Pixel control architecture for micro-LED micro-display with reduced transistor count
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorsDonald E. Mosier, Michael A. Ropers, Jana Wills
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a display with subpixel LEDs, each pixel includes two subpixel LEDs controlled via a shared control circuit and switching element. Switching element logic allows one set of brightness control transistors to alternatively control two subpixels. The driving and control elements of a display backplane are organized into pixels units of four driving elements and three control elements. Each pixel may comprise two green subpixels controlled via the switching element. Alternatively, each pixel may comprise a white subpixel that only illuminates when the colored pixels are off; the green and white subpixels are controlled via the switching element.
Claims10
A backplane element for a display comprising:
- a plurality of pixel driving elements, each pixel driving element comprising:
- four subpixel power elements, each configured to drive a subpixel;
- three subpixel control elements;
- and
- a control switch,
- wherein:
- a first subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a first subpixel;
- a second subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a second subpixel;
- a third subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a third subpixel or a fourth subpixel;
- the control switch is configured to switch the third subpixel control element between the third subpixel and the fourth subpixel;
- an LED plane comprises one red subpixel LED, one blue subpixel LED, and two green subpixel LEDs;
- the two green subpixel LEDs are controlled via the third subpixel control element;
- and
- the third subpixel control element is configured to either drive a first green subpixel and not a second green subpixel, or drive the first green subpixel and second green subpixel at a same brightness.
A display comprising:
- an LED plane comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising four subpixel LEDs;
- and
- a backplane configured to drive the subpixel LEDs in the LED plane, the backplane comprising:
- a plurality of pixel driving elements, each pixel driving element comprising:
- four subpixel power elements, each configured to drive a subpixel LED;
- three subpixel control elements;
- and
- a control switch,
- wherein:
- a first subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a first subpixel LED;
- a second subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a second subpixel LED;
- a third subpixel control element is configured to set a brightness level of a third subpixel LED or a fourth subpixel LED;
- the control switch is configured to switch the third subpixel control element between the third subpixel LED and the fourth subpixel LED;
- each pixel of the LED plane comprises one red subpixel LED, one blue subpixel LED, and two green subpixel LEDs;
- the two green subpixel LEDs are controlled via the third subpixel control element;
- and
- the third subpixel control element is configured to either drive a first preen subpixel and not a second green subpixel, or drive the first green subpixel and second green subpixel at a same brightness.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.