Color Sequential Pixel Driver for MicroLED Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The pixel density of display panels is limited by the area of the circuitry used to drive microLEDs, rather than the size of the microLEDs themselves, making it difficult to improve image resolution and quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a display with a pixel circuit that includes a color sequential pixel driver, which uses a single current source and driver switch to sequentially activate multiple microLEDs of different colors, reducing the area required for pixel driver elements and increasing pixel density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate driver circuits are used for each microLED color, then each microLED can be independently controlled, but the pixel circuit area increases, limiting pixel density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate driver circuits into a single shared driver that controls multiple microLEDs of different colors. The driver is time-multiplexed to sequentially drive red, green, and blue microLEDs, eliminating the need for separate driver circuits for each color while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit operates periodically by time-multiplexing control signals to sequentially activate different colored microLEDs at different time intervals. This periodic switching allows a single driver to control multiple microLEDs that emit different colors, reducing the overall circuit area while preserving independent control of each microLED.
2Manufacturing precision
If pixel density is increased to improve image resolution, then more pixels can be packed in the same area, but the circuit driver area becomes the limiting factor rather than microLED size
Solution Approach 1:
The driver circuit is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of controlling multiple microLEDs of different colors through time-multiplexed operation. This single driver performs the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate drivers, enabling higher pixel density without proportionally increasing driver circuit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit dynamically switches between controlling different colored microLEDs based on time-multiplexed control signals. This dynamic operation allows the same hardware resources to serve multiple functions and multiple microLEDs, reducing the static area requirement for driver circuits while supporting high pixel density displays.
3Reliability
If multiple current sources are used for different colors, then each color can have optimized current control, but the power consumption and circuit area increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple current sources for different colors are merged into a single shared current source that is time-multiplexed to supply current to red, green, and blue microLEDs sequentially. This consolidation reduces the total power consumption and circuit area while maintaining the ability to precisely control each color through timed current delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
In a general aspect, a display panel includes a plurality of pixel groups. A pixel group of the plurality of pixel groups includes a plurality of light emitters of different colors, and a single current source that is multiplexed to sequentially activate light emitters of the plurality of light emitters using a first plurality of selector switches, The display panel further includes a single driver switch for coupling the single current source with the first plurality of selector switches, and a memory for controlling the single driver switch.