JP2006064910A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To notify that page changing display is performed and to prevent time required for the page changing display from being increased. <P>SOLUTION: When a page forwarding instruction is detected, that is, a changing display request from a currently displayed page to the next page is detected, a display apparatus 10<SB>1,2</SB>is rewritten sequentially for each pixel row along a reverse direction to a page forward direction of contents. Therefore, the contents of the next page is displayed on the display apparatus 10<SB>1,2</SB>from an end section of the page forward direction. By displaying that a page to be changed is gradually appeared on the display apparatus 10<SB>1,2</SB>, it is notified that page changing display is being performed. Furthermore, for example, by displaying animation during changing display, which is different from a method of notifying that changing display is being performed, increase in the time required for changing display is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device for switching and displaying each page of content on a predetermined display body.

Conventionally, as this type of display device, for example, each page of content can be displayed to the user by switching and displaying each page of content such as a book on a display body such as twisted nematic liquid crystal, cholesteric liquid crystal, or electrophoretic display body. An electronic book reader for browsing is known.
Further, in the case where such an electronic book reader is realized by a personal computer, generally, when executing the switching display of each page of content, the user can know that the page switching display is being executed. An animation representing how a normal book is page-turned is displayed on a display device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Special table 2003-513318

However, in the above conventional technique, an animation is displayed every time each page of content is switched and displayed. For example, in order to reduce power consumption and size, hardware is required. When it is realized by a portable dedicated terminal with severe restrictions on performance, that is, a device with a slow rewriting speed, a lot of time is spent on displaying the animation, and as a result, the time required until the switching display is completed. There was a fear of increase.
The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned unsolved problems of the prior art, can notify that a page switching display is being performed, and is required for the page switching display. It is an object to provide a display device that can prevent an increase in time.

  In order to solve the above problems, a display device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a display device for switching and displaying each page of content to be displayed on a predetermined display body, in a vertical direction in a plan view and a horizontal direction in a plan view A driver capable of rewriting the display body for each pixel column along at least one of the display body, and setting means for setting a rewriting direction of the display body, the driver along the rewriting direction set by the setting means. The display body is rewritten for each pixel column. Examples of the display body include a cholesteric liquid crystal, an electrophoretic display body (memory display body), and a twisted nematic liquid crystal (non-memory display body).

In the display device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the display device includes request detection means for detecting a switching display request to a previous page or a switching display request to a subsequent page from the currently displayed page. The means sets the rewriting direction based on the switching display request detected by the request detection means.
Further, in the display device according to the third invention, the setting means sets the rewriting direction to a predetermined direction when the detection means for detecting the switching to the subsequent page is detected, and When the switching display request to the previous page is detected by the detecting means, the rewriting direction is set to a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

  According to these first to third inventions, when a switching display request to a page subsequent to the currently displayed page is detected, the display body is pixelated along the direction opposite to the page progress direction of the content. It can be rewritten sequentially for each column. Therefore, the content of the subsequent page can be gradually displayed on the display body from the end in the page moving direction. As a result, it is possible to display on the display body the appearance of the subsequent page gradually appearing from the bottom of the currently displayed page, such as when a normal book page is beaten by the subsequent page. .

  Further, when a switching display request to a page before the currently displayed page is detected, the display body can be rewritten for each pixel column along the page progress direction of the content. Therefore, the content of the previous page can be gradually displayed on the display body from the end in the direction opposite to the page traveling direction. As a result, it is possible to display on the display body the appearance of the previous page gradually appearing from the bottom of the currently displayed page, such as when a normal book page is beaten on the previous page. . Then, it is possible to notify that the switching display is being performed by displaying on the display body how the switching destination page gradually appears. For example, by displaying an animation during the switching display, the switching can be performed. Unlike the method of notifying that the display is being performed, it is possible to prevent an increase in time required for the switching display.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the information display device of the present invention, an example applied to an electronic book reader for browsing a plurality of contents divided into predetermined pages will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an appearance of the electronic book reader of the present embodiment. The electronic book reader 1 can be folded at the center, and display devices 101 and ₂ are arranged on both the left and right sides when the electronic book reader 1 is opened. The electronic book reader displays the contents of successive pages on the left and right display devices ₁₀₁ , ₂ in a portrait orientation (see FIG. 4) or a landscape orientation (see FIG. 5). Content can be presented in the same page layout.

<Configuration of electronic book reader>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic book reader 1 includes a page feed button 2, a page return button 3, an I / F (InterFace) 4, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 5, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 6, a ROM ( Read Only Memory) 7, VRAM ( Video Ram) 8, the display controller 9, configured to include a left and right display device 10 _1. In the electronic book reader 1, the units other than the page feed button 2, the page return button 3, and the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ are connected to each other via a bus 11 so as to be able to exchange data.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the page feed button 2 is arranged in the lower right portion of the front side in plan view and is formed in a triangular button shape that can be pushed by the user. When the page feed button 2 is pressed by the user, the content of the next page of the content that has been displayed on the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ until then (the content that appears when a normal book is read one page later) (Hereinafter, also referred to as “next page content”) is output to the I / F 4 as a command (hereinafter also referred to as “page feed command”) for switching display on the display devices ₁₀₁ , ₂ .

Further, the page return button 3 is arranged in the lower left part in plan view on the front side, and is formed in a triangular button shape that can be pushed by the user. Then, when the user presses the page return button 3, the content of the previous page of the content that has been displayed on the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ until then (appears when a normal book is turned one page forward). A command (hereinafter also referred to as “page return command”) for switching (rewriting) content (hereinafter also referred to as “previous page content”) to the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ is output to the I / F 4.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the page feed command is output from the page feed button 2, the I / F 4 inputs the page feed command to the CPU 5. When the page return command is output from the page return button 3, the I / F 4 inputs the page return command to the CPU 5.

Further, when the page feed command is output from the I / F 4, the CPU 5 reads the data of the next page content from the ROM 7, generates image data (raster data) based on the read data, and the image data Are stored in the VRAM 8. When the page return command is output from the I / F 4, the CPU 5 reads the previous page content data from the ROM 7, generates image data based on the data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 8. The next page content data and the previous page content data are described in a structured document based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language) or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the next page content data or the like is displayed on the display devices ₁₀₁ , ₂ in “vertical” (see FIG. 4) or “horizontal” (see FIG. 5). Information (hereinafter also referred to as “first attribute information”) and the page progress direction of the content to be displayed on the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ are “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right”. (Information indicating whether content with a large page number is displayed in the vertical, horizontal, or vertical direction when it is set to portrait or landscape orientation, hereinafter also referred to as “second attribute information”). .

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, when the image data is stored in the VRAM 8, the CPU 5 rewrites the pixel column at the time of content rewriting (whether the content is rewritten from the top, bottom, left, or right side of the display devices 101 and ₂ ). A rewrite direction setting process (described later) for setting the direction shown) is executed. Specifically, when the rewriting direction setting process (described later) is executed, the CPU 5 first extracts the first attribute information and the second attribute information from the data of the next page content and the data of the previous page content, Next, it is determined whether or not a page return command is output. When a page return command is output, the rewrite direction is set as the direction opposite to the page advance direction based on the extracted first attribute information and second attribute information. When the page return command is not output, that is, when the page feed command is output, the page advance direction is set as the rewrite direction. Then, commands for sequentially rewriting the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ for each pixel column along the set rewrite direction (left direction rewrite command (described later) and right direction rewrite command (described later)) are output to the display controller 9. To do.

Further, the RAM 6 forms a work area for developing various programs executed by the CPU 5 and forms a memory area for storing data related to the various programs. When a read request is output from the CPU 5, the RAM 6 outputs the stored data to the CPU 5 in response to the read request.
The ROM 7 stores various programs and data executed by the CPU 5. When a read request is output from the CPU 5, the ROM 7 outputs the stored various programs and data to the CPU 5 in response to the output read request.

Further, the VRAM 8 stores the image data requested to be written in accordance with the write request from the CPU 2. The VRAM 8 outputs the stored image data to the display controller 9 in accordance with a read request from the display controller 9.
The display controller 9, as shown in FIG. 6, period a high level and a low level a predetermined (e.g., 10 msec.) Y driver 13 1 of Y display driver clock YSCK device 10 _{1 and 2} are repeated _{with, 2.} Output to bi-directional shift registers 18 _1,2 (described later).

Further, the display controller 9, when the left direction rewrite command (described later) is output from the CPU 5, the high level of Y driver shift direction selection signal YSHL, Y driver 13 _{and second} display device 10 _{1, 2} (later ) Bidirectional shift register 18 _1,2 (described later). At the same time, the display controller 9 sends the pulse-shaped selection start signal Vsync to the Y driver 13 ₂ (right side of the plan view right side display device 10 ₂ (hereinafter also referred to as “right side display device 10 ₂ ”)). This is input to DI / DO on the right end side in plan view of a bidirectional shift register 18 ₂ (described later).

On the other hand, the display controller 9, when the right direction rewriting instruction from CPU 5 (described later) is outputted, the low level of the Y driver shift direction selection signal YSHL, Y driver 13 _{and second} display device 10 _{1, 2} (later ) Bidirectional shift register 18 _1,2 (described later). At the same time, the display controller 9, a pulse-like selection start signal Vsync, the display device 10 ₁ in plan view the left (hereinafter, also referred to as "left side display device 10 _1".) In a plan view left side of the Y driver 13 ₁ ( This is input to DI / DO on the left end side in plan view of a bidirectional shift register 18 ₁ (described later).

The display controller 9, a high level and a low level X driver 14 _{and second} X driver clock XSCK a display device 10 _{1, 2} repeated more sufficiently short period of the clock YSCK for Y driver (described later) Output to the bidirectional shift register 18 _1,2 (described later).
Further, the display controller 9, the bidirectional shift register of the X driver 14 _{and second} latch pulse LP to the display device 10 _{and second} repeating the high and low levels in the same period as the clock YSCK for Y driver (described later) 18 _{1, 2} (described later) and latch 23 ₁ (described later).

Further, the display controller 9 reads out the image data from the VRAM 8 and the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the row electrodes 17 ₁ and ₂ so that the read image data is displayed on the electrophoretic display bodies 12 ₁ and _2. Is calculated. Then, the display controller 9 outputs the calculation result to the data register 22 _1,2 (described later) of the X driver 14 _1,2 (described later) of the display device _101,2 .
Further, the display controller 9 outputs a high-level X driver shift direction selection signal XSHL to a bidirectional shift register 21 _1,2 (described later) of the X driver 14 _1,2 (described later).

Further, when a left direction rewrite command (described later) or a right direction rewrite command (described later) is output from the CPU 5, the display controller 9 stores data for an X driver 14 _{1, 2} (described later) at the lower end in a plan view. The enable signal Vei that is high only until the register 22 _1,2 (described later) is filled with the read image data is bidirectionally shifted by the X driver 14 _1,2 (described later) on the lower side in plan view. Input to the EI on the lower end side in plan view of the register 21 _1,2 (described later).

Further, the display device constituted 10 _{1 and 2,} as shown in FIG. 2, the electrophoretic display element 12 _1, includes a plurality of Y drivers 13 _{1, 2,} and a plurality of X driver 14 _1,2. The electrophoretic display body 12 _1,2 is arranged in the center of the display device _101,2 in plan view, and includes an electrophoretic layer 15 _{1,2 in} which a white dispersion medium and black charged particles (negatively charged) are enclosed. And a plurality of column electrodes 161, ₂ extending in the vertical direction in plan view parallel to each other on the upper surface side, and a plurality of row electrodes 17 _{1, 2} extending in the lateral direction in plan view parallel to each other on the lower surface side. It is comprised including. In the electrophoretic display bodies 12 ₁ , ₂ , pixels are formed at the intersections between the column electrodes 16 ₁ , ₂ and the row electrodes 17 ₁ , ₂ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the Y drivers 13 _{1 and 2} are arranged in a horizontal row on the upper side of the electrophoretic display bodies 12 _{1 and 2} in plan view, and each of the Y drivers 13 _{1 and 2} has a predetermined number (for example, 120) of column electrodes 16. ₁ and ₂ can be driven. Then, Y driver 13 _{1 and 2,} as shown in FIG. 7, configured to include a bi-directional shift register 18 _1, the level shifter 19 _{1, 2,} and the driving transistor 20 _1.
The bi-directional shift register 18 _1,2 has a memory area capable of storing a data string having the same number of digits (for example, 120 digits) as the number of column electrodes 16 _{1,2 that} can be driven by one Y driver 13 _1,2. . The data string stored in the memory area, in descending order of digit are sequentially correlated to the Y driver 13 _1,2 column electrodes 16 _{1, 2} can be driven in. That is, high-order digit associated with the column electrodes 16 _{1, 2} in plan view leftmost digit thereunder are sequentially correspondence to the column electrodes 16 _{1, 2} in plan view right, the least significant digit Corresponding to the column electrodes ₁₆₁ , ₂ at the right end in plan view.

Further, when the high-level Y driver shift direction selection signal YSHL is output from the display controller 9, the bidirectional shift registers 18 ₁ , ₂ are stored in synchronization with the Y driver clock YSCK output from the display controller 9. The data string is in the upper digit direction (from the lower digit side corresponding to the right column electrode 16 _1,2 in plan view toward the upper digit side corresponding to the left column electrode _161,2 in plan view) ) Sequentially. In the initial state, only “0” data is stored in the data string. At the same time, the bidirectional shift registers 181 and ₂ store “1” data in the least significant digit of the stored data string when the signal input to DI / DO on the right side in the plan view is at a high level. In the case of the low level, “0” data is stored in the least significant digit of the stored data string. Then, after the shift and the input of the least significant data are performed, the bidirectional shift register 18 _1,2 outputs the stored data string to the level shifters 19 _1,2 . Furthermore, the bidirectional shift register 18 _{1 and 2,} when the number of shifts is 120 times (120 digits), the Y driver 13 _1,2 adjacent to the plan view left bidirectional shift register _{18, two} plan view right A high level signal is input to DI / DO. Incidentally, Y driver 13 ₂ in plan view left side of the right side display device 10 _2, the number of shifts is 120 times ( "1" when the data is shifted from the most significant digit), the left side display device 10 _first plane A high level signal is input to DI / DO on the right side of the bidirectional shift register 18 ₁ of the Y driver 13 ₁ on the right end side when viewed from the right.

Furthermore, the bidirectional shift register 18 _{1 and 2,} when the shift direction selecting signal YSHL for low level Y driver is output from the display controller 9, in synchronization with the Y driver clock YSCK output from the display controller 9 stores Data column is arranged in the lower digit direction (the direction from the upper digit side corresponding to the left column electrode 16 _1,2 in plan view toward the lower digit side corresponding to the right column electrode _161,2 in plan view) ) Sequentially. At the same time, the bidirectional shift registers 181 and ₂ store “1” data in the most significant digit of the stored data string when the signal input to the DI / DO on the left in plan view is at the high level. In the case of the low level, “0” data is stored in the most significant digit of the stored data string. Then, the bidirectional shift register 18 _1,2 outputs the stored data string to the level shifters 19 _1,2 after the shift and the input of the most significant data are performed. Furthermore, the bidirectional shift register 18 _{1 and 2,} when the number of shifts is 120 times (120 digits), viewed from the left side of the bidirectional shift register 18 _{and second} Y driver 13 _1,2 adjacent to the plan view right A high level signal is input to DI / DO. Incidentally, Y driver 13 ₁ in plan view the right end of the left side display device 10 _1, when the number of shifts is 120 times ( "1" when the data is shifted from the most significant digit), the plane of right side display device 10 ₂ A high-level signal is input to DI / DO on the left side of the bidirectional shift register 18 ₂ of the Y driver 13 ₂ on the left end side when viewed.

The level shifters 19 _{1 and 2} set the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the column electrodes ₁₆₁ and ₂ based on the data columns output from the bidirectional shift registers 18 ₁ and ₂ . Specifically, the drive voltage applied to the column electrodes 161, ₂ is displayed so that the image data is displayed on the pixels formed by the column electrodes 161, ₂ corresponding to the digit storing "1" data. Set the size.
Further, when the level of the driving voltage is set by the level shifters 19 ₁ , ₂ , the driving transistors 201, ₂ apply the driving voltage having the set level to the column electrodes 161, ₂ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the X drivers 14 _{1 and 2} are arranged in a vertical column on the left side of the electrophoretic display bodies 12 _{1 and 2} in plan view, and each of the X drivers 14 _{1 and 2} has a predetermined number (eg, 240) of row electrodes 17. ₁ and ₂ can be driven. As shown in FIG. 8, the X driver 14 _1,2 includes a bidirectional shift register 21 _1,2 , a data register 22 _1,2 , a latch 23 _1,2 , a level shifter 24 _1,2 and a driving transistor 25 _{1,2 .} Consists of _two .

The bidirectional shift register 21 _1,2 has a memory area capable of storing a data string having a number of digits (for example, 30 digits) equal to the number of row electrodes 17 _{1,2 that} can be driven by one X driver 14 _1,2. . The data string stored in the memory area has a predetermined number (eg, for example) of row electrodes 17 _1,2 that can be driven by the X drivers 14 _1,2 having the bidirectional shift registers 21 _1,2 in order from the upper digit. 8). That is, the highest digit is associated with a predetermined number of row electrodes 17 _1,2 from the top in plan view, and the lower digit is sequentially associated with a predetermined number of row electrodes 17 _1,2 adjacent in plan view. The least significant digit is associated with a predetermined number of row electrodes 17 ₁ , ₂ at the lower end in plan view.

The bidirectional shift registers 21 _{1 and 2} output X from the display controller 9 when the high-level X driver shift direction selection signal XSHL is output from the display controller 9 and the enable signal Vei is input. corresponding to the plan view above the row electrodes 17 _{1, 2} memory data sequence from the digit-side subordinate associated with the row electrode 17 _{and second} digit direction (viewed from the lower side of the upper in synchronization with the driver clock XSCK (In the direction toward the upper digit). In the initial state, only “0” data is stored in the data string. At the same time, when the high-level latch pulse LP is input, the bidirectional shift registers 21 _{1 and 2} store “1” data in the least significant digit of the stored data string, and are also at the low level. The “0” data is stored in the least significant digit of the stored data string. Then, the bidirectional shift register 21 _1,2 outputs the stored data string to the data register 22 _1,2 after the shift and the input of the least significant data are performed. Furthermore, the bidirectional shift register 21 _{1 and 2,} when the number of shifts is 30 times (30 digits), viewed under the X driver 14 _{and second} bidirectional shift registers 21 _{1, 2} adjacent in plan view the upper The enable signal Vei is input to the EI on the side.

Further, the data register 22 _1,2 has a memory area capable of storing a data string having a bit number (for example, 240 bits) equal to the number of row electrodes 17 _{1,2 that} can be driven by one X driver 14 _1,2. . Further, the data string stored in the memory area is sequentially associated with the row electrodes 17 _1,2 that can be driven by the X driver 14 _1,2 in order from the upper digit. That is, the highest digit is associated with the row electrodes 17 _1,2 at the upper end in plan view, the lower digit is sequentially associated with the adjacent row electrodes 17 _1,2 in plan view, and the lowest digit is Corresponding to the row electrodes 17 ₁ and ₂ at the lower end in plan view.

Further, the data register 22 _1,2 sequentially reads out the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to each row electrode 17 _1,2 from the display controller 9 based on the data string output from the bidirectional shift register 21 _1,2 and stores it. To do. Specifically, the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the row electrodes 17 ₁ and ₂ corresponding to the digit storing “1” data is read from the display controller 9.
Further, the latches 23 _{1 and 2} latch the data stored in the data registers 22 ₁ and ₂ when the latch pulse LP output from the display controller 9 rises.

Further, the level shifters 24 _1,2 set the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the row electrodes 17 _1,2 based on the data latched in the latches 23 _1,2 .
Further, when the level of the driving voltage is set by the level shifters 24 _1,2 , the driving transistors 25 _1,2 apply the driving voltage having the set level to the row electrodes 17 _1,2 respectively.

<Operation of electronic book reader>
Next, the rewrite direction setting process executed by the CPU 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This rewrite direction setting process is executed when the image data is stored in the VRAM 8. First, in step S 101, the data (the data of the next page content or the previous page data) (Page content data) is read from the ROM 7, and the first attribute information and the second attribute information are extracted from the read data.
In step S102, it is determined whether a page return command is output from the I / F 4. If the page return command is output (Yes), the process proceeds to step S103. If the page return command is not output, that is, if the page feed command is output (No), step S104. Migrate to

In step S103, the display controller 9 is instructed to rewrite the display devices 101 and ₂ for each pixel column along the page progression direction based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information extracted in step S101. After the output, this calculation process is terminated. Specifically, when the first attribute information is “vertical” and the second attribute information is “right”, or the first attribute information is “landscape” and the second attribute information is “down”. In some cases, a command to rewrite the pixel columns of the left and right display devices ₁₀₁ , ₂ along the right direction in plan view, that is, to rewrite sequentially from the left end side (hereinafter, also referred to as “right direction rewrite command”) is displayed. Output to the controller 9.

When the first attribute information is “vertical” and the second attribute information is “left”, or when the first attribute information is “landscape” and the second attribute information is “up” A command for sequentially rewriting the pixel columns of the left and right display devices _101,2 along the left direction in plan view, that is, from the right end side (hereinafter, also referred to as "left direction rewrite command") is output to the display controller 9. .

On the other hand, in the step S104, a command for rewriting the display devices 101, ₂ for each pixel column along the direction opposite to the page progression direction based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information extracted in the step S101. Is output to the display controller 9, and then the calculation process is terminated. Specifically, when the first attribute information is “vertical” and the second attribute information is “right”, or the first attribute information is “landscape” and the second attribute information is “down”. If there is, the left direction rewriting command is output to the display controller 9. When the first attribute information is “vertical” and the second attribute information is “left”, or when the first attribute information is “landscape” and the second attribute information is “up” The right direction rewriting command is output to the display controller 9.

<Specific operation of electronic book reader>
Next, the operation of the electronic book reader of this embodiment will be described in detail based on a specific situation.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the user presses the page feed button 2 to browse the contents when one page of the contents displayed on the display devices ₁₀₁ and ₂ is read, that is, the next page content. It is assumed that the push operation has been performed. Then, the page feed button 2 outputs a page feed command to the I / F 4 as shown in FIG. 2, and the I / F 4 inputs the output page feed command to the CPU 5. Then, the CPU 5 reads the data of the next page content from the ROM 7, generates image data based on the read data, and stores the generated image data in the VRAM 8.

When the image data is stored in the VRAM 8, the CPU 5 executes a rewrite direction setting process. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, first, in step S101, the data of the next page content that is the basis of the image data stored in the VRAM 8 is read from the ROM 7, and the first data is read from the read data. The one attribute information and the second attribute information are extracted, and the determination in step S102 is “No”. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the extracted first attribute information is “vertical” and the second attribute information is “right”. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in step S <b> 104, a left direction rewriting command is output to the display controller 9 based on the first attribute information and the second attribute information. Then, as shown at time t ₁ in FIG. 10A, the display controller 9 generates a selection start signal Vsync on the plane of the bidirectional shift register 18 ₂ of the Y driver 13 ₂ on the right end side of the right display device 10 ₂ in plan view. It is input to DI / DO on the right end side. At the same time, the display controller 9 outputs the high-level Y driver shift direction selection signal YSHL and the Y driver clock YSCK to the bidirectional shift register 18 ₂ of the Y driver 13 ₂ of the right display device 10 ₂ .

Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the storage data string is synchronized with the Y driver clock YSCK output from the display controller 9 by the bidirectional shift register 18 ₂ in the upper digit direction, that is, on the right side in the plan view. most from the lower associated with the column electrode 16 ₂ of the digit side are sequentially shifted toward the digit side of the upper associated with the column electrodes 16 ₂ in plan view the left, "1" data is stored data sequence Stored in the lower digit. Then, the bidirectional shift register 18 _2, as shown in FIG. 10 (c) ~ (e) , storing data string input of the shift and lowest data has been performed is outputted to the level shifter 19 _2. Further, the level shifter 19 _2, based on the output data string, as the column electrode 16 ₂ in plan view the right end is displayed image data in pixels constituting, the drive voltage applied to the column electrodes 16 ₂ The size is set. Further, the drive transistor 20 ₂ applies the set drive voltage to the column electrode 16 ₂ at the right end in a plan view.

At the same time, the display controller 9, as shown in FIG. 11 (e), the enable signal Vei is a plan view the lower end of the right side display device 10 ₂ of the X driver 14 _{and second} bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ in plan view the lower end Input to EI (EI1). Furthermore, the display controller 9 outputs a high-level X driver shift direction selection signal XSHL to the bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ of the X driver 14 ₂ of the right display device 10 ₂ . Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, the latch pulse LP is output to the bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ .

Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the stored data string is synchronized with the X driver clock XSCK output from the display controller 9 by the bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ in the upper digit direction, that is, in plan view. is sequentially shifted in the direction toward the digit side of the upper associated with the row electrodes 17 ₂ in plan view the upper from the lower digit side associated with the row electrode 17 ₂ of the side, "1" data is stored data sequence Stored in the least significant digit. Then, the stored data string in which the shift and the input of the least significant data are performed by the bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ is output to the data register 22 ₂ . Further, the data register 22 _1, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), based on the output data sequence is applied to the row electrodes 17 ₂ corresponding to the digit storing "1" data The magnitude of the drive voltage is read from the display controller 9 and stored. Each time the X driver clock XSCK changes, the above-described flow, that is, the shift of “1” data by the bidirectional shift register 21 ₂ and the row electrode 17 ₂ corresponding to the digit to which the “1” data is shifted. a storage size of the driving voltage is sequentially repeated, the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to each row electrode 17 ₂ is stored in the data register 22 _2.

When the latch pulse LP output from the display controller 9 rises, the data stored in the data register 22 ₂ is latched by the latch 23 ₂ as shown in FIG. Further, the level shifter 24 ₂ sets the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to each row electrode 17 ₂ based on the latched data. Further, the drive transistor 25 ₂ applies a drive voltage of the set magnitude to each of the matrix electrodes 17 ₂ . Then, a drive voltage is applied to the column electrode 16 ₂ and each row electrode 17 _{2 at the} right end in plan view of the right display device 10 ₂ , and a predetermined voltage is applied to each pixel column at the right end in plan view, whereby the electrophoretic display body 12. _The next page content is displayed in the pixel row on the right end of ₂ in plan view, and the next page content is gradually displayed from the pixel row on the right end in plan view by repeating the above flow.

As described above, in the electronic book reader 1 of the present embodiment, when a page feed command is detected, that is, when a switching display request from the currently displayed page to the next page is detected, The electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ and ₂ are sequentially rewritten for each pixel column along the direction opposite to the page progress direction of the content. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the next page content can be displayed on the electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ , ₂ from the end in the page moving direction. As a result, the state in which the next page gradually appears from the bottom of the currently displayed page is displayed on the electrophoretic display bodies 12 ₁ and ₂ as when a normal book page is turned over to the next page. Can do.

When a page return command is detected, that is, when a switching display request from the currently displayed page to the previous page is detected, the electrophoretic display body 12 ₁ is moved along the page progress direction of the content. _{, 2} is rewritten sequentially for each pixel column. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the previous page content can be displayed on the electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ , ₂ from the end in the direction opposite to the page moving direction. As a result, the state in which the previous page gradually appears from the bottom of the currently displayed page can be displayed on the electrophoretic display bodies 12 ₁ and ₂ as when a normal book is placed on the previous page. . Then, by displaying on the electrophoretic display bodies 121, ₂ how the page to be switched to appears gradually, it is possible to inform that the page switching display is being performed. By displaying the animation, it is possible to prevent an increase in the time required for switching display, unlike the method of notifying that switching display is being performed.

Furthermore, in the electronic book reader 1 of the present embodiment, the stored data strings of the bidirectional shift registers 18 _{1 and 2} are sequentially shifted along the digit direction corresponding to the rewrite direction set in the rewrite direction setting process. In the stored data row, the pixel row corresponding to the digit storing “1” data is sequentially rewritten by the X driver 13 _1,2 and the Y driver 14 _1,2 . Therefore, for example, unlike the method of displaying an animation during switching display, complicated processing by software is not required, and the processing load on the CPU 5 can be reduced.

The Y driver 13 _1,2 and the X driver 14 _1,2 shown in FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 8 constitute the driver described in the claims. Similarly, the CPU 5 shown in FIG. Steps S102, S103 and S104 of FIG. 9 constitute the setting means, and the page feed button 2 and page return button 3 of FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12 to 16 and the I / F 4 of FIG. Configure request detection means.

Note that the display device of the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ and ₂ are overwritten for each pixel column from the state where an arbitrary page is displayed is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, before rewriting the electrophoretic display bodies 121, ₂ , black or white may be displayed on the entire pixel column to be rewritten. In addition, instead of the electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ and ₂ , a reflective display body having a cholesteric liquid crystal layer is used so that the entire pixel column to be rewritten is homeotropic aligned before rewriting the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. Alternatively, the color of the light absorbing plate disposed on the back surface of the reflective display body may be displayed. By doing so, one black line or white line (blank) can be displayed on the pixel column to be rewritten before rewriting, and as a result, the page switching portion is revealed to the user. be able to.

Furthermore, although an example in which both the left and right electrophoretic display bodies 121, ₂ are rewritten when the page feed button 2 or the page return button 3 is pressed, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, while maintaining the displayed page left or right to one of the electrophoretic display 12 _1,2, left or right other electrophoretic display 12 _1,2 to rewrite only It may be.

Moreover, although the example which comprises the electronic book reader 1 using the two display apparatuses ₁₀₁ , ₂ was shown, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the electronic book reader 1 may be configured using only one display device 10 (electrophoretic display body 12).
Furthermore, although an example in which the electrophoretic display bodies ₁₂₁ and ₂ are completely rewritten when rewriting is started is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rewriting operation may be temporarily stopped during page feed or page return (rewrite). By doing so, for example, the page before rewriting and the page to be rewritten can be viewed at the same time by pausing when the rewriting has progressed to half of the display devices _{101 and 2} .

  In addition, an example is shown in which when the page feed button or the page return button is pressed, the page is rewritten to the page one page before or after the currently displayed page, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the time for pressing these buttons is long, the page may be rewritten to a page before or after a plurality of pages (for example, 10 pages).

Furthermore, although an example in which the Y driver _131,2 is arranged on the upper side in the plan view and the X driver _141,2 is arranged on the left side in the plan view has been shown, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, an XY driver 26 including a Y driver 13 _1,2 and an X driver 14 _1,2 instead of the Y driver 13 _1,2 and the X driver 14 _1,2 is used. May be arranged. By doing so, the content can be rewritten in any direction, up, down, left, or right. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 15 (FIG. 16), the electronic book reader 1 is configured by using only one display device 10 (electrophoretic display body 12), and the content is “vertically” (“landscape”). ) Can be rewritten not only in the horizontal direction (vertical direction) but also in the vertical direction (horizontal direction).

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the external appearance of the electronic book reader to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the electronic book reader of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating 1st attribute information and 2nd attribute information. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st attribute information of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 1st attribute information of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a display controller and a driver in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a Y driver in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an X driver in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating rewriting direction setting processing. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of a Y driver. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the X driver. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of an electronic book reader. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of an electronic book reader.

Explanation of symbols

1 is an electronic book reader, 2 is a page feed button, 3 is a page return button, 4 is an I / F, 5 is a CPU, 6 is a RAM, 7 is a ROM, 8 is a VRAM, 9 is a display controller, 10 _{1 and 2} are Display device 11, bus 12, 12, ₂ electrophoretic display, 13 ₁ , ₂ Y driver, 14 ₁ , ₂ driver 15 ₁ , ₂ electrophoretic layer 16 ₁ , ₂ column electrode 17 ₁ and ₂ are row electrodes, 18 _{1 and 2} are bidirectional shift registers, 19 _{1 and 2} are level shifters, 20 _{1 and 2} are drive transistors, 21 _{1 and 2} are bidirectional shift registers, and 22 _{1 and 2} are data registers, 23 _1,2 are latches, 24 _1,2 are level shifters, 25 _1,2 are drive transistors

Claims (3)

  A display device for switching and displaying each page of content to be displayed on a predetermined display body, wherein the display body can be rewritten for each pixel column along at least one of a vertical direction in a plan view and a horizontal direction in a plan view And a setting means for setting the rewriting direction of the display body, wherein the driver rewrites the display body for each pixel column along the rewriting direction set by the setting means.   Request detecting means for detecting a switching display request to a page before the currently displayed page or a switching display request to a subsequent page is provided, and the setting means includes a switching display request detected by the request detecting means. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the rewriting direction is set based on the display direction.   The setting means sets the rewriting direction to a predetermined direction when the detection display request to the subsequent page is detected by the detection means, and the detection display request to the previous page is set by the detection means. 3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein when detected, the rewriting direction is set in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

Images