Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display apparatus

Abstract

An electrophoretic display module according to the present disclosure comprises: a first substrate including a plurality of pixel electrodes and having a plurality of edges; a bezel coupled to a first edge among the plurality of edges of the first substrate; a second substrate provided on the first substrate and receiving a reference voltage; a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a driving unit for applying, to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes, a data voltage corrected on the basis of a distance between the first edge of the first substrate and each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes, such that the reference voltage applied through the second substrate and the corrected data voltage applied to each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes drive the display medium layer.

Description

Electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to an electrophoretic display device comprising an electrophoretic display module and a plurality of electrophoretic display modules.

[0002] An Electrophoretic Display (EPD) is a flat-panel display device that displays images using the phenomenon of electrophoresis. Electrophoresis refers to the phenomenon in which charged particles move toward electrodes within an electric field, and an electrophoretic display is an application of this principle to displays.

[0003] A conventional electrophoretic display device has a structure in which a microcapsule is placed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate on which a transparent electrode is formed, and positively and negatively charged particles of different colors are dispersed inside the microcapsule along with a transparent fluid. In this structure, when a voltage is applied between the upper and lower electrodes, the charged particles move to the upper or lower electrode by the electric field to display an image.

[0004] Electrophoretic display devices are distinguished from light-emitting display devices in that they reduce eye strain due to their reflective display method, and provide high visibility even in environments with strong external light and a wide viewing angle.

[0005] Meanwhile, in order to manufacture a large-sized electrophoretic display device, a process of fabricating multiple electrophoretic display modules and then combining them is required.

[0006] Since bezels are formed on all edges of the electrophoretic display module, even when multiple electrophoretic display modules are combined, the seams between the modules are noticeable, causing inconvenience to the user.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, an electrophoretic display device is provided comprising an electrophoretic display module in which a bezel is formed only at one edge of a substrate and a plurality of electrophoretic display modules.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an electrophoretic display device comprising an electrophoretic display module and a plurality of electrophoretic display modules is provided, in which problems that may occur due to a bezel being formed on only one edge of a substrate are resolved.

[0009] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] An electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; a bezel coupled to a first edge of the first substrate; a second substrate provided on the first substrate and receiving a reference voltage; a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a driving unit that applies a corrected data voltage to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on the distance between the first edge of the first substrate and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

[0011] An electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of electrophoretic display modules, and at least one edge among the remaining edges excluding the first edge of the first substrate of each of the plurality of electrophoretic display modules can come into contact with at least one edge among the remaining edges excluding the first edge of the first substrate of another electrophoretic display module among the plurality of electrophoretic display modules.

[0012] An electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate including a display area in which a plurality of pixel electrodes are provided; a first bezel coupled to a first edge of the first substrate; a second bezel coupled to a second edge opposite to the first edge of the first substrate; a second substrate provided on the first substrate and receiving a reference voltage; a display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a driving unit that applies a corrected data voltage to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on the distance between a virtual reference line between the first edge and the second edge of the first substrate and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment, viewed from above.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment, viewed from the side.

[0015] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a driving substrate of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a control block diagram of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for driving an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates how a reference voltage applied to a common electrode layer according to one embodiment decreases due to voltage drop as it moves away from the first edge of the first substrate.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the amount of data voltage correction of a driving unit according to one embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the target data voltage is corrected according to image data.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates another example of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates another example of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates how a reference voltage applied to a common electrode layer according to one embodiment decreases due to voltage drop as it approaches a virtual reference line of the substrate.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the amount of data voltage correction of a driving unit according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the target data voltage is corrected according to image data.

[0027] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of said embodiments.

[0028] In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0029] The singular form of the noun corresponding to the item may include one or multiple items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0030] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0031] The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple related described components or any of the multiple related described components.

[0032] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish a component from another component and do not limit the components in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

[0033] Where any (e.g., 1st) component is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., 2nd) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicationly," it means that said any component may be connected to said other component directly (e.g., via a wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0034] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this document, and do not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] When it is said that a component is "connected," "combined," "supported," or "in contact" with another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, combined, supported, or in contact, but also cases where they are indirectly connected, combined, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0036] When it is said that a component is located "on" another component, this includes not only cases where one component is in contact with the other, but also cases where another component exists between the two components.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0038] In the present disclosure, the electrophoretic display module and the electrophoretic display device are devices capable of processing an image signal received from the outside and visually displaying the processed image.

[0039] Electrophoretic display modules and electrophoretic display devices can be implemented in various forms such as televisions, monitors, portable multimedia devices, e-books, and portable communication devices, and the form of the electrophoretic display module and electrophoretic display device is not limited as long as it is a device that visually displays images.

[0040] In addition, the electrophoretic display module and the electrophoretic display device may be a Large Format Display (LFD) installed outdoors, such as on a building rooftop or at a bus stop. Here, the outdoors is not necessarily limited to an open area; the electrophoretic display module and the electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment may be installed in any indoor location where many people can enter and exit, such as a subway station, shopping mall, movie theater, company, or shop.

[0041] The electrophoretic display module and the electrophoretic display device can receive content including video and audio signals from various content sources and output video and audio corresponding to the video and audio signals. For example, the electrophoretic display module and the electrophoretic display device can receive content data via a broadcast receiving antenna or a wired cable, receive content data from a content playback device, receive content data from a content provider's content provision server, or receive content data from a storage medium where content data is stored.

[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment as viewed from the side. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a driving substrate of an electrophoretic display module according to one embodiment.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the electrophoretic display module (10) may include a first substrate (112) on which a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) are provided.

[0044] The first substrate (112) may include at least one edge (e.g., a first edge (e1), a second edge (e2), a third edge (e3) and a fourth edge (e4)).

[0045] In the present invention, the first substrate (112) can be defined as a driving substrate in that it includes a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0046] In the present invention, the first substrate (112) can be defined as a lower substrate in that it is positioned below the second substrate (130).

[0047] Driving the display medium layer (120) may include moving the ink inside the capsule included in the display medium layer (120).

[0048] A plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may include at least one capacitor and / or at least one transistor.

[0049] In the present invention, the pixel electrode (pe) may also be referred to as a pixel circuit.

[0050] A second substrate (130) may be provided on the upper side of the first substrate (112).

[0051] The second substrate (130) can receive a reference voltage (Vcom) (or referred to as common voltage) for driving the display medium layer (120).

[0052] The second substrate (130) may be made of a transparent material so that an image expressed by ink within a capsule included in the display medium layer (120) can pass through the second substrate (130).

[0053] The second substrate (130) can be defined as an upper substrate in that it is positioned above the first substrate (112).

[0054] The second substrate (130) can be referred to as a common electrode substrate in that it receives a reference voltage (Vcom).

[0055] The second substrate (130) can be referred to as a transparent substrate in that it is transparent.

[0056] The second substrate (130) may include a common electrode layer (131, see FIG. 4) to which a reference voltage (Vcom) is applied, a steam inflow prevention layer to prevent steam from entering, and a cover layer to cover the common electrode layer and / or the steam inflow prevention layer.

[0057] A common electrode line (CL) to which a reference voltage (Vcom) is applied can be formed in the common electrode layer (131).

[0058] A display medium layer (120) may be provided between the first substrate (112) and the second substrate (130).

[0059] The display medium layer (120) may include a plurality of charged particles capable of electrophoresis. The plurality of charged particles may be provided within an insulating dispersion medium (cp). The insulating dispersion medium may be referred to as a capsule.

[0060] These capsules (cp) may include at least one of a hydrocarbon solvent, a silicone solvent, and a halogenated solvent. For example, the capsules (cp) may be formed by a polymer shell such as melamine resin, urea resin, acrylic resin, and polyurethane.

[0061] A plurality of charged particles may include a first group of particles that are positively charged and contain a white pigment, and a second group of particles that are negatively charged and contain a black pigment.

[0062] According to various embodiments, to realize a color image, a plurality of charged particles may include red, green, and / or blue pigments and may include groups of particles charged with positive and / or negative charges.

[0063] At least one capsule (cp) included in the display medium layer (120) can correspond to at least one pixel electrode (pe) provided on the first substrate (112).

[0064] At least one charged pigment inside a capsule (cp) can move inside the capsule according to the potential difference between the data voltage applied to the corresponding pixel electrode (pe) and the reference voltage (Vcom). Accordingly, a first color pigment charged with a positive or negative charge inside the capsule can move toward the second substrate (130), and a second color pigment charged with a negative or positive charge can move toward the first substrate (112).

[0065] For example, when a voltage lower than the reference voltage (Vcom) (negative voltage) is applied to the pixel electrode (pe), the first color pigment charged with a negative charge may move toward the second substrate (130) and the second color pigment charged with a positive charge may move toward the first substrate (112).

[0066] As another example, when a voltage higher than the reference voltage (Vcom) (positive voltage) is applied to the pixel electrode (pe), the first color pigment charged with a positive charge may move toward the second substrate (130) and the second color pigment charged with a negative charge may move toward the first substrate (112).

[0067] The user can observe the pigment that has moved toward the second substrate (130). In this way, the electrophoretic display module (10) can display an image by adjusting the data voltage applied to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0068] The area where the image is displayed can be defined as the display area (da). A plurality of capsules and / or a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may be formed on the lower side of the display area (da).

[0069] That is, the display area (da) may refer to an area where a capsule and / or pixel electrode (pe) is provided at its bottom, and if a capsule and / or pixel electrode (pe) is not provided at its bottom, it may be referred to as a surrounding area, etc.

[0070] The display area (da) may also be referred to as the active area.

[0071] The pigment that has been moved according to the application of the data voltage and reference voltage (Vcom) can maintain its position even if the potential difference between the first substrate (112) and the second substrate (130) disappears later.

[0072] A data line (DL) for applying a data voltage to each of a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may be formed on the first substrate (112).

[0073] A scan line (or gate line) (GL) for applying a scan signal to each of a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may be formed on the first substrate (112).

[0074] A bezel (bz) can be attached to the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112).

[0075] A bezel may not be formed on the remaining edges (e.g., second edge (e2), third edge (e3) and / or third edge (e3)) of the first substrate (112), excluding the first edge (e1).

[0076] For example, bezels may not be formed on the second edge (e2), third edge (e3), and fourth edge (e4) of the first substrate (112).

[0077] In one embodiment, the electrophoretic display module (10) may be referred to as a 3-side bezel-less display module.

[0078] An electrostatic discharge prevention circuit (11) may be formed in the bezel (bz). The electrostatic discharge prevention circuit (11) is provided near the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) to prevent electrostatic discharge entering through various paths from being transmitted to a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) formed on the first substrate (112).

[0079] A conductive member (12) can be formed on the bezel (bz).

[0080] The conductive member (12) may be formed by applying silver (Ag) paste in the form of dots to the bezel (bz).

[0081] The conductive member (12) can apply a reference voltage (Vcom) to the second substrate (130). Here, applying the reference voltage (Vcom) to the second substrate (130) may include transmitting the reference voltage (Vcom) received from the driving unit (20) to the second substrate (130).

[0082] Applying a reference voltage (Vcom) to the second substrate (130) may include applying a reference voltage (Vcom) to a common electrode layer (131, see FIG. 4) formed on the second substrate (130).

[0083] That is, the conductive member (12) can electrically connect the driving unit (20) and the second substrate (130).

[0084] A plurality of conductive members (12) can be formed spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the bezel (bz).

[0085] Meanwhile, unlike conventional technology in which a bezel (bz) is formed on all edges of the first substrate (112), a bezel (bz) is formed only on the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112), so the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the second substrate (130) through the conductive member (12) decreases in magnitude due to voltage drop as the distance (d) from the first edge (e1) increases.

[0086] A driving unit (20) may be formed in the bezel (bz). The driving unit (20) receives an image data signal from a content source unit and can control a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based thereon.

[0087] The driving unit (20) may include a driving IC (Integrated Chip) (22). The driving IC (22) may include a data driver IC (or source driver IC) that transmits a data signal (or data voltage) to each of a plurality of pixels and / or a gate driver IC (or scan driver IC) that transmits a gate signal to each of a plurality of pixels.

[0088] For example, the driving unit (20) may include a COF (Chip On Film) and a SPCB (Stiffener Printed Circuit Board).

[0089] The driving unit (20) may include a fan-out wiring (21) that electrically connects the wires (DL, GL) formed on the first substrate (112) and the driving IC (22).

[0090] For example, the driving unit (20) may be electrically connected to a data line (DL) formed on the first substrate (112). For example, the driving unit (20) may include a data fan-out wiring (21) that electrically connects the driving IC (22) and the data line (DL).

[0091] For example, the driving unit (20) may be electrically connected to a scan line (GL) formed on the first substrate (112). For example, the driving unit (20) may include a gate fan-out wiring (21) that electrically connects the driving IC (22) and the scan line (GL).

[0092] According to the present invention, a bezel (bz) is provided only on the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112), and a bezel (bz) is not provided on the remaining edges, thereby allowing for design advantages to be enjoyed.

[0093] For example, according to the present invention, a seamless electrophoretic display device can be manufactured using a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10).

[0094] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a control block diagram of an electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for driving an electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5, a driving unit (20) according to one embodiment can receive image data (1000).

[0096] In the present invention, the image data may be data corresponding to an image signal received from the outside, and the data corresponding to the image signal received from the outside may be preprocessed data.

[0097] For example, the image data may include information regarding a target data voltage applied to each of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe) and / or timing information regarding the application of the target data voltage to each of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe).

[0098] Information regarding the target data voltage applied to each of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe) can be referred to as data value, pixel value, etc.

[0099] In the present invention, image data may also be referred to as input data.

[0100] The driving unit (20) can apply a reference voltage (Vcom) to a common electrode layer (131) formed on the second substrate (130) based on receiving image data.

[0101] To this end, the driving unit (20) can be electrically connected to the conductive member (12).

[0102] The reference voltage (Vcom) may also be referred to as a common voltage in the sense that it is a reference voltage (Vcom) applied to correspond to all of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe).

[0103] The driving unit (20) can correct the target data voltage corresponding to the image data based on the distance between each of the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) (1100).

[0104] The driving unit (20) can apply a corrected data voltage (Vdata) based on the distance between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) formed on the first substrate (112) based on receiving image data.

[0105] In the present invention, the corrected data voltage (Vdata) may mean that the target data voltage corresponding to the data value has been corrected.

[0106] Depending on the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe), the corrected data voltage (Vdata) may be the same as the target data voltage corresponding to the image data or the target data voltage may be adjusted.

[0107] The distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may correspond to the distance between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) from the end of the bezel (bz), the distance between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) from the edge of the second substrate (130), and / or the distance between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) from the edge of the display area (da).

[0108] For convenience of explanation, the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) is referred to as the reference distance (d).

[0109] FIG. 6 illustrates how a reference voltage (Vcom) applied to a common electrode layer according to one embodiment decreases due to voltage drop as it moves away from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112).

[0110] Referring to FIG. 6, as the reference distance (d) increases, the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the common electrode layer (131) by the voltage drop decreases.

[0111] This is because the conductive member (12) is not provided on all peripheries of the first substrate (112). That is, according to the present invention, since a bezel (bz) is formed only on the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and the conductive member (12) is provided on the bezel (bz), the voltage magnitude of the common electrode layer decreases as the distance from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) increases.

[0112] For example, the voltage magnitude of the common electrode layer (131) in a portion relatively close to the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) may be greater than the voltage magnitude of the common electrode layer (131) in a portion relatively far from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112).

[0113] That is, the magnitude (K) of the reference voltage (Vcom) transmitted by the conductive member (12) gradually decreases as the reference distance (d) increases.

[0114] Due to this voltage drop phenomenon, when a target data voltage is applied to a pixel electrode (pe) that is far from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112), the potential difference between the target data voltage and the common voltage may differ from the intended potential difference.

[0115] If the potential difference between the target data voltage and the common voltage differs from the intended potential difference, the uniformity of the image displayed in the electrophoretic display module (10) is reduced, and the reflectance and color coordinates of the part represented by the pixel located far from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) change.

[0116] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the data voltage correction amount of a driving unit (20) according to one embodiment.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, a driving unit (20) according to one embodiment can correct a target data voltage based on a correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage determined according to a reference distance (d).

[0118] The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can increase as the reference distance (d) increases. The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be proportional to the reference distance (d).

[0119] The increase rate of the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage according to the reference distance (d) can correspond to the decrease rate of the common voltage (Vcom) according to the reference distance (d).

[0120] For example, assuming that the common voltage (Vcom) is reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage when the reference distance (d) is 2mm can also be 0.2V.

[0121] In the present invention, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage refers to the magnitude of the correction voltage, and the sign of the correction voltage may be negative. That is, assuming that the common voltage (Vcom) is reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm, the data voltage may be reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm.

[0122] For example, the common voltage (Vcom) according to the reference distance (d) can be measured through an experiment, and the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be defined by the common voltage (Vcom) according to the measured reference distance (d).

[0123] That is, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage according to the reference distance (d) shown in Fig. 7 can be obtained in advance through experiment.

[0124] The driving unit (20) can determine a target data voltage applied to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on image data, and determine a corrected data voltage (Vdata) by correcting the target data voltage based on the distance between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0125] For example, the driving unit (20) can determine the corrected data voltage (Vdata) by subtracting or adding a correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage to the target data voltage.

[0126] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the target data voltage is corrected according to image data.

[0127] The table shown on the left side of FIG. 8 represents the target data voltage (Vdata`) corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) included in the image data, and the table shown on the right side of FIG. 8 represents the corrected data voltage (Vdata) corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0128] Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may include a first group of first pixel electrodes (pe1) whose distance from a first edge (e1) is a first distance, a second group of second pixel electrodes (pe2) whose distance from the first edge (e1) is a second distance, and a third group of third pixel electrodes (pe3) whose distance from the first edge (e1) is a third distance.

[0129] The size can increase in the order of the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance, and for the convenience of explanation, the first distance is assumed to be 0mm.

[0130] When the target data voltage corresponding to the first and second pixel electrodes (pe1, pe2) is the first and second data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the first data voltage to the first pixel electrode (pe1) by adjusting the first data voltage by the first voltage, and applies the second data voltage to the second pixel electrode (pe2) by adjusting the second data voltage by the second voltage, wherein the magnitude of the second voltage (e.g., 0.1V) may be greater than the magnitude of the first voltage (e.g., 0V).

[0131] When the target data voltage corresponding to the second and third pixel electrodes (pe2, pe3) is the second and third data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the second data voltage to the second pixel electrode (pe2) by adjusting the second data voltage to the second voltage, and applies the third data voltage to the third pixel electrode (pe3) by adjusting the third data voltage to the third voltage, wherein the magnitude of the third voltage (e.g., 0.3V) may be greater than the magnitude of the second voltage (e.g., 0.2V).

[0132] In this way, according to the present invention, the change in the potential difference between the reference voltage (Vcom) and the target data voltage (Vdata') due to the change in the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) according to the reference distance (d) can be resolved by correcting the data voltage (Vdata').

[0133] According to the present invention, even if a bezel (bz) including a conductive member (12) is formed only on the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112), the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) changes according to the reference distance (d), thereby preventing the potential difference between the reference voltage (Vcom) and the target data voltage (Vdata') from changing.

[0134] FIG. 9 illustrates one example of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 illustrates another example of an electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 9 and FIGS. 10, an electrophoretic display device (1) according to one embodiment may include a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10).

[0136] In the case of an electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment, since a bezel (bz) is formed only on the first edge (e1), the first substrates (112) can be brought into contact without a boundary line when matching the part where the bezel (bz) is formed.

[0137] At least one of the remaining edges, excluding the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) of each of the plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10), can come into contact with at least one of the remaining edges, excluding the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) of another electrophoretic display module (10) among the plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10).

[0138] Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10) may include a first electrophoretic display module (10a), a second electrophoretic display module (10b), a third electrophoretic display module (10c), and a fourth electrophoretic display module (10d) arranged in the same row.

[0139] The third edge (e3) of the first electrophoretic display module (10a) can come into contact with the fourth edge (e4) of the second electrophoretic display module (10b). The third edge (e3) of the second electrophoretic display module (10b) can come into contact with the fourth edge (e4) of the third electrophoretic display module (10c). The third edge (e3) of the third electrophoretic display module (10c) can come into contact with the fourth edge (e4) of the fourth electrophoretic display module (10d).

[0140] Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10) may include a fifth electrophoretic display module (10e), a sixth electrophoretic display module (10f), a seventh electrophoretic display module (10g), and an eighth electrophoretic display module (10h) arranged in a matrix form with respect to each other.

[0141] The third edge (e3) of the fifth electrophoretic display module (10e) can come into contact with the fourth edge (e4) of the sixth electrophoretic display module (10f). The second edge (e2) of the fifth electrophoretic display module (10e) can come into contact with the second edge (e2) of the seventh electrophoretic display module (10g).

[0142] The second edge (e2) of the sixth electrophoretic display module (10f) can come into contact with the second edge (e2) of the eighth electrophoretic display module (10h).

[0143] The third edge (e3) of the eighth electrophoretic display module (10h) can come into contact with the fourth edge (e4) of the seventh electrophoretic display module (10g).

[0144] According to the present invention, a single boundaryless electrophoretic display device can be implemented using a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10).

[0145] FIG. 11 illustrates another example of an electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment.

[0146] In one embodiment, the electrophoretic display module (10) may include a first bezel (bz1) coupled to a first edge (e1) of a first substrate (112) and a second bezel (bz2) coupled to a second edge (e2) opposite to the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112).

[0147] A bezel may not be formed on the third edge (e3) and the fourth edge (e4) of the first substrate (112).

[0148] That is, in one embodiment, the electrophoretic display module (10) may be referred to as a 2-side bezel-less display module.

[0149] An electrostatic discharge prevention circuit (11) may be formed in each bezel (bz1, bz2). The electrostatic discharge prevention circuit (11) is provided near the first edge (e1) and near the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) to prevent electrostatic discharge entering through various paths from being transmitted to a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) formed on the first substrate (112).

[0150] A conductive member (12) can be formed on each bezel (bz1, bz2).

[0151] For example, a first conductive member (12a) may be formed on the first bezel (bz1) and a second conductive member (12b) may be formed on the second bezel (bz2).

[0152] The first conductive member (12a) and the second conductive member (12b) can receive a reference voltage (Vcom) from a driving unit (20) provided in each bezel (bz1, bz2).

[0153] When a reference voltage (Vcom) is applied to a conductive member (12a, 12b) formed on each of the bezels (bz) provided at both ends of the first substrate (112), the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the common electrode layer (131) decreases due to voltage drop as it moves further away from the first edge (e1) or the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) to the midpoint between the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112).

[0154] That is, assuming there is a virtual reference line (VL) that passes through the midpoint between the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) and is parallel to the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112), the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the common electrode layer (131) can decrease as it approaches the virtual reference line (VL).

[0155] The distance (g2-g1) from the first edge (e1) to the virtual reference line (VL) may be the same as the distance (g1) from the second edge (e2) to the virtual reference line (VL).

[0156] FIG. 12 illustrates how a reference voltage (Vcom) applied to a common electrode layer according to one embodiment decreases due to voltage drop as it approaches a virtual reference line of the substrate.

[0157] The distance (d) between the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) is referred to as the reference distance (d).

[0158] When the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) is assumed to be the reference distance (d), referring to FIG. 12, as the reference distance (d) increases, the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the common electrode layer (131) by voltage drop decreases, and when the reference distance (d) reaches the distance (g1) from the first edge (e1) to the virtual reference line (VL), the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) increases as the reference distance (d) increases.

[0159] When the distance (d) between the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) is assumed to be the reference distance (d), referring to FIG. 12, as the reference distance (d) increases, the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the common electrode layer (131) by voltage drop decreases, and when the reference distance (d) reaches the distance (g1) from the second edge (e2) to the virtual reference line (VL), the magnitude of the reference voltage (Vcom) increases as the reference distance (d) increases.

[0160] In other words, the reference voltage (Vcom) can be reduced by voltage drop as it approaches the virtual reference line (VL), and can be increased as it moves away from the virtual reference line (VL).

[0161] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the data voltage correction amount of a driving unit (20) according to one embodiment.

[0162] Referring to FIG. 13, a driving unit (20) according to one embodiment can correct a target data voltage based on a correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage determined according to a reference distance (d).

[0163] The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can increase as the reference distance (d) approaches the distance (g1) from the first edge (e1) or the second edge (e2) to the virtual reference line.

[0164] The increase rate of the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage according to the reference distance (d) can correspond to the decrease rate of the common voltage (Vcom) according to the reference distance (d).

[0165] For example, assuming that the common voltage (Vcom) is reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage when the reference distance (d) is 2mm can also be 0.2V.

[0166] The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be inversely proportional to the distance between a virtual reference line (VL) and each of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe).

[0167] In the present invention, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage refers to the magnitude of the correction voltage, and the sign of the correction voltage may be negative. That is, assuming that the common voltage (Vcom) is reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm, the data voltage may be reduced by 0.2V when the reference distance (d) is 2mm.

[0168] For example, the common voltage (Vcom) according to the reference distance (d) can be measured through an experiment, and the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be defined by the common voltage (Vcom) according to the measured reference distance (d).

[0169] That is, the correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage according to the reference distance (d) shown in Fig. 13 can be obtained in advance through experiment.

[0170] The driving unit (20) can determine a target data voltage applied to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on image data, and determine a corrected data voltage (Vdata) by correcting the target data voltage based on the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0171] For example, the driving unit (20) can determine the corrected data voltage (Vdata) by subtracting or adding a correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage to the target data voltage.

[0172] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the target data voltage is corrected according to image data.

[0173] The table shown on the left side of FIG. 14 represents the target data voltage (Vdata`) corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) included in the image data, and the table shown on the right side of FIG. 8 represents the corrected data voltage (Vdata) corresponding to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0174] Referring to FIG. 14, a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) may include a fourth group of fourth pixel electrodes (pe4) with a first distance from a virtual reference line, a fifth group of fifth pixel electrodes (pe5) with a second distance from a virtual reference line, and a sixth group of sixth pixel electrodes (pe6) with a second distance from a virtual reference line.

[0175] The fifth pixel electrodes (pe5) and the sixth pixel electrodes (pe6) can be positioned symmetrically to each other with respect to a virtual reference line (VL).

[0176] The size can increase in the order of the first distance and the second distance, and for the convenience of explanation, the first distance is assumed to be 0mm.

[0177] When the target data voltage corresponding to the 4th and 5th pixel electrodes (pe4, pe5) is the 4th and 5th data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the 4th data voltage to the 4th pixel electrode (pe4) by adjusting it to the 4th voltage, and applies the 5th data voltage to the 5th pixel electrode (pe5) by adjusting it to the 5th voltage, wherein the magnitude of the 4th voltage (e.g., 0.3V) may be greater than the magnitude of the 5th voltage (e.g., 0.2V).

[0178] When the target data voltage corresponding to the 4th and 6th pixel electrodes (pe4, pe6) is the 4th and 6th data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the 4th data voltage to the 4th pixel electrode (pe4) by adjusting it to the 4th voltage, and applies the 6th data voltage to the 6th pixel electrode (pe6) by adjusting it to the 6th voltage, wherein the magnitude of the 4th voltage (e.g., 0.3V) may be greater than the magnitude of the 6th voltage (e.g., 0.2V).

[0179] When the target data voltage corresponding to the 5th and 6th pixel electrodes (pe5, pe6) is the 5th and 6th data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the 5th data voltage to the 5th pixel electrode (pe5) by adjusting it to the 5th voltage, and applies the 6th data voltage to the 6th pixel electrode (pe6) by adjusting it to the 6th voltage, wherein the magnitude of the 5th voltage (e.g., 0.2V) may be the same as the magnitude of the 6th voltage (e.g., 0.2V).

[0180] It goes without saying that the embodiments described in FIGS. 12 to 14 may be similarly applied to the electrophoretic display device shown in FIG. 10.

[0181] According to the present invention, even if a bezel (bz) is not formed on the entire periphery of the display area, the problem of pixel reflectance / color coordinate degradation due to voltage drop of the common voltage can be solved.

[0182] According to the present invention, a boundaryless electrophoretic display device can be manufactured by combining the bezel-less portions (bz) of an electrophoretic display module (10).

[0183] An electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate (112) comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe); a bezel (bz) coupled to a first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112); a second substrate (130) provided on the first substrate (112) and receiving a reference voltage (Vcom); a display medium layer (120) provided between the first substrate (112) and the second substrate (130); and a driving unit (20) that applies a corrected data voltage (Vdata) to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0184] The remaining edges (e2, e3, e4) of the first substrate (112), excluding the first edge (e1), may not have bezels provided.

[0185] The driving unit (20) can be provided in the bezel (bz).

[0186] The driving unit (20) can determine a target data voltage (Vdata') applied to each of a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on input data, and determine a corrected data voltage (Vdata) by correcting the target data voltage (Vdata') based on the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0187] The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be proportional to the distance (d) between the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0188] A plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) include a first pixel electrode (pe) located at a first distance from a first edge (e1) of a first substrate (112) and a second pixel electrode (pe) located at a second distance from the first edge (e1) of a first substrate (112), wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and the target data voltage corresponding to the first and second pixel electrodes (pe) is the first and second data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the first data voltage to the first pixel electrode (pe) by adjusting the first data voltage by the first voltage and applies the second data voltage to the second pixel electrode (pe) by adjusting the second data voltage by the second voltage, wherein the magnitude of the second voltage may be greater than the magnitude of the first voltage.

[0189] The electrophoretic display module (10) may further include a conductive member (12) formed on the bezel (bz) and applying a reference voltage (Vcom) to the second substrate (130).

[0190] The reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the second substrate (130) through the conductive member (12) can be reduced by voltage drop as it moves further away from the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112).

[0191] An electrophoretic display device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10), and at least one edge among the remaining edges (e2, e3, e4) excluding the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) of each of the plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10) may come into contact with at least one edge among the remaining edges excluding the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112) of another electrophoretic display module (10) among the plurality of electrophoretic display modules (10).

[0192] An electrophoretic display module (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a first substrate (112) comprising a display area in which a plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) are provided; a first bezel (bz) coupled to a first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112); a second bezel (bz) coupled to a second edge (e2) opposite to the first edge (e1) of the first substrate (112); a second substrate (130) provided on the first substrate (112) and receiving a reference voltage (Vcom); a display medium layer (120) provided between the first substrate (112) and the second substrate (130); and a driving unit (20) that applies a corrected data voltage (Vdata) to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on a virtual reference line (VL) between the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112) and a distance (d) between each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0193] Bezels may not be provided on the remaining edges (e3, e4), excluding the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) of the first substrate (112).

[0194] The driving unit (20) may be provided in at least one of the first bezel (bz) and the second bezel (bz).

[0195] The driving unit (20) can determine a target data voltage (Vdata`) applied to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) based on input data, and determine a corrected data voltage by correcting the target data voltage based on the distance (d) between a virtual reference line (VL) and each of the plurality of pixel electrodes (pe).

[0196] The correction amount (Vmd) of the data voltage can be inversely proportional to the distance between a virtual reference line (VL) and each of the multiple pixel electrodes (pe).

[0197] A plurality of pixel electrodes (pe) include a first pixel electrode (pe) located at a first distance from a virtual reference line (VL) and a second pixel electrode (pe) located at a second distance from a virtual reference line (VL), wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance and the target data voltage corresponding to the first and second pixel electrodes (pe) is the first and second data voltage, respectively, the driving unit (20) applies the first data voltage to the first pixel electrode (pe) by adjusting the first data voltage by the first voltage and applies the second data voltage to the second pixel electrode (pe) by adjusting the second data voltage by the second voltage, wherein the magnitude of the first voltage may be greater than the magnitude of the second voltage.

[0198] The electrophoretic display module (10) may further include a first conductive member (12) formed on a first bezel (bz) and applying a reference voltage (Vcom) to a second substrate (130); and a second conductive member (12) formed on a second bezel (bz) and applying a reference voltage (Vcom) to a second substrate (130).

[0199] The reference voltage (Vcom) applied to the second substrate (130) through each of the first conductive member (12) and the second conductive member (12) can be reduced by voltage drop as it approaches a virtual reference line.

[0200] A virtual baseline (VL) is parallel to the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2) and can pass through the midpoint between the first edge (e1) and the second edge (e2).

[0201] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operation of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0202] Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording media that store instructions that can be decoded by a computer. Examples include ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), magnetic tape, magnetic disk, flash memory, optical data storage devices, etc.

[0203] Additionally, computer-readable recording media may be provided in the form of non-transitory storage media. Here, 'non-transitory storage media' simply means that it is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily. For example, 'non-transitory storage media' may include a buffer in which data is stored temporarily.

[0204] According to one embodiment, the method according to the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or distributed online (e.g., download or upload) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily created on a device-readable recording medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0205] As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been explained with reference to the attached drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be practiced in forms different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be interpreted restrictively.

Claims

1. A first substrate comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes and having a plurality of edges; A bezel coupled to the first edge among the plurality of edges of the first substrate; A second substrate provided on the first substrate and receiving a reference voltage; A display medium layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate; and An electrophoretic display module comprising: a driving unit that applies a corrected data voltage to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on the distance between the first edge of the first substrate and each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes, thereby causing the reference voltage applied through the second substrate and the corrected data voltage applied to each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes to drive the display medium layer.

2. In Paragraph 1, An electrophoretic display module in which bezels are not provided on the remaining edges of the plurality of edges of the first substrate, excluding the first edge.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above driving unit is, An electrophoretic display module provided in the above bezel.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above driving unit is, An electrophoretic display module that determines a target data voltage applied to each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on input image data, and determines the corrected data voltage by correcting the target data voltage based on the distance between the first edge of the first substrate and each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

5. In Paragraph 1, An electrophoretic display module in which the correction amount of the above-mentioned corrected data voltage is proportional to the distance between the first edge of the first substrate and each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above plurality of pixel electrodes are, It includes a first pixel electrode located at a first distance from the first edge of the first substrate and a second pixel electrode located at a second distance from the first edge of the first substrate, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. When the target data voltages corresponding to the first and second pixel electrodes are the first and second data voltages, respectively, the driving unit, The first data voltage is adjusted to a first voltage and applied to the first pixel electrode, and The second data voltage is adjusted to the second voltage and applied to the second pixel electrode, An electrophoretic display module in which the magnitude of the second voltage is greater than the magnitude of the first voltage.

7. In Paragraph 1, An electrophoretic display module further comprising a conductive member formed on the bezel and applying the reference voltage to the second substrate.

8. In Paragraph 7, An electrophoretic display module in which the reference voltage applied to the second substrate through the conductive member decreases due to voltage drop as it moves further away from the first edge of the first substrate.

9. An electrophoretic display device comprising an electrophoretic display module according to claim 1 as a first electrophoretic display module among a plurality of electrophoretic display modules, At least one edge among the remaining edges, excluding the first edge of the first substrate of each of the plurality of first electrophoretic display modules, is, An electrophoretic display device that contacts at least one edge among the remaining edges of the first substrate of another second electrophoretic display module, excluding the first edge of the first substrate of the plurality of electrophoretic display modules.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above bezel is a first bezel, and Among the plurality of edges above, the second edge is opposite to the first edge, and The above electrophoretic display module is, It further includes a second bezel coupled to a second edge opposite to the first edge of the first substrate, and The above driving unit is, An electrophoretic display module that applies a corrected data voltage to each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on the distance between a virtual reference line between the first edge and the second edge of the first substrate and the distance between each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

11. In Paragraph 10, An electrophoretic display module in which bezels are not provided on the remaining edges among the plurality of edges, excluding the first edge and the second edge of the first substrate.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above driving unit is, An electrophoretic display module provided in at least one of the first bezel and the second bezel.

13. In Paragraph 10, The above driving unit is, An electrophoretic display module that determines a target data voltage applied to each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes based on input image data, and determines the corrected data voltage by correcting the target data voltage based on the distance between the virtual reference line and each pixel electrode of each of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

14. In Paragraph 10, An electrophoretic display module in which the correction amount of the above data voltage is inversely proportional to the distance between the virtual reference line and each pixel electrode of the plurality of pixel electrodes.

15. In Paragraph 10, The above imaginary baseline is, An electrophoretic display module parallel to the first edge and the second edge and passing through the midpoint between the first edge and the second edge.

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