JP5024732B2 - Display device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device in which pixels are arranged in a matrix, a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus using the display device.

  In recent years, development of various information display devices has been desired due to miniaturization and diversification of electronic devices. For example, in the wristwatch market, development of new luxury wristwatches that incorporate digital displays into watches is underway, and displays with various external shapes such as round and oval shapes that match the design of the wristwatch body and bracelet are required. Has been.

However, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-174823, in a conventional display, a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines are arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction on a rectangular substrate, respectively, so The pixels arranged in the are driven. Therefore, even when only the circular or oval area of the entire display area of the display is visible from the window of the watch case, there is a rectangular storage area in the watch case to match the square substrate. There is a relatively large area that is required and is not used for display outside the display area. Further, the outer periphery of the circular display area becomes a so-called frame, which hinders the freedom of timepiece design.
JP 2002-174823 A

  Thus, if a wide frame area is formed around the outer periphery of the display area of the product, the degree of freedom of design is reduced, which is a problem in the design design of a wristwatch, for example. In addition, the screen ratio of the display device in the product is reduced, causing problems such as display content being restricted and display being difficult to see.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a display device that allows a more flexible product design by making the outer shape of the display board close to a round shape or an oval shape in accordance with a round or oval display screen. With the goal.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention supplies a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to intersections of a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings, and a first signal is supplied to each of the plurality of first wirings. And a second drive circuit that supplies a second signal to each of the plurality of second wirings, wherein the plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix in the display region, and the display region is includes at least one first interconnect and the partial area above a plurality of at least one of the second wiring of the second wiring are obliquely intersect at an angle other than perpendicular of said plurality of first wirings, Each of the plurality of pixel electrodes has a rectangular shape, and in the partial region, the plurality of first wirings are parallel to the vertical or horizontal sides of the plurality of pixel electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes. The wiring is not on any of the vertical and horizontal sides of the plurality of pixel electrodes. Is a row, in the partial region, the plurality of pixel electrodes along the extending direction of each of the plurality of second wirings are skew arrangement and are connected to one of said plurality of second wirings cage, the outer shape of the display area is octagonal, one of the plurality of first wiring or the plurality of second wirings are arranged so as to be perpendicular to one side of the outer shape of the display area, In the partial area, a display device is provided in which the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings are arranged so as to cross at an angle of 45 degrees .

According to such a configuration, since the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings are obliquely crossed in a partial area of the display area, the pitch between the wirings can be narrowed by the diagonal wiring, It is possible to reduce the arrangement area of the drive circuit to be arranged (or a region necessary for external connection with the plurality of first wires or the plurality of second wires ). Thereby, the scanning line driving circuit, the signal line driver circuit, a connection terminal with an external drive circuit can be arranged as appropriate along the periphery of the display area and watch crown, improving the screen ratio product profile (Narrow frame) can be achieved.

The display area, the effect that the outer shape is substantially octagonal der because, it is possible to apply the oblique intersection area the area having a hypotenuse to the outer shape of the display area, the benefits of saving space using oblique intersection area It is possible to make use of it. In particular, when the product outer shape is a circle or an ellipse, for example, the screen ratio with respect to the product outer shape can be increased.

  In this specification, the “pixel shape” refers to the shape of the minimum unit constituting an image, and specifically, the shape of the pixel electrode is the shape of the pixel.

  The partial area may include a plurality of areas having different oblique angles between the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of signal lines.

  In addition, it is preferable that at least one of the plurality of scanning lines or the plurality of signal lines is bent at each adjacent boundary of the plurality of regions having different oblique angles. According to this, even when there are regions having different pixel sizes in the partial region, the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of signal lines can be arranged efficiently. For this reason, by arranging a plurality of pixel regions having different sizes, it is possible to cope with the display region having an arbitrary shape.

Further, the image processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores image data to be displayed in the display area, and an image arrangement conversion unit that controls the storage unit, and the image arrangement conversion unit supplies image data to be displayed in the supplied display area. Are written in the storage unit in the first or second order, and the image data is read from the storage unit in the second or first order corresponding to the first or second order, and the pixels in the image data are read out. The electrode arrangement is converted, and the first order writing or reading is performed at a first address corresponding to the pixel electrode arrangement in the display area, and the second order writing or reading is obliquely performed. The second address corresponding to the arrangement of the pixel electrodes sequentially driven by the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings including the wirings is preferable. According to this, if the image data has not been rearranged to correspond to the arrangement of the upper Symbol pixels Me pre uses the first address to write to the storage unit, corresponding to the arrangement of the upper Symbol pixels If the image data has been rearranged, writing to the storage unit using the second address can save the trouble of rearranging the image data before writing to the storage unit. . By adding a tag or flag that can identify whether the first address or the second address is used to the image data, it is determined whether any address is used. This can be determined by the array conversion unit recognizing the tag or flag.

  Further, the storage unit has a capacity for storing a plurality of the image data, and the image data read operation stored in the first storage area of the storage unit and a second different from the first storage area. Preferably, the image data writing operation using the first address to the storage area is performed in parallel. As a result, during the reading of the image data from the storage unit, the image data to be displayed next can be stored in the storage unit, so that the display can be switched quickly.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the display device as described above. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of the electronic device and improve the degree of freedom in external design, and to improve the screen ratio relative to the product external shape (narrow frame).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active matrix electrophoresis (EPD) display device according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a display device 1 generally includes a display region 10 in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, a data driver (signal line driving circuit) 12, a gate driver (scanning line driving circuit) 14, and a panel. The control circuit 16 is configured.

  The panel control circuit 16 controls the data driver 12 and the gate driver 14, and includes a pattern generator, a pixel array conversion unit, a timing generator, and the like (not shown). The panel control circuit 16 generates image data (image signal) constituting an image to be displayed in the display area 10 and other various signals (clock signal etc.) and outputs them to the data driver 12 and the gate driver 14. More specifically, for example, the pattern generator receives calendar information (year, month, day, day of the week, hour, minute, second) from a clock CPU in which clock functions (not shown) are integrated, and generates image data. The image data is generated, for example, as a pixel data string obtained by sequentially scanning a two-dimensional image. A pixel array conversion unit, which will be described later, rearranges each pixel position of the pixel data string in accordance with the driving order (driving pixel position) by the scanning lines and signal lines wired in accordance with the display area of the display that has been modified. The pixel array conversion unit sends the image data whose pixel position has been adjusted to the data driver 12. The timing generator generates various timing signals for controlling the above-described internal circuit of the panel control circuit 16, the gate driver 14, and the data driver 12. The panel control circuit 16 is electrically connected to the data driver 12 and the gate driver 14 via a wiring 18 such as a board terminal or a flexible printed board (FPC).

  The display area 10 has an octagonal outer shape with an inner angle of about 135 °, and the display area 10 includes a plurality of signal lines (data lines) 20 extending in one direction (the vertical direction in the figure), A plurality of scanning lines (gate lines) 22 that are partially bent (broken lines) are arranged. The display area 10 includes an orthogonal area (first area) 10a where the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are orthogonal to each other, and an oblique area (second area) 10b where the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are obliquely intersected. Yes. In the orthogonal region 10a, the signal lines 20 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the one side (side as a reference) extending in the left-right direction of the uppermost side of the octagon illustrated, and the scanning line 22 Are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the side extending in the up-down direction, which is separated from the reference side by one right inclined side, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the signal line 20. In the oblique region 10b, the signal lines 20 are arranged in the same direction as the orthogonal region 10a, and the scanning line 22 is in a direction parallel to the left inclined side adjacent to the reference side of the octagon, that is, the signal They are arranged in a direction that intersects the line 20 at an angle of 45 °. The interval between the signal lines 20 and the interval between the scanning lines 22 are determined so that the intersections between the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are aligned in a straight line both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. By arranging the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 in this way, pixels can be arranged in a matrix in the oblique area 10b as in the orthogonal area 10a, as will be described later.

  A unit pixel including a pixel drive circuit and a pixel electrode is provided at each intersection of the signal line 20 and the scanning line 22, and each intersection is arranged in this manner, so that the intersection region 10b can also be arranged. The pixel electrodes having the same shape can be arranged at the same interval as the orthogonal region 10a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the pixel electrode is a substantially square shape, and the diagonal line of the pixel electrode is arranged on the scanning line 22 in the oblique region 10b. An image (two-dimensional information) is displayed by the electrophoretic display element included in each unit pixel.

  Note that in this specification, the display region refers to a region (wiring formation region) in which pixels can be theoretically arranged by arranging the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 vertically, horizontally, or obliquely. In the present invention, pixels need not necessarily be formed at all the intersections of the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 in the display area 10. For example, when the octagonal display area 10 is covered with a frame (exterior) having a window narrower than the display area 10, a pixel is not necessarily formed in a portion that is covered with the frame and cannot be seen from the outside. It does not have to be. Thereby, the pixel which does not contribute to a display can be reduced and the structure of a display apparatus can be simplified.

  The gate driver 14 is arranged along two sides of the octagonal display area 10. Each output terminal of the gate driver 14 is connected to each scanning line 22 in the display area 10, and sequentially supplies a predetermined scanning line selection signal (drive signal) to each scanning line 22. The selection signal is a signal for sequentially shifting each scanning line 22 during an active period (H level period), and is output to each scanning line 22, whereby a pixel driving circuit described later connected to each scanning line 22. Are sequentially turned on.

  The data driver 12 is provided at a position adjacent to the gate driver 14 so as to straddle the upper three sides of the octagon along the outer periphery of the display region 10. Each output terminal of the data driver 12 is connected to each signal line 20 of the display area 10 and outputs a data signal (pixel signal) to each pixel driving circuit selected (on state) by the gate driver 14. Supply. The configuration of the data driver 12 will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the unit pixel. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 2A shows a display area of the display, and FIG. 2B shows a pixel driving circuit of each pixel constituting the display area. As shown in FIG. 2B, the unit pixel 24 includes a pixel driving circuit 25 including a switching thin film transistor (TFT) 26 and a storage capacitor 28, and an electrophoretic display element 30. The thin film transistor 26 is an N-channel transistor, for example, and has a gate connected to the scanning line 22, a source connected to the signal line 20, and a drain connected to the pixel electrode of the electrophoretic display element 30. The electrophoretic display element 30 is configured by interposing an electrophoretic layer between a pixel electrode provided for each pixel and a common electrode used in common for each pixel. The holding capacitor 28 is connected in parallel with the electrophoretic display element 30 and holds the voltage applied to the pixel electrode by the thin film transistor 26.

  In such a configuration, when a selection signal is supplied to a specific scanning line 22 and a pixel data signal is supplied to each signal line 20 in synchronization with the supply of the signal, the pixel driving circuit 25 connects to the scanning line 22. The luminance corresponding to the level of each pixel data signal is set in the group of pixels (electrophoretic display elements) 30. An image is formed in the display area by writing similar pixel data to the pixel group of each scanning line 22. The luminance level of each pixel is held by the holding capacitor 28 until data update by the next image frame. The supply of the image data corresponding to the presence of the inclined region to the display will be described in another embodiment described later.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 and the pixel electrodes 40 (hereinafter also referred to as pixels), and FIG. 3B is a diagram in the oblique region 10b. 4 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship between a region of a pixel driving circuit 25 and a region of a pixel electrode 40. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the pixel electrodes 40 are arranged in a matrix at positions corresponding to the intersections of the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22. Each pixel electrode 40 is sequentially driven along the scanning line 22. Specifically, among the plurality of scanning lines 22, when Y1 shown in the figure is selected (a selection signal Y1 is supplied), a group of pixels 40a arranged along the scanning line Y1 is selected as Y2. The group of pixels 40b, the group of pixels 40c arranged when the Y3 is selected, the group of pixels arranged along the selected scanning line 22 are sequentially driven. Become. By supplying pixel data (pixel signal) from each signal line 20 in synchronization with driving of each scanning line 22, the luminance information is held in a group of pixels corresponding to the selected scanning line. For example, the pixel 40 (Xn, Y1), which is one pixel of the group of pixels 40a, is driven via a pixel driving circuit connected to the Xn-th signal line 20 and the Y1-th scanning line 22, and holds luminance information. Is done.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the oblique region 10b where the signal line 20 and the scanning line 22 cross each other, the parallel four sides surrounded by the two signal lines 20 and the two scanning lines 22 are provided. A pixel driving circuit 25 is formed in the shape region, and a pixel electrode 40 that is driven by the pixel driving circuit 25 is provided in an upper layer so as to cover a part of the pixel driving circuit 25.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an electrophoretic display element. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrophoretic display element 30 of the present embodiment includes a pixel electrode 32 (corresponding to reference numeral 40 in FIG. 3) formed on a substrate (not shown) made of glass or resin, and glass or resin. An electrophoretic layer 35 is interposed between a common electrode 34 formed on a light-transmitting substrate (not shown) made of, for example. The pixel electrode 32 is not necessarily a transparent electrode, but is composed of, for example, an indium tin oxide (ITO) film. As the common electrode 34, a light transmissive transparent electrode is used, and is formed of, for example, an ITO film. The electrophoretic layer 35 is composed of a large number of microcapsules 36 fixed by a binder. The microcapsule 36 includes a dispersion medium (dispersion liquid) 37 and electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b. Here, the electrophoretic particles 38a are electrically negatively charged white particles (white particles), and the electrophoretic particles 38b are electrically positively charged black particles (black particles).

  Next, the principle of image display of the electrophoretic display device 1 of the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  In the electrophoretic display device 1 of the present embodiment, by controlling the voltage applied between the pixel electrode 32 and the common electrode 34, the spatial arrangement of the electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b is changed, and the electric power of each pixel is changed. The image display is performed by changing the distribution state of the electrophoretic particles. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, when a negative voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 32 with the common electrode 34 as a reference, a negatively charged white color is applied to the common electrode 34 side on the display surface side. The electrophoretic particles 38a move by the Coulomb force, and the positively charged black electrophoretic particles 38b move to the pixel electrode 32 side, so that white is displayed on the display surface. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a positive voltage is applied to the pixel electrode 32 with reference to the common electrode 34, a positively charged black color is applied to the common electrode 34 side on the display surface side. Since the electrophoretic particles 38b gather and the negatively charged white electrophoretic particles 38a gather on the pixel electrode 32 side, black is displayed on the display surface.

  The electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b are set so that the specific gravity of the electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b and the specific gravity of the dispersion medium 37 are substantially equal, so that the external electric field applied to the electrophoretic display element 30 (electrophoretic layer 35) is reduced. Even after the application is stopped, it can be kept at a predetermined position in the electrophoretic layer 35 for a long time.

  The moving speed of the electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b is determined according to the electric field strength (applied voltage). Further, the moving distance of the electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b is determined according to the applied voltage and the applied time. Therefore, the electrophoretic particles 38a and 38b can be moved between the electrodes by adjusting the applied voltage and the applied time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the scanning line 22 is formed as a polygonal line and obliquely intersects with the signal line 20 in a part of the display area 10, so that the signal input terminals of the signal line 20 and the scanning line 22 are connected. It becomes possible to arrange at a desired side position on the outer periphery of the octagonal display area. Therefore, the arrangement of the gate driver 14 and the data driver 12 for sending various signals to the scanning lines 22 and the signal lines 20 and the arrangement of the connection terminals with the panel control circuit 16 can be made to follow the outer periphery of the display area 10. It becomes possible to reduce the frame. Further, in this embodiment, by leaving the orthogonal region 10a in a part, it is possible to keep a small number of regions that require image conversion processing as will be described later in the fifth embodiment. Compared with, display speed can be increased. Further, since the display area is octagonal, it is possible to effectively utilize the merit of space saving using the oblique area.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pixel arrangement is described as being arranged linearly in both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the matrix pixel arrangement is, for example, a delta in a color display device. As in the mold arrangement, the arrangement may be such that the pixels are shifted by 1/2 pitch for each column. Further, the interval between the signal lines 20 and the interval between the scanning lines 22 is also changed as appropriate so that the intersection between the signal line 20 and the scanning line 22 is arranged at a position corresponding to each pixel in accordance with the arrangement of the pixels. It is possible. Thereby, the pixel arrangement can be made suitable for the image data to be displayed. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  In the above example, the example in which the gate driver 14 and the data driver 12 are arranged around the display area 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gate driver 14 and the data driver 12 may be externally attached.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the pixel shape is square, but in the third embodiment, rectangular pixels are used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a pixel arrangement of a display device including an elongated octagonal display area according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a partially enlarged view including the outer shape of the display area and the oblique and orthogonal areas of the display area, and FIG. 5B shows the positional relationship between the scanning lines and the pixels. 5, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  In the case of an elongated octagonal (elliptical) display region 10 as shown in FIG. 5A, the scanning line 22 is arranged in parallel with the oblique side of the display region 10 in the oblique region 10b. Further, the ratio (aspect ratio) of the long side and the short side of the rectangle of the pixel (pixel electrode) 40 is determined in accordance with the inclination angle of the oblique side. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, tan (θ2) = b / a. Here, a and b indicate the lengths of the vertical and horizontal sides of the pixel, respectively, and θ2 indicates the angle formed by the vertical side of the pixel 40 and the diagonal line. Further, θ2 coincides with an angle (inclination angle of the scanning line 22) θ1 formed by the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20. The pixel 40 is arranged so that the diagonal line of the pixel 40 is on the scanning line 22. The interval between the scanning lines 22 and the interval between the signal lines 20 are determined so that the intersections between the scanning lines 22 and the signal lines 20 are arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  In the display device of the present embodiment, the scanning lines 22 are arranged in parallel with the diagonal lines of the octagonal display area 10 in the oblique region 10b, and the pixel lines correspond to the inclination angle θ1 of the scanning line 22. Since the aspect ratio is determined, rectangular pixels can be efficiently aligned in the octagonal display area 10. Further, the interval between the signal lines 20 and the interval between the scanning lines 22 are determined so that the intersections of the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are arranged in a straight line both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. It becomes possible to align the pixels linearly both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction in the entire area extending over the oblique area 10b.

  In the above example, the inclination angle θ1 of the scanning line 22 and the aspect ratio of the pixel are determined in accordance with the inclination angle of the oblique side of the display area 10, but conversely, the inclination of the oblique side of the display area 10 is determined from the aspect ratio of the pixel. The corner, that is, the shape of the display area 10 may be determined.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the display device including the display area including the orthogonal region and the oblique region has been described. In the third embodiment, the display device including the display region including only the oblique region is described. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a wiring pattern in the display area of the display device according to the third embodiment. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of linear signal lines 20 and a plurality of linear scanning lines 22 are arranged in the display area 10 so as to cross each other. The intervals between the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are adjusted so that the intersections of the signal lines 20 and the scanning lines 22 are arranged so that the pixels are arranged in a matrix.

  According to this embodiment, the signal lines and the scanning lines are obliquely crossed to increase the degree of freedom of wiring arrangement, and scanning for sending various signals to the scanning lines and the signal lines according to the shape of the display area. Since the arrangement of the line driver circuit and the signal line driver circuit can be arranged along the oblique side of the shape of the display region, a narrow frame can be achieved. In addition, since the entire display area is an oblique area, the display area can be configured by a single pixel cell, so that the manufacturing process becomes easier as compared to the case where the display area is composed of an orthogonal area and an oblique area. In addition, since it is not necessary to use a part of the outline of the display area for the inspection line drive circuit and the signal line drive circuit, it is possible to secure a space for arranging the external connection terminal with the substrate and the crown of the watch. Good condition.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, an example in which the gate driver is divided will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display device according to the fourth embodiment. In the figure, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

  In the display device according to the present embodiment, two gate drivers 14a and 14b are provided on both sides of the display area 10 as shown in FIG. The scanning lines 22 are alternately connected to the left and right gate drivers 14a and 14b. For example, the odd-numbered scanning lines are connected to the gate driver 14a, and the even-numbered scanning lines 22 are connected to the gate driver 14b. Further, the scanning lines 22 extending from the left and right gate drivers 14a and 14b are arranged symmetrically along the upper three sides of the display area 10 (in parallel).

  In the present embodiment, by dividing the gate driver into two, the wiring interval with the scanning line 22 in the gate driver can be expanded approximately twice, and the circuit design according to the shape of the display area, the product outline, etc. It becomes easy.

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of supplying image data to the display device according to the wiring layout shown in the embodiment of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the display device forms an octagonal display area 10 except for the corner areas at the four corners of a quadrangular display area composed of 21 rectangular pixels vertically and horizontally. is doing. In FIG. 8, the satin area in the figure corresponds to the pixels in the aforementioned orthogonal area 10a (see FIG. 1) in which the scanning lines are orthogonal to the data lines. Further, the darker area in the figure corresponds to the pixel in the above-described oblique area 10b (see FIG. 1) where the scanning line obliquely intersects with the data line. As will be described in detail below, the pixel data (FIG. 8A) of the oblique region 10b constituting the image is supplied to the display as image data in which the pixel position is converted corresponding to the inclination of the scanning line. (FIG. 8B).

FIG. 8A shows an image displayed on the display screen of the display device.
An image pattern (line sequential scanning data) in which each pixel is represented as orthogonal coordinate data in rows y1 to y21 and columns x1 to x21 as shown in FIG. When the pixels are sequentially selected for each scanning line 22 to display the pixels, the image data of the orthogonal coordinates is converted into the coordinate system data represented by the scanning line 22 including the signal line 20 and the inclined wiring portion and the straight wiring portion. There is a need. FIG. 8B shows a converted image obtained by converting the image shown in FIG. 8A into the coordinate data represented by the signal lines 20 of X1 to X21 and the scanning lines 22 of Y1 to Y21.

  Such image conversion may be given to an externally converted data display, and unconverted image data is converted into data by the pixel array conversion unit described in the first embodiment for display. Also good. A separate CPU may be provided for image conversion. Hereinafter, taking such a case as an example, the image conversion method will be described in detail.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the pixel array conversion unit 50 used in the display device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the display device 1 generally outputs a write address to the display area 10, the data driver 12, the gate driver 14, and the memory unit 55 in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix. The address output unit 52, the second address output unit 53 that outputs the address read from the memory, the writing unit 54 that writes image data supplied from the outside to the memory unit 55 according to the write address, and the read address from the memory unit 55 The reading unit 56 that reads out pixel data and a timing generator 58 are included. The first address output unit 52, the second address output unit 53, the writing unit 54, the memory unit (storage unit) 55, and the reading unit 56 constitute a pixel array conversion unit 50.

  With this configuration, the pixel array conversion unit 50 writes the image data to be displayed in the display area in the memory unit 55 with a write address corresponding to line sequential scanning of the image. Next, pixel data is read from the memory unit 55 at a read address corresponding to each scanning line including the oblique portion. The read pixel data string is supplied to the data driver 12 as image data.

  For example, a series of image data D (1), D (2),... D (441) output from a pattern generator (not shown) by line-sequential scanning of an image is stored in the memory unit 55 by a continuous first address D ( x1, y1), D (x2, y1), D (x3, y1),..., D (x20, y21), D (x21, y21) are written. As shown in FIG. 8A, pixel data in a region (corner portion) other than the portion corresponding to the display region 10 is not displayed. Therefore, the output of the region of the pattern generator may be set to “0” in advance. it can.

  Next, pixel data is read at a second address corresponding to the arrangement position of the first scanning line 20 (Y1) including the inclination (oblique). For example, pixel data D (x1, y8), D (x2, y7), D (x3, y6), D (x4, y5), D (x5, y4), D (x6, y3), D (x7, y2), D (x8, y1), D (x9, y1), D (x10, y1), D (x11, y1), D (x12, y1), D (x13, y1), ..., D (x14) , Y1), D (x15, y1),..., D (x21, y1) are read out. Here, since the pixel data D (x15, y1),..., D (x21, y1) are not displayed outside the area 10, data such as “0” can be stored as described above.

  Next, pixel data is read at a second address corresponding to the arrangement position of the second scanning line 20 (Y2). For example, pixel data D (x1, y9), D (x2, y8), D (x3, y7), D (x4, y6), D (x5, y5), D (x6, y4), D (x7, y3), D (x8, y2), D (x9, y2), D (x10, y2), D (x11, y2), D (x12, y2), D (x13, y2), D (x14, y2) ), D (x15, y2), D (x16, y2)..., D (x21, y2). Here, since the pixel data D (x16, y1),..., D (x21, y1) are not displayed outside the area 10, data such as “0” can be stored as described above.

  In this manner, pixel data is repeatedly read at the second address corresponding to the arrangement position of the second scanning line 20 (Yn), and image data in which the position of the pixel data in the oblique region is converted is obtained. The image data is supplied to the data driver 12. If the arrangement of the read image data is shown continuously, it is shown as in FIG.

  Further, based on the pixel data position conversion result, the position of the pixel data is converted when the series of image data D (1) to D (441) is written to the memory unit, and read by line sequential scanning when reading. May be. In other words, the supplied image data is written to the address position of the memory unit 55 corresponding to each scanning line including the oblique wiring, and then the pixel data is read from the memory unit 55 at the read address of the line sequential operation (FIG. 8). (See (b)).

  For example, a series of image data D (1), D (2),... D (441) output from a pattern generator (not shown) by line sequential scanning of the image is converted into pixel data D (1) to D (7). Removal, D (8) to D (21) → D (X8, Y1) to D (X21, Y1), D (22) to D (27) are removed, Pixel data D (28) → D of the oblique region (X7, Y1), D (29) to D (42) → D (X8, Y2) to D (X21, Y2), D (43) to D (47) are removed, and pixel data D ( 48) → D (X6, Y1), D (49) → D (X7, Y2), D (50) to D (63) → D (X8, Y3) to D (X21, Y3),. 421) to D (427) are removed, and a series of images such as D (428) to D (441) → D (X8, Y21) to D (X21, Y21) Among the data D (1) to D (441), the pixel data D (28), D (48), D (49),. Anyway.

  In this example as well, as shown in FIG. 8A, pixel data in a region (four corners) other than the portion corresponding to the display region 10 is not displayed. ". The read pixel data string is supplied to the data driver 12 as image data. Even in this case, since the original image data is subjected to pixel arrangement conversion corresponding to the bending of the scanning line including the oblique portion, the original image is appropriately reproduced in the display area.

  In addition, the address conversion table of two coordinate systems prepared in advance is used to convert the address of each pixel of the supplied image data into a corresponding address, and the pixel data is rearranged in the order of the converted addresses. Image data may be obtained and supplied to the data driver 12.

  For example, D (x1, y8) → D (X1, Y1), D (x1, y9) → D (X1, Y2), where D (m, n) is the pixel data of the supplied image. ),... D (x7, y20) → D (X7, Y19), D (x7, y21) → D (X7, Y20). A table with one-to-one coordinates can be used (see FIGS. 8A and 8B). In addition, you may obtain | require by an arithmetic processing using the regularity of a pixel arrangement irrespective of a coordinate conversion table.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the data driver 12. As shown in FIG. 10, the data driver 12 generates a shift signal 121 that performs serial-parallel conversion of supplied image data, a first latch circuit 122, a second latch circuit 123, and a luminance signal voltage corresponding to the latch value. The DA converter circuit 124 and the like are used. Each output of the DA conversion circuit 124 is output to each data line 20 in synchronization with the selection of the scanning line 22. As a result, each pixel in the display area is driven at an individually set level, and an image is formed in the display area.

  According to the present embodiment, since there is provided means for converting the original image into an output image (output image), the original image stored in the storage unit (image memory) is scanned with the scanning lines and signal lines. It is possible to convert the output image according to the arrangement pattern. Further, since the pixel arrangement conversion is performed on the display device side, when an image is input from the outside, the step of converting the image in advance by the external device can be omitted. In addition, since the conversion table is provided, it is not necessary to perform a complicated calculation or the like, and the coordinates can be easily converted, thereby enabling high-speed processing.

  In the above example, the pixel array conversion is performed in the display device 1. However, the pixel array conversion may be separately performed by an external device, and the image data subjected to the pixel array conversion may be supplied to the display.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the sixth embodiment, a configuration example of a display device in which scanning lines and signal lines cross at a plurality of different angles will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is an example of a timepiece display board. In the display board 200 shown in FIG. 11, the angle of the part which is slanted in the outer shape is changed in the middle of the side. Specifically, the angle at which the sides are skewed differs between the angle change point 201 and the angle change point 202 shown in the figure. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the partial region 203 of the display panel 200 and shows each scanning line 22 and each signal line 20. Even if the display board 200 has a shape having a plurality of angle change points, as shown in FIG. 12, the display board is configured by changing the angle at which the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20 intersect (oblique angle). It is possible. For example, when comparing the area 210 and the area 211 shown in FIG. 12, the area 210 has a larger intersection angle between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20, and the area 211 has an intersection between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20. The angle is small. Similarly, when comparing the region 212 and the region 211 shown in FIG. 12, the region 212 has a larger intersection angle between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20, and the region 211 has a larger distance between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20. The intersection angle is small. As shown in the figure, the scanning line 22 is bent at the boundary between the region 210 and the region 211 adjacent to each other. Similarly, the scanning line 22 is bent at the boundary between the regions 211 and 212 adjacent to each other. As described above, when the intersection angle between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20 is different in each region, the size of the pixel provided corresponding to the intersection between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20 in each region may be different. . Specifically, in the areas 210 and 212 where the crossing angle between the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20 is larger, the pixels may be made smaller than in the area 211. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the scanning line 22 is bent at each adjacent boundary of a plurality of regions. However, the signal line 20 may be bent, or both the scanning line 22 and the signal line 20 are bent. You may let them. Thereby, the degree of freedom of pixel arrangement increases.

(Seventh embodiment)
In the seventh embodiment, an example of data arrangement in the memory unit (storage unit) in the above-described embodiment and a relationship between the first address and the second address in this data arrangement example will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the display area 10 of the display body for explaining the seventh embodiment. Each one separated by a square (rectangle) constitutes a pixel. Each of the 21 scanning lines Y1, Y2,... Y21 supplies a selection signal to the pixels as illustrated. Each of the 19 signal lines X1, X2,... X19 is shared by a plurality of pixels arranged in the vertical direction in the drawing. As can be seen from FIG. 13, the number of corresponding pixels is maximized from the first scanning line Y1 to the seventh scanning line Y7. As the number of corresponding pixels increases from the eighth scanning line Y8 to the twenty-first scanning line Y21, The number of pixels corresponding to the scanning line gradually decreases.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the arrangement of image data stored in the memory unit 55 corresponding to the display area in which each scanning line, each signal line, and each pixel is arranged as described above. In the drawing, an example of a data storage address is shown at the upper left of each scanning line data. FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of image data for one screen. When storing a plurality of image data, the arrangement of the image data shown in FIG. 14 may be repeated and stored in the memory unit 55. . The arrangement of the image data in the memory unit 55 is arranged according to the scanning line selection, that is, the second address. Each image data is read in the order of the second address and supplied to the signal line corresponding to the position of the corresponding pixel.

(Eighth embodiment)
In the eighth embodiment, the display area in the seventh embodiment is taken as an example to explain the conversion of the image data array using the memory unit 55, the first address, and the second address. . In the present embodiment, the correspondence between the first address and the second address is as shown in FIGS. In each figure, the first address is shown in the left column, and the second address associated with each first address is shown in the right column. For example, the second address corresponding to the first address “0007” is “0007”, the second address corresponding to the first address “0008” is “0008”,..., The first address “000D” The second address corresponding to "" is "000D". Further, the second address corresponding to the first address “001B” is “0006”, the second address corresponding to the first address “001C” is “001C”,..., The first address “0023”. The second address corresponding to "" is "000E". The same applies to the other columns, and further description is omitted.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the display device according to the eighth embodiment. The original image data a is image data including pixels constituting the image data and position information of the pixels. The original image data a is arranged by the control unit 70 in the drawing using the first address and the arrangement of the plurality of pixels in the corresponding first order, or in accordance with the selection signal using the second address. It is rearranged in one of the corresponding second orders. Then, the rearranged image data is synchronized with the first address c or the second address d together with the address selection signal e corresponding to the address to be used, and is input to the memory unit (storage unit). ) 55. The address selected by the address selection signal e is an address used for a write operation to the memory unit 55. The write control signal f and the read control signal g for the memory unit 55 are supplied from the control unit 70 to the address conversion unit 72 as appropriate. When reading the image data stored in the storage unit 55, the second address is used. The timing generator 58 supplies the control unit timing signal h, the control unit timing signal k, the signal line drive circuit timing signal m, and the scanning line drive circuit timing signal n to the control unit 70. The control unit 70 supplies a signal line drive circuit control signal p to the data driver (signal line drive circuit) 12 and supplies a scan line drive circuit control signal q to the gate driver (scan line drive circuit) 14. The “image arrangement conversion unit 80” is configured including the timing generator 58, the control unit 70, and the address switching unit 72.

  18 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the address switching unit shown in FIG. When stored in the storage unit 55 using the second address, the input image data b is stored at a position in the storage unit 55 indicated by the second address. When the first address is used to be supplied to the storage unit 55, the address conversion unit 74 shown in FIG. 18 receives the first address based on the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. The image data is stored at a position in the storage unit 55 indicated by the converted and changed address. Thereby, the arrangement of the input image data b in the storage unit 55 is stored as the arrangement indicated by the second address.

(Ninth embodiment)
In the ninth embodiment, a case where writing of image data to the storage unit 55 and reading of image data from the storage unit 55 are performed in parallel will be described. The configuration of the display area and the display device is the same as in the seventh embodiment and the eighth embodiment described above. However, the storage unit 55 has a capacity capable of storing a plurality of image data. When reading the image data stored in the first area of the storage unit 55 and writing the image data to the second area (an area different from the first area) of the storage unit 55, the writing operation is performed. Is performed using the first address, and the read operation is performed using the second address. The original image data a is replaced with the first image data array in the control unit 70, and the address selection signal e is fixed to a value for selecting the first address. The control unit 70 can change the display image of the display region by selecting a region in which image data stored in the storage unit 55 is different depending on the second address.

(Tenth embodiment)
Next, an example of an electronic device including the above display device will be described. The above-described display device is incorporated as a display unit in the following electronic devices.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an electronic device. FIG. 5A shows an application example to a wristwatch, and this wristwatch 510 includes a display unit 511 configured by a color display according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5B shows an application example to a mobile phone, and the mobile phone 530 includes an antenna unit 531, an audio output unit 532, an audio input unit 533, an operation unit 534, and a display unit 535.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an active matrix electrophoresis (EPD) display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the unit pixel. FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the signal line 20 and the scanning line 22 and the pixel electrode 40, and FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating the pixel driving circuit 25 and the pixel electrode in the oblique region 10b. It is a figure for demonstrating the positional relationship with 40. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an electrophoretic display element. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a pixel arrangement of a display device including an elongated octagonal display area according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a wiring pattern in the display area of the display device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 8A shows an image displayed on the display screen of the display device, and FIG. 8B shows an image obtained by converting the image of FIG. 8A according to the wiring pattern. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the pixel arrangement conversion unit of the display device of the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the data driver. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display device in which scanning lines and signal lines cross at a plurality of different angles. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display device in which scanning lines and signal lines cross at a plurality of different angles. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the display area of the display body for explaining the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 shows an arrangement example of image data for one screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the first address and the second address. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the first address and the second address. FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the display device according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a detailed configuration of the address switching unit and a storage unit. FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

10 display area, 10a orthogonal area, 10b oblique area, 12 data driver, 14 gate driver, 14a, 14b gate driver, 16 panel control circuit, 18 wiring, 20 signal line, 22 scanning line, 24 unit pixel, 25 pixel drive Circuit 26 thin film transistor 28 holding capacity 30 electrophoretic display element 32 pixel electrode 34 common electrode 35 electrophoretic layer 36 microcapsule 37 dispersion medium 38a electrophoretic particle 38b electrophoretic particle 40 pixel electrode 40a pixel, 40b pixel, 40c pixel, 50 pixel arrangement conversion unit, 52 first address output unit, 53 second address output unit, 54 data writing unit, 55 memory unit, 56 data reading unit, 58 timing generator, 121 Shift register, 122 1st register Switch circuit, 123 second latch circuit, 124 conversion circuit 510 wristwatch, 511 display unit, 530 mobile phone, 531 antenna unit 532 audio output unit, 533 audio input unit, 534 operation unit, 535 display unit

Claims (10)

A plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings;
A first drive circuit for supplying a first signal to each of the plurality of first wirings;
A second drive circuit for supplying a second signal to each of the plurality of second wirings;
Have
In the display area, the plurality of pixel electrodes are arranged in a matrix,
The display area, the portion plurality at least one of the first wiring of the first wiring and at least one second wire of said plurality of second wirings and is obliquely intersect at an angle other than perpendicular Including areas,
Each of the plurality of pixel electrodes has a rectangular shape,
In the partial region, the plurality of first wirings are parallel to a vertical side or a horizontal side of the plurality of pixel electrodes, and the plurality of second wirings are any of the vertical side and the horizontal side of the plurality of pixel electrodes. Both are non-parallel,
In the partial region, said plurality of pixel electrodes, said plurality of along a second respective extending direction of the wiring is oblique arrangement, and is connected with one of said plurality of second wirings,
The outer shape of the display area is a substantially regular octagon, and either one of the plurality of first wirings or the plurality of second wirings are arranged in parallel so as to be orthogonal to one side of the outer shape of the display area. In the partial region, the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings are arranged so as to cross at an angle of 45 degrees.
Display device. Each of the plurality of first wirings is a scanning line, and each of the plurality of second wirings is a signal line,
The display device according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of first wirings is a signal line, and each of the plurality of second wirings is a scanning line,
The display device according to claim 1. The partial region includes a plurality of regions having different oblique angles between the plurality of first wires and the plurality of second wires.
Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. At each boundary adjacent to a plurality of regions having different oblique angles, at least one of the plurality of first wirings or the plurality of second wirings is bent.
The display device according to claim 4 . A plurality of pixel driving circuits provided at respective intersections of the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings to drive the pixel electrodes based on the first signal and the second signal;
Further comprising
The first driving circuit is arranged along a part of the outer periphery of the display area and supplies the first signal to the plurality of first wirings.
It said second driving circuit, any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein is disposed along the other part of the outer periphery of the display region and supplies the second signal to the plurality of second wirings The display device described in 1. A plurality of at least one of the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit is present on the outer periphery of the display area;
The display device according to claim 6 . A storage unit for storing image data to be displayed in the display area;
An image arrangement conversion unit for controlling the storage unit,
The image array conversion unit includes:
Write image data to be displayed in the supplied display area in the storage unit in the first or second order,
The image data is read from the storage unit in the second or first order corresponding to the first or second order, and the arrangement of pixel electrodes in the image data is converted.
Writing or reading in the first order is performed at a first address corresponding to an array of pixel electrodes in the display area;
The second order writing or reading is performed at a second address corresponding to an array of pixel electrodes sequentially driven by the plurality of first wirings and the plurality of second wirings including wirings obliquely crossed.
Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The storage unit has a capacity to store a plurality of the image data,
Reading of the image data stored in the first storage area of the storage unit and writing of the image data using the first address to a second storage area different from the first storage area In parallel with the operation,
The display device according to claim 8 . Comprising a display device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the electronic device.

Images