Electrophoretic Display Pixel Layout for Higher Refresh Rates

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Solution Overview

Problem

E-Ink display panels suffer from low refresh rates due to prolonged response times of charged particles, leading to perceptible latency and screen stuttering.

Innovation Solution

A display module design with adjacent first and second pixel units, each receiving data signals in alternating phases within a display cycle to display separate frames, effectively doubling the refresh rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If electrophoretic movement mechanism is used in E-Ink display panels, then reflective imaging and power efficiency are improved, but response time increases significantly leading to low refresh rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidrefresh rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel electrode is divided into first and second pixel electrodes, and the common electrode is divided into first and second common electrodes. This segmentation allows independent control of different pixel regions, enabling alternating frame display where odd frames are displayed on first pixel electrodes while even frames are displayed on second pixel electrodes, effectively doubling the refresh rate while maintaining electrophoretic power efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display system dynamically switches between displaying odd frames on first pixel electrodes and even frames on second pixel electrodes. The control circuit alternately activates different electrode pairs based on frame timing, creating a dynamic display system that achieves higher refresh rates through temporal multiplexing of the segmented electrode structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If electrophoretic movement mechanism is used, then reflective imaging quality is improved, but response time becomes prolonged causing perceptible latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflective imaging qualityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pixel and common electrodes into pairs, the system can update alternate frames independently. While one set of pixels (first pixel electrodes) is updating for odd frames, the other set (second pixel electrodes) maintains even frames, effectively halving the perceived response time and eliminating perceptible latency while preserving reflective imaging quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares alternate frames in advance by displaying even frames on second pixel electrodes while odd frames are being updated on first pixel electrodes. This preliminary preparation of alternate content ensures that frame transitions occur without perceptible delay, reducing response time while maintaining high-quality reflective display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If single pixel unit structure is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but frame update speed is limited causing screen stuttering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel unit structureVSAvoidframe update speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each pixel unit is segmented into first and second pixel electrodes with corresponding common electrodes, creating independent sub-pixel regions. This segmentation enables parallel processing of alternate frames, doubling frame update speed and eliminating screen stuttering while adding only moderate structural complexity that can be integrated into existing display manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The proposed solution doubles the refresh rate, mitigating the 'stuck' feeling on the screen by improving the response speed of the display module.

Implementation Method 1

an e-ink display panel displays an image by means of electrophoretic movement of charged particles of different colors in the e-ink in an electric field formed between the upper and lower substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP4730317A1Display module and display device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 HKC CORP LTD
  • EP4730317A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4730317A1 patent drawingFigure 2c~4
  • EP4730317A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A display module (100) and a display device. The display module (100) comprises: pixel units (40), wherein each pixel unit (40) comprises a pixel electrode (13), a common electrode (22), and microcapsule structures (30), the pixel electrode (13) and the common electrode (22) are arranged opposite to each other, and the microcapsule structures (30) are arranged between the pixel electrode (13) and the common electrode (22); a driving transistor (14), comprising a control end (141), a first end (142), and a second end (143), wherein the second end (143) is electrically connected to the pixel electrode (13); a scanning line (15) electrically connected to the control end (141); and a data line (16) electrically connected to the first end (142). Each pixel unit (40) comprises a first pixel unit (41) and a second pixel unit (42) adjacent to each other; within each display period (T), the first pixel unit (41) is used for receiving one frame of data signal pushed by the data line (16) in a first stage (T1), and the second pixel unit (42) is used for receiving the next frame of data signal pushed by the data line (16) in a second stage (T2); and the first stage (T1) precedes the second stage (T2). The display module (100) can effectively improve the refresh rate and mitigate picture stuttering.