Pulse-width driven pixel unit and display device having a display medium module disposed on a substrate of a pixel circuit of the pixel unit

A pixel circuit and a display device using a pulse width modulation generator are provided. The pixel circuit has a data latch; and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator, which is electrically coupled to the data latch, a scan line and a counter; wherein, the pulse width modulation generator is based on the pixel data, the scan signal and a counter code generated by the counter to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. Therefore, the pixel signal can be generated in a voltage and/or current mode according to the PWM signal and connected to the corresponding pixel electrode of the pixel display medium module, so that the period time for driving the display medium by accurately controlling the voltage and/or current to precisely provide grayscale function of the display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a pixel circuit and a display device, and particularly to a digital driving pixel circuit and a display device using pulse-width generators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With the advancement of technology, there is a great increase in demand for visual display and multimedia devices with compactness, high contrast, high dynamic, high color saturation, high aperture ratio, large-sized panel, low cost and low power consumption, high quality and easy maintenance.

The current display devices can be divided into self-luminous type and non-self-luminous types. Liquid crystal display (LCD) is currently the most popular type for non-self-luminous flat panel display device. The amount of light passing through a liquid crystal medium is modulated by controlling the voltage of the upper and lower electrodes of the liquid crystal medium. If the constant voltage is continuously applied to the lower and upper electrode of the liquid crystal, it is easy to cause the LCD image blur, and deterioration of the display quality. The characteristics of alternating voltage polarity reversal are usually used to apply the difference between the upper and lower electrodes alternating positive and negative polarity. The general liquid crystal display uses four inverted drive methods: frame inversion, row inversion, column inversion and dot inversion drive modes, and further combined employment of a color filter layer, a polarizer and some functional optical films, and backlight etc., to achieve the effect of color display.

Self-luminous flat panel display may be categorized into field emissive display, plasma display, electroluminescent display, photoluminescent display, organic light-emitting diode display and so on. In an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), light-emitting polymers are deposited between an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer. With further employment of a conductive layer of electrons and holes, and the lighting display is generated by adding the electric field to move the carriers, resulting in electrons and the hole carrier recombination phenomenon. In comparison, an organic light-emitting diode display device is characterized by its wide viewing angle, fast responding speed, thin panel and flexibility; further, it requires neither backlighting nor color filter and may be made large-sized.

The display panel of both LCD and OLED devices has a plate of transparent glass for a substrate, directly and sequentially forming a thin-film transistor, a lower electrode layer, a display medium layer, an upper electrode layer and others thereon. The thin-film transistor may control the voltage or current imposed on the upper electrode layer and/or the lower electrode layer to control the state of the display medium.

In the above-mentioned display device, grayscale expression is realized by controlling a driving transistor of each pixel circuit and the magnitude of voltage or current supplied to a display medium. Different display pixel units in the display device, because of the threshold voltage of their respective driving thin-film transistors existing a deviation, a characteristic of the driving transistor varies, the grayscale expression cannot be precisely controlled the magnitude of the voltage or current, so that the grayscale differences are inconsistent when the image is displayed and induced the uneven brightness of the picture. In order to mitigate the influence of a variation in driving transistors on grayscale performance of the display, a new and precise digital driving pixel circuit and display device is provided to improve the performance of the display grayscale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment provides a pulse width modulation voltage and/or current driven pixel circuit, which comprising a data latch coupled to a data line for receiving a pixel datum and a scan line for receiving a scan signal, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator coupled to the data latch, the scan line and a counter and configured to generate a PWM signal according to the pixel datum, the scan signal and a counter code generated by the counter, through precisely controlling the timing that voltage and/or current for driving the brightness of the pixel to accurately render the grayscale of the display.

Another embodiment provides a pulse width modulation voltage and/or current driven pixel circuit, which comprising a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator coupled to a scan line for receiving a scan signal, a data line for receiving a pixel datum, a start line for receiving a start signal of the (PWM) generator and coupled to a clock line for receiving a clock signal, according to the scan signal, start signal, clock signal and pixel data configured to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for precisely controlling the length of time that voltage and/or current driving pixel brightness to accurately render the grayscale of the display. The above-mentioned data latches, various pulse width modulation (PWM) generators and counters, etc. are made from a semiconductor manufacturing process (exposure, development, etching, diffusion, deposition, ion implantation, cleaning, inspection and other process steps) at least on the silicon wafer, III-V compound, glass, quartz, flexible organics, inorganics, metals, metal compounds, polymers, graphite substrate and the above combination thereof substrates.

Another embodiment provides a display device comprising a plurality of data lines, a source driver coupled to the plurality of data lines and configured to output pixel data to the plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, a scan driver coupled to the plurality of scan lines and configured to output scan signals to the plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit comprises a transistor coupled to a corresponding data line for receiving a pixel datum and a corresponding scan line for receiving a scan signal, and a data latch coupled to the transistor and configured to receive and latch the pixel datum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The implementation method of the present invention will be further illustrated by way of the following description of a plurality of embodiments. But it should be noted that the embodiments described below are illustrative and exemplary only rather than limiting the application of the present invention to the described environment, application, structure, procedure or steps. Elements that are not directly related to the present invention are ignored from the drawings. The scale relations among elements in the drawings are illustrated rather than limiting of the actual scales of the present invention. Unless noted otherwise, identical (or similar) reference symbols correspond to identical (or similar) elements.

FIG. 1is a diagram of a pixel circuit100A of an embodiment of the present invention. The pixel circuit100A can comprise a data latch102coupled to a data line DL for receiving a pixel datum PD and a scan line SL for receiving a scan signal SS, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator104A coupled to the data latch102, the scan line SL and a counter C1and configured to generate a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal PMS according to the pixel datum PD, the scan signal SS and a counter generated counter code CC1. The data latch102controls the transmission of the pixel datum PD according the scan signal SS. The counter C1can generate the counter code CC1according to a clock signal CLK. Also, the counter C1can receive a reset signal RSTB to start the counting cycle. Whenever, the PWM Generator104A has sufficient driving capability to fully control the display state of the smaller loading of pixel electrode, the pulse width modulation signal PMS generated by PWM can be directly electrically coupled to the pixel display media module DMM. The pixel circuit100A can further comprise a driving circuit108configured to generate a pixel signal PS for increasing driving capacity to control the display status of the larger loading pixel electrode E1(refer toFIG. 7A/7B), the driving circuit108electrically coupled PWM generator104A can comprise at least one of a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), N-type and/or P-type MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors and above combination of thereof transistors in the driving circuits, and according to the PWM signal PMS, can generate pixel signal PS electrically coupled to the pixel electrode E1of the pixel display media module DMM. The driving circuit108can select to use of voltage mode such as liquid crystal display medium or voltage-to-current mode, such as organic light-emitting diode OLED for delivering the pixel signal PS electively coupled to the pixel electrode of the display media module DMM according to the characteristics of the display media in the display medium module DMM, through precisely controlling the magnitude of voltage and/or current values to drive the display medium during a period of time for accurately rendering the grayscale of the display.

FIG. 1Ais a detailed diagram of a pixel circuit100A of an embodiment of the present invention inFIG. 1. The PWM generator104comprises a data comparator110, an inversion controller111, a latch112and a voltage lever shifter113. The supply voltage is used for data latch102, counter C1, data comparator110, inversion controller111and latch112, etc. is the low supply voltage VDDL, and the supply voltage of the voltage lever shifter113is the high supply voltage VDDH. The Counter C1is electrically coupled to the reset signal line RSTBL for receiving the reset signal RSTB and the clock signal line CLKL for receiving the clock signal CLK, and the counter code CC1is generated according to the reset signal RSTB and clock signal CLK, and the counter code CC1is sustainable increasing or decreasing counts, such as “0000000000” is CC1_0, “0000000001” is CC1_1, . . . and CC1_256of “0100000000.” . . . , CC1_512“1000000000” . . . CC1_1023is “1111111111”, but not limited to this.

The inversion controller111of the embodiment pixel circuit100A can be selectively using row, column and dot inversion frame mode to drive the lcd display. The data comparator110comprises a first input node electrically coupled to the data latch102for receiving the pixel datum PD, a second input node electrically coupled to the counter C1for receiving the counter code CC1and an output node for outputting a PWM stop signal STOP. The inversion controller111comprises a first input node electrically coupled to the scan line SL for receiving the scan signal SS, a second input node electrically coupled to the data comparator110for receiving the PWM stop signal STOP, the first output node for outputting a set signal SET_latch and the second output node for outputting a reset signal RESET_latch. The latch112comprises a set node electrically coupled to the inversion controller111for receiving the set signal SET_latch to start the signal PMS of the pulse width modulation PWM; a reset node electrically coupled to the inversion controller111for receiving the reset signal RESET_latch to stop the signal PMS of the pulse width modulation PWM. The first output node Q for outputting a latch signal Q_latch to a noninverting input node of the voltage level shifter113and the second output node QB for outputting an inverted latch signal QB_latch to an inverting input node of the voltage level shifter113. The latch signal Q_latch is a PWM signal and the inverted latch signal is an inverted PWM signal. Whenever the voltage level of the latch signal Q_latch is large enough to fully control the state of the pixel electrode, the output node Q can be directly electrically coupled to the pixel display media module DMM, which is smaller pixel electrode loading (not shown in the drawing), or select the voltage level shifter113from a low power supply VDDL supply shift to the high supply voltage VDDH supply for increasing the driving voltage level capacity of the loading to control the display status of the higher loading of the pixel electrode E1(refer toFIG. 7A/7B) in the display media module DMM. Further, another digital circuits, wherein comprises a set signal to activate the PWM signal and a reset the signal to terminate the PWM signal, can be used to generate the width of the PWM output signal PMS, not limited to use of latch112only for generating the width of the PWM output signal PMS. The level shifter113comprises a non-inverting input node electrically coupled to the latch112for receiving the latch signal Q_latch, an inverting input node electrically coupled to the latch112for receiving the inverted latch signal QB_latch and an output node electrically coupled to an driving circuit108for increasing the outputting voltage level of the PWM signal PMS.

FIG. 2is a diagram of a pixel circuit100B of another embodiment of the present invention. The pixel circuit100B comprises: Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) generator104B, wherein the PWM generator104B contains: electrically coupled to a scan line SL for receiving a scanning signal SS, a plurality of data lines DL for receiving pixel data PD, a starting line STARTL for receiving the (PWM) generator starting signal START and electrically coupled to a clock line CLKL for receiving the clock signal CLK, and according to the scanning signal SS, the starting signal START, the clock signal CLK and the pixel data PD to generate a pulse width to adjust the PWM signal PMS, through precisely controlling the magnitude of voltage and/or current values to drive the display medium during a period of time for accurately rendering the grayscale of the display. Whenever, the PWM Generator104B has sufficient driving capability to fully control the display status of the smaller pixel electrodes loading, then the pulse width modulation signal PMS generated by the PWM can be directly electrically coupled to the pixel display media module DMM (ref toFIGS. 7A and 7B). Wherein, the pixel circuit100B further comprise: a driving circuit108, wherein the driving circuit108electrically coupled to the PWM generator104B and according to the PWM signal PMS in voltage and/or current mode to generate the pixel signal PS electrically coupled to the pixel electrode pixel of the display media module DMM (as previously shown inFIG. 1).

FIG. 2Ais a detailed diagram of a pixel circuit100B of another embodiment of the present invention inFIG. 2. The PWM Generator104B comprises: a counter C2, a digital code detector103, an inversion controller111, a latch112and a voltage level shifter113. The Counter C2comprises: a connected node electrically coupled to the clock signal line CLKL for receiving a clock signal CLK, a connected node electrically coupled to the starting signal line STARTL for receiving the starting signal START, another connected node electrically coupled to a plurality of the data lines DL for receiving pixel data PD and an output node for generating counter code CC2according to the pixel data PD and clock signal CLK. The counter C2can continuously increasing or decreasing count. For example, the counter code CC2continues to increment, such as CC2_0is “0000000000”, CC2_1is “0000000001” . . . CC2_256is “0100000000” . . . CC2_512is “1000000000” . . . , CC2_1023is “1111111111”, but not limited to this. The digital code detector103comprises a plurality of nodes electrically coupled to the counter code CC2for receiving counter code detection, and the output node used to generate the PWM stop signal STOP according to the counter CC2. For example, the pixel data PD is 10 bits of data, the binary byte is “0100000000”, expressed as 256 by decimal bytes, the binary byte of the pixel data PD is loaded into the counter, and then the counter code CC2is counted down from 256 to 0. Whenever, the counter code CC2is counted down to 0, the PWM stop signal STOP is generated in the digital code detector103at the output node. Wherein, the inversion controller111electrically coupled to the digital code detector103for receiving the PWM stop signal STOP as the second input node, thereof the other connection and operation mode has the same functions as the above-mentioned inversion controller111. The connection and operation of the latch112and the voltage level shifter113are the same as above-mentioned inFIG. 1A, omitting the repeating illustrations.

FIG. 3Ais a voltage-driven diagram according to a pixel circuit100A and100B of the embodiments of the present invention inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The driving circuit108comprises: a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) inverter108A for controlling the transmission of PWM signals and generating a pixel signal PS electrically coupled to the pixel electrode of the pixel display media module DMM, but it's not limited that. Further, it may comprise at least one of the N type or P type MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors and the other driving circuits of the combinations thereof.

The source node VP of the PMOS transistor of the CMOS inverter108A is driven by a high supply voltage VDDH or a common voltage Vcom, and another source node VN of the NMOS transistor of the inverter is driven by a common voltage Vcom or a low voltage VSS. The common voltage Vcom can be the average of high supply voltage VDDH and low voltage VSS. For example, the high supply voltage VDDH can be 5V. The low voltage VSS can be 0V and the common voltage Vcom can be 2.5V.

FIG. 3Bis a current-driven diagram according to a pixel circuit100A and100B of the embodiments of the present invention inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The driving circuit108comprises: voltage-current conversion driver108B with current source/current sink source Idc and switch convert the PWM voltage signal to the current pixel signal PS electrically coupled to the pixel display media module DMM, but this is not limited to this. Further, it may comprise at least one of the N type or P type MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors and the drive circuits of the other driving circuit combinations thereof.

FIG. 4Ais an operating waveform diagram two frame periods of the pixel circuit100A ofFIG. 1in the present invention. In this embodiment, the input pixel data PD is 10 bits data, for example, binary bits are “0100000000”, represented in decimal bytes as 256. In the first frame period and the second frame period, the input pixel data PD is “0100000000” in decimal bytes represented as 256 and “1000000000” in decimal bytes represented as512. At time t0, the counter C1receives a low-pulse reset signal RSTB to reset the counter code CC1and initiates the counting cycle of the first frame driving operation. The data latch102receives the pulse scanning signal SS during the period from t0to t1to collect the pixel data PD and sustains the pixel data until the instant of t3until the next pulse scanning signal SS is received. The pulse scanning signal SS is also sent to the PWM generator104A, on the time t0initiating the PWM pulse signal PMS is pulled to the high voltage VDD, and the driving circuit108also drives the corresponding pixel signal PS to the high voltage VDD. The counter C1can continuously increasing or decreasing count over the entire count cycle, for example, the counter code CC1continues to increment, CC1_0is “0000000000”, CC1_1is “0000000001” . . . CC1_256is “0100000000” . . . CC1_512is “1000000000” . . . , CC1_1023is “1111111111”. At time t2, when the counter code CC1matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the first frame period is 256), the PWM generator104A consummates the PWM pulse and pulls the PWM signal PMS from the high voltage VDD to the low voltage VSS. The low voltage VSS is sent to the driving circuit108, and then the driving circuit108outputs the pixel signal PS in voltage mode or voltage-to-current mode, driving the corresponding display pixels to the low voltage VSS. As shown inFIG. 4A, the width of the PWM pulse is the time period from t0to t2. At time t3, the counter C1receives another low pulse reset signal RSTB to reset the counter C1and start another count cycle for another frame cycle. The data latch102receives the new next pixel data PD from t3to t4, and latches the next pixel data until the instant of t6until the next pulse scan signal SS is received. the data Latch102sends the next new pixel data PD to PWM Generator104A. the pulse scan signal SS is also sent to PWM generator104A, at time t3initiates PWM pulse signal PMS pull to high voltage VDD, the driving circuit108will also drive the corresponding display pixel signal PS to high voltage VDD. The counter code CC1continues to increment as described above throughout the count cycle. At time t5, when the counter code CC1matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the second frame period is 512), the PWM generator104A consummates the PWM pulse and pulls the PWM signal PMS from the high voltage VDD to the low voltage VSS. The low voltage VSS is sent to the driving circuit108, and then the driving circuit108outputs the pixel signal PS in voltage mode or voltage-to-current mode, driving the corresponding display pixels to the low voltage VSS. As shown inFIG. 4A, the width of the PWM pulse is from t3to t5. At time t6, counter C1receives another low pulse reset signal RSTB to reset counter C1and start another count cycle for another frame cycle. This operation repeats the frame cycle count as described previously.

In the embodiment of the4A diagram, the whole pulse frame period cycle of the PWM signal PMS is from time t0to time t3, and then from time t3to time t6, each whole pulse frame cycle is 1024 units. The example of the first frame period PWM pulse width is from time t0to time t2, the pulse width of the example is 256 units, the second frame period is from time t3to time t5, the pulse width of the example is 512 units. In this embodiment, one unit represents a clock period in the clock signal CLK, so 1024 units can be 1024 clock periods. Each clock width can be converted to a pixel grayscale or a plurality of clock widths converted to a pixel grayscale, but it is not limited that. The clock width of 256 units can be presented as a relatively dark grayscale pixel (lower pixel brightness), and the clock width of 768 units is presented as a relatively bright grayscale pixel (higher pixel brightness) and vice versa.

FIG. 4Bis an operating waveform diagram two frame periods of the pixel circuit100B ofFIG. 2in the present invention. During the first frame period and the second frame period, the input pixel data PD is “0100000000” and “1000000000” respectively. At time t0, the PWM generator104B receives the start signal START to initiate the PWM pulse signal PMS and counts the frame period of the first frame cycle operation. The driving circuit108pulls the corresponding display pixel drive to the high voltage VDD. During the t0to t1period, the PWM generator104B receives the scan signal SS and then loads the pixel data PD to determine the width of the PWM pulse. At time t2, when the clock cycle is counted by the PWM generator104B and matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the first frame period is 256), the PWM Generator104B ends the PWM pulse and pulls the PWM signal PMS from the high voltage VDD to the low voltage VSS. The low voltage VSS is transmit to the driving circuit108, and then the driving circuit108outputs the pixel signal PS in voltage mode or voltage-to-current mode, driving the corresponding display pixels to the low voltage VSS. As shown inFIG. 4B, the PWM pulse width and the pixel signal PS width are from t0to t2of period time. At time t3, PWM Generator104B receives another start signal STAT to start the PWM pulse signal PMS and starts creating another PWM signal for another frame operation. The following scenario is similar to the first frame period PWM aforementioned. The PWM Generator104B receives new pixel data PDs during the period of time from t3to t4. The PWM generator104B initiates the PWM pulse at time t3, and the driving circuit108drives the corresponding display to the high voltage VDD. At time t5, when the clock cycle is counted by the PWM generator104B and matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the first frame period is 512), The PWM Generator104B ends the PWM pulse and pulls the PWM signal PMS from the high voltage VDD to the low voltage VSS. The low voltage VSS is transmit to the driving circuit108, and then the driving circuit108outputs the pixel signal PS in voltage mode or voltage-to-current mode, driving the corresponding display pixels to the low voltage VSS. As shown inFIG. 4B, the PWM pulse width and the pixel signal PS width are from t3to t5. At time t6, the PWM Generator104B receives another start signal STAT to start the PWM pulse signal PMS and start producing another PWM cycle, which is repeated cycle counting as described aforementioned.

FIG. 5is an operating waveform diagram two frame periods of the pixel circuit100A ofFIG. 1of another embodiment in the present invention. During the first frame period from t0to t4, the inversion signal INV is low voltage and the pixel circuit100A performs a negative polarity driving operation; during the second frame period from t5to t8, the inversion signal INV is high and the pixel circuit100A performs a positive polarity driving operation. During the negative polarity drive operation, the source node VP of the PMOS transistor of the driving circuit108is driven by a common voltage Vcom, and another source node VN of the NMOS transistor of the driving circuit108is driven by a low voltage VSS; and during the positive polarity drive operation, the source node VP of the PMOS transistor of the driving circuit108is driven by the high supply voltage VDDH, and the source node VN of the NMOS transistor of the driving circuit108is driven by the common voltage Vcom. In this embodiment, the input pixel data PD is 10 bits of data, for example, “0100000000” is binary and decimal is 256. At time t0, the counter C1receives a low-pulse reset signal RSTB to reset the counter code CC1and initiates the counting cycle of the first frame driving operation. During the time period from t0to t1, the pulse scanning signal SS is transmitted to the data latch102. While the inversion signal INL is VSS, during the time period from to to t1, the pulse scanning signal SS is also transmitted to the set latch node Set_Latch of latch112by the inversion controller111. The latch112outputs the low supply voltage VDDL at output node Q and the low voltage VSS at the output node QB. The non-inverting input node and inverting input node of voltage level shifter113respectively receive low supply voltage VDDL and low voltage signal VSS. The voltage level shifter113boosts the output signal PMS from low voltage VSS to high supply voltage VDDH. Because the driving circuit108outputs the pixel signal PS according to the PWM signal PMS, then the pixel signal PS is pulled from the common voltage Vcom to the low voltage VSS at the time t0for negative polarity driving. The data latch102receives the pixel data PD during the period from t0to t1, and latches the pixel data until the next pulse scan signal SS is received at the t4instant. Meantime, the data latch102transmits the pixel data PD to the data comparator110.

At time t2, when the counter code CC1matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the first frame period is 256), the data comparator110outputs the width signal STOP pulse during time t2and t3. As shown inFIG. 5, the data comparator110pulls the signal STOP of comparator from low voltage VSS to low supply voltage VDDL at time t2, and the signal STOP of comparator from low supply voltage VDDL to low voltage VSS at time t3. The comparator signal STOP pulse is transmitted to the reset node of the latch112. The latch112resets output node Q to low voltage VSS and pulls output node QB up to low supply voltage VDDL. The non-inverting input node and inverting input node of voltage level shifter113receive low voltage VSS and low supply voltage VDDL, respectively. The voltage level shifter113pulls the output signal PMS from the high supply voltage VDDH to the low voltage VSS. The driving circuit108pulls the output signal PS from the low voltage VSS to the common voltage Vcom at time t2for negative polarity driving. The time period from t0to t2is the PWM width time of the negative polarity driving operation, the drive voltage PS is low voltage VSS during this time.

At time t4, counter C1receives another low pulse reset signal RSTB to reset counter C1and starts to be adapted another frame cycle driving operation. During the time period from t4to t5, the pulse scan signal SS is transmitted to the data latch102. While the inverting signal INL is VDDL, the pulse scan signal SS is also transmitted to the reset node of latch112through inversion controller111during the time period from t4to t5. The latch112outputs a low signal VSS at output node Q and a low supply voltage VDDL at the output node QB. Since the non-inverting input nodes and inverting input nodes of the voltage level shifter113respectively receive low voltage VSS and low supply voltage VDDL, the voltage level device113maintains the output signal PMS at a low voltage VSS. The PMOS transistor of the driving circuit108is still conducting, but the source node VP of the PMOS transistor is driven by a high supply voltage VDDH. Therefore, the pixel signal PS will be pulled up at time t4to the high supply voltage VDDH for positive polarity driving operation. The data latch102receives the pixel data PD during the period from t4to t5, and the latching pixel data PD until the next pulse scan signal SS is received. The data latch102sends the pixel data PD to the data comparator110. At time t6, while the counter code CC1matches the pixel data PD (in the case of the second frame period is 256), the data comparator110outputs the comparator signal STOP pulse between t6and t7. As shown inFIG. 5, the data comparator110pulls the comparator signal STOP from low voltage VSS to low supply voltage VDDL at time t6and pulls the comparator signal STOP from low supply voltage VDDL to low voltage VSS at time t7. The comparator signal STOP pulse is transmitted to the setup node of latch112. The latch112sets output node Q to low supply voltage VDDL and pulls output node QB down to voltage VSS. The non-inverted input nodes and inverted input nodes of voltage level shifter113respectively receive low supply voltage VDDL and low voltage VSS. The voltage level shifter113pulls the output signal PMS from the low voltage VSS to the high supply voltage VDDH. At time t6the driving circuit108pulls the output signal PS from the high supply voltage VDDH to the common voltage Vcom for positive polarity driving. The time period between t4and t6is the PWM time used for positive polarity driving operations, during this period, the drive voltage PS is the high supply voltage VDDH. The following cycle is similar to the previous counting period. At time t8, counter C1receives another low pulse reset signal RSTB to reset counter C1and start another counting cycle. Duplicating the operation as described previously.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the pulse frame period of pixel signal PS is from time t0to time t4, and then from time t4to time t8, each pulse frame period is 1024 units. The pulse width is from time t0to time t2and from time t4to time t6, each pulse width is 256 units. In this embodiment, one unit represents a clock period in the clock signal CLK, so 1024 units can be 1024 clock periods. Each clock width can be converted to a pixel grayscale or a plurality of clock widths converted to a pixel grayscale, but it is not limited that. Although the pixel data for the two count cycles is the same in this embodiment, in some other embodiments, the pixel data can be different for different counting cycles. For example, the clock width of 256 units can be presented as a relatively dark grayscale pixel (lower pixel brightness) during the first frame cycle, the clock width of 768 units is presented as a relatively bright grayscale pixel (higher pixel brightness) during the second frame cycle, and vice versa.

FIG. 6is a diagram of an exemplary display device200of the pixel circuit100A of theFIG. 1and the second pixel circuit100B of theFIG. 2in the present invention. The display device200comprises a plurality of data lines DL1to DL4, a plurality of scan lines SL1to SL2, scan driver220, source driver210, power driver230, a plurality of pixel circuits100(1,1) to100(2,4) and a plurality of counters C1to C2. The source driver210is electrically coupled to the plurality of data lines DL1to DL4and is set to output pixel data PD to the plurality of data lines DL1to DL4. The scan driver220is electrically coupled to the plurality of scan lines SL1to SL2and is set to output scan signal SS to the plurality of scan lines SL1to SL2. The plurality of counters C1to C2are set to produce the plurality of counter codes CC1and CC2. Each pixel circuit100controls the brightness of a pixel unit on the display device200.

The power driver230is electrically coupled to the plurality pixel circuits100(1,1) to100(2,4) of the driving circuit108. The power driver230provides high supply voltage VDDH, common voltage Vcom and low voltage VSS to drive circuits the plurality of pixel circuits from100(1,1) to100(2,4). The source driver210comprises: a plurality of shift registers212shifted by the clock signal CLK; a plurality of input registers214electrically coupled to the shift register212, and according to the clock signal CLK to receive image data and a plurality of data latches216electrically coupled to the input register214, and according to the loading signal latch the image data received from the input register214.

FIG. 7Ais a cross-section diagram of the pixel unit12PU according to the display device200of the embodiment of the present invention inFIG. 6. The pixel unit12PU comprises: a display media module DMM and a pixel circuit100. The pixel circuit100of the pixel unit is pre-manufactured, then assembled to the display media module DMM of the pixel unit12PU for completing the pixel unit12PU. In other words, the pixel circuit100is not being directly manufactured on a part of the display media module DMM, instead of the pixel circuit100is manufactured independently on another substrate; Therefore, the manufacturing process condition of the pixel circuit100is not limited by the substrate characteristics of the display media module DMM (e.g., the heat resistance properties of the substrate material). The substrate of the pixel circuit100is allowed more flexible integration of the other functional components transistors: for example, touch sensing function elements, image capture function elements, memory function elements, control function elements, wireless communication function elements, self-luminous function elements, passive components (inductors, resistors, capacitors or combination thereof), photovoltaic functional elements and any combination of thereof (but not limited to this) on the pixel circuit100substrate. Furthermore, the transistor characteristics of the pixel circuit100can be optimized for improving the uniformity, functionality, lower manufacturing costs and production time, etc., to achieve a high-performance display device by the semiconductor manufacturing processes. The display media module DMM comprises: the first electrode E1, the second electrode E2and the display medium DMU, which are controlled using voltage or current modulation by the pixel circuit100(only shown a pair of electrodes and a display medium inFIG. 7A, not only limited as this, a plurality of pairs of electrode and display media also can be employed). The first electrode E1and the second electrode E2are separated from each other, and the display medium DMU is disposed between the first electrode E1(pixel electrode) and the second electrode E2(common electrode or reference electrode). The pixel signal PMS can select directly electrically coupled to the first electrode E1(pixel electrode) of the smaller loading through the output node of the pulse width modulation (PWM) generator104A or104B, or through the pixel signal output node PS of the driving circuit108electrically coupled to the first electrode E1of the display media module DMM using the voltage or current driving mode.

FIG. 7Bis a cross-section diagram of another pixel unit12PU according to the display device200of the embodiment of the present invention inFIG. 6. The pixel unit12PU comprises: a display media module DMM and a pixel circuit100. The display media module DMM of the pixel unit12PU is sequentially manufactured directly on the same substrate of the pixel circuit100in accordance with the manufacturing steps, compared with theFIG. 7Adiagram, the pixel unit12PU belongs to be integrated manufacturing. In other words, all the composite materials of the display media module DMM directly on the pixel circuit100substrate successively according to the manufacturing steps to complete continuous manufacturing. The substrate of the pixel circuit100is allowed more flexible integration of the other functional components transistors: for example, touch sensing function elements, image capture function elements, memory function elements, control function elements, wireless communication function elements, self-luminous function elements, passive components (inductors, resistors, capacitors or combination thereof), photovoltaic functional elements and any combination of thereof (but not limited to this) on the pixel circuit100substrate. Furthermore, the transistor characteristics of the pixel circuit100can be optimized for improving the uniformity, functionality, lower manufacturing costs and production time, etc., to achieve a high-performance display device. The display media module DMM comprises: the first electrode E1, the second electrode E2and the display medium DMU, which are controlled using voltage or current modulation by the pixel circuit100(only shown a pair of electrodes and a display medium inFIG. 7A, not only limited as this, a plurality of pairs of electrode and display media also can be employed). The first electrode E1and the second electrode E2are separated from each other, and the display medium DMU is disposed between the first electrode E1(pixel electrode) and the second electrode E2(common electrode or reference electrode). The pixel signal PMS can select directly electrically coupled to the first electrode E1(pixel electrode) of the smaller loading through the output node of the pulse width modulation (PWM) generator104A or104B, or through the pixel signal output node PS of the driving circuit108electrically coupled to the first electrode E1of the display media module DMM using the voltage or current driving mode (refer toFIG. 7A/7B).

The display media DMU ofFIG. 7AandFIG. 7Bcomprises self-luminous medium materials, non-self-luminous materials, filter materials, conductive materials, insulation materials, light absorption materials, light-reflecting materials, light-refractive materials, polarizing materials, light diffuse materials and at least one of the foregoing materials. Wherein, the Non-self-luminous medium materials may include at least one of electrophoretic material, electric fluid material, liquid crystal material, micro electromechanical reflective material, electrowetting material, electric ink material, magnetic fluid material, electrochromic material and thermochromic material. The self-luminous medium materials may include at least one of electroluminescent material, photoluminescent material, cathodoluminescent material, field emissive luminescent material, phosphorescent materials, fluorescent materials and light-emitting diode materials in at least one material, used to produce white, green, blue, orange, indigo, purple and yellow or its combination.

FIG. 8is a diagram of an exemplary display device300of another embodiment of the present invention. The display device300comprises: a plurality of data lines DL1to DL3, a source driver310electrically coupled to the data lines from DL1to DL3to output pixel data PD to the data lines from DL1to DL3, a plurality of scan lines from SL1to SL3, a scan driver320is electrically coupled to the scan lines from SL1to SL3and output the scan signal SS to scan line SL1to SL3with a plurality of pixel circuits400(1,1) to400(3,3). Each pixel circuit from400(1,1) to400(3,3) comprises: transistor401, which is electrically coupled to the corresponding data line DL for receiving the pixel data PD and the corresponding scanning line SL for receiving the scanning signal SS, and latch402(which may be a basic capacitor, NAND logic gate, NOR logic gate, register, memory or any other digital circuit one of its combinations or a combination thereof (but not limited to this)) electrically coupled to the transistor401for receiving and latching pixel data PD. The pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3) can comprise a driving circuit404electrically coupled to the data latch402, which generate pixel signal PS according to the pixel data PD. In this embodiment, the driving circuit404may be at least one of the CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductors), N-type and/or P-type MOS (metal oxide semiconductors) transistor and a combination thereof. The display device300further comprises a power driver330, which is electrically coupled to the driving circuit404of the pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3), for providing the high supply voltage VDDH, common voltage Vcom and low voltage VSS to the driving circuit404. The common voltage Vcom can be the average of high supply voltage VDDH and low voltage VSS.

FIG. 9Ais a diagram of the source driver310inFIG. 8of the present invention. The source driver310comprises: a plurality of shift registers312, a plurality of input registers314, a plurality of data latches316, a counter317, a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generator318and a plurality of driving circuits319(optional). The Shift register312is used to receive the shift clock signal CLK. The input register314is electrically coupled to the shift register312and receives the image data according to the clock signal CLK. The data latch316is electrically coupled to the input register314and latches the image data from the input register314according to the loading signal. The counter317generates counter code CC. The PWM generator318is electrically coupled to the data latch316and counter317, according to the image data and counter code CC for generating the PWM signal. The driving circuit319is electrically coupled to the PWM generator318and the data lines DL1to DL3(shown inFIG. 8), and the pixel data PD are generated according to the PWM signal. If the source driver310does not comprise a plurality of the driving circuit319, the PWM generator318will directly generate pixel data PD according to the image data and counter code CC. Similarly, the pixel circuit100ofFIG. 7A, the pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3) can also output the pixel signal PS to the first electrode E1of the display medium module DMM of theFIG. 7A. The pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3) can drive the pixel unit12PU according to a similar operating waveform fromFIG. 4AtoFIG. 5.

FIG. 9Bis a diagram of another source driver310A according to another embodiment of the present invention. The source driver310inFIG. 8could be implemented by the source driver310A inFIG. 9. The source driver310comprises: a plurality of shift registers312, a plurality of input registers314, a plurality of data latches316, a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generator318comprises: counters, digital code detectors, and START signal lines for receiving starting signals; counters can be increasing or decreasing counters, counter code CC will be increased if counter is increasing counter, and digital code detectors include a plurality of nodes electrically coupled to counter code CC for code detection, and the out node according to the counter CC to generate PWM stop signal STOP (as shown inFIG. 2A) and a plurality of driving circuit319(optional). The Shift register312is used to receive the shift clock signal CLK. The input register314is electrically coupled to the shift register312and receives the image data according to the clock signal CLK. The data latch316is electrically coupled to the input register314and latch the image data from the input register314according to the loading signal. The PWM generator318is electrically coupled to the data latch316, according to the image data and the starting signal STATL of the (PWM) generator for generating the PWM signal. The driving circuit319is electrically coupled to the PWM generator318and the data lines DL1to DL3(shown inFIG. 8), and the pixel data PD generated according to the PWM signal. If the source driver310does not comprise a plurality of the driving circuit319, the PWM generator318will directly generate pixel data PD according to the image data and counter code CC. Similarly, the pixel circuit100ofFIG. 7A, the pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3) can also output the pixel signal PS to the first electrode E1of the display medium module DMM of theFIG. 7A. The pixel circuit400(1,1) to400(3,3) can drive the pixel unit12PU according to a similar operating waveform fromFIG. 4AtoFIG. 5.

In summary, the embodiments provide a new type of pixel circuits and display devices. By employing the operation and control of mostly digital electronic elements and digital signals, the accuracy of gray scale and brightness control of display devices greatly improved.

The above illustrates the technical content of the pixel circuit and the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention, and the above content is not used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.