System and method for achieving uniform screen brightness within a matrix display

A system for displaying images on a matrix addressable display panel, said system comprising:

• a plurality of pixels arranged within said display panel;
• and
• driver means for selectively illuminating said pixels, wherein said driver means further comprises:
• means for measuring current dissipation in a first pixel within said display panel;
• and
• means for compensating current dissipation in a second pixel within said display panel as a function of said measured current dissipation in said first pixel, wherein said display panel is a diode cold cathode display and wherein said compensating means further comprises:
• means for sensing a current supplied to said second pixel within said display;
• means for integrating said sensed current;
• means for comparing said integrated sensed current to a reference integrated current, wherein said reference integrated current is proportional to said current dissipation in said first pixel;
• and
• means for removing said current from said second pixel when said integrated sensed and reference currents are equal.

A circuit adaptable for regulating energy supplied to a pixel within a matrix addressable display panel, said circuit comprising:

• means for comparing a first voltage signal, which is proportional to a second voltage signal supplied to said pixel, to a reference voltage signal;
• means for removing said second voltage signal from said pixel in response to a comparison of said first and reference voltage signals, wherein said removing means turns off said pixel;
• a current integrating means coupled to said comparing means;
• and
• a current mirror means coupled to said pixel and to said current integrating means.

A circuit adaptable for regulating energy supplied to a pixel within a matrix addressable display panel, said circuit comprising:

• means for comparing a first voltage signal, which is proportional to a second voltage signal supplied to said pixel, to a reference voltage signal;
• means for removing said second voltage signal from said pixel in response to a comparison of said first and reference voltage signals, wherein said removing means turns off said pixel, wherein said reference voltage signal is supplied by a current integrating means coupled to said comparing means;
• and
• a current source coupled to said current integrating means, said current source supplying a current proportional to energy required by a “hottest” pixel within said display panel.

A driver circuit adaptable for substantially equalizing light emitted from each of a plurality of pixels within a display, said circuit comprising:

• means for mirroring a first current supplied to a particular pixel within said display, wherein said mirroring means produces a second current proportional to said first current;
• means for integrating said second current;
• means for comparing said integrated second current to an integrated reference current;
• and
• means for removing said first current from said particular pixel when said integrated second and reference currents are at a predetermined ratio relative to each other.

A method for activating an electrode within a display panel, said method comprising the steps of:

• comparing a first voltage, which is proportional to a second voltage supplied to said electrode, to a reference voltage;
• removing said second voltage from said electrode in response to said comparing step so that there is no voltage being supplied to said electrode;
• and
• precharging said electrode to a predetermined voltage level prior to supplying said second voltage to said electrode.

A method for driving a pixel within a matrix addressable display panel, said method comprising the steps of:

• integrating a first current signal in response to a received external voltage signal;
• supplying an energy signal to an electrode associated with said pixel;
• integrating a second current signal, wherein said second current signal is proportional to said energy signal;
• comparing said integrated first and second current signals;
• and
• removing said energy signal from said electrode in response to said comparing step.

A circuit adaptable for activating a pixel within a matrix addressable display panel, said circuit comprising:

• first circuitry for selectively coupling a first voltage signal to an electrode associated with said pixel;
• second circuitry for integrating a first current signal proportional to said first voltage signal, wherein said second circuitry further comprises:
• a current mirror circuit coupled to said electrode;
• a first switching device coupled to said current mirror circuit;
• and
• a first capacitor coupled to said first switching device;
• third circuitry for comparing said integrated first current signal to a reference voltage signal, said reference voltage signal dependent upon a received modulating signal;
• and
• fourth circuitry, coupled to said third circuitry, for modulating said first voltage signal.

A circuit adaptable for activating a pixel within a matrix addressable display panel, said circuit comprising:

• first circuitry for selectively coupling a first voltage signal to an electrode associated with said pixel;
• second circuitry for integrating a first current signal proportional to said first voltage signal;
• third circuitry for comparing said integrated first current signal to a reference voltage signal, said reference voltage signal dependent upon a received modulating signal;
• fourth circuitry, coupled to said third circuitry, for modulating said first voltage signal;
• and
• fifth circuitry for precharging said electrode.

A circuit adaptable for driving an electrode within a display panel, said circuit comprising:

• means for switching current to said electrode;
• means for sampling said current supplied to said electrode;
• means adaptable for providing said sampled current to an external circuit;
• and
• means, coupled to said switching means, for removing said current from said electrode in response to a signal from said external circuit so that no current is supplied to said electrode, wherein said switching means comprises a FET, said monitoring means comprises a current mirror circuit, and said removing means comprises a FET.

A circuit adaptable for providing a switching signal operable for switching an energy source to an electrode within a display panel, said circuit comprising:

• means adaptable for receiving a first energy signal proportional to an amount of energy supplied from said energy source to said electrode;
• first means, coupled to said receiving means, for integrating said first energy signal;
• second means for integrating a second energy signal proportional to a received modulating signal;
• means for comparing said first and second integrated energy signals;
• and
• means for outputting said switching signal in response to said comparison of said first and second integrated energy signals.