c, the third group 706c of the multicolor device 706aa is confined to the second row of the multicolor device 706aa. Therefore, the red microLEDs and blue microLEDs of the multicolor device 706aa in the second row are driven simultaneously. The third group 706c of the multicolor device 706aa and the second group 706b of the multicolor device 706aa share a common single multicolor device 706aa, but the third group 706c of the multicolor device 706aa and the first group 706a of the multicolor device 706aa do not share a common multicolor device 706aa, because the first group 706a and the third group 706c of the multicolor device 706aa form different rows of the multicolor matrix 704.

[0041] In the fourth stage 702d, the fourth group 706d of the multicolor device 706aa is confined to the second column of the multicolor device 706aa. As described above, in the second stage 702b, the green microLEDs of the multicolor device 706aa in the second column are driven simultaneously. The fourth group 706d and the third group 706c of the multicolor device 706aa share a common single multicolor device 706aa, but the fourth group 706d and the second group 706b of the multicolor device 706aa do not share a common multicolor device 706aa because the second group 706b and the fourth group 706d of the multicolor device 706aa form different columns of the multicolor matrix 704.

[0042] The driving of groups 706a, 706b, 706c, and 706d of the multicolor device 706aa can continue until every microLED in the entire multicolor matrix 704 is driven. Although Figure 7 In the alternating phases of the staggered driving scheme shown, such as 1 and 3, or 2 and 4, the rows and columns driven are shown as adjacent (e.g., the row of the multicolor device 706aa in the first phase 702a is adjacent to the row of the multicolor device 706aa in the third phase 702c), but in other respects, the rows and columns in the successive phases may not be adjacent.

[0043] The semi-simultaneous method 700 can complete a full-panel scan (scanning the entire multicolor matrix 704) in M ​​+ N stages, while for triple-junction multicolor devices, the fully sequential method (i.e., individual driving of each microLED in the multicolor matrix) takes 3·M·N stages. The reduction in stages of the semi-simultaneous method 700 compared to the sequential method allows for a reduction in the frequency of the pulse width modulation (PWM) clock to achieve the same frame rate per second for the entire panel. Alternatively or additionally, the semi-simultaneous method 700 can increase the panel's resolution, thereby allowing for a richer color gamut when displaying images on the panel.

[0044] In other respects, a combination of interleaved and sequential driving can be used. For example, a set of rows (e.g., two rows) can be driven, and then a set of columns can be driven before driving the next set of rows. The number of rows / columns in a set can vary and can change during the driving cycle (e.g., two rows, then one column, then one row, then three columns). Although frames can be generated by driving rows / columns sequentially (moving from one row / column to an adjacent row / column (rasterization)) in adjacent stages, other driving schemes in which non-adjacent rows / columns are driven in adjacent stages can be used in other respects. Additionally, nodes can be driven in different orders between stages (e.g., driving red and blue first and then green in one stage, and driving green first and then red and blue in another stage).

[0045] Figure 8 An example block diagram of a system for a semi-simultaneously driven multicolor matrix is ​​shown. System 800 includes a panel 810 of multicolor devices (e.g., an M×N matrix), each multicolor device containing a junction that emits multiple colors of light. As described herein, the number of multicolor devices, the number of junctions, and the colors emitted by the junctions can be designed. For example, some junctions in each multicolor device may emit light of the same color (e.g., due to the relative efficiency of light emission between different colors). Figure 2 As shown, Figure 8 Each row and column within panel 810 is associated with a pair of buses that extend across the entire panel 810.

[0046] Panel 810 is coupled to various circuits configured to control light emission from multicolor devices within panel 810. Control system 820 receives frames to display on panel 810 according to panel size. Processor 822 of control system 820 is configured to generate digital signals to control current generation circuits 802a, 802b, 802c, duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, 804c, and ground switching circuit 806. Other circuits supporting image display via panel 810 may be present, but are not shown for convenience. In some aspects, each of current generation circuits 802a, 802b, 802c, duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, 804c, and / or ground switching circuit 806 may be provided as a single circuit element (or integrated circuit), or multiple substantially identical circuit elements may be used to provide a specific function (e.g., two current generation circuit elements may form current generation circuit 802a).

[0047] Each current generation circuit 802a, 802b, 802c may include a separate current generator 802aa, 802ba, 802ca. Each current generation circuit 802a, 802b, 802c is configured to supply a row or column of panel 810, and each current generator 802aa, 802ba, 802ca supplies a different bus and thus forms a unique (different) junction of multicolor devices arranged along the corresponding row or column. Therefore, the number of current generators 802aa, 802ba, 802ca in each current generation circuit 802a, 802b, 802c may depend on the number of rows and columns (and buses) in panel 810 and whether current is supplied to a row or column of panel 810.

[0048] Current generators 802aa, 802ba, and 802ca can be configured to set the desired bias current for each color. The bias current can be set once by the processor 822 during testing of system 800, or it can be changed based on later testing of panel 810 if problems arise later in the circuitry of panel 810 and / or control system 820. For example, depending on the technology used, the bias current can change dynamically over time when control system 820 uses analog dimming. Control system 820 can be accordingly constructed with multi-channel current drivers (i.e., current drivers with multiple channels) providing different amounts of current, or with a single current driver (such as in a sequential drive approach) along with a current mirror to independently supply current to each connected bus in panel 810. Multi-channel current drivers can be used as each current generation circuit 802a, 802b, and 802c to provide current.

[0049] Similarly, duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, and 804c may comprise individual switches 804aa, 804ba, and 804ca. Each switch 804aa, 804ba, and 804ca is associated with a different current generator 802aa, 802ba, and 802ca. Each duty cycle switching circuit 804a, 804b, and 804c is configured to supply current from the associated current generator 802aa, 802ba, and 802ca to a row or column of panel 810, or to ground a row or column of panel 810. Figure 8 As shown, different duty cycle switching circuits 804a and 804c supply current to different buses of the rows of panel 810. Each switch 804aa, 804ba, 804ca controls the current (and thus the junctions within the polychrome devices of the corresponding row or column) to a different bus in the corresponding row or column. Therefore, the number of switches 804aa, 804ba, 804ca in each duty cycle switching circuit 804a, 804b, 804c can depend on the number of rows and columns (and buses) in panel 810 and whether the current is supplied to the rows or columns of panel 810.

[0050] Since each bus has a different current generator 802aa, 802ba, 802ca associated with that bus, dedicated switches 804aa, 804ba, 804ca handle the desired duty cycle and ground the bus when the connected junction is to be used as a sink. Switches 804aa, 804ba, 804ca can be an array of analog switches that allow current to flow in both directions to achieve this function. Duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, 804c can be continuously configured to set digital brightness levels according to frames processed and displayed by panel 810.

[0051] The ground switching circuit 806 similarly includes multiple individual switches 806a, each of which is activated to ground one of the columns, and thus ground the B-junction associated with the column. The switches 806a of the ground switching circuit 806, via the switches 804ca of the duty cycle switching circuit 804c, ground a bus different from the column supplied by the current generator 802ca of the current generation circuit 802c.

[0052] In some respects, the current supplied by current generators 802ba, 802aa, and 802ca can be used to drive the R+, R- / G+, and B+ / G- terminals of the pixels in panel 810, respectively. Grounding switching circuit 806 can ground the B- terminal of the pixels in panel 810. Unlike duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, and 804c, grounding switching circuit 806 is not coupled to the current source driver line; therefore, while a duty cycle signal can be supplied to each switch 804aa, 804ba, and 804ca in duty cycle switching circuits 804a, 804b, and 804c, no duty cycle signal is supplied to switch 806a in grounding switching circuit 806.

[0053] Processor 822 can be programmed to handle the settings of each current generation circuit 802a, 802b, 802c and apply a PWM duty cycle to each analog switch 804aa, 804ba, 804ca, 806a on the M·N panel 810 according to a specified frame rate and bit per pixel. Since addressing analog switches 804aa, 804ba, 804ca, 806a can be overwhelming in terms of pin count, a serializer / deserializer (SerDes) can be used to reduce the output signal of the control system 820. The serializer function in SerDes can be used to convert parallel data into a serial data stream, while the deserializer function in SerDes can be used to convert the serial data stream back into original parallel data. Therefore, SerDes can be used to allow one or more switches 804aa, 804ba, 804ca, 806a to be addressed per pin, instead of using a single pin for each switch 804aa, 804ba, 804ca, 806a.

[0054] Figure 9 An example lighting system incorporating a multicolor matrix is ​​illustrated. System 900 may include one or more light sources 910. Light source 910 may include one or more microLED arrays 912, as described herein. Light source 910 may include driving circuitry 914, also as described herein. Photodetector 918 may include a photodiode array 916 that detects light from the microLED devices in light source 910. Photodiode array 916 may be disposed within the device containing light source 910 or may be separate from light source 910.

[0055] The controller 930 may include a processor 932 (or equivalent, processing circuitry) which can be used to control various functions of the system 900. Also as shown, the controller 930 may include additional components, such as circuitry 934, configured to drive a photodiode array 916, etc., controlled by the processor 932. In some embodiments, circuitry 934 may also be configured to provide non-local driving of the micro-LED array 912 of the light source 910, and may include other circuitry, such as… Figure 4 The non-FPGA circuit shown (if it is not present in the light source 910, then it includes the driver circuit).

[0056] The light source 910 may include at least one lens and / or other optical elements such as a reflector. In different embodiments, a single lens may be disposed above the microLED array 912, or multiple lenses may be disposed above the microLED array 912. The lens and / or other optical elements may guide the light emitted by the microLED array 912 toward a target.

[0057] The processor 932 can also control one or more sensors 920, including a multi-pixel detector 922. Sensor 920 can sense light of one or more wavelengths emitted by the microLED array 912 and reflected by the target, radiation emitted by the target, and / or light of other wavelengths. Sensor 920 can be, for example, a radar or lidar sensor, or the processor 932 can be used to determine the presence of a specific object nearby (e.g., other vehicles, people, road signs). Sensor 920 may include optical elements (e.g., at least one sensor lens) to capture radiation. The multi-pixel detector 922 may include, for example, a photodiode or one or more other detectors capable of detecting light in the desired wavelength range(s). The multi-pixel detector 922 may include multiple different arrays to sense visible light and / or infrared light. The multi-pixel detector 922 may have one or more segments (capable of sensing the same wavelength / wavelength range or different wavelength / wavelength ranges), similar to the photodiode array 916.

[0058] In some embodiments, instead of or in addition to being provided in sensor 920, a multi-pixel detector may be provided in photodetector 918. In some embodiments, photodetector 918 and sensor 920 may be integrated into a single module, while in other embodiments, photodetector 918 and sensor 920 may be separate modules disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrate. In other embodiments, photodetector 918 and sensor 920 may be attached to different PCBs or substrates. Similarly, light source 910 may be integrated into a single module with photodetector 918, or it may be separate from photodetector 918.

[0059] The microLEDs in the microLED array 912 can be driven as described herein. Figure 9 The components of the system 900 shown can be powered by a power source 940, such as a battery.

[0060] Figure 10 Examples of electronic devices according to some embodiments are shown. Electronic device 1000 may be, for example, a display, monitor, or screen; a wearable / mobile display device such as an AR / VR headset; a vehicle headlight; lighting for a specific area; or any other lighting arrangement. Various components may be provided on the backplane indicated above, while other components may be local or remote. As described herein, examples may include logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms, or may operate on logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms.

[0061] Modules and components are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and can be configured or arranged in a certain way. In the example, circuitry can be arranged in a specified manner (e.g., internally or relative to external entities such as other circuitry) as a module. In the example, one or more computer systems (e.g., standalone, client, or server computer systems) or one or more hardware processors, in whole or in part, can be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, application portions, or applications) as modules to operate to perform specified operations. In the example, the software can reside on a machine-readable medium. In the example, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, the software causes the hardware to perform the specified operations.

[0062] Therefore, the terms "module" (and "component") are understood to encompass tangible entities, that is, entities that are physically constructed, concretely configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., provisionally) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate or perform any of the operations described herein in a specified manner. Consider the example of modules being provisionally configured, where each module does not need to be instantiated at any given time. For example, in the case where modules include general-purpose hardware processors configured using software, the general-purpose hardware processors can be configured as corresponding different modules at different times. The software can accordingly configure the hardware processors, for example, to constitute a particular module at one time and different modules at different times.

[0063] Electronic device 1000 may include a hardware processor (or equivalent, processing circuitry) 1002 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), GPU, hardware processor core, or any combination thereof) and a memory 1004 (which may include main memory and static memory), some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interconnect link (e.g., a bus) 1008. The memory 1004 may contain any or all of removable and non-removable storage, volatile or non-volatile memory. Electronic device 1000 may also include a light source 1010, such as the microLEDs described above, or a video display, an alphanumeric input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 1014 (e.g., a mouse). In this example, the light source 1010, the input device 1012, and the UI navigation device 1014 may be a touchscreen display. Electronic device 1000 may further include a storage device (e.g., a drive unit) 1016, a signal generation device 1018 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 1020, one or more cameras 1028, and one or more sensors 1030, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensors as described herein. Electronic device 1000 may also include an output controller, such as a serial (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB)), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection, to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.).

[0064] Storage device 1016 may include a non-transitory machine-readable medium 1022 (hereinafter simply referred to as machine-readable medium) on which one or more sets of data structures or instructions 1024 (e.g., software) embodying any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein are stored. The inclusion of a non-transitory machine-readable medium in storage device 1016 should not be construed as meaning that the device or the machine-readable medium itself cannot be physically moved. During the execution of instructions 1024 by electronic device 1000, instructions 1024 may also reside wholly or at least partially within memory 1004 and / or hardware processor 1002. Although machine-readable medium 1022 is shown as a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers) configured to store one or more instructions 1024.

[0065] The term "machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by electronic device 1000 and causing electronic device 1000 to perform any one or more of the technologies disclosed herein, or any medium capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Examples of non-limiting machine-readable media can include solid-state memory as well as optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of machine-readable media can include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; random access memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

[0066] Commands 1024 can also be sent or received via a communication network using transmission medium 1026, utilizing any of a variety of wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission protocols or SPI or CAN buses, through network interface device 1020. Example communication networks may include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), packet data networks (e.g., the Internet), mobile phone networks (e.g., cellular networks), common old-style telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks. Communication on the network may include one or more different protocols, such as the IEEE 1002.11 standard family known as Wi-Fi, the IEEE 1002.14 standard family known as WiMax, the IEEE 1002.14.4 standard family, the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard family, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard family, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, next-generation (NG) / 6th generation (6G) standards, and so on. In the example, network interface device 1020 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or telephone jacks) or one or more antennas for connection to transmission medium 1026.

[0067] Note that, as used herein, the term "circuit" refers to, is part of, or includes hardware components such as electronic circuits, logic circuits, processors (shared, dedicated, or grouped) and / or memories (shared, dedicated, or grouped), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable devices (FPDs) (e.g., field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex PLDs (CPLDs), high-capacity PLDs (HCPLDs), structured ASICs, or programmable SoCs), digital signal processors (DSPs), etc., configured to provide the described functions. In some embodiments, a circuit may execute one or more software or firmware programs to provide at least some of the described functions. The term "circuit" may also refer to a combination of one or more hardware elements (or a combination of circuits used in an electrical or electronic system) and program code for performing the functions described. In these embodiments, the combination of hardware elements and program code may be referred to as a particular type of circuit.

[0068] Therefore, as used herein, the term "processor circuit" or "processor" refers to, is part of, or includes, a circuit capable of sequentially and automatically performing a series of arithmetic or logical operations, or recording, storing, and / or transmitting digital data. The term "processor circuit" or "processor" may refer to one or more application processors, one or more baseband processors, a physical CPU, a single-core or multi-core processor, and / or any other device capable of executing or otherwise operating computer-executable instructions such as program code, software modules, and / or functional procedures.

[0069] Camera 1028 can sense light of one or more wavelengths emitted by at least the microLEDs. Camera 1028 may include optical elements (e.g., at least one camera lens) capable of collecting reflected light from and / or emitted by an illuminated area. The camera lens may direct the reflected light onto a multi-pixel sensor (also known as a light sensor) to form an image on the multi-pixel sensor.

[0070] The processor 1002 can control and drive LEDs via one or more drivers. For example, the processor 1002 can optionally control one or more microLEDs in the microLED array independently of other microLEDs in the microLED array in order to illuminate an area in a specified manner.

[0071] Furthermore, sensor 1030 can be incorporated into camera 1028 and / or light source 1010. Sensor 1030 can sense visible light and / or infrared light, and in addition to receiving reflected light from LEDs, it can also sense ambient light and / or changes / flicker of ambient light. Similar to an LED array, the sensor can have one or more segments (capable of sensing the same wavelength / wavelength range or different wavelengths / wavelength ranges).

[0072] Figure 11 A block diagram illustrating an example visualization system incorporating the multicolor matrix described herein is shown. The visualization system 1110 may include a wearable housing 1112, such as a headset or goggles. The housing 1112 may mechanically support and house the elements detailed below. In some examples, one or more of the elements detailed below may be included in one or more additional housings that may be detachable from the wearable housing 1112 and may be wirelessly and / or coupled to the wearable housing 1112 via a wired connection. For example, a separate housing may reduce the weight of the wearable goggles, such as by including batteries, radios, and other components. The housing 1112 may include one or more batteries 1114 that can power any or all of the elements detailed below. The housing 1112 may include circuitry that can be electrically coupled to an external power source (e.g., a wall power outlet) to recharge the batteries 1114. The housing 1112 may include one or more radios 1116 for wireless communication with a server or network via a suitable protocol such as WiFi.

[0073] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more sensors 1118, such as optical sensors, audio sensors, tactile sensors, thermal sensors, gyroscope sensors, time-of-flight sensors, triangulation-based sensors, etc. In some examples, one or more of the sensors may sense the user's position, orientation, and / or orientation. In some examples, one or more of the sensors 1118 may generate sensor signals in response to the sensed position, orientation, and / or orientation. The sensor signals may include sensor data corresponding to the sensed position, orientation, and / or orientation. For example, the sensor data may include a depth map of the surrounding environment. In some examples, such as for augmented reality systems, one or more of the sensors 1118 may capture real-time video images of the surrounding environment near the user.

[0074] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more video generation processors 1120. The one or more video generation processors 1120 may receive scene data from a server and / or storage medium. The scene data may represent a three-dimensional scene, such as a set of position coordinates of objects in the scene or a depth map of the scene. The one or more video generation processors 1120 may receive one or more sensor signals from one or more sensors 1118. In response to scene data representing the surrounding environment and at least one sensor signal representing the user's position and / or orientation relative to the surrounding environment, the one or more video generation processors 1120 may generate at least one video signal corresponding to a view of the scene. In some examples, the one or more video generation processors 1120 may generate two video signals, one for each of the user's eyes, representing views of the scene from the user's left and right eye viewpoints, respectively. In some examples, the one or more video generation processors 1120 may generate more than two video signals and combine the video signals to provide one video signal for each eye, two video signals for each eye, or other combinations.

[0075] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more light sources 1122, such as those described herein, which can provide light to the display of the visualization system 1110. In addition to or instead of monolithic LEDs, suitable light sources 1122 may include microLEDs as described above, one or more microLED arrays disposed on a common substrate, segmented microLEDs disposed on a single substrate, wherein the microLEDs are individually addressable and controllable (and / or grouped and / or subset-controllable), and others. In some examples, one or more of the light sources 1122 may include microLEDs disposed on a transparent flexible substrate, and a rigid substrate adhered to the transparent flexible substrate using an adhesive layer, such that the microLEDs are located between the rigid substrate and the transparent flexible substrate.

[0076] One or more light sources 1122 may include light-generating elements with different colors or wavelengths. For example, the light source may include red microLEDs that can emit red light, green microLEDs that can emit green light, and blue microLEDs that can emit blue light. Red, green, and blue light are combined in specific proportions to produce any suitable color that is visually perceptible in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0077] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more modulators 1124. The modulators 1124 may be implemented in at least one of two configurations.

[0078] In a first configuration, modulator 1124 may include circuitry capable of directly modulating light source 1122. For example, light source 1122 may include an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and modulator 1124 may directly modulate the power, voltage, and / or current directed to each LED in the array to form modulated light. Modulation may be performed in an analog and / or digital manner. In some examples, light source 1122 may include an array of red microLEDs, an array of green microLEDs, and an array of blue microLEDs, and modulator 1124 may directly modulate the red, green, and blue microLEDs to form modulated light to produce a specified image.

[0079] In a second configuration, modulator 1124 may include a modulation panel, such as a liquid crystal panel. Light source 1122 may produce uniform or near-uniform illumination to illuminate the modulation panel. The modulation panel may include pixels. Each pixel may selectively attenuate a corresponding portion of the modulation panel area in response to an electrical modulation signal to form modulated light. In some examples, modulator 1124 may include multiple modulation panels capable of modulating different colors of light. For example, modulator 1124 may include a red modulation panel capable of attenuating red light from a red light source such as a red microLED, a green modulation panel capable of attenuating green light from a green light source such as a green microLED, and a blue modulation panel capable of attenuating blue light from a blue light source such as a blue microLED.

[0080] In some examples of the second configuration, the modulator 1124 may receive uniform or nearly uniform white light from a white light source (e.g., a white microLED). The modulation panel may include a wavelength-selective filter on each pixel of the modulation panel. The panel pixels may be arranged in groups (such as three or four groups), where each group may form pixels of a color image. For example, each group may include panel pixels with a red color filter, panel pixels with a green color filter, and panel pixels with a blue color filter. Other suitable configurations may also be used.

[0081] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more modulation processors 1126, which may receive video signals, for example, from one or more video generation processors 1120, and in response, generate an electrically modulated signal. In a configuration where the modulator 1124 directly modulates the light source 1122, the electrically modulated signal may drive the light source 1122. In a configuration where the modulator 1124 includes a modulation panel, the electrically modulated signal may drive the modulation panel.

[0082] The visualization system 1110 may include one or more beam combiners 1128 (also called beam splitters) that can combine beams of different colors to form a single multicolor beam. For a configuration in which the light source 1122 may include multiple microLEDs of different colors, the visualization system 1110 may include one or more wavelength-sensitive (e.g., dichroic) beam combiners 1128 that can combine light of different colors to form a single multicolor beam.

[0083] The visualization system 1110 can direct modulated light toward a viewer's eyes in at least one of two configurations. In a first configuration, the visualization system 1110 can function as a projector and may include suitable projection optics 1130 that can project the modulated light onto one or more screens 1132. The screens 1132 may be located at an appropriate distance from the user's eyes. The visualization system 1110 may optionally include one or more lenses 1134 that can position the virtual image of the screens 1132 at an appropriate distance from the eyes, such as a near-focal distance, such as 500 mm, 950 mm, or another appropriate distance. In some examples, the visualization system 1110 may include a single screen 1132 such that the modulated light can be directed toward both of the user's eyes. In some examples, the visualization system 1110 may include two screens 1132 such that modulated light from each screen 1132 can be directed toward the corresponding eye of the user. In some examples, the visualization system 1110 may include more than two screens 1132. In a second configuration, the visualization system 1110 can direct the modulated light directly into one or both of the viewer's eyes. For example, the projection optics 1130 can form an image on the retina of a user's eye, or on each retina of a user's two eyes.

[0084] For some configurations of the AR system, the visualization system 1110 may include a display that is at least partially transparent, allowing the user to view their surroundings through the display. In such a configuration, the augmented reality system may generate modulated light that corresponds to an enhancement of the surrounding environment rather than the environment itself. For example, in the example of a retailer displaying a chair, the augmented reality system may direct modulated light corresponding to the chair, rather than the rest of the room, toward the screen or toward the user's eyes.

[0085] Figure 12 An example method for driving a multicolor matrix is ​​shown. In some respects, Figure 12Process 1200 can be performed by the device or a portion thereof. In operation 1202, the process may include simultaneously driving a first group of junctions (micro-LEDs) in a vertically stacked multicolor device within a multicolor matrix during a first phase of the drive cycle. Each multicolor device comprises multiple (e.g., three or more) vertically stacked junctions, which can be driven individually by supplying current to one side of a particular junction and grounding the other side of that junction. For example, when driven, the junction can emit different colors of light. During the first phase, multiple multicolor devices in rows and / or columns of the multicolor matrix can be driven simultaneously. The drive of each multicolor device can be regulated using PWM. In operation 1204, the process may further include simultaneously driving a second group of junctions in the vertically stacked multicolor devices during a second phase of the drive cycle. The second phase is sequential relative to the first phase, such that the second group of junctions is driven sequentially with the first group of junctions. At least one of the first or second group of junctions comprises multiple junctions, while the other group comprises one or more junctions. The simultaneously driven multiple junctions are vertically separated within the multicolor device by at least one other junction. It is possible to drive a multicolor matrix such that the rows and columns of the multicolor matrix are interleaved, with rows being driven first and then columns, or vice versa. Note that other operations are also possible.

[0086] Therefore, the semi-simultaneous driving method can improve upon sequential driving schemes by reducing the number of stages used for full-panel scanning from 3·M·N to M+N. Detailed circuit analysis can reveal how multicolor devices are driven sequentially or simultaneously. Multicolor device display engines can be used in various electronic devices, including wearable / mobile display devices such as AR HMDs.

[0087] Example Example 1 is an optical system comprising: an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns, each pixel comprising a multicolor device having vertically stacked junctions, at least some of the vertically stacked junctions being configured to emit light of different colors; a plurality of current generators, each current generator being configured to supply current to different junctions of one of the multicolor devices arranged along a particular row or column of the array; and a processor configured to, for each multicolor device, control the current supply to the plurality of junctions of the multicolor device during a first phase of a drive cycle to display a frame using the array and at least one other junction of the multicolor device during a second phase of the drive cycle.

[0088] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 includes a processor configured to control the supply of current during a drive cycle to drive multiple junctions before at least one other junction.

[0089] In Example 3, the subject of Examples 1-2 includes a multi-junction that is simultaneously supplied with current, which is vertically separated within a multicolor device by at least one other junction.

[0090] In Example 4, the subject matter of Examples 1-3 includes a processor configured to control the current supply to the anodes of a plurality of junctions during the first phase of a drive cycle, and to ground the cathodes of the plurality of junctions and the anode of at least one other junction.

[0091] In Example 5, the subject of Examples 1-4 includes multiple switches, each current generator being coupled via a different switch to a different junction of one of the multicolor devices arranged along a specific row or column of the array, and the processor being configured to control each switch to select between current from the associated current generator and ground to supply to a different junction of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array.

[0092] In Example 6, the subject of Example 5 includes multiple additional switches coupled to another junction in each of the multicolor devices along a specific row or column of the array, the multiple additional switches being coupled to ground but not to one of the current generators, and the processor being configured to control each switch to select whether to ground the other junction in the junction.

[0093] In Example 7, the subject of Examples 5-6 includes a processor that is also configured to use pulse width modulation (PWM) to control the duty cycle of the current supplied by each switch.

[0094] In Example 8, the subject of Examples 1-7 includes a processor that is also configured to set the bias current to be supplied by each current generator based on the color of the junction driven by each current generator.

[0095] In Example 9, the subject of Examples 1-8 includes a current driver having multiple channels configured to provide different amounts of current, wherein the processor is also configured to select one of the channels in response to determining that the current to be supplied to different junctions of each polychromatic device along a particular row or column of the array is to be regulated.

[0096] In Example 10, the subject of Examples 1-9 includes a single current driver with a current mirror configured to provide different amounts of current, and a processor configured to select one of the current amounts in response to determining that the current to be supplied to different junctions of each polychromatic device along a particular row or column of the array is to be adjusted.

[0097] In Example 11, the subject of Examples 1-10 includes a processor configured to control the supply of current to drive the polycolor devices in the array by interleaving the driving of the polycolor devices in the rows of the array with the polycolor devices in the columns of the array.

[0098] In Example 12, the subject of Examples 1-11 includes a processor configured to control the supply of current to drive the polycolor devices in the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and one column of all columns of the array and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and another column of all columns of the array.

[0099] In Example 13, the subject matter of Examples 1-12 includes, wherein each multicolor device includes: a first terminal coupled to a first end of a first junction, the first junction being configured to emit a first color light; a second terminal coupled to a first end of a second junction, the first end of the second junction being coupled to a second end of the first junction, the second junction being configured to emit a second color light different from the first color light; a third terminal coupled to a first end of a third junction, the first end of the third junction being coupled to a second end of the second junction, the third junction being configured to emit a third color light different from the first color light and the second color light; and a fourth terminal coupled to a second end of the third junction to selectively ground the third junction.

[0100] In Example 14, the subject of Examples 1-13 includes each multicolor device comprising a red micro-light-emitting device (LED), a green micro-LED, and a blue micro-LED.

[0101] Example 15 is a control system comprising: a first set of switches and a second set of switches; a plurality of current generators, each configured to supply current via a corresponding switch in the first set of switches to different vertically stacked junctions of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of a multicolor device array; and a processor configured to control, for each multicolor device along the specific row or column of the array: simultaneously supplying current to multiple junctions of the multicolor devices during a first phase of a drive cycle to display a frame using at least one other junction of the array and the multicolor devices during a second phase of the drive cycle; the first set of switches selecting between current from the associated current generator and ground to supply to different junctions of the multicolor devices; and the second set of switches selecting whether to ground another junction of the multicolor devices, the second set of switches being coupled to ground but not to one of the current generators.

[0102] In Example 16, the subject of Example 15 includes a processor further configured to control the supply of current to drive the polycolor devices in the array by interleaving the driving of the polycolor devices in the rows of the array with the polycolor devices in the columns of the array.

[0103] In Example 17, the subject of Examples 15-16 includes that the processor is further configured to control the supply of current to drive the polycolor devices in the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and the polycolor devices in all columns of the array and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and the polycolor devices in all columns of the array.

[0104] Example 18 is a method for providing light from a multicolor device array, the method comprising displaying a frame using each of the multicolor device arrays having vertically stacked junctions, which is achieved by controlling the current supply to different junctions of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array by simultaneously supplying current to multiple junctions of the multicolor devices during a first phase of a drive cycle and supplying current to at least one other junction of the multicolor devices during a second phase of the drive cycle, the current supply being controlled by selecting between current from an associated current generator and ground to supply to a specific junction of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array and selecting between grounding and disconnecting another junction of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array.

[0105] In Example 19, the subject of Example 18 includes controlling the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices in the array by interleaving the multicolor devices in the rows of the array with the multicolor devices in the columns of the array.

[0106] In Example 20, the subject of Examples 18-19 includes controlling the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices in the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array, and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array.

[0107] Example 21 is at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to perform operations to implement any one of Examples 1-20.

[0108] Example 22 is a device that includes means for implementing any of Examples 1-20.

[0109] Example 23 is a system that implements any one of Examples 1-20.

[0110] Example 24 is a method that implements any one of Examples 1-20.

[0111] In some embodiments, other components may be present, while in other embodiments, all components may be absent. As noted herein, although the term "a" is used, one or more associated elements may be used in different embodiments. For example, the term "processor" configured to perform a particular operation includes a single processor configured to perform all operations and multiple processors individually configured to perform some or all operations (which may overlap) such that a combination of processors performs all operations; therefore, the term "processor" is synonymous with "processing circuitry." Furthermore, the term "comprising" can be interpreted as "including at least" the following elements.

[0112] While only certain features of the systems and methods are shown and described herein, many modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An optical system, comprising: A pixel array arranged in rows and columns, each pixel containing a multicolor device with vertically stacked junctions, at least some of which are configured to emit light of different colors; Multiple current generators, each configured to supply current to different junctions of one of the multicolor devices arranged along a specific row or column of the array; as well as A processor is configured to control the current supply to a plurality of junctions of the multicolor device during a first phase of a drive cycle for each multicolor device, so as to display a frame using at least one other junction of the array and the multicolor device during a second phase of the drive cycle.

2. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the supply of current during the drive cycle to drive the plurality of junctions before at least one other junction among the junctions.

3. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of junctions simultaneously supplied with current are vertically separated within the multicolor device by the at least one other junction.

4. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the current supply to the anodes of the plurality of junctions during a first phase of the drive cycle, and to ground the cathodes of the plurality of junctions and the anodes of the at least one other junction.

5. The optical system of claim 1 further includes a plurality of switches, each current generator being coupled via a different switch to a different junction of one of the multicolor devices arranged along a particular row or column of the array, the processor being further configured to control each switch to select between current from the associated current generator and ground to supply to a different junction of each multicolor device along a particular row or column of the array.

6. The optical system of claim 5 further includes a plurality of additional switches coupled to an additional junction of each multicolor device along a particular row or column of the array, the plurality of additional switches being coupled to ground but not to one of the current generators, the processor being further configured to control each switch to select whether to ground one of the other junctions.

7. The optical system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to use pulse width modulation (PWM) to control the duty cycle of the current supplied by each switch.

8. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to set the bias current to be supplied by each current generator according to the color of the junction driven by each current generator.

9. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each current generator includes a current driver having a plurality of channels configured to provide different amounts of current, and the processor is further configured to select one of the channels in response to determining that the current to be supplied to different junctions of each multicolor device along a particular row or column of the array is to be adjusted.

10. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each current generator includes a single current driver with a current mirror configured to provide different current amounts, and the processor is further configured to select one of the current amounts in response to determining that the current to be supplied to different junctions of each multicolor device along a particular row or column of the array needs to be adjusted.

11. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the supply of current to drive the polychromatic devices of the array by interleaving the driving of polychromatic devices in rows and columns of the array.

12. The optical system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to control the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices of the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and one column of all columns of the array, and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and another column of all columns of the array.

13. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each multicolor device comprises: A first terminal, coupled to a first end of a first junction, the first junction being configured to emit light of a first color. A second terminal is coupled to a first end of a second junction, and the first end of the second junction is coupled to a second end of the first junction. The second junction is configured to emit a second color of light different from the first color of light. A third terminal, coupled to a first end of a third junction, the first end of which is coupled to a second end of a second junction, the third junction being configured to emit a third color light different from the first and second color light. A fourth terminal, which is coupled to the second end of the third junction to selectively ground the third junction.

14. The optical system of claim 1, wherein each multicolor device comprises a red micro-light-emitting device (LED), a green micro-LED, and a blue micro-LED.

15. A control system, comprising: First group of switches and second group of switches; Multiple current generators, each configured to supply current to a junction of different vertically stacked multicolor devices along a specific row or column of the multicolor device array via a corresponding switch in the first set of switches; as well as A processor, configured to target each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array: During the first phase of the drive cycle, current supply to multiple junctions of the multicolor device is controlled simultaneously to display a frame during the second phase of the drive cycle using at least one other junction of the array and the multicolor device. The first set of switches is controlled to select between current from the associated current generator and ground to supply different junctions of the multicolor device; as well as The second set of switches controls whether to ground another junction in the multicolor device, with the second set of switches coupled to ground but not to one of the current generators.

16. The control system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to control the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices of the array by interleaving the driving of multicolor devices in rows of the array with multicolor devices in columns of the array.

17. The control system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to control the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices of the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array, and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array.

18. A method of providing light from a multicolor device array, the method comprising displaying a frame using each of the multicolor device array having vertically stacked junctions, the current supply to different junctions of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array being controlled by simultaneously supplying current to a plurality of junctions of the multicolor devices during a first phase of a drive cycle and supplying current to at least one other junction of the multicolor devices during a second phase of the drive cycle, the current supply being controlled by selecting between current from an associated current generator and ground to supply to a specific junction of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array and selecting between grounding and disconnecting another junction of each multicolor device along a specific row or column of the array.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices of the array by interleaving the driving of multicolor devices in rows of the array with multicolor devices in columns of the array.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising controlling the supply of current to drive the multicolor devices of the array by driving one row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array, and subsequently driving another row of all rows of the array and the multicolor devices in all columns of the array.

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