Pixel with LEDs having top contacts in one plane, and displays incorporating the same

Abstract: The invention relates to a pixel for use in an electronic display in which the individual elements are light emitting diodes. The pixel (21) includes an LED (44) that emits in the red portion of the visible spectrum, an LED (45) that emits in the green portion of the visible spectrum, and an LED (46) that emits in the blue region of the visible spectrum. The red, green and blue LEDs (44, 45 and 46) are adjacent one another and have their respective top anode contacts located in a substantially common plane on the pixel. The red LED (44) includes at least one active layer of aluminium gallium arsenide (A1GaAs). The bottom contacts of all of the LED's can likewise be placed in a common plane, which is preferably different from the common plane of the top contacts.

Description: The present invention relates to pixels for use in electronic displays in which the individual elements of the pixels are light emitting diodes. It also relates to corresponding displays. Electronic displays are those electronic components that can convert electrical signals into visual images in real time that are otherwise suitable for direct interpretation--i.e. viewing--by a person. Such displays typically serve as the visual interface between persons and electronic devices such as computers, televisions, various forms of machinery, and numerous other applications. The use of electronic displays has grown rapidly in recent years driven to some extent by the personal computer revolution, but also by other utilitarian and industrial applications in which such electronic displays have begun to partially or completely replace traditional methods of presenting information such as mechanical gauges, and printed paper. One of the most familiar types of electronic display is the conventional television in which a cathode ray tube (CRT) produces the image. The nature and operation of cathode ray tubes has been well understood for several decades and will not be otherwise discussed in detail herein, except co highlight the recognition that the nature of a CRT's operation requires it to occupy a three-dimensional area that generally is directly proportional to the size of the CRT's display surface. Thus, in the conventional television set or personal computer, the CRT display tends to have a depth that is the same as, or in some cases greater than, the width and height of its display screen. Accordingly, the desirability for an electronic display that can use space more efficiently has been well recognized for some time, and has driven the development of a number of various devices that are often referred to collectively as "flat-panel displays." A number of techniques have been attempted, and some are relatively well developed, for flat-panel displays. These include gas discharge, plasma displays, electroluminescence, light emitting diodes (LEDS), cathodoluminescence, and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). To date, flat panel technologies have been generally widely used in certain portable displays and in numerical displays that use fewer ( i.e. less than several hundred) characters. For example, the typical display on a hand-held calculator can be characterized as a flat-panel display even though it tends to operate in only one color, typically using either LEDs or LCDs. Light emitting diodes have generally been recognized as likely candidate devices for flat panel displays for a number of reasons. These include their solid state operation, the ability to make them in relatively small sizes (thus potentially increasing resolution), and potentially a relatively low cost of manufacture. To date, however, flat panel displays incorporating LEDs have failed to reach their theoretical potential in the actual marketplace. LED flat panel displays have lacked success in penetrating the technology and the marketplace for several reasons. One basic reason is the lack of suitable or commercial acceptable LEDs in the three primary colors (red, green and blue), that can be combined to form appropriate true color flat panel images. In that regard, color can be defined for certain purposes as "that aspect of visual sensation enabling a human observer to distinguish differences between two structure-free fields of light having the same size, shape and duration." McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 7th edition, Volume 4, p. 150 (1992). Stated differently, color can be formed and perceived by the propagation of electromagnetic radiation in that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is generally referred to as "visible." Typically, if the electromagnetic spectrum is considered to cover wavelengths from the long electrical oscillations (e.g. 10 14 micrometers) to cosmic rays (10 -9 micrometers), the visible portion of the spectrum is considered to fall from about 0.770 micrometers (770 nanometers "nm") to about 0.390 micrometers (390 nm). Accordingly, to emit visible light of even a single color, a light emitting diode must produce radiation with a wavelength of between about 390 and 770 nm. In that regard, the theory and operation of light emitting diodes and related photonic devices in general are set forth in appropriate fashion in Sze, Physics of Semiconductor Devices , Second Edition, pp. 681-838 (1981) and will not otherwise be discussed in great detail herein, other than as necessary to describe the invention. A similar but more condensed discussion can be found in Dorf, The Electrical Engineering Handbook, pp. 1763-1772 (CRC Press 1983). In order for a display of light emitting diodes to form combinations of colors, those diodes must emit primary colors that can be mixed to form other desired colors. A typical method for describing color is the well-recognized "CIA chromaticity diagram" which was developed several decades ago by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and a copy of which is reproduced herein as Figure 6. The CIE chromaticity diagram shows the relationship among colors independent of brightness. Generally speaking, the colors visible to the human eye fall on the CIE chart within an area defined by a boundary. As Figure 6 shows, the boundary is made up of a straight line between 380 and 660 nm, and a curved line which forms the remainder of the generally cone-shaped area. Although the color perceptions of individual persons may of course differ, it is generally well understood and expected that colors visible by most persons fall within the boundaries of the CIE diagram. Accordingly, the color output of electronic displays, including flat panel displays, can be plotted on the CIE diagram. More particularly, if the wavelengths of the red, green, and blue primary elements of the display are plotted on the CIE diagram, the color combinations that the device can produce are represented by the triangular area taken between the primary wavelengths produced. Thus, in Figure 6, the best available devices are plotted as the lines between the wavelengths of about 655 or 660 nanometers for aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) red devices, about 560 nanometers for gallium phosphide green devices, and about 480 nanometers for silicon carbide (SiC) blue devices. Gallium phosphide can also be used in red-emitted devices, but these generally emit in the 700 nm range. Because the human eye is less responsive at 700 nm, the devices tend to lack brightness and thus are often limited to applications where maximum brightness is less critical. Similarly, silicon carbide blue devices have only been commercially available for approximately a decade. As the triangle formed by joining these wavelengths on the CIE diagram demonstrates, there exist entire ranges of colors in both the upper and lower portions of the CIE diagram that even these most recently available displays simply cannot produce by the limitations of the physics of their LEDs. Stated somewhat more simply, although certain LED displays can be described as "full color," they cannot be classified as "true color" unless and until they incorporate LEDs that are respectively more green, more red, and more blue, and that are formed from devices that can have sufficient brightness to make the devices worthwhile. For simplicity's sake, however, the terms "full color" and "true color" are used synonymously hereinafter. In regard to color and brightness, and as set forth in the reference materials mentioned above, the characteristics of an LED depend primarily on the material from which it is made, including its characteristic as either a direct or indirect emitter. First, as noted above and as generally familiar to those in the electronic arts, because blue light is among the shortest wavelengths of the visible spectrum, it represents the highest energy photon as among the three primary colors. In turn, blue light can only be produced by materials with a bandgap sufficiently wide to permit a transition in electron volts that corresponds to such a higher energy shorter wavelength photon. Such materials are generally limited to silicon carbide, gallium nitride, certain other Group III nitrides, and diamond. For a number of reasons, all of these materials have been historically difficult to work with, generally because of their physical properties, their crystallography, and the difficulty in forming them into both bulk crystals and epitaxial layers, both of which are generally (although not exclusively) structural requirements for light emitting diodes. As noted above, some SiC blue LEDs-- i.e. those in which SiC forms the active layer--have become available in commercially meaningful quantities in recent years. Nevertheless, the photon emitted by SiC results from an "indirect" transition rather than a "direct" one (see Sze supra, § 12.2.1 at pages 684-686). The net effect is that SiC LEDs are limited in brightness. Thus, although their recent availability represents a technological and commercial breakthrough, their limited brightness likewise limits some of their applicability to displays, particularly larger displays that are most desirably used in bright conditions; e.g. outdoor displays used in daylight. Accordingly, more recent work has focused on Group III (Al, In, Ga) nitrides, which have bandgaps sufficient to produce blue light, and which are direct emitters and thus offer even greater brightness potential. Group III nitrides present their own set of problems and challenges. Nevertheless, recent advances have placed Group III nitride devices into the commercial realm, and a number of these are set forth in related patents including US-A-5,393,993 - 5,523,589 - 5,592,501 - 5,259,554. As another disadvantage, flat panel displays in the current art are generally only "flat" in comparison to CRTs, and in reality have some substantial thickness. For example, a typical "flat" LED display is made up of a plurality of LED lamps. As used herein, the term "lamp" refers to one or more light emitting diodes encased in some optical medium such as a transparent polymer, and with an appropriate size and shape to enhance the perceived output of the LED. In turn, the lamps must be connected to various driving circuits, typically a multiplexing circuit that drives rows and columns in a two-dimensional matrix of such devices. These in turn require appropriate power supplies and related circuitry. The net result are devices that--although thin compared to CRTs--do have significant physical depth. For example, LED flat panel displays of any size are typically always several inches (1 inch = 2.54 cm) in depth and few if any are produced that are less than an inch (2.54 cm) in depth in actual use. Indeed, some of the largest flat panel displays with which the public might be familiar (i.e. stadium scoreboards and the like) use either enough LEDs or incandescent lamps to require significant heat transfer capabilities. For example, a stadium-size flat display is typically backed by an atmospherically controlled space; i.e. an air conditioned room; to take care of the heat that is generated. The problems of heat generated by the present LED displays is caused, in part, by the differing operating voltages of the various LEDs utilized to create the red, green and blue elements. For example, in the case of a blue LED formed of gallium nitride, the forward voltage drop across the LED is 7 volts at 70 mA current. However, for a typical green LED at 70 mA current the voltage drop is only 2.8 volts and 2.1 volts for a red LED at 70 mA current. This difference in forward voltage drops has previously present difficulties in driving the LEDs of a true color LED system. The result of the disparate voltage drops between the red green and blue LEDs is excess heat generation as the differences in voltage are dissipated external to the LEDs. While the excess heat can be dealt with in larger displays of for example 0.3 inch (7.6 mm) pitch or greater by surface dissipation or forced air cooling, as the size of the display is reduced the problem of how to dissipate the excess heat is increased. Despite the decrease in size, the heat generated remains the same but there is less and less surface area to heat dissipation. The excess heat resulting from the varying forward voltage drops across the LEDs reduces the life of the LEDs and, therefore, over time reduces the LEDs brightness. The brightness of the LEDs is higher at lower operating temperatures. Thus, less heat allows for lower operating currents for the same operational brightness which in turn produces less excess heat. This reduction in current may also improve the color of the LEDs. For example, green LEDs color is improves at lower operating currents. Furthermore, each of the LEDs respond differently as their operating temperatures increase and, therefore, the color characteristics of the display can change over a temperature range. Because of the varying thermal characteristics of the components of a true color display, excess heat can cause stress within the components which can cause mechanical failures including failures in the component connections. In fact, if the heat becomes too excessive it can even deform the plastic components. Accordingly, the need exists and remains for a flat panel display formed of light emitting diodes that can produce a full range of colors rather than simply multiple colors, and which can do so in a truly thin physical space. Furthermore, the need exists and remains for a system of driving true color displays formed of light emitting diodes that can produce a full range of colors rather than simply multiple colors which reduces the amount of heat generated by the display, improves the color of the display, reduces the amount of power used by the display, increases the brightness of the display and provides for longer component life for the display. An object of the present invention is to alleviate the problems associated with the incorporation of light emitting diodes that can produce a full range of true colors, into pixels and thus into the matrix and the modules. According to the present invention, there is provided a pixel comprising: a light emitting diode (LED) that emits in the blue region of the visible spectrum; a light emitting diode that emits in the green region of the visible spectrum and adjacent said blue LED; said blue LED and said green LED having their respective top contacts located in a substantially common plane; and a light emitting diode that emits in the red region of the visible spectrum, and adjacent to said blue LED and said green LED, and said red LED having its respective top contact in substantially the same plane as said top contacts of said blue LED and said green LED. The present invention also provides a display as defined in claims 14 to 28, having a matrix of LED pixels as defined in claim 1. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred and exemplary embodiments of the invention, and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a module incorporating a matrix of pixels embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the module of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a portion of the driving circuitry for the module; Figure 3A is a circuit diagram illustrating a portion of an alternative embodiment of the driving circuitry for the module; Figure 4 is a timing diagram that illustrates the operation of the module; Figure 4A is a timing diagram that illustrates the operation of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a pixel embodying the present invention; Figure 6 is a CIE curve illustrating a portion of those visible colors typically produced by prior art multicolor devices; Figure 7 is a CIE chart which shows the additional colors that can be produced by the pixels and modules embodying the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of pixels on the printed circuit board; Figure 9 is a flow diagram of one aspect of the manner in which the module displays data; Figure 10 is a flow diagram showing the manner in which a microprocessor controller can produce a display using a module; Figure 11 is another flow diagram showing the manner in which various image information can be transmitted to the module; and Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a driver circuit for use with a module. The matrix of pixels embodying the present invention provides a thin flat panel display module that can produce a full range of true colors. As set forth above, the term true color refers to a much greater range of colors than have been previously available from prior devices incorporating either light emitting diode or other technologies. The thin flat panel display module is suitable as a subassembly for construction of any size, although predominantly wall sized, thin flat panel displays. The modules embodying the invention are capable of displaying portions of any visual image, either moving or stationary, in either any color or combination of colors. By combining modules horizontally and vertically, virtually any size of display board can be constructed. Figures 1 and 2 are front and rear perspective views showing the module broadly designated at 20. A matrix of substantially flat full color pixels, several of which are labeled as 21 in Figure 1 are mounted on a first surface of a printed circuit board 22. As will be set forth in more detail herein, each of the pixels 21 comprises a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED. As perhaps best illustrated in Figure 2, the driving circuitry for the light emitting diode pixels is mounted on the opposite surface of the printed circuit board 22. It will also be understood that a pixel could include more than one LED of one or more of the colors as might be desired for certain applications of the pixels and the modules. For the sake of brevity however, the pixels herein will be described in terms of one red, one green, and one blue LED. Figure 1 further illustrates that the module 20 also comprises a front masking plate 23 on the same surface of the printed circuit board as the pixels 21 . As further illustrated in the enlarged portion of Figure 1, the front masking plate can comprise contrast enhancement means which in the illustrated embodiment comprises the dark portions 24 of the masking plate 23 and the white reflector portions 25 . Whenever an individual pixel 21 is lighted, the contrast between the dark portion 24 and the white portion 25 combined with the output of the pixel can help enhance the overall image to persons viewing it. In preferred embodiments the front masking plate 23 comprises a molded plastic panel, typically a plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), with a matrix of holes 28 dissecting the front and back of the panel so that the holes are arranged in a matrix of the same or substantially similar position and size as the pixels 21 mounted on the printed circuit board 22 . In the preferred embodiments, the walls of the holes 28 are at an angle to thereby provide a means of reflecting light emitted obliquely from the pixels 21 forward from the module and the size of the holes at the front of the display are of a sufficient diameter, relative to the pitch of the holes, to provide a suitably high density and a pleasant visual image, while leaving sufficient area surrounding each of the holes to provide a contrast ratio. The preferred embodiment uses a ratio of hole to pixel pitch of not less than 5.5 to 7.62. As noted above, the inside surfaces 25 of the holes are either white or some similar reflective color, while the area 24 surrounding the holes is of a dark or contrasting color. Figure 2 shows that the display module 20 can further comprise a supporting frame 26 on the opposite surface of the printed circuit board from the pixels 21 . In preferred embodiments, the front masking plate further comprises a post 27 . The printed circuit board 22 comprises a clearance hole 30 that can be aligned with the post 27 , and through which the post 27 extends. The supporting frame 26 includes means, shown as the holes 31 , for receiving the posts 27 and into which the posts 27 are received, as well as means, such as a threaded interior (not shown) of the post 27 , which when combined with a screw or bolt secures the frame 26 to the post 27 . These features secure the front masking plate 23 to the supporting frame 26 with the printed circuit board 22 therebetween and thereby minimize or prevent dislocation between the printed circuit board 22 and the masking plate 23 or the frame 26 , but while allowing the printed circuit board and the frame 26 to move independently enough to avoid damage in the case of thermal expansion. As Figure 2 illustrates, in preferred embodiments the frame 26 defines a first slot 32 adjacent the printed circuit board 22 for permitting the flow of air between the frame 26 and the printed circuit board 22 to aid in the dissipation of heat. In a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the frame 26 also comprises a conductive mounting means opposite the printed circuit board 22 for removably clipping the module to a power source. The mounting means preferably comprises a second slot 29 opposite the printed circuit board from the pixels that can be connected to a standard power source such as a bus bar. In preferred embodiments, the front masking plate 23 can also comprise several slots 38 for air flow, and can further comprise a conductive coating, typically a spray painted conductive coating, that is in contact with the ground signal of the driving circuitry to thereby reduce the electromagnetic emissions of the module 20 . The module 20 also comprises driving circuitry shown as the circuit elements in Figure 2, several of which are designated at 34. The circuit elements 34 are interconnected with the pixels 21 through the printed circuit board 22 . By mounting the driving circuitry on the same printed circuit board as the pixels, an extremely narrow profile is provided for the module regardless of the overall size of a single module ( i.e. rows and columns), and regardless of how many modules are combined to form a total display. Figure 3 illustrates some of the specified circuit elements. Preferably the driving circuitry comprises an input buffer 35 , demultiplexer 36 electrically responsive to the input buffer 35 , a row driver 37 electrically responsive to the demultiplexer 36 , and a column driver broadly designated at 40 electrically responsive to the input buffer. It will be understood, however, that a number of circuits exist, or can be designed, to drive electronic displays. See, e.g. Chapter 77 of Dorf, The Electrical Engineering Handbook (CRC Press, 1993) pages 1763ff. Likewise, Figure 3A illustrates a preferred driving circuitry which includes an input buffer 35 , demultiplexer 36 electrically responsive to the input buffer 35 , row drivers 37 electrically responsive to the demultiplexer 36 , and column drivers designated as 41, 42 and 43 electrically responsive to the input buffer. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the matrix comprises n rows and 2n columns where n is a power of 2 and wherein the row driver comprises two drivers each of which drive n/2 (i.e. half of) of the rows. Two such drivers 37 are shown in Figure 3 in which each module has 16 rows and 32 columns in the matrix. Accordingly, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, n is 16, 2n is 32, and n/2 is 8, so that each of the drivers (preferably field effect transistors, "FETs") drives eight rows. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A, the matrix comprises n rows and 2n columns where n is a power of 2 and wherein the row driver comprises four drivers each of which drive n/4 (i.e. one fourth of) of the rows. Four such drivers 37 are shown in Figure 3A. Alternatively, a single row driver capable of driving the number of rows in a group may be utilized. For example, as illustrated in Figure 3A, the matrix is divided into four sets of four row blocks. Accordingly, a single row driver having the capability of driving four rows may be utilized for all of the four row blocks. The number of blocks is determined by the number of sets of column drivers. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other groupings of column drivers and row drivers may be utilized while still benefitting from the teachings of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates that in one embodiment the driving circuitry includes two sets of column drivers 40 each of which represents a respective 32 bit shift register, latch, and driver for the blue data 41 ( i.e. data to drive the blue LEDs), the green data 42 , and the red data 43 . Three respective potentiometers 39 (blue), 48 (green) and 49 (red) control the current to the individual colors as a whole. The potentiometers can be controlled manually or digitally as may be desired or necessary. Figure 3A also illustrates that, in an alternative embodiment, the driving circuitry includes four sets of column drivers 41 , 42 and 43 each of which represents a respective 32 bit shift register, latch, and driver for the blue data 43 ( i.e. data to drive the blue LEDs), the green data 42, and the red data 41. Only two of the four sets of column drivers are illustrated in Figure 3A, however, the four column drivers are identical except for the rows of the matrix from which the columns are formed and the data which is supplied to the column drivers. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3A the column drivers divide the matrix into four blocks corresponding to 4 rows with 32 columns of red LEDs, 32 columns of green LEDs and 32 columns of blue LEDs. The rows of the blocks correspond to the four sets of row drivers 37 . Accordingly, the preferred embodiment is a 32 x 16 dot matrix LED flat panel display module which is capable of displaying approximately 16.7 million colors by combining red (660 nm), green (525 nm), and blue (430 nm) LEDs by mixing and pulse width modulation. By combining modules either horizontally, vertically, or both, virtually any size display board can be constructed. The module contains combination shift register, latch and constant current driver integrated circuits and row drive field effect transistors (FETs). The module may use a quad four row multiplexed drive method or dual 8 row multiplexed drive method with 1/8 duty cycle for maximum brightness and minimum clock speeds. Data is displayed on the module using multiplexing to the display. The individual pixels are arranged in a grid matrix with the common anode of the individual LEDs connected together in horizontal rows and the different color cathodes of the LEDs connected together in columns. In the system of Figure 3, each row (two banks of eight) is connected to a p-type MOSFET current source and each column (three columns per LED column for a total of 96) is connected to a constant current sink driver and associated shift register. For the system illustrated in Figure 3A, each row (four banks of four total) is connected to two p-type MOSFET current sources, one source being at 7.5 volts and a second source at 4.5 volts and each column (three columns per LED column for a total of 96) is connected to a constant current sink driver and an associated shift register. On start up, in either system all row driver FETs are turned off. While the present invention is described with respect to p-type field effect transistors and positive voltages, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, other switching devices may be utilized as well as other voltages depending upon the characteristics of the diodes utilized and whether the diodes in a row have commonly connected anodes or cathodes. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the following steps associated with the system of Figure 3 that are then applied to each row consecutively commencing with the top row in a continuous repeating cycle to display a visually solid image; the number of RGB datagroups (6 bits wide) relating to a two row of lamps to be displayed next is clocked out into the six shift register banks ( i.e. one bank for red, one for green and one for blue for the top eight rows and another three for the bottom eight rows) on the rising edge of the clock signal. The number of data groups shifted out should be equal to the number of columns in the display, and is 32 clock cycles in the case of the preferred embodiment. Data to be displayed on the side of the modules farthest (electronically) from the input buffer is output first. The row driver FETs are then turned off by taking the "enable" signal high. The data in the shift registers is then latched into the column drivers by pulsing the "latch" signal low for no less than 25 nanoseconds (ns). The row address to the data shifted out is then placed on the A0-A2 signals (address 0 being the top row (row 8) and seven being the bottom row (row 7) also). This value is normally incremented 0,1,...7 etc. (from top to bottom for each half of the display). The row driver FET is then enabled by taking the enable signal low. The rows of LEDs will now show the image for that row. The process is then repeated for each row in a cyclical manner accessing all rows approximately 60 times per second to display a flicker-free multiplexed visually solid image. Figure 4A schematically illustrates the following steps associated with the system of Figure 3A that are then applied to each row consecutively commencing with the top row in a continuous repeating cycle to display a visually solid image; the number of RGB data groups (3 bits wide with a total of 12 bits for all four blocks) relating to the rows of lamps to be displayed next is clocked out into the 12 shift register banks (i.e. one bank for red, one for green and one for blue for each block corresponding to the four row drivers) on the rising edge of the clock signal. The number of data groups shifted out should be equal to the number of columns in the display, and is 32 clock cycles in the case of the preferred embodiment. Data to be displayed on the side of the modules farthest (electronically) from the input buffer is output first. The row driver FETs are then turned off by taking the complement of the "enable" signal high. The data in the shift registers is then latched into the column drivers by pulsing the "latch" signal low for no less than 25 nanoseconds (ns). The row address to the data shifted out is then placed on the A0-A1 signals (address 0 being the top row (row 0) and address 3 being the bottom row (row 3) of each block of rows). This value is normally incremented 0,1,2,3 etc. (from top to bottom for each quarter of the display). The row driver FETs are then enabled by taking the enable signal low. For each address, the "Color select" signal changes state from low to high once for each data cycle while the Enable signal is active. This "Color Select" signal switches the drivers from the first voltage to the second voltage of the LEDs such that when the Color Select selects the blue LED shift registers the drivers supply 7.5 volts to the row and when the Color Select signal selects the red and green shift registers the row drivers supply 4.5 volts to the row. This multiplexes the time per refresh cycle which the blue and the red and green LEDs are active while maintaining the overall refresh rate for the system. This assures the refresh rate of the rows will remain 1 to 8. The rows of LEDs will show the image for that row. The process is then repeated for each row in a cyclical manner accessing all rows generally greater than 60 times per second and preferably about 1000 times per second to display a flicker-free multiplexed visually solid image. Further to the preferred embodiments of the invention, each pixel 21 comprises a common anode for all three of its LEDs for turning the entire pixel on or off, and an individual cathode for each individual LED in the pixel for controlling the state and brightness of each LED, to thereby control the overall color emitted by the pixel. The level of current through the LED may be controlled by a resistor placed in series with the LED. This resistor may be variable. In preferred embodiments, a monostable circuit means is provided for preventing the maximum rating of the diodes in the pixels from being exceeded. More specifically, on the rising edge of the enable signal the output goes high or stays high for a time period set by a capacitor and resistor in series. The capacitor and resistor are adjusted such that the length of time the output stays high is longer than the time between successive enable transitions. Therefore if the enable transition does not occur due to controller failure, then the output signal goes low disabling the column driver 4 and turning off the LEDs. As set forth in the background portion of the specification, one of the problems solved by the invention and the advantages it offers is the wide range of colors available from the LEDs which are incorporated into the pixels embodying the invention and thus into the matrix and the modules. Figure 5 illustrates such a pixel schematically and broadly designated at 21 consistent with the earlier numbering. The pixel includes an LED 44 that emits in the red portion of the visible spectrum, an LED 45 that emits in the green portion of the visible spectrum, and an LED 46 that emits in the blue region of the visible spectrum. The red, green and blue LEDs 44 , 45 , and 46 are adjacent one another and have their respective top contacts in substantially the same plane on the pixel. The red LED 44 includes at least one active layer of aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), and the red LED 44 also has its respective top anode contact in substantially the same plane as the anode contacts of the blue LED 46 and the green LED 45 . Similarly, the back contacts of all of the LED's can likewise be placed in a common plane (preferably different from the plane of the top contacts). It will be immediately understood by those familiar with this subject matter that the ability to place all of the top contacts in substantially the same plane, and all of the bottom contacts in their own common plane, greatly enhances the operability of the pixels, and thus of the matrix and the entire module. As further shown in Figure 5, each diode has a respective diode cathode contact 47 and an anode contact 50 . The anode contacts 50 , however, are attached to a common anode pad 51 which in turn is connected to a common anode contact 52 . This arrangement allows for the individual control described above. In preferred embodiments, the blue LED 46 comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a Group III active nitride layer, with gallium nitride being a particularly preferred active layer. Such light emitting diodes are well described in the earlier-noted patents. As noted above, the red LED is preferably formed of aluminum gallium arsenide. The green LED 45 can be formed of a Group III phosphide active layer such as gallium phosphide or aluminum indium gallium phosphide, or the green LED can be formed similar to the blue LED in that it comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a gallium nitride active layer. In embodiments in which both the blue and green LED comprise silicon carbide substrates and Group III active layers, their voltage parameters can be generally matched to one another to simplify the driving circuitry. In preferred embodiments, the LEDs are all driven by constant current devices, these drive sources, however, selectively provide differing voltages to the LEDS to compensate for the differences between the forward voltage characteristics of the red LED, the green LED and the blue LED. Alternatively, the LEDs may be all driven by constant current devices, but with a resistor in series in the circuit between the constant current drive means and the cathode of the red LED 44 to compensate for the differences between the forward voltage characteristics of the red LED in aluminum gallium arsenide and the forward voltage characteristics of the matched blue and green LEDs in silicon carbide and gallium nitride. In another aspect, and because of the types of light emitting diodes that are incorporated in a pixel embodying the present invention, and which were previously unavailable for such use, the pixel may be formed of solid state light emitting diodes that can form any color on that portion of a CIE curve that falls within a triangle whose sides are formed by a line on the CIE curve between 430 nm and 660 nm, a line between 660 nm and points between 500 and 530 nm, and a line between the 500-530 nm point and 430 nm. Such a CIE curve and triangle are illustrated in Figure 7. Stated differently, because the output of the LEDs incorporated in the pixels embodying the present invention are essentially farther apart from one another on the CIE curve, the range of colors that can be produced by the pixels, and thus by the modules, is much greater than that previously available. Indeed, the pixels embodying the present invention essentially provides true color display capabilities, while previous devices have only been able to produce multicolor displays. It will be understood, of course, that the area on the CIE curve that represents the colors produced by the pixels embodying the invention is exemplary rather than absolute or otherwise limiting of the invention. For example, Figure 7 illustrates the "green" corner of the color triangle as falling at about 525 nm. As noted elsewhere, herein, however, the green corner could fall from 500 to 530 nm depending on the particular diode. In such cases, the triangle defined on the CIE curve would have a slightly different appearance than Figure 7, but one that could be easily superimposed on the CIE curve once the precise outputs of the LED's were identified. A novel arrangement of the pixels may be provided on the printed circuit board. In this embodiment, the display module comprises a matrix of LED pixels arranged in horizontal rows and vertical rows (columns) on a printed circuit board, a portion of which is schematically illustrated in Figure 8. Figure 8 incorporates the same numbering scheme as the previous illustrations such that the printed circuit board is designated at 22 and the individual pixels at 21 . Similarly, the red, green and blue LEDs are designated at 44 , 45 and 46 respectively within each pixel. Figure 8 also shows several via holes 53 . Figure 8 further illustrates portions of five rows and two columns on the printed circuit board 22 . As previously described with respect to Figure 5, each pixel comprises four respective quadrants that are essentially defined by the positions of the red, green and blue LEDs (44, 45, 46) and the common contact pad 51 in the fourth quadrant. Figure 8 illustrates that the LEDs have the same quadrant relationship to each other within each pixel, and that the quadrants are oriented identically in the pixels in each column. Thus, Figure 8 illustrates that in the left hand column, the red LED 44 occupies the lower left quadrant, the green LED 45 the upper left quadrant, the blue LED 46 the lower right quadrant, and the common contact pad 51 the upper right quadrant. In order to minimize the via holes 53 required, however, the orientation of alternating columns of LEDs is advantageously rotated so that the pixels in any given column are oriented either 90° or 180° opposite the pixels in the adjacent column. Thus, in the right hand column illustrated in Figure 8, the common contact pad 51 is in the lower left quadrant, the blue LED 46 is in the upper left quadrant, the green LED 45 is in the lower right quadrant, and the red LED 44 is in the upper right quadrant. As Figure 8 illustrates, this positions both the common contact pads 51 in the left hand column and the common contact pads 51 in the right hand column adjacent one another so that a single via hole can accommodate the lead from two LEDs can be substantially reduced. Thus, Figure 8 illustrates that the printed circuit board 22 has one common anode via hole 53 for each two pixels with each common via hole 53 being positioned between the two adjacent columns of pixels and between the respective common anode pads 51 of the respective pixels 21 in each of the adjacent columns so that an anode lead 52 from each of the two pixels can pass through the common via hole 53 thus minimizing the total number of via holes, and the complexity of the remaining circuitry and of its manufacture and other factors, required in the printed circuit board 22 . As noted above, the common contact pad 51 preferably comprises the anode pad. The pixels 21 in this arrangement are on the module 20 in a matrix (as noted previously the preferred embodiment is two blocks of eight horizontal rows and 32 vertical columns) with the electrical connections between the common anodes for all pixels in the same horizontal row to an associated row driver and interconnections between cathodes of the same colored diodes in the vertical columns within the same block to associated constant current sink drivers. The pixels 21 are therefore provided with four controls means: the anode connection controlling whether the lamp as a complete unit is on or off and the three cathode connections controlling the state and brightness of the individual colored diodes with the lamp and therefore controlling the emitted color of the lamp. It will be understood, of course, that the same alignment concept can be used between horizontal rows rather than columns, depending upon whether columns or rows are to be multiplexed. Similarly, although Figure 8 illustrates the pixels in the right hand column as having been rotated 180° from those in the left hand column, a rotation of 90° counterclockwise will produce a similarly adjacent relationship between the contact pads in each column. In the illustrated embodiment, the horizontal rows are multiplexed (as described below) so that alternating the pixel orientation on a column-by-column basis is most convenient. If desired, the module could be multiplexed vertically (i.e. by column) and the pixel orientation could be rotated on an alternating row basis. Thus, Figure 8 and the multiplexing description that follows herein illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention rather than limiting it. The preferred embodiment uses a version of the technique known in the art as multiplex scanning wherein each row or column in the matrix is individually illuminated in a continuous succession at a sufficiently high repetition rate to form an apparently continuous visual image. Customarily such modules utilize a multiplex ratio equal to the height of the display in rows. In the case of multiple rows of modules forming the display, the rows of each module are controlled in parallel. Such means provides a low cost method of controlling a large number of pixels as only one set of column drivers is required for a large number of rows of pixels. Such arrangements can also be constructed orthorhombically such that only one set of row drivers is required or a large number of columns of pixels. The lamps are provided with power generally equal to the number of rows multiplied by the continuous current rating of the individual diodes. Therefore, when the individual diodes have a nominal d.c. current rating of 20 milliamps (mA) and the multiplex is sixteen, up to 320 mA of current is applied. This high current stresses the diode, however, and shortens its life. Additionally, some diode materials saturate at much lower currents. Furthermore, it is generally recognized that 100 mA is the ideal maximum current to maintain lamp life. A further problem with multiplexing 16 rows is that 16 separate refreshes are required within the cycle time. This results in higher shift clock speeds, and leads to the use of expensive buffers, and require extensive filtering to reduce electromagnetic emissions. Accordingly, the feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which the rows are split into blocks of not more than four rows per block allows more brightness per pixel ( i . e . 100 mA/8 versus 100 mA/16), lower clock update speeds, and less heat emitted from the column drivers. This splitting can, of course, be applied to modules having any number of rows greater than four. Figures 9, 10 and 11 further illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention. Figure 9 is a flow diagram that shows that an image to be displayed can originate as a composite video input or as a VGA-type input. If it is a composition video input, the signal is converted from analog to digital by the analog to digital converter designated at 56 . The input from either the converter 56 or the VGA input 55 then is sent to the frame grabber 57 then to the sampler 60 . The frame grabber 57 synchronizes to the horizontal or vertical sync signals present ac the beginning of each frame and line of a video signal. After detecting the sync signal the digital data is stored in memory 64 with the sync signal providing a known reference so that the data can be stored in a repeatable and organized method. Alternative frames are usually stored in alternative frame buffer areas 61 allowing the sampler 60 to read the previously grabbed frame while the frame grabber 57 stores the current frame. The signal then proceeds to the modules which form the display 62. Figure 10 illustrates how a microprocessor controller is used to run each of the modules. The data from the desired source proceeds to the input clock 63 which can send the data either to the sampler 60 or to random access memory ("RAM") 64 . Figure 10 again illustrates that where necessary a signal can be sent to an analog to digital converter 56 . The data can then be sent from RAM to the clocks and the addressing system 65 , or to the data selector 66 . The clocks and address selectors send the signals to the rows and columns as desired, while the data selector sends it to a shift register in the modules as previously described. Figure 11 illustrates that a display can be produced from a number of sources including information available by telecommunication lines (illustrated by the modem 67 ), the video input previously designated at 54 and illustrated in Figure 10 as either a camera or a magnetic memory such as a video tape through the frame grabber 57 to the microprocessor (e.g. personal computer) 70 . The information can also come from a scanner 71 or from electromagnetic memory such as the disk (or any equivalent device) 72 . The microprocessor in the personal computer 70 operates in accordance with the scheme described with respect to Figures 9 and 10, and produces the information for the modules to display. A further illustration of the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 12. As seen in Figure 12, a portion of the matrix 20 is illustrated. This portion of the matrix 20 shows a row of LEDs, with each lamp 20A and 20B in the row having a red, green and blue LED. While two lamps are illustrated, as described above, the row may contain varying numbers of lamps. The demultiplexer 36 and two transistor drivers 100 and 102 of the row drivers 37 are illustrated. Also illustrated are the column drivers 41, 42 and 43 with drivers 42 and 43 illustrated as a single block. As seen in Figure 12, drive transistor 100 is connected co a 7.5 volt voltage source and drive transistor 102 is connected to a 4.5 volt voltage source. The outputs of transistors 100 and 102 are connected together and connected to the LED row of matrix 20. In operation, as described above, the shift registers of column drivers 41, 42 and 43 are loaded with data for a row of the matrix. The Enable signal then goes low to activate the row drivers. Based on the state of the Color Select signal, the demultiplexer 36 activates either transistor 100 or transistor 102 . As illustrated in Figure 12, when the Color Select signal is high such that the Red/Green column drivers 42 and 43 are enabled, the demultiplexer 36 selects transistor 102 and 4.5 volts is applied to the anodes of the diodes in the row of the matrix. When the Color Select signal goes low such that the blue drivers 41 is enabled, the demultiplexer 36 selects transistor 100 and 7.5 volts is applied to the anodes of the diodes in the row of the matrix. Thus, different voltages are applied to different color LEDs in the matrix 20 . The voltages are multiplexed to the row based on the Color Select signal. This is accomplished by transistor 100 providing a first voltage to blue LEDs in the matrix of LEDs and transistor 102 providing a second voltage to red and green LEDs in the matrix of LEDs. While the illustrated embodiment has been described with respect to two voltages and with red and green LEDs grouped together, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, more than two voltages may be multiplexed to the LED matrix. For example, a separate voltage could be provided for each color LED in the matrix. Alternatively, a separate voltage could be provided for each group of LEDs which have common operating characteristics. Likewise, other groupings of colors of LEDs could be utilized. These alternative embodiments would need to have a driver for each voltage desired and a signal which selects the desired voltage at the appropriate time. In addition to simply selecting between the voltage to apply to the LEDs, the duty cycle of the signal which selects the activation or the LEDs may be varied so as to illuminate different color LEDs for different times during each scan cycle. This varying duty cycle may be utilized, for example, to balance color between the LEDS. Although the illustrated embodiment has been described with respect to individual pixels, and single modules, it will be understood that one of the particularly advantageous aspects of the invention is the capability for any number of modules to be connected with one another and driven in any appropriate manner to form large screen displays of almost any size. As is well understood to those in this art, the size of the pixels and the modules can be varied depending upon the desired point source of light. In this regard, it is well understood that a plurality of light sources of a particular size will be perceived as a single point source by an observer once that observer moves a certain distance away from these multiple sources. Accordingly, for smaller displays such as televisions, the individual pixels are maintained relatively small so that an observer can sit relatively close to the display and still perceive the picture as being formed of point sources. Alternatively, for a larger display such as outdoor displays, signage and scoreboards, the observer typically views the display at a greater distance. Thus, larger pixels, larger modules and the like can be incorporated to give brighter light while still providing the optics of point sources to the more distant observers.

Claims: A pixel comprising: a light emitting diode (LED) ( 46 ) that emits in the blue region of the visible spectrum; a light emitting diode ( 45 ) that emits in the green region of the visible spectrum and adjacent said blue LED; said blue LED and said green LED having their respective top contacts located in a substantially common plane; and a light emitting diode ( 44 ) that emits in the red region of the visible spectrum, and adjacent to said blue LED and said green LED, and said red LED having its respective top contact in substantially the same plane as said top contacts of said blue LED and said green LED. A pixel according to claim 1, wherein said red LED includes at least one active layer of aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs). A pixel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said LEDs comprise respective bottom contacts ( 47 ), and wherein said bottom contacts are in a substantially common plane different from said common plane of said top contacts. A pixel according to claim 3, wherein: said top contacts are the anode contacts ( 50 ); the cathode ( 47 ) of each diode is connected to an individual pin; and said anode top contacts of each diode are connected to a common anode pin ( 51 ). A pixel according to any preceding claim, wherein said blue LED comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a Group III nitride active layer. A pixel according to claim 5, wherein said Group III nitride comprises gallium nitride. A pixel according to any preceding claim, wherein said green LED comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a Group III nitride active layer. A pixel according to claim 7, wherein said Group III nitride comprises gallium nitride. A pixel according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said green LED comprises a Group III phosphide active layer. A pixel according to claim 9, wherein said Group III phosphide comprises gallium phosphide. A pixel according to claim 9, wherein said Group III phosphide comprises aluminium indium gallium phosphide (A1InGaP). A pixel according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein: said blue LED comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a Group III nitride active layer; said green LED comprises a silicon carbide substrate and a Group III nitride active layer; and said blue LED and said green LED have their voltage parameters matched to one another to simplify the driving thereof. A pixel according to any preceding claim that can form any color on that portion of a CIE curve that falls within a triangle whose sides are formed by a line on the CIE curve between about 430 nm and 660 nm, a line between about 660 nm and a point between 500 and 530 nm, and a line between said 500-530 nm point and about 430 nm. A light emitting diode matrix display having a matrix of LED pixels according to any preceding claim, wherein different color LEDs of the pixels comprising the matrix are commonly connected so that a voltage applied to one LED of the commonly connected LEDs is applied to all of the commonly connected LEDs; and including driver means (37) for providing different voltages to the commonly connected different color LEDs in said matrix of LED pixels. A display according to claim 14, wherein said driver means comprises: means for providing a first voltage (100) to a first selected group of LEDs of said LED pixel matrix; and means for providing a second voltage (102) to a second selected group of LEDs of said LED pixel matrix. A display according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said LED pixel matrix comprises a plurality of rows of LEDs of different colors which are commonly connected such that a voltage is applied to each LED in a row of LEDs, and wherein said driver means comprises means for multiplexing the different voltages to the row of LEDs so as to provide different voltages to the LEDs of the row of LEDs. A display according to claim 14, 15 or 16, further comprising multiplexing means (36) operably associated with said means for providing a first voltage and said means for providing a second voltage for sequentially activating said means for providing a first voltage and said means for providing a second voltage such that the first voltage and the second voltage are multiplexed to the commonly connected LEDs. A display according to claim 17, further comprising means for selectively activating LEDs (41) from the first selected group of LEDs when the first voltage is provided to the commonly connected LEDs and for selectively activating LEDs (42/43) from the second selected group of LEDs when the second voltage is provided to the commonly connected LEDs. A light emitting diode display having a matrix of light emitting diode pixels according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the diodes of the pixels are divided into at least one row having at least one diode operating with a first voltage and at least one diode operating with a second voltage, the display being driven by a circuit comprising: a first driver (100) connected to said light emitting diodes in said row for applying said first voltage to said light emitting diodes, wherein the first voltage is applied to the light emitting diodes of the row of the diodes when said first driver is active; a second driver (102) connected to said light emitting diodes in said row for applying said second voltage to said light emitting diodes, wherein the second voltage is applied to the light emitting diodes of the row of diodes when said second driver is active; voltage selection means (36) connected to said first driver and said second driver for selectively activating said first driver to provide said first voltage to said row of diodes and for selectively activating said second driver to provide said second voltage to said row of diodes; and light emitting diode (41, 42/43) selection means connected to the diodes in said row for selectively activating said diodes when a voltage is applied to said diodes. A display according to claim 19, wherein said light emitting diode selection means further comprises means for selectively activating said diodes operating with a first voltage when said voltage selection means activates said first driver and for selectively activating said diodes operating with a second voltage when said voltage selection means activates said second driver. A display according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said diodes requiring said first voltage comprise blue light emitting diodes and wherein said diodes requiring said second voltage comprise red and green light emitting diodes. A display according to claim 19, 20 or 21, wherein said light emitting diodes of a row have commonly connected anodes. A display according to any of claims 19 to 22, further comprising multiplexing means for sequentially causing said voltage selection means to provide said first voltage and said second voltage to the diodes in the row. A display according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein said diode selection means comprises a first shift register (41) corresponding to said first driver and a second shift register corresponding to said second driver, said first shift register having a bit corresponding to each of said diodes in a row operating on said first voltage and a second shift register (42/43) having a bit corresponding to each of said diodes in a row operating at said second voltage and wherein said diodes are activated by sequentially loading a bit pattern corresponding to the selected diodes to said shift registers. A display according to claim 24, wherein said first shift register is enabled when said second shift register is disabled and wherein said second shift register is enabled when said first shift register is disabled. A display according to claim 25, wherein said voltage selection means selects said first voltage when said first shift register is enabled and selects said second voltage when said second shift register is enabled. A display according to claim 25, wherein said light emitting diode matrix comprises a plurality of rows and wherein each of said rows has a corresponding first driver for providing a first voltage to the row and a corresponding second driver for providing a second voltage to the row. A display according to claim 27, further comprising scanning means for sequentially causing, for each row of said plurality of rows, said voltage selection means to activate said first driver to provide said first voltage to a row and to activate said second driver to provide said second voltage to said row.

Inventors: SWOBODA CHARLES M, VAN DE VEN ANTHONY P, SWOBODA, CHARLES M., VAN DE VEN, ANTHONY P.
Applicants: CREE INC, CREE, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G09G3
IPC codes: G09F9, G09G3, H01L25