Electronic paper screen and display device
By introducing a local refresh flag storage unit and a timing control unit into the electronic paper screen, combined with a gate driving unit and a source driving unit, simultaneous refresh of non-adjacent areas is achieved, solving the high power consumption problem caused by multiple refreshes in the prior art and improving update efficiency and lifespan.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HANSHOW TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
Smart Images
Figure CN224232341U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to an electronic paper screen and display device. Background Technology
[0002] Electronic paper screens are displays made using electrophoretic display technology. They achieve image display by applying driving voltages to each pixel through control circuitry on a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate. As a reflective display, electronic paper screens can maintain their image for a long time without continuous refreshing after an image has been updated, resulting in very low power consumption. They also offer advantages such as wide viewing angles, high contrast, and eye protection.
[0003] Electronic paper strip screens are frequently used in fields such as electronic price tags and advertising displays to showcase more product information within a relatively narrow area. Since multiple product information items are typically displayed on a single electronic paper strip screen, it is necessary to have both full-screen and partial refresh capabilities. This allows for a full-screen refresh when all product information needs updating, and a partial refresh when only one product's information needs updating. Existing electronic paper screens can achieve both full-screen and single-area refreshes, but when refreshing two or more non-adjacent areas, current screens can only achieve this through multiple single-area refreshes. However, multiple single-area refreshes lead to a significant increase in refresh power consumption. Therefore, how to achieve individual refresh of non-adjacent areas within a single refresh cycle has become a pressing problem to be solved. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention provides an electronic paper screen and display device. The electronic paper screen can achieve partial refresh of at least two non-adjacent display areas, shortening the refresh time, improving the efficiency of electronic paper screen updates, reducing power consumption, and increasing the service life of electronic paper screen.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic paper screen is provided, including a communication unit, a partial refresh flag storage unit, a timing control unit, a gate driving unit, a source driving unit, a plurality of scan lines extending along a first direction and arranged in a second direction, and a plurality of data lines extending along the second direction and arranged in the first direction.
[0006] The communication unit is used to receive the flag information of the partial refresh and its signal input terminal is connected to an external controller. The communication unit is used to output the flag information of the partial refresh and its signal output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit. The output terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit is connected to the input terminal of the timing control unit. The first timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the gate driving unit. The output terminal of the gate driving unit is connected to the scan line. The second timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the source driving unit. The output terminal of the source driving unit is connected to the data line.
[0007] The partial refresh flag information includes the position information of the scan line and / or the data line corresponding to at least two non-adjacent display areas.
[0008] Optionally, it also includes a driver chip, in which the local refresh flag storage unit and the timing control unit are integrated.
[0009] Optionally, the driver chip further includes a scan signal terminal and a data signal terminal, wherein the scan signal terminal is connected to the gate driving unit and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit.
[0010] Optionally, the gate driving unit includes a GOA, and the driving chip includes a GOA signal terminal and a data signal terminal. The GOA signal terminal is connected to the GOA, and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit.
[0011] Optionally, the number of data lines is M, the number of scan lines is N, and the electronic paper screen includes M×N pixel units, where M and N are both integers greater than or equal to 1.
[0012] Optionally, the resolution of any one of the non-adjacent display areas is A×B, 1≤A≤M, 1≤B≤N.
[0013] Optionally, the pixel unit in row J corresponds to a local refresh flag bit of one bit, the pixel unit in column K corresponds to a local refresh flag bit of one bit, the pixel unit in row N corresponds to N / J bits of local refresh flag bits, and the pixel unit in column M corresponds to M / K bits of local refresh flag bits.
[0014] Optionally, the system may also include a plurality of thin-film transistors, wherein the gates of the thin-film transistors are connected to the scan lines and the sources of the thin-film transistors are connected to the data lines.
[0015] Optionally, the gate driving unit is connected to one or both ends of the scan line, and the gate driving unit provides a scan signal to the scan line by single-sided driving or double-sided driving.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a display device is provided, including the above-described electronic paper screen.
[0017] The electronic paper screen provided in this embodiment includes a communication unit, a partial refresh flag storage unit, a timing control unit, a gate driving unit, a source driving unit, multiple scan lines extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction, and multiple data lines extending in the second direction and arranged in the first direction. The signal input terminal of the communication unit is connected to an external controller, the signal output terminal of the communication unit is connected to the input terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit, the output terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit is connected to the input terminal of the timing control unit, the first timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the gate driving unit, and the output terminal of the gate driving unit is connected to the scan lines. The second timing output terminal of the element is connected to the input terminal of the source driver unit, and the output terminal of the source driver unit is connected to the data line. The partial refresh flag information output by the external controller is transmitted to the partial refresh flag storage unit through the communication unit. The timing control unit reads the partial refresh flag information from the partial refresh flag storage unit and generates the voltage control timing of the gate driver unit and the source driver unit. The gate driver unit and the source control unit control the electronic paper screen to achieve partial refresh of at least two non-adjacent display areas. The partial refresh flag information includes the position information of the scan lines and / or data lines corresponding to at least two non-adjacent display areas. The electronic paper screen provided by this embodiment can achieve partial refresh of at least two non-adjacent display areas, shorten the refresh time, improve the update efficiency of the electronic paper screen, reduce power consumption, and increase the service life of the electronic paper screen.
[0018] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this utility model, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Other features of this utility model will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description
[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0020] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of an existing electronic paper screen;
[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first update to an existing electronic paper strip screen;
[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the second update to the existing e-paper strip screen;
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a conventional electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit;
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for the first partial refresh of an existing electronic paper screen.
[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for a second partial refresh of an existing electronic paper screen.
[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a partial refresh control unit for an electronic paper screen provided in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0027] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating partial refresh of an electronic paper screen according to an embodiment of this utility model;
[0028] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the encoding method of a partial refresh flag bit on an electronic paper screen, provided for an embodiment of this utility model;
[0029] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the setting of a local refresh flag bit according to an embodiment of this utility model;
[0030] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for partial refresh of an electronic paper screen, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0031] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0032] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the utility model described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.
[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a conventional electronic paper screen, using an M×N resolution electronic paper strip screen as an example. M represents the number of horizontal pixel units in the display area AA, and N represents the number of vertical pixel units in the AA area. To drive the pixel array in the AA area, the AA area is equipped with M columns of data lines 10 (Source traces) and N rows of scan lines 20 (Gate traces). The Source traces extend from below the AA area and connect to the Source driver pads of the driver chip. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). For electronic paper screens using AIO ICs (All-in-One ICs, where both Gate and Source drive signals are integrated into a single driver IC), the Gate traces are led out from the left and right sides of the AA area and directly connected to the Gate drive pads of the driver IC; for electronic paper screens using GOA (Gate on Array) ICs, the Gate traces are led out from the left and right sides of the AA area and connected to the GOA units of the TFT substrate 30 (…). Figure 1 (Not shown in the diagram), the GOA unit is connected to the GOA drive pad of the driver IC via the GOA trace on the lower side. In this way, the driver IC realizes the driving and control of the Source and Gate traces in the AA area.
[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first update to an existing e-paper strip screen. From Figure 2 As can be seen, the electronic paper strip screen displays product information for five items simultaneously. The second product area needs to be updated. After determining the address information of the second product area, a partial refresh can be completed using the partial refresh function of the driver IC. Since it is a partial refresh in the Gate direction, the address for the first partial refresh is: Gate: X to Y, Source: 1 to M.
[0035] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the second update to the existing e-paper strip screen. From Figure 3 As can be seen, the electronic paper strip screen displays product information for five items simultaneously. The fourth item area requires updating. After determining the address information of the fourth item area, a partial refresh can be performed using the driver IC's partial refresh function. Since it's a partial refresh along the Gate direction, the address for the second partial refresh is: Gate: Z to U, Source: 1 to M.
[0036] Due to limitations of existing driver IC partial refresh methods, current e-paper screens can only partially refresh a rectangular area within the AA zone at a time. (Refer to...) Figure 2 and Figure 3 To update two non-adjacent product information entries on the e-paper bar screen, two partial refreshes are required. The first refresh updates one area of the product information, and the second refresh updates the other area. Similarly, if there are P (P≥2) non-adjacent product information entries on the e-paper bar screen that need to be updated, P partial refreshes are required to update the product information in all areas.
[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a conventional electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit. (Reference) Figure 4 The existing electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit includes: a communication unit 100, a partial refresh address storage unit 200, a timing control unit 300, a gate driving unit 400, and a source driving unit 500. The electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit can be of type AIO, with the gate driving unit 400 including a gate driving circuit and the source driving unit 500 including a source driving circuit; alternatively, the electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit can be of type GOA, with the gate driving unit 400 including a GOA, the GOA including a cascaded shift register driving circuit, and the source driving unit 500 including a source driving circuit. The communication unit 100 receives partial refresh address information from the outside and stores it in the partial refresh address storage unit 200. The timing control unit 300 reads the partial refresh address information from the partial refresh address storage unit 200 and generates the voltage control timing for the gate driving unit 400 and the source driving unit 500. The gate driving unit 400 and the source driving unit 500 control the TFT substrate to achieve partial refresh of a single area.
[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for the first partial refresh of an existing electronic paper screen. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for a second partial refresh of an existing electronic paper screen. For ease of explanation, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The control timing for the refresh process is only given for one frame. Figure 5 For a partial refresh control timing, the region selected by the partial refresh address (Gate address: X to Y, i.e., the pixel units from row X to row Y) outputs a normal Source signal, while the region not selected by the partial refresh address outputs a GND signal. In this way, a partial refresh of a specific region can be achieved. Figure 6 For the control timing of the second local refresh, the region selected by the local refresh address (Gate address: Z to U, pixel units from row Z to row U) outputs a normal Source signal, while the region not selected by the local refresh address outputs a GND signal. This enables the second local refresh of a specific region.
[0039] Current e-paper screens can only perform partial refreshes on a single rectangular area. When two or more non-adjacent rectangular areas need to be partially refreshed, it can only be achieved through multiple partial refreshes. Multiple refreshes increase refresh time, reduce the efficiency of e-paper screen updates, increase power consumption, and reduce the lifespan of the e-paper screen.
[0040] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides an electronic paper screen, including a communication unit, a partial refresh flag storage unit, a timing control unit, a gate driving unit, a source driving unit, multiple scan lines extending along a first direction (pixel row direction) and arranged in a second direction (pixel column direction), and multiple data lines extending along the second direction and arranged in the first direction. The communication unit's signal input terminal for receiving partial refresh flag information is connected to an external controller; its signal output terminal for outputting partial refresh flag information is connected to the input terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit; the output terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit is connected to the input terminal of the timing control unit; the first timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the gate driving unit; the output terminal of the gate driving unit is connected to the scan lines; the second timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the source driving unit; and the output terminal of the source driving unit is connected to the data lines. The partial refresh flag information includes position information of at least two non-adjacent display areas corresponding to scan lines and / or data lines.
[0041] For example, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a partial refresh control unit for an electronic paper screen provided in an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to... Figure 7The electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit includes a communication unit 100, a partial refresh flag storage unit 600, a timing control unit 300, a gate driving unit 400, and a source driving unit 500. Compared with the prior art, by adjusting the partial refresh address register unit in the driver IC to a partial refresh flag storage unit, it is possible to individually set whether each row and / or each column of pixel units in the display area of the electronic paper screen is refreshed, thereby realizing partial refresh of two or more non-adjacent display areas. By realizing partial refresh of multiple non-adjacent display areas at one time, the refresh time can be shortened, the efficiency of electronic paper screen update can be improved, power consumption can be reduced, and the service life of electronic paper screen can be increased. The working process of the electronic paper screen partial refresh control unit provided in this embodiment of the utility model is as follows: the communication unit 100 receives the partial refresh flag information from the outside and stores the flag information in the partial refresh flag storage unit 600. The timing control unit 300 reads the partial refresh flag information from the partial refresh flag storage unit 600 and generates the voltage control timing of the gate driving unit 400 and the source driving unit 500. The gate driving unit 400 and the source driving unit 500 control the TFT substrate to realize partial refresh of two or more non-adjacent display areas.
[0042] In specific implementations, the electronic paper screen may optionally include a driver chip, with the partial refresh flag storage unit 600 and the timing control unit 300 integrated within the driver chip.
[0043] The technical solution of this utility model embodiment is applicable to both AIO type driving and GOA type driving. When using the AIO type, optionally, the driving chip further includes a scan signal terminal and a data signal terminal. The scan signal terminal is connected to the gate driving unit, and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit. The scan signal terminal provides the Gate driving signal, and the data signal terminal provides the Source driving signal. When using the GOA type, optionally, the gate driving unit includes a GOA, and the driving chip includes a GOA signal terminal and a data signal terminal. The GOA signal terminal is connected to the GOA, and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit.
[0044] Optionally, the electronic paper screen also includes multiple thin-film transistors, with the gates of the thin-film transistors connected to the scan lines and the sources of the thin-film transistors connected to the data lines.
[0045] In this design, a pixel unit of the electronic paper screen can be configured to include a thin-film transistor as a switch. A scan line is connected to the gate of the thin-film transistor in a row of pixel units to control the switching on and off of the thin-film transistor. A data line is connected to the source of a column of pixel units at the thin-film transistor. When the thin-film transistor is turned on, the data line provides a data signal to the corresponding pixel unit.
[0046] In practice, the gate driving unit can provide scanning signals to the scan line in a single-sided or double-sided driving manner. Optionally, the gate driving unit is connected to one or both ends of the scan line. The gate driving unit provides scanning signals to the scan line in a single-sided or double-sided driving manner. The specific implementation can be designed according to the actual situation.
[0047] Taking an electronic paper screen with the same display area as existing technology as an example, optionally, continue to refer to... Figure 1 The number of data lines 10 is M, the number of scan lines 20 is N, and the electronic paper screen includes M×N pixel units, where M and N are both integers greater than or equal to 1.
[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial refresh of an electronic paper screen according to an embodiment of the present invention, using a partial refresh in the Gate direction as an example. From Figure 8 As can be seen, the electronic paper strip screen displays product information for five products simultaneously. The second and fourth product areas require updating. The second product area corresponds to pixel units in rows X to Y, and the fourth product area corresponds to pixel units in rows Z to U. The second and fourth product areas are not adjacent. To save refresh time and reduce refresh power consumption, the updates for both product areas are performed simultaneously through partial refresh of these non-adjacent areas. This will be explained in detail below.
[0049] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the encoding method of the partial refresh flag bit for an electronic paper screen according to an embodiment of this utility model. In the table, Gate No. represents the scan line corresponding to each bit. In Table 1, one row of pixel units corresponds to one bit of the partial refresh flag bit; therefore, N rows of pixel units require N bits of partial refresh flag bit data. In Table 2, two rows of pixel units correspond to one bit of the partial refresh flag bit; therefore, N rows of pixel units require N / 2 bits of partial refresh flag bit data. In Table 3, four rows of pixel units correspond to one bit of the partial refresh flag bit; therefore, N rows of pixel units require N / 4 bits of partial refresh flag bit data. In Table 4, eight rows of pixel units correspond to one bit of the partial refresh flag bit; therefore, N rows of pixel units require N / 8 bits of partial refresh flag bit data. By sharing one bit of the partial refresh flag bit among several rows of pixel units, the total amount of partial refresh flag bit data can be reduced. If Q rows of pixel units share one bit of the partial refresh flag bit, then N rows of pixel units require N / Q bits of partial refresh flag bit data.
[0050] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of a local refresh flag setting provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Taking the use of a 1-bit local refresh flag for each row of pixel units as an example, in the 1st to Nth rows of pixel units, the areas that need to be refreshed are the Xth to Yth rows and the Zth to Uth rows. Therefore, the values of the local refresh flags corresponding to the Xth to Yth rows and the Zth to Uth rows of pixel units are set to 1, and the values of the local refresh flags for other rows are set to 0. In this way, the pixel rows that need to be refreshed and those that do not need to be refreshed are identified by the data information of the local refresh flags.
[0051] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the control timing for partial refresh of an electronic paper screen, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, Figure 11 The control timing for the refresh process is only given for one frame. In the region where the local refresh flag is set to 1 (pixel units from row X to row Y and pixel units from row Z to row U), the Source output signal is normal, and in the region where the local refresh flag is set to 0, the GND signal is output. In this way, local refresh of any region can be achieved.
[0052] This embodiment of the invention describes partial refresh of non-adjacent areas in the Gate direction. In practical applications, it is not limited to the Gate direction; the method of setting a partial refresh flag is also applicable to partial refresh of non-adjacent areas in the Source direction. Furthermore, using the above method to simultaneously perform partial refresh of non-adjacent areas in both the Gate and Source directions provides greater flexibility for partial refresh of electronic paper screens.
[0053] In this embodiment of the invention, the local refresh of two non-adjacent areas is used as an example. In practical applications, it is also applicable to the local refresh of one area, as well as the local refresh of multiple non-adjacent areas.
[0054] In this embodiment of the invention, the local refresh of non-adjacent areas is used for illustration. In practical applications, any one of the non-adjacent areas can be a pixel array, a row of pixel units, a column of pixel units, or a single pixel unit. Optionally, if the resolution of any one of the non-adjacent display areas is A×B, then 1≤A≤M, 1≤B≤N.
[0055] The above embodiments are only illustrated using rows as examples. In specific implementations, both rows and columns can be encoded. Optionally, J row pixel units correspond to one bit of local refresh flag, K column pixel units correspond to one bit of local refresh flag, N row pixel units correspond to N / J bits of local refresh flag, and M column pixel units correspond to M / K bits of local refresh flag.
[0056] This utility model embodiment also provides a display device, including the electronic paper screen provided in the above embodiment.
[0057] Since the display device provided in this embodiment includes the electronic paper screen provided in the above embodiment and has the same or corresponding technical effects as the electronic paper screen, it will not be described in detail here.
[0058] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. An electronic paper screen, characterized in that, It includes a communication unit, a local refresh flag storage unit, a timing control unit, a gate driving unit, a source driving unit, multiple scan lines extending along a first direction and arranged in a second direction, and multiple data lines extending along the second direction and arranged in the first direction. The communication unit is used to receive the flag information of the partial refresh and its signal input terminal is connected to an external controller. The communication unit is used to output the flag information of the partial refresh and its signal output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit. The output terminal of the partial refresh flag storage unit is connected to the input terminal of the timing control unit. The first timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the gate driving unit. The output terminal of the gate driving unit is connected to the scan line. The second timing output terminal of the timing control unit is connected to the input terminal of the source driving unit. The output terminal of the source driving unit is connected to the data line. The partial refresh flag information includes the position information of the scan line and / or the data line corresponding to at least two non-adjacent display areas.
2. The electronic paper screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a driver chip, in which the local refresh flag storage unit and the timing control unit are integrated.
3. The electronic paper screen according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driver chip further includes a scan signal terminal and a data signal terminal. The scan signal terminal is connected to the gate driving unit, and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit.
4. The electronic paper screen according to claim 2, characterized in that, The gate driving unit includes a gate interface (GOA), and the driving chip includes a GOA signal terminal and a data signal terminal. The GOA signal terminal is connected to the GOA, and the data signal terminal is connected to the source driving unit.
5. The electronic paper screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of data lines is M, the number of scan lines is N, and the electronic paper screen includes M×N pixel units, where M and N are both integers greater than or equal to 1.
6. The electronic paper screen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The resolution of any one of the non-adjacent display areas is A×B, 1≤A≤M, 1≤B≤N.
7. The electronic paper screen according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pixel units in row J correspond to a local refresh flag bit of one bit, the pixel units in column K correspond to a local refresh flag bit of one bit, the pixel units in row N correspond to a local refresh flag bit of N / J bits, and the pixel units in column M correspond to a local refresh flag bit of M / K bits.
8. The electronic paper screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple thin-film transistors, the gates of which are connected to the scan lines and the sources of which are connected to the data lines.
9. The electronic paper screen according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gate driving unit is connected to one or both ends of the scan line, and the gate driving unit provides a scan signal to the scan line by single-sided driving or double-sided driving.
10. A display device, characterized in that, Includes the electronic paper screen as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.