Indication device

Abstract

To provide a display device that can accommodate the user's free format. [Solution] The display device 100 according to the present invention includes a transparent film-like substrate 120, a daisy-chain wiring 130 formed on the substrate, and a plurality of LED devices 140-1, 140-2, ..., 140-n connected in a daisy-chain configuration via the daisy-chain wiring 130. One daisy-chain wiring 130 includes linearly formed Vdd wiring, GND wiring, and DATA wiring, and each of the LED devices 140-1, 140-2, ..., 140-n is connected in common to the Vdd wiring and GND wiring and is serially connected in a daisy-chain configuration via the DATA wiring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged on a substrate, and particularly to a display device in which an LED device such as a micro LED (light-emitting diode) is mounted on a substrate.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, micro LEDs that can directly display images from light-emitting diodes have been developed. Micro LEDs are arranged two-dimensionally so as to correspond to each pixel. For example, the anodes of each light-emitting diode are commonly connected to data wiring, the cathodes are connected to scan wiring, and each of the light-emitting diodes is driven (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an LED display in which LEDs are arranged in a matrix, there is a demand in the market for transparent / flexible / freeform. Although LED displays on transparent films have been developed, there is a problem that these LED displays cannot accommodate freeform.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image of a freeform of an LED display on a transparent film. Depending on the use of the LED display, etc., the user may cut the LED display with scissors or a cutter, or cut out a part of the area in order to change the shape and size of the display. Then, an electrical signal is no longer supplied to the part after the cutting point, the LEDs do not light up, and a non-display area occurs.

[0006] Figures 2(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams of the wiring for a passively driven LED display. Data wiring 20 (e.g., in the column direction) and scan wiring 30 (e.g., in the row direction) are formed in a matrix on the surface of the substrate 10, and LEDs 40 are mounted at the intersections of the data wiring 20 and scan wiring 30. When the current direction of the data wiring 20 is X and the current direction of the scan wiring 30 is Y, if the user cuts the substrate 10 along line L as shown in Figure 2(A) or cuts off a part of area K as shown in Figure 2(B), an electrical signal will not be supplied beyond that point, resulting in an area Q that is not displayed, making the display device look bad.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve these conventional problems and provide a display device that can accommodate the user's free format. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The display device according to the present invention includes a substrate, daisy-chain wiring formed on the substrate, and a plurality of light-emitting devices connected in a daisy-chain configuration via the daisy-chain wiring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, since multiple light-emitting devices are connected in a daisy-chain configuration, it is possible to obtain any display area by cutting the substrate while suppressing the occurrence of non-display areas. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating a free-format image of a transparent film LED display. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates an example of a conventional LED display matrix wiring and an example of a free-format wiring. [Figure 3]Figure 3(A) shows the overall configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3(B) shows a daisy-chained LED device, and Figure 3(C) shows the configuration of the terminal surface of the LED device. [Figure 4] This figure shows the internal configuration of an LED device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing the configuration of an LED substrate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The present invention relates to a display device (display) in which multiple light-emitting devices are mounted on a substrate, and more particularly to a display device that can accommodate a user's free format. The light-emitting devices are not particularly limited, but for example, they include micro-LEDs in a package. When the display device displays a color image, the light-emitting devices include R, G, and B micro-LEDs. The light-emitting devices may also include active elements that are daisy-chained and receive control data from adjacent light-emitting devices, and control the light emission of the LEDs based on said control data. It should be noted that the drawings referenced in the following description include exaggerations to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not directly represent the shape or scale of the actual product. [Examples]

[0012] FIG. 3(A) is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the display device 100 includes a drive control unit 110 and an LED substrate 120. A plurality of Daisy Chain wirings 130 are formed on the LED substrate 120, and one end of the Daisy Chain wiring 130 is electrically connected to the drive control unit 110. A plurality of LED devices 140 Daisy Chain connected via the Daisy Chain wiring 130 are mounted on the LED substrate 120.

[0013] The planar shape of the LED substrate 120 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in the figure, it has a rectangular shape. The LED substrate 120 is composed of a material that can be cut by a cutting device such as scissors or a cutter, or has such a thickness, and is, for example, composed of a light-transmissive substrate or film such as glass, plastic, acrylic, or a semiconductor substrate such as silicon. Preferably, the LED substrate 120 is a transparent film-like polyimide substrate.

[0014] Linear Daisy Chain wirings 130 are formed on the surface of the LED substrate 120 along its longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 3(B), one Daisy Chain wiring 130 is composed of a Vdd wiring, a GND wiring, and a DATA wiring for supplying power. Here, for convenience, the three of the Vdd wiring, the GND wiring, and the DATA wiring are referred to as Daisy Chain wirings.

[0015] The Daisy Chain wiring 130 is formed by patterning a single layer or a laminate of a metal material deposited on the LED substrate 120, such as Au, Ag, Cu, AgMg, Al, or ITO. A plurality of such Daisy Chain wirings 130 are formed in the short side direction of the LED substrate 120.

[0016] The drive control unit 110 is electrically connected to the LED device 140 via the Daisy Chain wiring 130. FIG. 3(B) shows an example of the Daisy Chain connection of the LED device 140, and FIG. 3(C) is a plan view of the terminal surface of one LED device. One LED device 140 has, for example, a rectangular package, and on the terminal surface (for example, the bottom surface) of the package, as shown in FIG. 3(C), a Vdd terminal, a Din terminal, a Dout terminal, and a GND terminal are formed.

[0017] The Vdd terminals and GND terminals of the LED devices 140-1, 140-2, ···, 140-n (when collectively referred to as the LED device 140) are commonly connected to the Vdd wiring and the GND wiring as shown in FIG. 3(B). The Din terminal of the first LED device 140-1 is electrically connected to the drive control unit 110 via the DATA wiring, the Dout terminal is electrically connected to the Din terminal of the adjacent LED device 140-2 via the DATA wiring, and the Dout terminal of the LED device 140-2 is electrically connected to the Din terminal of the adjacent LED device 140-3 via the DATA wiring. That is, each of the LED devices 140-1, 140-2, ···, 140-n is serially connected via the DATA wiring so as to be daisy-chained. Each terminal of the LED device 140 is electrically connected to the Vdd wiring, the GND wiring, and the DATA wiring by, for example, solder, a conductive adhesive, or the like.

[0018] In this way, a plurality of LED devices 140 that are daisy-chain connected at a constant pitch in the matrix direction are arranged in a matrix on the LED substrate 120. As will be described later, the drive control unit 110 applies control data to each of the LED devices daisy-chain connected via the DATA wiring, and each of the LED devices performs light emission control of the LED elements based on the received control data.

[0019] In FIG. 3(A), the Vdd wiring and the GND wiring extend from the drive control unit 110, but this is just an example, and the Vdd wiring and the GND wiring may extend onto the LED substrate 120 from a power supply unit separated from the drive control unit 110.

[0020] Figure 4 shows the internal configuration of an LED device and an example of connecting adjacent LED devices. One LED device 140-i consists of R, G, and B LED elements, a brightness control unit 142, and a data holding / transfer unit 144, all contained within a package. When displaying a color image, one pixel consists of three subpixels: R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

[0021] The data holding / transfer unit 144 is connected to the Din terminal and the Dout terminal. If the control data input from the Din terminal includes control data addressed to the local station, it retrieves the control data addressed to the local station and holds it in memory such as a register. On the other hand, if the control data addressed to the local station is not included, it outputs the control data from the Dout terminal and transfers the control data to the next LED device 140-j. The brightness control unit 142 controls the emission of R, G, and B based on the control data held by the data holding / transfer unit 144.

[0022] The method for transmitting control data in daisy-chained LED devices is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be done as follows: Each LED device 140 is assigned a unique address, and the drive control unit 110 creates a data frame containing the address of the destination LED device and the control data, and transmits the created data frame to the LED device 140 via the DATA wiring. When LED device 140-i receives the data frame, it checks the address, and if it matches its own address, it holds the control data; otherwise, it relays the data frame to the next LED device 140-j.

[0023] Next, the specific configuration of the display device of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of an LED substrate according to the first embodiment. Multiple daisy-chain wirings 130 are formed in the row direction on the LED substrate 120, and multiple LED devices 140 are daisy-chained together via the daisy-chain wirings 130. One end of the daisy-chain wirings 130 is electrically connected to a drive control unit 110, and the drive control unit 110 drives each LED device 140 in the signal input direction Y1.

[0024] Since the LED device 140 is not driven by matrix wiring, for example, even if the LED board 120 is cut along the column line L1 as shown in the figure and the unnecessary parts of the board are removed, or if the LED board 120 is cut along the row line L2 and the unnecessary parts of the board are removed, the LED device 140 in the remaining area will not turn off, thus realizing a cuttable display.

[0025] In this way, by arranging multiple daisy-chained LED devices in a matrix on a circuit board, it is possible to freely cut away areas other than the signal input section and enjoy displaying a desired shape or size. Furthermore, if a transparent circuit board is used, it is possible to realize a display that can be cut and pasted onto any display medium.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of an LED substrate according to the second embodiment. The LED substrate 120A according to the second embodiment is characterized by having a comb-like (alternating) signal input direction. That is, a drive control unit 110A is located on one end of the LED substrate 120A in the row direction, and a drive control unit 110B is located on the other end, with even-numbered daisy-chain wiring 130 being electrically connected to the drive control unit 110A, and odd-numbered daisy-chain wiring 130 being electrically connected to the drive control unit 110B. Y1 and Y2 indicate the signal input direction to the LED device 140.

[0027] For example, as shown in the diagram, even if the circuit board is cut along the column-direction line L1 along the daisy-chain wiring 130, no unlit areas will occur. Similarly, even if the circuit board is cut along the row-direction line L2, the LED devices 140A, 140B, and 140C beyond the cut will not light up, but because the signal is input via comb-tooth wiring, the LED devices 140a, 140b, and 140c in front of it will light up. Thus, in this second embodiment, the display function can be maintained, with only the display resolution of the unlit areas becoming coarser.

[0028] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of an LED substrate according to the third embodiment. In a display in which multiple linear LED devices as shown in the first embodiment are arranged, the LED substrate 120B according to the third embodiment is characterized in that the LED devices 140 are arranged in a staggered pattern. As shown in the figure, the LED devices 140 are arranged such that the pitch of the LED devices 140 in the odd-numbered column direction is offset by 1 / 2 with respect to the pitch of the LED devices 140 in the even-numbered column direction.

[0029] When multiple LED devices connected in a daisy-chain are driven serially, the number of LED devices that can be connected is limited by the drive frequency of the control data from the drive control unit 110. As a result, on large displays, the pitch of the LED devices becomes large, and the image appears coarse. In the third embodiment, by arranging the LED devices 140 (pixels) in a staggered pattern, the displayed image can be made to appear high-density.

[0030] Figure 8 shows the daisy-chain wiring of an LED board according to the fourth embodiment. The LED board 120C according to the fourth embodiment is characterized by dividing the DATA wiring of the daisy-chain wiring into multiple parts. One linear daisy-chain wiring 130 includes, for example, two divided DATA1 wirings and DATA2 wirings. The DATA1 wiring is daisy-chained to the first set of LED devices 140a, 140-b, and 140-c from the linear LED devices 140-a to 140-f, and the DATA2 wiring is daisy-chained to the second set of LED devices 140d, 140-e, and 140-f.

[0031] Although the number of LED devices that can be connected is limited by the drive frequency of the control data, by dividing the DATA wiring into multiple lines as in this embodiment, the number of LED devices that can be placed on one line can be increased, and the display resolution can be increased. In the example in Figure 8, the DATA wiring is divided into two lines, but this is not the only option; it is also possible to divide the DATA wiring on one line into three or more lines.

[0032] Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of an LED substrate according to the fifth embodiment. In a display in which multiple linear LED devices as shown in the first embodiment are arranged in a row, the LED substrate 120A according to the fifth embodiment makes it easier to cut the substrate and avoid damage to the LED devices by making cuts in the substrate (e.g., film substrate) of the non-mounted portion of the LED device in order to facilitate freeform shaping of the display.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9, the LED substrate 120D has multiple notches 200 (shown by dashed lines), for example, in the row and column directions. The notches 200 are, for example, grooves, holes, or recesses. By forming the notches 200, the user can easily cut the substrate along the notches 200. Note that the notches 200 do not necessarily have to be straight lines; they may be curved or bent lines, or they may show the outline of a certain shape (for example, circular or rectangular).

[0034] Figure 10 is a plan view of an LED substrate according to the sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the outer shape of the LED substrate 120E on which at least one linear LED device is arranged is made into a shape such as a puzzle pattern, which makes it possible to connect and disconnect the LED substrate 120E to other LED substrates 120E.

[0035] As shown in Figure 10(A), the LED substrate 120E includes at least one daisy-chained LED device 140, and a puzzle pattern 210, which is a semicircular indentation, is formed on the left and right sides. Using such an LED substrate 120E as a basic module, an LED substrate of any size or shape can be obtained by connecting three other LED substrates 120E, as shown in Figure 10(B).

[0036] Here, the puzzle pattern 210 is formed only on the left and right sides of the LED board 120E, but it is also possible to form the puzzle pattern on the top and bottom sides to vary the size or shape of the LED board in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the shape of the puzzle pattern is arbitrary, as long as it is a shape that can be connected to or detached (engaged) with other LED boards.

[0037] Although examples of LED substrate configurations are shown in the first to fifth embodiments, the present invention may include any combination of the first to fifth embodiments. For example, an LED substrate combining the second and fifth embodiments, or an LED substrate combining the third and fourth embodiments, may be used.

[0038] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 100: Display device 110: Drive control unit 120: LED board 130: Wiring for daisy chain 140:LED device

Claims

1. A display device using a light-emitting element, circuit board and The daisy-chain wiring formed on the aforementioned substrate, Multiple light-emitting devices connected in a daisy-chain configuration via the aforementioned daisy-chain wiring, A display device that includes a display device.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein one daisy-chain wiring includes linearly formed power wiring, GND wiring, and data wiring, and a plurality of daisy-chain wirings are formed on the substrate.

3. The light-emitting device includes a power terminal, a GND terminal, a data input terminal, and a data output terminal. The power terminals and GND terminals of multiple daisy-chained light-emitting devices are connected to the power wiring and GND wiring in common, the data input terminals are connected to the data output terminals of adjacent light-emitting devices via the data wiring, and the data output terminals are connected to the data input terminals of adjacent light-emitting devices via the data wiring. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting device performs light emission control based on control data received from the data input terminal.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, on a substrate on which multiple daisy-chain wirings are formed, control data is supplied from one end of the even-numbered data wirings and control data is supplied from the other end of the odd-numbered data wirings.

5. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting devices are arranged in a staggered pattern on a substrate on which multiple daisy-chain wirings are formed.

6. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the daisy-chain wiring includes a plurality of divided data wirings, and the plurality of divided data wirings are connected to each set of linearly arranged light-emitting devices.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has notches formed therein to facilitate cutting the substrate.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one side of the substrate has a shape formed thereon that can engage with the shape of the side of another substrate.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a transparent film-like substrate.

Images