Microshutter Display Apparatus Gray Scale Control via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microshutter display apparatuses face challenges in displaying various gray scales due to their limited ability to perform transmission and blocking operations, requiring additional microshutters and wires for each pixel, which complicates the display process and may lead to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
Applying voltages of different levels to sub-microshutters during specific time periods to control their closure, allowing for independent operation of first and second microshutters connected through thin film transistors, enabling the display of multiple gray scales without increasing the number of microshutters or sub-microshutters, and preventing malfunction by reducing the number of opens and closes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional microshutters and wires are added to each pixel to display various gray scales, then the gray scale display capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single microshutter into multiple sub-microshutters (first, second, third sub-microshutters) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each sub-microshutter to be driven at different times to create various gray scales, eliminating the need to add more complete microshutter units while maintaining enhanced gray scale display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs time-division multiplexing where different sub-microshutters are driven periodically at different time intervals. The first sub-microshutter is driven during a first time period, the second during a second time period, and the third during a third time period. This periodic activation sequence enables gray scale control without requiring additional hardware components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of opens and closes operations is increased to achieve various gray scales, then the gray scale control is improved, but the reliability decreases due to increased malfunction risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-positions multiple sub-microshutters within a single microshutter structure, each capable of being driven independently. By having these sub-microshutters ready in advance and controlling them through time-division multiplexing, the system achieves gray scale control without requiring repeated open-close operations, thereby reducing wear and malfunction risk while maintaining versatile gray scale control.
3Device complexity
If a single microshutter is used per pixel, then the device complexity is reduced, but the gray scale display capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single microshutter into multiple independently controllable sub-microshutters (first, second, and third sub-microshutters). This internal segmentation allows the single microshutter structure to perform multiple functions by activating different sub-microshutters at different times, thereby achieving enhanced gray scale display capability without increasing the overall number of microshutter units per pixel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single microshutter structure universal by enabling it to display multiple gray scales through time-division multiplexing of its sub-microshutters. The same physical microshutter can dynamically assume different functional states (different gray levels) by selectively activating different sub-microshutters at different time periods, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated microshutters for different gray scale requirements.
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
Enables the display of various gray scales through spatial and temporal control of sub-microshutters, enhancing the display apparatus's capability to show multiple shades without increasing hardware complexity, thereby improving response speed and reducing the risk of sub-microshutter malfunction.
Implementation Method 1
The microshutter has a physical property that changes its form when an external power source is applied thereto. The microshutter display apparatus transmits or blocks light by using the physical property of the microshutter.
Implementation Method 2
The first thin film transistor receives the first data signal in response to the gate signal and outputs a first driving voltage to drive the first microshutter, and the second thin film transistor receives the second data signal in response to the gate signal and outputs a second driving voltage to drive the second microshutter.
Data Source
AI summary
In a display apparatus and a method of driving the same, microshutters are successively arranged and each microshutter includes a plurality of sub-microshutters that are opened to transmit light or closed to block light in response to a voltage. The sub-microshutters are opened or closed during predetermined different time periods to display various gray scales.