Passive Matrix Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Display Driver Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display apparatuses using cholesteric liquid crystals face challenges in shortening data transfer time and improving response speed due to the need for complex control circuits and high power consumption, especially in passive matrix display elements.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with a modified driver circuit sequence that includes a row driver and column driver, utilizing control signals such as a clock for data retrieval, a latch pulse, and a frame pulse to prevent degradation, and a switching signal to switch between segment and common modes, reducing the display apparatus driving stoppage period and minimizing non-operational time of the liquid crystal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional driver circuit sequence is used to control the cohlesteric liquid crystal display, then the liquid crystal can maintain stable display states, but the data transfer time is long and the response speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoiddata transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the liquid crystal layer to a first voltage level before the actual data transfer, and pre-discharging it before the next operation. This preparation reduces the time needed during actual data transfer operations, as the liquid crystal is already in a known state ready for quick transitions. The frame rate signal and clock signal coordination enables this pre-conditioning to occur efficiently without adding visible delay to the display update cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using variable voltage levels (first voltage and second voltage) that can be dynamically adjusted based on the display mode and timing requirements. The driver circuit dynamically switches between different control modes (segment mode and common mode) and adjusts voltage application timing based on the frame rate signal, allowing optimal response speed for each specific operating condition rather than using a fixed slow response approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If complex control circuits are used to manage the cohlesteric liquid crystal, then better control precision is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a driver circuit that can perform multiple functions through a single integrated control structure. The same driver circuit handles both segment mode and common mode operations, generates different voltage levels (first voltage, second voltage, and ground potential), and responds to multiple control signals (frame rate signal, clock signal, latch signal). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying voltage levels and timing parameters based on the operational mode and timing signals. Instead of using complex switching logic for every possible state, the system changes voltage parameters (applying first voltage, second voltage, or ground potential) and timing parameters (different latch signal timings) to achieve precise control. This parameter-based approach simplifies the control circuit architecture compared to using complex logic gates and multiple dedicated control paths for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high power is consumed to maintain the liquid crystal states, then stable display is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent voltage application rather than continuous high power consumption. The driver circuit applies voltage pulses synchronized with the frame rate signal and clock signal, maintaining liquid crystal states only during necessary periods. The liquid crystal is pre-charged and pre-discharged in periodic cycles, and maintains stability during these periods without requiring continuous high power. This periodic charging and discharging approach reduces average power consumption while maintaining display stability through the memory properties of the cohlesteric liquid crystal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration shortens the data transfer time and improves the response characteristics of the liquid crystal by reducing the period during which the liquid crystal is not operational, thereby enhancing the display's performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

When the operational state of a cohlesteric liquid crystal is a planer state, light of a wavelength corresponding to the helical pitch of the liquid crystal molecule is reflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

when the operational state of a cohlesteric liquid crystal is a focal-conic state, it becomes a 'dark' state, that is, a state capable of displaying black. That is because when a light absorptive layer is provided under the bottom-side substrate 13, light transmits through a liquid crystal layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission:

Implementation Method 3

when a light absorptive layer is provided under the bottom-side substrate 13, light transmits through a liquid crystal layer and also it is absorbed by the light absorptive layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

Since the molecule of a cohlesteric liquid crystal forms a helical cohlesteric phase by adding fairly much (several-tens percentage of) chiral additive (chiral material) to a cohlesteric liquid crystal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCholesteric phase formation: Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Implementation Method 5

When a relatively intense electric field is generated in the cohlesteric liquid crystal by applying a predetermined high voltage VP100 (for example, ±36V) to between electrodes pinching the cohlesteric liquid crystal, the helical structure of the cohlesteric liquid crystal is completely released and it moves to a homeotropical state where all molecules follow the direction of the electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field effect: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS8330751B2Display apparatus including passive matrix display element
Publication Date: 2012.12.11 IRIS OPTRONICS INC
  • US8330751B2 patent drawing
  • US8330751B2 patent drawing
  • US8330751B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a passive matrix display element and can support full-color display. The apparatus includes a passive matrix display element 10 composed of a memory type display material, a row driver 26 for driving the scan electrode of the display element and a column driver 27 for driving the data electrode of the display element. A switching signal S/C is set to a segment mode during the falling period of a display-apparatus driving signal /DSPOF for preventing rush current caused at the falling edge of a frame signal FR. During this period, the former half of line data is transferred and outputted. Consequently, the falling period of the display-apparatus driving signal /DSPOF (i.e., time during which liquid crystal does not operate) can be shortened, thus improving the response characteristics of liquid crystal.