Electro-optic Display Driver Circuitry Voltage Step Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optic display driving methods, particularly for electrowetting displays, face challenges with high voltage steps and rapid voltage changes, leading to high power requirements and electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for driving electro-optic displays that involve applying a common voltage signal and an actuating voltage signal to image regions, with both signals being varied when switching between driving states, reducing the voltage step required and minimizing EMI by using a driver circuitry that modulates both signals to achieve lower power consumption and faster response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high voltage step is applied to switch image regions between driving states, then the switching speed is improved, but the power consumption and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage switching process is segmented into two independent components: a common voltage signal applied to all image regions and an actuating voltage signal applied to selected regions. By segmenting the voltage application, the patent reduces the voltage step required for switching while maintaining switching speed, thereby reducing power consumption and EMI.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically varies both the common voltage signal and the actuating voltage signal during switching transitions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve fast switching speeds while minimizing the voltage step magnitude, thus reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference without sacrificing response time.
2Speed
If a high voltage step is applied to switch image regions between driving states, then the switching speed is improved, but the electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage switching process is segmented into two independent components: a common voltage signal applied to all image regions and an actuating voltage signal applied to selected regions. By segmenting the voltage application, the patent reduces the voltage step required for switching while maintaining switching speed, thereby reducing power consumption and EMI.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically varies both the common voltage signal and the actuating voltage signal during switching transitions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve fast switching speeds while minimizing the voltage step magnitude, thus reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference without sacrificing response time.
3Device complexity
If a common voltage signal is applied to all image regions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the switching speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage switching process is segmented into two independent components: a common voltage signal applied to all image regions and an actuating voltage signal applied to selected regions. By segmenting the voltage application, the patent reduces the voltage step required for switching while maintaining switching speed, thereby reducing power consumption and EMI.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically varies both the common voltage signal and the actuating voltage signal during switching transitions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve fast switching speeds while minimizing the voltage step magnitude, thus reducing power consumption and electromagnetic interference without sacrificing response time.
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 approach results in lower power requirements, faster response speeds, and reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels in electro-optic displays, enabling more efficient and practical driver controller circuits.
Implementation Method 1
Various different types of electro-optic display are known, including liquid crystal displays, electrophoretic displays, electrochromic displays, etc.
Implementation Method 2
A recently developed type of electro-optic display is an electrowetting display, as described amongst others in international patent applications WO 2003/071346 and WO 2005/098797.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of driving of an electro-optic display having image regions. Each image region has: a first driving state in which a zero voltage, substantially equal to zero, is applied across the image region; and a second driving state in which a non-zero voltage, substantially different from the zero voltage, is applied across the image region. The method of the invention comprises applying: a common voltage signal to a plurality of the image regions; and an actuating voltage signal to one or more selected ones of the plurality of image regions. The method comprises varying both the common voltage signal and the actuating voltage signal when switching the selected regions between the first driving state and the second driving state. The invention further relates to electro-optic display apparatus having image regions and comprising driving circuitry adapted to perform the method of the invention.