JP2005122159A - Display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display panel suitable for an electronic white board of digital output or a handwritten input panel. <P>SOLUTION: The display panel is equipped with a substrate, a driving circuit and a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels is equipped with at least one optical sensor element and a plurality of light emitting elements. The optical sensor element receives a light signal and turns the light emitting elements corresponding to the received light signal on and off by utilizing the driving circuit. The display panel is further equipped with a memory module. The memory module is operative to store and save the digital images displayed by the pixels. Due to the configuration equipped with the light emitting elements of a plurality of colors and the memory module, the display panel lends itself to the electronic white board, PDA and handwritten input panel of other electronic products equipped with a color display function and digital output function. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display panel. In particular, the present invention relates to a display panel that can be used as an electronic white board capable of color display, handwriting input, and digital output.

  In meeting rooms and classrooms, blackboards or white boards are always available. Speakers use chalk or oil (water) magic pens to write and write letters and diagrams on blackboards or white boards and give reports and lectures. Blackboards and whiteboards are limited in the range that can be written, so when the range that can be written is filled with letters and diagrams, the speaker will wipe out the written data with a blackboard eraser and then write new data. In recent years, blackboards or whiteboards have the disadvantage that written data cannot be stored and saved, so in recent years it has been possible to print written data on recording paper and save the data in the form of paper by the speaker or listener Electronic white boards have been developed.

However, since this electronic white board needs to store data in the form of paper, the data storage period is short and is easily damaged. In addition, as the amount of data increases, the number of sheets printed on the recording paper also increases in proportion to the current paperless trend.
On the other hand, various types of flat displays have been developed one after another with the recent progress of flat display technology. Among them, the organic EL display (OELD) is self-luminous, has no viewing angle dependency, has low power consumption, has a simple manufacturing process, has low cost, and has an operating temperature range. It is expected to become the mainstream of next-generation flat displays due to its advantages such as low speed, high response speed, and full-color display capability. Furthermore, it can be applied to a digital output electronic white board.
An object of the present invention is to provide a display panel suitable for a digital output electronic white board or handwriting input panel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a display panel that is more suitable for colorizing the electronic white board or the handwriting input panel.

  A display panel provided by the present invention includes a substrate, a driving circuit, and a plurality of pixels. The substrate has a display area and a non-display area. The pixels are arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate, and each pixel includes one photosensor element and a plurality of light emitting elements. The driver circuit is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the pixel. The optical sensor element receives an optical signal and turns on / off a light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal using a drive circuit.

Each pixel preferably includes, for example, a plurality of secondary pixels and is configured such that secondary pixels in the same pixel share one photosensor element.
The spectrum of the optical signal received by the optical sensor element is preferably different from the emission spectrum of the light emitting element, for example.
The display panel preferably further includes, for example, one memory module and a plurality of control keys. The memory module is electrically connected to the pixel, and can store and save a digital image displayed by the pixel. Each control key can be arranged on a non-display area of the substrate, for example, and can be used for switching the color displayed by the pixel, resetting the pixel, and adjusting the gradation value of the pixel.

  Based on the foregoing object, the present invention further provides another display panel comprising a substrate, a driving circuit, and a plurality of pixels. The substrate includes a display area and a non-display area. The pixels are arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate, and each pixel includes a plurality of photosensor elements and a plurality of light emitting elements. The driver circuit is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the pixel. At least one optical sensor element receives an optical signal and turns on / off a light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal using a drive circuit.

The optical signal received by the optical sensor element is, for example, an optical signal in a predetermined wavelength range, and its spectrum is preferably different from, for example, the emission spectrum of the light emitting element.
The display panel preferably further includes, for example, one memory module and a plurality of control keys. The memory module is electrically connected to the pixel, and can store and save a digital image displayed by the pixel. The control key can be arranged on a non-display area of the substrate, for example, and can be used for switching the color displayed by the pixel, resetting the pixel, and adjusting the gradation value of the pixel. .

  Based on the foregoing object, the present invention provides another display panel including a substrate, a driving circuit, a plurality of first pixels, and a plurality of second pixels. The substrate includes a display area, a non-display area, and an input area. The drive circuit is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the first pixel and the second pixel. The first pixels are arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate, and each first pixel includes a plurality of first light emitting elements. The second pixels are arranged in an array on the input region of the substrate, and each second pixel includes one photosensor element and a plurality of second light emitting elements. The optical sensor element receives the optical signal and turns on / off the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal using a drive circuit.

The spectrum of the optical signal received by the optical sensor element is preferably different from the emission spectrum of the second light emitting element, for example.
The display panel preferably further includes, for example, one memory module and a plurality of control keys. For example, the memory module is electrically connected to all the first pixels, and stores and saves a digital image displayed by the first pixels. The control key can be arranged, for example, on a non-display area of the substrate, and switches the colors displayed by the first pixel and the second pixel, resets the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel. It can be used to adjust the gradation value.

  It should be noted that the display panel provided by the present invention is capable of displaying a colored image without being limited to monochrome display because each pixel includes a plurality of light emitting elements. In addition, since the image on the display panel can be output as digital information at any time by the memory module, it is convenient for the user of the display panel in storing information, printing, and other processes.

  In order to make the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention clearer and easier to understand, preferred embodiments will be described below and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a display panel according to a first embodiment in which the present invention is preferably implemented. FIG. 1B shows a schematic view of a display panel according to a modification of the first embodiment.
A display panel 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A includes a substrate 110, a drive circuit 120, and a plurality of pixels 130. The substrate 110 includes a display area 112 and a non-display area 114. The drive circuit 120 is disposed on the non-display area 114 of the substrate 110, for example, and is electrically connected to all the pixels 130. The drive circuit 120 is composed of, for example, at least one drive chip and other electronic components.
The pixels 130 are arranged in an array on the display area 112 of the substrate 110. Each pixel 130 includes one photosensor element 132 and a plurality of light emitting elements 134. The optical sensor element 132 receives the optical signal and turns on / off the light emitting element 134 corresponding to the received optical signal using the drive circuit 120. As the optical sensor element 132, for example, an organic photodiode or an organic optical sensor element can be used. Since the optical sensor element 132 can be manufactured by utilizing the photoelectric conversion function of the organic EL material, the optical sensor element 132 and the light emitting element 134 are identical by an approximate manufacturing process by using different metal masks. It can be formed on a substrate.

  The pixel 130a of the display panel 100a of the modification shown in FIG. 1B includes a plurality of secondary pixels 130b arranged in an array, for example. The number of secondary pixels 130b is preferably 10 × 10 or less. All the secondary pixels 130b in one pixel 130a share one photosensor element 132, and each secondary pixel 130b includes a plurality of light emitting elements 134, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the display panels 100 and 100a further include, for example, one memory module 140 and a plurality of control keys 145.
The memory module 140 is disposed on the non-display area 114 of the substrate 110, for example. In addition, since all the pixels 130 and 130a are electrically connected, a digital image displayed by the pixels 130 and 130a can be stored and saved. The control key 145 is arranged on the non-display area 114 of the substrate 110, for example, for switching the color displayed by the pixels 130 and 130a, resetting the pixel 130, and adjusting the gradation value of the pixel 130. Used.
The position where the drive circuit 120 and the memory module 140 are disposed is not necessarily limited to the non-display area. Depending on the ease of operation, the miniaturization of the display panel, or other considerations, each can be placed in another suitable location.

  FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of pixels of the display panel 100 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of pixels of the display panel 100a according to a modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 3 is an optical trigger circuit diagram used in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the pixel 130 includes, for example, an optical sensor element 132, a red organic EL element 134r, a green organic EL element 134g, and a blue organic EL element 134b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the pixel 130a includes, for example, a plurality of secondary pixels 130b. The pixel 130a includes one photosensor element 132, and the photosensor element 132 is shared by all the secondary pixels 130b in the pixel 130a. The secondary pixel 130b includes, for example, a red organic EL element 134r, a green organic EL element 134g, and a blue organic EL element 134b. With the configuration as described above, the number of photosensor elements used can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced. When the display panel is used purely for display applications, the resolution of the display panel is not sacrificed because each secondary pixel can exhibit a different color.

  Please refer to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 together. The light pen 150 includes a light emitting mechanism 155. When the optical sensor element 132 receives the optical signal, for example, by determining the wavelength of the optical signal, the on / off states of the red organic EL element 134r, the green organic EL element 134g, and the blue organic EL element 134b are determined. Can be determined. Of course, when the optical sensor element 132 receives the optical signal, the light emission state of the red organic EL element 134r, the green organic EL element 134g, and the blue organic EL element 134b is determined by determining the waveform of the optical signal. You can also Therefore, in designing the light pen 150, by designing a plurality of types of light pens 150 having different light emitting mechanisms 155, the red organic EL element 134r, the green organic EL element 134g, and the blue organic EL element 134b are provided. Each can emit light individually. Thereby, various colors can be displayed on the pixel 130. It is also possible to arrange different light emitting mechanisms 155 in one light pen 150 and to allow the user of the light pen 150 to freely select the light emitting mechanism 155 to be used by the mechanical design.

  It should be noted that the optical sensor element 132 can be triggered using the light pen 150 having a simple configuration, and corresponds to the condition when the optical sensor element 132 is triggered by the control key 145 shown in FIG. Thus, the display color of the pixel 130 and the on / off state can be switched. Thereby, the design of the optical pen 150 can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  The optical sensor element may be suitable for receiving an optical signal in a specific wavelength range (spectrum), for example. FIG. 4 is a spectrum diagram showing both the emission spectrum A of the light emitting element and the spectrum B of the optical signal received by the optical sensor element. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical sensor element can be prevented from receiving interference from the light emitting element by shifting the band of the spectrum of the optical signal received by the optical sensor element and the emission spectrum of the light emitting element.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a determination circuit according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, when the optical sensor element 132 receives the optical signal 10, the received optical signal 10 is converted into the first electrical signal 20, and the first electrical signal 20 passes through the waveform amplifier 30. The second electric signal 22 is amplified. As the second electric signal 22 passes through the detection circuit 40 and the waveform shaping circuit 50, the second electric signal 22 is sequentially converted into a third electric signal 24 and a fourth electric signal 26. The waveform of the fourth electric signal 26 is a waveform suitable for the signal discrimination circuit 60 to control the light emitting state of the light emitting element by comparing the waveform of the fourth electric signal 26 with the stored information. . All the circuit designs described above can be integrated in one drive chip.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display panel according to the second embodiment for favorably implementing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the display panel 200 of the second embodiment is obtained by adding the number of photosensor elements 232 to the configuration of the pixels 230 as compared to the display panel described in the first embodiment. is there. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are tried to avoid redundant description.
Each pixel 230 includes a plurality of light sensor elements 232 and a plurality of light emitting elements 234. At least one of the plurality of optical sensor elements 232 receives the optical signal and turns on / off the light emitting element 234 corresponding to the received optical signal using the drive circuit 220. In the plurality of optical sensor elements 232 in the same pixel 230, the wavelength ranges of the optical signals received by the optical sensor elements 232 are different from each other, and the spectrum thereof is also different from the emission spectrum of the light emitting element 234.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to operate based on the spectrum (wavelength distribution) of the optical signal in a specific wavelength range, or it is possible to operate based on the difference in the waveform of the optical signal.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a pixel 230 of a display panel according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the pixel 230 includes, for example, a first photosensor element 232r, a second photosensor element 232g, a third photosensor element 232b, a red organic EL element 234r, a green organic EL element 234g, and a blue organic EL element 234b. It has. When the first optical sensor element 232r receives a predetermined optical signal, the corresponding red organic EL element 234r is turned on / off using the drive circuit 220. Similarly, the second optical sensor element 232g and the third optical sensor element 232b perform on / off control of the green organic EL element 234g and the blue organic EL element 234b, respectively.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a display panel according to a third embodiment for favorably implementing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the display panel 300 according to the third embodiment has an input area 316 added to the display panel described in the first embodiment. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are tried to avoid redundant description.
The display panel 300 includes a substrate 310, a drive circuit 320, a plurality of first pixels 330a, and a plurality of second pixels 330b. The substrate 310 includes a display area 312, a non-display area 314, and an input area 316.

  The plurality of first pixels 330a are arranged in an array on the display region 312 of the substrate 310, for example, and each first pixel 330a includes a plurality of first light emitting elements 334a. In order to obtain better resolution, the number of the first pixels 330a may be larger than 10 × 10, for example. The plurality of second pixels 330b are arranged in an array, for example, on the input region 316 of the substrate 310, and each second pixel 330b includes one photosensor element 332b and a plurality of second light emitting elements 334b. . The optical sensor element 332b receives the optical signal and turns on / off the first light emitting element 334a and the second light emitting element 334b corresponding to the received optical signal using the driving circuit 320.

  It should be noted that the input region 316 and the second pixel 330b disposed on the input region 316 are disposed on another substrate and connected to all the components on the substrate 310 by wire or wirelessly. It is also possible to allow the operator to perform input operations more freely. Alternatively, the size of the display panel 300 can be reduced by arranging the input area 316 in the display area 312.

In the display panel according to the above-described embodiment, it is necessary to design an eraser (e.g., equivalent to a blackboard eraser) that can erase an unnecessary image in order to have further practicality. This eraser can be easily configured by a device having a light emitting mechanism. The optical sensor element determines that the optical signal emitted from the light emitting mechanism of the eraser is a signal for resetting the on / off state of the light emitting element to the initial state, thereby erasing the image of the area through which the eraser has passed.
The memory module may be connected to the outside through an input / output device. Thereby, the user of the display panel always transmits the digital image information stored and stored in the memory module to an integrated processing system of an external computer, for example, and stores, prints, and performs other operations on the digital image information. It becomes possible.
The need for quick and simple operation can be met by designing several quick keys on the display panel. The quick key can provide functions such as “reset”, “save”, and “print”.

  In summary, the display panel embodying the present invention can be applied to a handwritten input panel in an electronic white board, PDA or other electronic products having color display and digital output functions.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the display panel by 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the display panel by the modification of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the pixel of the display panel by 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the pixel of the display panel by the modification of 1st Embodiment. The circuit diagram which shows the structure of the optical trigger circuit of 1st Embodiment. The spectrum figure of a light emitting element and an optical sensor element. The block diagram which shows the structure of the discrimination circuit of 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the display panel by 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic of the pixel of the display panel by 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10..Optical signal 20..First electronic signal 22..Second electronic signal 24..Third electronic signal 26..Fourth electronic signal 30..Waveform amplifier 40..Detection circuit 50..Waveform shaping circuit 60. .. Signal discriminating circuit 100, 100a, 200, 300 .. Display panels 110, 210, 310 .. Substrate 112, 212, 312 .. Display area 114, 214, 314 .. Non-display area 120, 220, 320 .. Drive circuit 130, 130a, 230 ... Pixel 130b ... Secondary pixel 132, 232, 332b ... Photo sensor element 134, 234 ... Light emitting element 134r, 234r ... Red organic EL element 134g, 234g ... Green organic EL Element 134b, 234b ... Blue organic EL element 140, 240, 340 ... Memory module 145, 245, 345 .. Control key 150 .. Optical pen 155 .. Light emission mechanism 232 r.. First optical sensor element 232 g.. Second optical sensor element 232 b... Third optical sensor element 316 .. Input area 330 a. .. Second pixel 334a .. First light emitting element 334b .. Second light emitting element

Claims (27)

A display panel,
A substrate having a display area and a non-display area;
A drive circuit;
A plurality of pixels arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate and electrically connected to the drive circuit,
Each pixel includes one light sensor element and a plurality of light emitting elements,
The optical sensor element receives an optical signal and turns on / off a light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal by using a drive circuit.   The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element includes an organic EL element.   3. The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting element of each pixel includes one red organic EL element, one green organic EL element, and one blue organic EL element. Each of the pixels includes a plurality of secondary pixels, and the secondary pixels share the photosensor element,
The display panel according to claim 2, wherein the light emitting element includes a plurality of red organic EL elements, a plurality of green organic EL elements, and a plurality of blue organic EL elements. A display panel,
A substrate having a display area and a non-display area;
A drive circuit;
A plurality of pixels arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate and electrically connected to the drive circuit,
Each pixel includes a plurality of light sensor elements and a plurality of light emitting elements,
At least one photosensor element receives an optical signal and turns on / off a light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal using a drive circuit.   The display panel according to claim 5, wherein the light emitting element includes an organic EL element.   The display panel according to claim 6, wherein each of the pixels includes one red organic EL element, one green organic EL element, and one blue organic EL element.   6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein the optical signal received by the optical sensor element is an optical signal in a predetermined wavelength range.   6. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein a spectrum of an optical signal received by the optical sensor element is different from an emission spectrum of the light emitting element.   The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the photosensor element includes an organic photodiode.   6. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the driving circuit includes at least one driving chip.   The display panel according to claim 1, further comprising a memory module electrically connected to the pixel, wherein the memory module stores and saves a digital image displayed by the pixel.   The display panel according to claim 12, wherein the memory module is disposed on the non-display area of the substrate.   6. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the driving circuit is disposed on the non-display area of the substrate. A plurality of control keys disposed on the non-display area of the substrate;
6. The control key according to claim 1, wherein each control key is used for at least one of switching a color displayed by the pixel, resetting the pixel, and adjusting a gradation value of the pixel. Display panel. A display panel,
A substrate having a display area, a non-display area, and an input area;
A drive circuit;
A plurality of first pixels arranged in an array on the display area of the substrate, electrically connected to the drive circuit, each comprising a plurality of first light emitting elements;
Arranged in an array on the input region of the substrate, electrically connected to the drive circuit, each comprising a plurality of second pixels each comprising one photosensor element and a plurality of second light emitting elements;
The optical sensor element receives an optical signal and controls on / off of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element corresponding to the received optical signal by using a drive circuit, so that the display area and the input area are mutually connected. A display panel which displays a digital image having a similar shape synchronously.   The display panel according to claim 16, wherein the first light emitting element includes an organic EL element.   The display panel according to claim 17, wherein the first light emitting element of each first pixel includes one red organic EL element, one green organic EL element, and one blue organic EL element. .   The display panel according to claim 16, wherein the second light emitting element includes an organic EL element.   20. The display panel according to claim 19, wherein the second light emitting element of each second pixel includes one red organic EL element, one green organic EL element, and one blue organic EL element. .   The display panel according to claim 16, wherein a spectrum of an optical signal received by the photosensor element is different from an emission spectrum of the second light emitting element.   The display panel according to claim 16, wherein the photosensor element includes an organic photodiode. The display panel according to claim 16, wherein the drive circuit includes at least one drive chip.

  17. The display panel according to claim 16, further comprising a memory module electrically connected to the first pixel, wherein the memory module stores and saves a digital image displayed by the first pixel.   The display panel according to claim 24, wherein the memory module is disposed on the non-display area of the substrate.   The display panel according to claim 16, wherein the driving circuit is disposed on the non-display area of the substrate. A plurality of control keys disposed on the non-display area of the substrate;
Each control key is used for switching the colors displayed by the first pixel and the second pixel, resetting the first pixel and the second pixel, and adjusting the gradation values of the first pixel and the second pixel. The display panel of claim 16, wherein the display panel is used to do at least one.

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