Electro-optic Display Remnant Voltage Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for discharging remnant voltage in electro-optic displays do not fully eliminate the remnant voltage, leading to image artifacts and quality issues, even when the voltage is low.
Innovation Solution
Activating the pixel's transistor and setting the front and rear electrode voltages to approximately the same value to discharge the remnant voltage, either for a specified period or until the voltage falls below a threshold, allowing for simultaneous discharge of multiple pixels in an active matrix display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional discharge techniques are used, then some remnant voltage is reduced, but the remnant voltage is not fully eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameters by applying a discharge voltage that is equal to or greater than the absolute value of the remnant voltage, with opposite polarity. This parameter change ensures complete elimination of remnant voltage by overcoming the residual electrical charge that conventional techniques fail to remove fully.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the discharge voltage in a preliminary manner before normal display operation resumes. By pre-discharging the remnant voltage using the condition where discharge voltage magnitude equals or exceeds remnant voltage magnitude, the system prevents artifact formation before it occurs, rather than attempting to correct it afterward.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the transistor is activated and electrode voltages are equalized, then remnant voltage is discharged, but display operation is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic discharge cycles where the transistor is activated temporarily to equalize electrode voltages, then deactivated to resume normal display operation. This periodic action allows remnant voltage to be discharged in controlled intervals without continuously interrupting display functionality, balancing artifact prevention with operational continuity.
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 method effectively reduces remnant voltage to improve image quality by minimizing ghosting and other artifacts, ensuring that the display can transition between optical states without interference from residual voltage.
Implementation Method 1
A remnant voltage of a pixel of an electro-optic display may be discharged by activating the pixel's transistor and setting the voltages of the front and rear electrodes of the pixel to approximately a same value
Data Source
AI summary
Electro-optic displays with reduced remnant voltage, and related apparatus and methods are provided. A remnant voltage of a pixel of an electro-optic display may be discharged by activating the pixel's transistor and setting the voltages of the front and rear electrodes of the pixel to approximately the same voltage for a specified period of time, and/or until the amount of remnant voltage remaining in the pixel is less than a threshold amount. The remnant voltages of substantially all pixels or a subset of pixels in an active matrix electro-optic display may be simultaneously discharged. The simultaneous discharge of the remnant voltages of pixels may take place when the pixels are in a same state, characterized by (1) the transistor of each pixel being active, and (2) the voltages applied to the front and rear electrodes of each pixel being approximately equal.