Tiled Electronic Display With Series Pixel Drive Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of large electronic displays is hindered by increased costs and complexity due to the need for larger and more expensive equipment, higher defect tolerance, and challenges in connecting multiple tiles for image control, which complicates the production of large-area displays.

Innovation Solution

A tiled display system where each tile includes sequentially arranged pixel drive circuits connected in series and parallel for data transmission, allowing for simpler and cost-effective manufacturing, reduced complexity, and high image quality without requiring tile-to-tile connections within the display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single large display unit is manufactured, then display area is maximized, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple smaller display tiles that can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes. Each tile is then connected to form a larger display area, allowing the benefits of large-screen displays while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of fabricating a single large unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If display size increases, then display area is maximized, but manufacturing equipment cost and requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the large display into smaller tiles, the patent enables manufacturing using existing, less expensive fabrication equipment designed for smaller displays. This avoids the need for costly specialized equipment required for fabricating large single-unit displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple independently manufactured display tiles are combined through connection structures to create a large display area. This merging approach allows standard manufacturing processes to produce smaller units that are then assembled into large-scale displays without requiring large-scale fabrication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If tiled display is used, then manufacturing ease is improved, but control complexity and connection requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each display tile contains its own integrated drive circuitry segmented into multiple circuits that control different portions of the tile. This segmentation allows independent control of each tile while maintaining manageable complexity through modular circuit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for joining tiles, electrical connections for signal transmission, and structural integrity for the overall display assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Area of stationary object

If tile-to-tile connections are made, then display area is maximized, but manufacturing complexity of each tile increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidtile manufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tile manufacturing process is segmented into independent fabrication steps that do not require integration with adjacent tiles. Each tile is fabricated as a complete unit with integrated circuits, allowing standard manufacturing processes without the complexity of coordinating tile-to-tile connections during fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Display tiles are pre-fabricated as complete, self-contained units with integrated drive circuits and connection structures before final assembly. This preliminary action allows each tile to be manufactured independently using standard processes, avoiding the need to incorporate connection features during the tile fabrication itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2304541B1Tiled electronic display
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 GLOBAL OLED TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP2304541B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2304541B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2304541B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tiled display comprising: a plurality of display tiles aligned so that they provide the emissive image area; each display tile including: a plurality of light-emitting pixels arranged in groups of pixels; a plurality of sequentially arranged pixel drive circuits and each pixel drive circuit being electrically connected to a particular group of pixels for controlling the light emission of such pixels; one or more signal communication line(s) for providing data for controlling the operation of each pixel drive circuit; and each pixel drive circuit controlling the light emission of its corresponding group of pixels and providing information to the next sequential pixel drive circuit to cause such next sequential pixel drive circuit to respond to its corresponding data to control the operation of its group of light-emitting pixels and repeating this operation until a predetermined number of pixel drive circuits have caused the desired light emission.