JP2010169867A - Electrooptical apparatus, electronic device, and data conversion method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a high definition image in an electrooptical apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The electrooptical apparatus includes a plurality of scanning lines (40), a plurality of data lines (50) and a plurality of pixel parts (20), disposed in an image display area (3) on a substrate (28). A first pixel part (21a and 200a) disposed in an oblique area where the scanning lines and the data lines intersect with each other obliquely is disposed such that there exists a second pixel part (21d and 200d) disposed at a position point-symmetrical with respect to a point (P) included in a reference area (A1) surrounded by a first scanning line (40a) electrically connected to the first pixel part and a second scanning line (40b) adjacent to the first scanning line, and a first data line (50a) electrically connected to the first pixel part and a second data line (50b) adjacent to the first data line. The second pixel part is electrically connected to the second scanning line and the second data line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal device or an electrophoretic display device, an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device, and a data conversion method for converting image data supplied to the electro-optical device.

  As an electro-optical device of this type, for example, a plurality of pixel portions arranged in a matrix in an image display area are controlled by various signals supplied from mutually intersecting scanning lines and data lines, thereby displaying an image. There is something. Although the image display area is typically a rectangular area, an apparatus having an image display area having a relatively complicated shape has been proposed in order to cope with a wider range of applications.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique regarding an electro-optical device having an octagonal image display region. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a technique regarding an electro-optical device having a heart-shaped image display region.

JP 2008-46598 A

Society for Information Display 2008-62.3: A Non-Rectangular Heart-Shaped SOG-LCD Yoshihiro Nonaka et al., NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.

  However, in the above-described electro-optical device having an image display area with a complicated shape, there are areas where scanning lines and data lines cross each other at an angle, so that the layout of wiring, electrodes, etc. in the pixel portion is relatively complicated. End up. Accordingly, for example, the pixel portions cannot be efficiently arranged, and there is a possibility that the interval between the adjacent pixel portions becomes large. If the interval between the pixel portions becomes large, the number of pixels per unit area decreases. That is, the above-described technique has a technical problem that it becomes difficult to display a high-definition image.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electro-optical device, an electronic device, and a data conversion method capable of displaying a high-definition image.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electro-optical device according to an aspect of the invention includes a substrate, a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines provided to intersect with the image display region on the substrate, and the image display region. And a plurality of pixel portions provided so as to correspond to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines, and the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines among the plurality of pixel portions. The first pixel unit disposed in the oblique region where the crossing is obliquely crossed, the first scanning line electrically connected to the first pixel unit among the plurality of scanning lines and the first scanning line mutually Surrounded by the adjacent second scanning line, the first data line electrically connected to the first pixel portion among the plurality of data lines, and the second data line adjacent to the first data line. Point symmetry with respect to a point included in the reference area The second pixel unit are arranged such that there is disposed in a position, the second pixel unit are respectively electrically connected to the second scan line and the second data line.

  According to the electro-optical device of the present invention, during the operation, first, scanning signals are supplied from the plurality of scanning lines to the plurality of pixel portions provided in the image display area on the substrate, and the plurality of data lines are provided. A data signal is supplied from. Accordingly, each pixel unit is controlled, and various images can be displayed in the image display area. More specifically, for example, by controlling a plurality of pixel portions, data is transferred to an electro-optical material (for example, an electrophoretic element or a liquid crystal) sandwiched between a substrate and a counter substrate facing the substrate. A voltage corresponding to the signal is applied, and the color tone displayed in each pixel is controlled.

  The plurality of pixel portions are typically provided in a matrix in the image display region, and are formed by stacking a plurality of conductive layers that function as transistors, capacitor electrodes, pixel electrodes, and the like, for example. In other words, the “pixel portion” here is a concept that encompasses the entire part formed by each member provided for each pixel so as to correspond to the intersection of a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines.

  In the present invention, a plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines cross each other obliquely in an oblique area included in the image display area. That is, in the oblique region, the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines intersect with each other at an angle that does not become vertical. By having such an oblique region, for example, pixel electrodes arranged in different rows and columns among a plurality of pixel electrodes provided in a matrix can be controlled by the same scanning line or the same data line. It becomes possible.

  Here, in the present invention, in particular, the first pixel portion provided in the oblique region is adjacent to the first scanning line and the first scanning line that are electrically connected to the first pixel portion among the plurality of scanning lines. Two scanning lines and a first data line electrically connected to the first pixel portion among the plurality of data lines and a reference region surrounded by each of the second data lines adjacent to the first data line are included. The second pixel portion is disposed at a position that is point-symmetric with respect to the point, and the second pixel portion is electrically connected to the second scanning line and the second data line, respectively.

  The arrangement described above is the same when viewed from the second pixel unit side, and the second pixel unit has a first pixel unit arranged at a point-symmetrical position with respect to a point included in the reference region. Is arranged. That is, the first pixel and the second pixel are each surrounded by four wirings of the first scanning line and the second scanning line, and the first data line and the second data line that are electrically connected to each other. They are arranged so as to be point-symmetric with respect to the points included in the region.

  By arranging the plurality of pixel portions as described above, the plurality of pixel portions can be laid out very efficiently. Specifically, by arranging the first pixel portion and the second pixel portion with symmetry, the pixel portion can be arranged in a pattern. That is, even in the case where a relatively complicated configuration in which scanning lines and data lines that obliquely cross each other are electrically connected to a plurality of pixels provided in a matrix shape is required, A generally similar structure can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to reduce an increase in the arrangement space.

  Typically, all the pixel portions arranged in the oblique region have a pixel portion that is symmetrically arranged. However, the edge portion of the image display region is exceptionally point-symmetric. There may be a pixel portion that does not have a pixel portion. As described above, even in the case where there is no partial symmetry, the effects of the present invention can be obtained accordingly.

  By reducing the arrangement space of the plurality of pixel portions, the number of pixels per unit area can be increased. Therefore, a higher definition image can be displayed. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited when a large number of members are required to be arranged in a relatively narrow space, for example, when the apparatus is downsized.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device of the present invention, since the arrangement of the plurality of pixel portions in the oblique region can be made efficient, it is possible to display a high-definition image. .

  In one aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, the image display area includes another area where the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines intersect at an angle different from the oblique area. .

  According to this aspect, since the image display area includes other areas where the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines intersect at an angle different from the oblique area, the layout of the pixel portion is relatively complicated. It will become something. Specifically, the positional relationship among the scanning line, the data line, and the pixel electrode changes between the oblique region and the other region, so that the layouts of the pixels are different.

  On the other hand, in this aspect, since the arrangement of the pixel portions in the oblique region can be made efficient as described above, an increase in the arrangement space can be reduced. Accordingly, a high-definition image can be displayed.

  In another aspect of the electro-optical device of the present invention, a storage unit that can write and read image data indicating an image to be displayed in the image display area, and an image array that controls writing and reading of the image data to and from the storage unit The image array conversion unit uses a first address when writing the image data arranged in a first order corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pixels into the storage unit. When writing the image data arranged along the scanning line in the corresponding second order to the storage means, a second address different from the first address is used, and the image data is written to the storage means. The second address is used when reading the stored image data.

  According to this aspect, the image data indicating the image to be displayed in the image display area is first stored in the storage unit, temporarily stored, and then read out to the image display area. At this time, writing and reading of the image data are controlled by the image arrangement conversion means.

  In the image arrangement conversion unit, the first address is used when the image data arranged in the first order corresponding to the arrangement of a plurality of pixels is written in the storage unit. On the other hand, when the image data arranged in the second order corresponding to the arrangement along the scanning line (that is, the arrangement to which the scanning signal is supplied) is written in the storage means, the first address different from the first address is used. Two addresses are used. That is, writing using different addresses is performed depending on whether the image data is arranged in the first order or the second order. Further, when reading the image data written in the storage means, the second address is used.

  In the above-described writing and reading of image data, image data that is not rearranged so as to correspond along the scanning line (that is, image data arranged in the first order) and alignment along the scanning line The image data rearranged in this way (that is, the image data arranged in the second order) is written in the storage means by a different method, and then read by the same method. At this time, if the first address and the second address have a correspondence relationship, the image data that has not been rearranged so as to correspond along the scanning line is arranged so as to correspond along the scanning line. Can be replaced.

  In this aspect, since the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines cross each other obliquely, the arrangement of the plurality of pixel portions does not necessarily match the arrangement along the scanning lines. Therefore, if the image data is not rearranged as described above, an intended image may not be displayed normally.

  However, in this aspect, the image data can be rearranged along the scanning lines suitably by controlling the writing and reading of the image data with respect to the storage means by the image arrangement conversion means. Therefore, it is possible to display a normal image without fail.

  In order to solve the above problems, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described electro-optical device according to the present invention (including various aspects thereof).

  According to the electronic apparatus of the present invention, since the electro-optical device of the present invention described above is provided, a projection display device, a television set, a mobile phone, an electronic notebook, and a word processor capable of displaying a high-definition image. Various electronic devices such as a viewfinder type or a monitor direct view type video tape recorder, a workstation, a videophone, a POS terminal, and a touch panel can be realized. In addition, as an electronic apparatus of the present invention, for example, an electrophoretic device such as electronic paper can be realized.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data conversion method of the present invention is a data conversion method for converting the image data supplied to the electro-optical device according to another aspect of the present invention described above, in the first order. The arranged image data is written to the storage means using the first address, and the image data arranged in the second order is written to the storage means using the second address. A writing step; and a reading step of reading the image data written in the storage means using the second address.

  According to the data conversion method of the present invention, it is possible to rearrange image data that has not been rearranged so as to correspond along the scanning line so as to correspond along the scanning line by the writing process and the reading process. it can. Therefore, it is possible to display a normal image without fail.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the best mode for carrying out the invention described below.

1 is a plan view illustrating an overall configuration of an electro-optical device according to an embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the display part of the electrophoretic display device concerning an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of a microcapsule. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a pixel in the electrophoretic display device according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view (part 1) illustrating an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view (part 1) illustrating an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of an electro-optical device according to a comparative example. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view showing an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of an electro-optical device according to a comparative example. FIG. 6 is a plan view (part 1) illustrating a specific pixel layout in an oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view (part 2) illustrating a specific pixel layout in an oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view (part 3) illustrating a specific pixel layout in an oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view (part 2) illustrating an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view (part 2) illustrating an arrangement of pixels in an oblique area of the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. It is a top view which shows the image based on the image data before conversion. It is a top view which shows the image based on the image data after conversion. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a portion related to data conversion in the electro-optical device according to the embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of electronic paper. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an electronic notebook.

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

<Electro-optical device>
The electro-optical device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the overall configuration of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following embodiments, an electrophoretic display device which is an example of the electro-optical device of the present invention is taken as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the electro-optical device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a display unit 3, a controller 10, a scanning line driving circuit 60, and a data line driving circuit 70.

  The display unit 3 is an example of the “image display area” in the present invention, and is defined as an octagonal area. The display unit 3 is provided so that m (where m is a natural number) scanning lines 40 and n (where n is a natural number) data lines 50 intersect each other. Specifically, the scanning lines 40 extend in the row direction (that is, the X direction), and the data lines 50 extend in the column direction (that is, the Y direction). However, the scanning line 40 extends in a direction obliquely intersecting with the data line 50 (that is, the D direction) in a part of the area in the display unit 3 (hereinafter referred to as “oblique area” as appropriate). . Although not shown here, the display unit 3 includes a matrix of m rows × n columns of pixels corresponding to the intersections of the m scanning lines 40 and the n data lines 50. Arranged in a shape (two-dimensional planar).

  For example, in a typical electro-optical device having the rectangular display unit 3, the scanning lines 40 and the data lines 50 are configured to cross each other vertically in the entire display unit 3. However, in the electro-optical device having the display unit 3 having a relatively complicated shape as in the present embodiment, the scanning line 40 and the data line 50 described above are configured to include an oblique region where they cross each other obliquely. The degree of freedom in pixel layout can be increased.

  The controller 10 controls operations of the scanning line driving circuit 60 and the data line driving circuit 70. Specifically, the controller 10 supplies timing signals such as a clock signal and a start pulse to each circuit. The controller 10 also includes other circuits such as a power supply circuit that supplies a power supply potential to each circuit. The controller 10 may be provided on a substrate on which the display unit 3 is provided, or may be provided on another substrate.

  The scanning line driving circuit 60 sequentially supplies the scanning signals in a pulsed manner to each of the scanning lines 40 based on the timing signal supplied from the controller 10.

  The data line driving circuit 70 supplies an image signal to each of the data lines 50 based on the timing signal supplied from the controller 10. The image signal takes a binary level of a high potential level (hereinafter referred to as “high level”, for example, 5 V) or a low potential level (hereinafter referred to as “low level”, for example, 0 V).

  Various signals not described above are input to and output from the controller 10, the scanning line driving circuit 60, and the data line driving circuit 70, but descriptions of those not particularly related to the present embodiment are omitted.

  Next, a specific configuration of the display unit of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the display unit of the electrophoretic display device according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, the display unit 3 is configured such that an electrophoretic element 23 is sandwiched between an element substrate 28 and a counter substrate 29. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that an image is displayed on the counter substrate 29 side.

  The element substrate 28 is an example of the “substrate” in the present invention, and is a substrate made of, for example, glass or plastic. Although not shown here on the element substrate 28, a pixel switching transistor 24, a memory circuit 25, a scanning line 40, a data line 50, a high potential power line 91, a low potential power line 92, a common potential line, which will be described later. A laminated structure in which 93 and the like are formed is formed (see FIG. 4). On the upper layer side of this stacked structure, a plurality of pixel electrodes 21 are provided in a matrix for each pixel 20.

  The counter substrate 29 is a transparent substrate made of, for example, glass or plastic. On the surface of the counter substrate 29 facing the element substrate 28, the common electrode 22 is formed in a solid shape so as to face the plurality of pixel electrodes 9a. The common electrode 22 is formed of a transparent conductive material such as magnesium silver (MgAg), indium / tin oxide (ITO), indium / zinc oxide (IZO), or the like.

  The electrophoretic element 23 is composed of a plurality of microcapsules 80 each including electrophoretic particles, and is fixed between the element substrate 28 and the counter substrate 29 by a binder 30 and an adhesive layer 31 made of, for example, resin. . In the electrophoretic display device 1 according to the present embodiment, in the manufacturing process, an electrophoretic sheet in which the electrophoretic element 23 is previously fixed to the counter substrate 29 side by the binder 30 is used as a separately manufactured pixel electrode 21 or the like. The adhesive layer 31 adheres to the formed element substrate 28 side.

  One or a plurality of microcapsules 80 are sandwiched between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 and arranged in one pixel 20 (in other words, with respect to one pixel electrode 21).

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the microcapsule. In addition, in FIG. 3, the cross section of the microcapsule is shown typically.

  In FIG. 3, the microcapsule 80 is formed by enclosing a dispersion medium 81, a plurality of white particles 82, and a plurality of black particles 83 inside a coating 85. The microcapsule 80 is formed in a spherical shape having a particle size of about 50 μm, for example.

  The coating 85 functions as an outer shell of the microcapsule 80, and is formed from a translucent polymer resin such as an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate or polyethyl methacrylate, a urea resin, or gum arabic.

  The dispersion medium 81 is a medium for dispersing the white particles 82 and the black particles 83 in the microcapsules 80 (in other words, in the coating 85). Examples of the dispersion medium 81 include water, alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, octanol, and methyl cellosolve, various esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, and ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone. , Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane and octane, alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, hexylbenzene, hebutylbenzene, octylbenzene, nonylbenzene, decylbenzene, undecyl Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzenes with long chain alkyl groups such as benzene, dodecylbenzene, tridecylbenzene, tetradecylbenzene, etc., halo such as methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, etc. Emissions of hydrocarbons, carboxylate or other oils may be used singly or as a mixture. In addition, a surfactant may be added to the dispersion medium 81.

  The white particles 82 are particles (polymer or colloid) made of a white pigment such as titanium dioxide, zinc white (zinc oxide), and antimony trioxide, and are negatively charged, for example.

  The black particles 83 are particles (polymer or colloid) made of a black pigment such as aniline black or carbon black, and are positively charged, for example.

  For this reason, the white particles 82 and the black particles 83 can move in the dispersion medium 81 by the electric field generated by the potential difference between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22.

  These pigments include electrolytes, surfactants, metal soaps, resins, rubbers, oils, varnishes, charge control agents composed of particles such as compounds, titanium-based coupling agents, aluminum-based coupling agents, silanes as necessary. A dispersant such as a system coupling agent, a lubricant, a stabilizer, and the like can be added.

  2 and 3, when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 so that the potential of the common electrode 22 is relatively high, the positively charged black particles 83 are While being attracted to the pixel electrode 21 side in the microcapsule 80 by the Coulomb force, the negatively charged white particles 82 are attracted to the common electrode 22 side in the microcapsule 80 by the Coulomb force. As a result, the white particles 82 gather on the display surface side (that is, the common electrode 22 side) inside the microcapsule 80, thereby displaying the color of the white particles 82 (that is, white) on the display surface of the display unit 3. Can do. Conversely, when a voltage is applied between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 so that the potential of the pixel electrode 21 becomes relatively high, the negatively charged white particles 82 are generated by the Coulomb force. While attracted to the electrode 21 side, the positively charged black particles 83 are attracted to the common electrode 22 side by Coulomb force. As a result, the black particles 83 are collected on the display surface side of the microcapsule 80, whereby the color of the black particles 83 (that is, black) can be displayed on the display surface of the display unit 3.

  Further, depending on the distribution state of the white particles 82 and the black particles 83 between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22, grays such as light gray, gray, and dark gray, which are intermediate gray levels of white and black, can be displayed. For example, by applying a voltage so that the potential of the pixel electrode 21 is relatively high between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22, the black particles 83 are collected on the display surface side of the microcapsule 80 and the pixel electrode 21. After collecting the white particles 82 on the side, a voltage is applied so that the potential of the common electrode 22 is relatively high between the pixel electrode 21 and the common electrode 22 for a predetermined period according to the intermediate gradation to be displayed. Thus, the white particles 82 are moved by a predetermined amount to the display surface side of the microcapsule 80 and the black particles 83 are moved by a predetermined amount to the pixel electrode 21 side. As a result, gray, which is an intermediate gradation between white and black, can be displayed on the display surface of the display unit 3.

  In addition, red, green, blue, etc. can be displayed by replacing the pigment used for the white particle 82 and the black particle 83 with pigments, such as red, green, and blue, for example.

  Next, a specific circuit configuration of the pixel portion of the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a pixel in the electrophoretic display device according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 4, the pixel 20 includes a pixel switching transistor 24, a memory circuit 25, a pixel electrode 21, a common electrode 22, and an electrophoretic element 23.

  The pixel switching transistor 24 is an N-type transistor. The pixel switching transistor 24 has its gate electrically connected to the scanning line 40, its source electrically connected to the data line 50, and its drain electrically connected to the input terminal N 1 of the memory circuit 25. It is connected to the. The pixel switching transistor 24 is configured to pulse the image signal supplied from the data line driving circuit 70 (see FIG. 1) via the data line 50 via the scanning line 40 from the scanning line driving circuit 60 (see FIG. 1). Is output to the input terminal N1 of the memory circuit 25 at a timing corresponding to the scanning signal supplied to the memory circuit 25.

  The memory circuit 25 includes inverter circuits 25a and 25b, and is configured as an SRAM.

  The inverter circuits 25a and 25b have a loop structure in which the other output terminal is electrically connected to the input terminals of each other. That is, the input terminal of the inverter circuit 25a and the output terminal of the inverter circuit 25b are electrically connected to each other, and the input terminal of the inverter circuit 25b and the output terminal of the inverter circuit 25a are electrically connected to each other. The input terminal of the inverter circuit 25a is configured as the input terminal N1 of the memory circuit 25, and the output terminal of the inverter circuit 25a is configured as the output terminal N2 of the memory circuit 25.

  The inverter circuit 25a has an N-type transistor 25a1 and a P-type transistor 25a2. The gates of the N-type transistor 25 a 1 and the P-type transistor 25 a 2 are electrically connected to the input terminal N 1 of the memory circuit 25. The source of the N-type transistor 25a1 is electrically connected to a low potential power supply line 92 to which a low potential power supply potential Vss is supplied. The source of the P-type transistor 25a2 is electrically connected to a high potential power supply line 91 to which a high potential power supply potential VEP is supplied. The drains of the N-type transistor 25 a 1 and the P-type transistor 25 a 2 are electrically connected to the output terminal N 2 of the memory circuit 25.

  The inverter circuit 25b has an N-type transistor 25b1 and a P-type transistor 25b2. The gates of the N-type transistor 25 b 1 and the P-type transistor 25 b 2 are electrically connected to the output terminal N 2 of the memory circuit 25. The source of the N-type transistor 25b1 is electrically connected to a low potential power supply line 92 to which a low potential power supply potential Vss is supplied. The source of the P-type transistor 25b2 is electrically connected to a high potential power supply line 91 to which a high potential power supply potential VEP is supplied. The drains of the N-type transistor 25 b 1 and the P-type transistor 25 b 2 are electrically connected to the input terminal N 1 of the memory circuit 25.

  When a high level image signal is input to the input terminal N1, the memory circuit 25 outputs a low potential power supply potential Vss from the output terminal N2, and when a low level image signal is input to the input terminal N1. The high potential power supply potential VEP is output from the output terminal N2. That is, the memory circuit 25 outputs the low potential power supply potential Vss or the high potential power supply potential VEP depending on whether the input image signal is at a high level or a low level. In other words, the memory circuit 25 is configured to be able to store the input image signal as the low potential power supply potential Vss or the high potential power supply potential VEP.

  The high potential power supply line 91 and the low potential power supply line 92 are configured to be able to supply the high potential power supply potential VEP and the low potential power supply potential Vss from the power supply circuit 210, respectively. The high-potential power supply line 91 and the low-potential power supply line 92 are electrically connected to the power supply circuit through switches (not shown), respectively. When the power supply line 92 and the power supply circuit are electrically connected and each switch is turned off, the high potential power supply line 91 and the low potential power supply line 92 are brought into a high impedance state where they are electrically disconnected.

  The high potential power supply potential VEP and the low potential power supply potential Vss supplied from the high potential power supply line 91 and the low potential power supply line 92 are supplied to the pixel electrode 21 in each of the plurality of pixels 20 via the memory circuit 25. Is done. The pixel electrode 21 is disposed so as to face the common electrode 22 through the electrophoretic element 23.

  The common electrode 22 is electrically connected to a common potential line 93 to which a common potential Vcom is supplied. The common potential line 93 is electrically connected to the common potential supply circuit via a switch (not shown). When the switch is turned on, the common potential line 93 and the common potential supply circuit 220 are electrically connected. By being connected and the switch being turned off, the common potential line 93 is brought into a high impedance state where it is electrically disconnected.

  As described above, the electrophoretic element 23 includes a plurality of microcapsules 80 each including the electrophoretic particles 82 and 83.

  Next, the layout of each pixel 20 in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view (part 1) illustrating the arrangement of pixels in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 5, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, the pixels 20 are arranged so as to have symmetry with reference to two scanning lines 40 adjacent to each other and two data lines 50 adjacent to each other. . Here, for convenience of explanation, of the members constituting the pixel 20, other circuits excluding the pixel electrode (for example, the pixel switching transistor 24, the memory circuit 25, etc.) are simplified and illustrated as the pixel circuit 200. Yes. A parallelogram area illustrated as the pixel circuit 200 represents a space used by arranging circuits included in the pixel circuit 200.

  FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view (No. 1) showing the pixel arrangement in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the pixel 20a electrically connected to each of the first scanning line 40a and the first data line 50a includes the first scanning line 40a and the second scanning line 40b, and the first data line 50a and the second data. The pixels 20d are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the point P included in the reference area A1 surrounded by the line 50b. The pixel 20d is electrically connected to each of the second scanning line 40b and the second data line 50b. That is, when the pixel 20a is viewed as an example of the “first pixel” in the present invention, the pixel 20d becomes the “second pixel” in the present invention.

  Further, the pixel 20b electrically connected to each of the second scanning line 40b and the first data line 50a has a pixel 20c arranged symmetrically with respect to the point P included in the reference region A1. Has been placed. The pixel 20c is electrically connected to each of the first scanning line 40a and the second data line 50b. That is, when the pixel 20b is viewed as an example of the “first pixel” of the present invention, the pixel 20c is the “second pixel” of the present invention.

  The pixels 20 arranged in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment can be classified into any of the four pixels 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d described above. Here, in particular, the pixel 20a and the pixel 20d, which are pixels having symmetry, are only rotated by 180 degrees, and there is little or no difference in layout. Similarly, the symmetric pixel 20b and the pixel 20c have little or no difference in layout. Therefore, the pixel 20 according to the present embodiment can be patterned and laid out relatively easily. That is, an extremely efficient layout is possible.

  Next, the layout of each pixel 20 in the electro-optical device according to the comparative example will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view (part 1) illustrating the pixel arrangement in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the comparative example.

  In FIG. 7, in the electro-optical device according to the comparative example, the pixel electrode 21 and the pixel circuit 200 constituting the pixel 20 are arranged stepwise for each column. That is, in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the pixels 20 are arranged so as to be shifted by 2 rows and 2 columns with respect to the scanning lines 40, whereas the electro-optical device according to the comparative example. In the optical device, the pixels 20 are arranged so as to be shifted by one row and one column from the scanning line 40.

  FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing the pixel arrangement in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the comparative example.

  In FIG. 8, each pixel 20 of the electro-optical device according to the comparative example does not have a pixel 20 arranged symmetrically with respect to the point P included in the reference area A1. Specifically, none of the four pixels 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d arranged around the reference area A1 is arranged symmetrically with respect to the point P. Therefore, the four pixels 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d have different layouts. Therefore, the pixel 20 in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment can be realized with two types of layouts, whereas the pixel 20 in the electro-optical device according to the comparative example can be realized only with four types of layouts. As can be seen from this, the electro-optical device according to this embodiment has an effect of realizing a very efficient layout of the pixels 20.

  By making the layout of the pixels 20 efficient, the arrangement space per pixel 20 can be reduced. Thereby, the number of pixels per unit area can be increased. Therefore, it becomes possible to display a higher definition image. Such an effect is remarkably exhibited when a large number of members are required to be arranged in a relatively narrow space, for example, when the apparatus is downsized.

  Next, a specific layout of the pixel 20 in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view (part 1) illustrating a specific pixel layout in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view (part 2) illustrating a specific pixel layout in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view (part 3) illustrating a specific pixel layout in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment. 10 is a diagram in which the layers related to the pixel electrodes 9a and the data lines 50 are removed from FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a diagram in which the layers related to the pixel electrodes 9a and the data lines 50 are removed from FIG. is there.

  Specifically, the elements constituting the pixel 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be laid out as shown in FIGS. Here, reference numerals are omitted for elements other than the respective elements constituting the pixel 20 shown in FIG.

  If the layouts shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 are used, a pixel array having two pixels 20 that are point-symmetric about the point P as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be realized. Specifically, for example, each element such as a pixel switching transistor 24 and a transistor constituting the memory circuit 25 can be arranged point-symmetrically around the point P. In this case, it is possible to reduce the variation in the length of the path (that is, the wiring) from the pixel switching transistor 24 to the pixel electrode 9a.

  According to the research of the present inventor, in the case where the layout having symmetry as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is not performed, for a device having a pixel pitch (that is, an interval between adjacent pixels 20) of 60 μm. It has been found that the pixel pitch can be reduced to 57 μm by applying the layout shown in FIGS. That is, the layout described above has an effect that the pixel pitch can be reduced by at least 5%. This can be said to have an extremely high effect if the pixels 20 are arranged in units of millions or more in one device.

  Next, a modification of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following modification, the angle at which the scanning line 40 and the data line 50 intersect is different from that of the electro-optical device according to this embodiment described above, and other configurations are generally the same. For this reason, in the following, the description of the portions overlapping with the above-described electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view (part 2) illustrating the arrangement of pixels in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment.

  The electro-optical device shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that the pixels 20 are shifted by one row for each column with respect to one scanning line 40. On the other hand, the electro-optical device shown in FIG. 12 has a configuration in which the pixels 20 are shifted by one row every two columns. Even in such a case, it is possible to arrange the pixels 20 so as to have symmetry.

  FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view (No. 2) showing the pixel arrangement in the oblique region of the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 13, the pixel 20a electrically connected to each of the first scan line 40a and the first data line 50a includes the first scan line 40a and the second scan line 40b, and the first data line 50a and the second data. The pixels 20d are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the point P included in the reference area A1 surrounded by the line 50b. The pixel 20d is electrically connected to each of the second scanning line 40b and the second data line 50b. That is, when the pixel 20a is viewed as an example of the “first pixel” in the present invention, the pixel 20d becomes the “second pixel” in the present invention.

  Further, the pixel 20b electrically connected to each of the second scanning line 40b and the first data line 50a has a pixel 20c arranged symmetrically with respect to the point P included in the reference region A1. Has been placed. The pixel 20c is electrically connected to each of the first scanning line 40a and the second data line 50b. That is, when the pixel 20b is viewed as an example of the “first pixel” of the present invention, the pixel 20c is the “second pixel” of the present invention.

  By disposing each pixel 20 as described above, the layout of the pixel 20a and the pixel 20b, and the pixel 20c and the pixel 20d can be made little or no difference. Therefore, in the electro-optical device shown in FIG. 12, the pixels 20 can be laid out very efficiently as in the electro-optical device shown in FIG. In other words, if the electro-optical device has an oblique region where the scanning line 40 and the data line 50 cross each other at an angle, the above-described effect can be obtained regardless of the angle at which the scanning line 40 and the data line 50 intersect each other. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the display unit 3 is an octagon has been described as an example. However, the effect according to the present embodiment can be obtained regardless of the shape of the display unit 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where five transistors are provided in each pixel 20 (so-called 5T circuit) has been described as an example, but basically, the circuit constituting the pixel 20 is more complex (in other words, The effect according to the present embodiment is remarkably obtained as the pixel layout has no margin. Therefore, for example, when a switch circuit is added to the pixel 20 shown in FIG. 4, a higher effect can be obtained. However, even in the case of the pixel 20 having a simpler configuration than the pixel 20 shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment, since the arrangement of the pixels 20 in the oblique region can be made efficient, a high-definition image can be displayed. .

<Data conversion method>
Next, a data conversion method in the electro-optical device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an image based on the image data before conversion. In FIG. 14 and subsequent FIG. 15, for convenience of explanation, the image data related to the oblique region and the image data related to the other region are illustrated in different colors.

  In FIG. 14, when an image is displayed on the entire surface of the octagonal display unit 3, image data as shown in the figure is supplied. However, in the electro-optical device in which the scanning lines 40 and the data lines 50 obliquely intersect with each other as described above, the scanning lines 40 and the rows of the pixels 20 do not correspond to each other. It is not possible to display a simple image. Specifically, the image displayed in the oblique region is displayed in a shifted state according to the shift between the scanning line 40 and the pixel 20.

  FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an image based on the converted image data.

  In FIG. 15, in order to display a normal image in the electro-optical device in which the scanning lines 40 and the data lines 50 cross each other at an angle, image data as shown in the figure may be supplied. That is, the arrangement of the image data may be shifted in advance according to the shift between the scanning line 40 and the pixel 20. Hereinafter, such conversion of image data will be described together with a more detailed configuration of the electro-optical device.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a portion related to data conversion in the electro-optical device according to the embodiment.

  In FIG. 16, the electro-optical device that realizes the data conversion method according to the present embodiment includes a timing generator 110 and a first address output unit 120 in addition to the display unit 3, the scanning line driving circuit 60, and the data line driving circuit 70. A second address output unit 130, a writing unit 140, a storage unit 150, and a reading unit 160. Note that the timing generator 110, the first address output unit 120, the second address output unit 130, the writing unit 140, the storage unit 150, and the reading unit 160 described above are typically included in the controller 10 (see FIG. 1). It is.

  The timing generator 110 is a circuit that outputs timing signals such as a start pulse and a timing pulse to the scanning line driving circuit 60 and the data line driving circuit 70 and the first address output unit 120 and the second address output unit 130. .

  The first address output unit 120 and the second address output unit 130 output the first address and the second address to the writing unit 140 and the reading unit 160, respectively, according to the timing signal supplied from the timing generator 110. To do.

  The writing unit 140 writes image data supplied from the outside into the storage unit 150. When writing the image data, either the first address or the second address output from the first address output unit 120 and the second address output unit 130 is used.

  The storage unit 150 is an example of the “storage unit” in the present invention, and can repeatedly write and read image data.

  Reading unit 160 reads image data stored in storage unit 150. When reading the image data, the second address output from the second address output unit 130 is used.

  The timing generator 110, the first address output unit 120, the second address output unit 130, the writing unit 140, and the reading unit 160 are examples of the “image arrangement converting unit” in the present invention.

  Conversion of image data by the data conversion method according to the present embodiment is performed by writing and reading image data in the storage unit 150 described above using two different addresses of the first address and the second address. Specifically, when image data before conversion as shown in FIG. 14 is written in the storage unit 150, writing is performed using the first address. Then, when reading the stored image data, a second address different from the first address used for writing is used. Here, if the first address and the second address are set based on the shift between the scanning line 40 and the pixel 20 in the electro-optical device, the image data is obtained using the correspondence between the first address and the second address. Can be converted. That is, it becomes possible to read out image data as shown in FIG.

  If image data that has already been converted (that is, data shown in FIG. 15) is input from the outside, the second address may be used for writing and the second address for reading. . In this way, conversion processing is not performed on already converted image data, and an image can be displayed accurately.

  As described above, according to the data conversion method according to the present embodiment, image data that has not been rearranged so as to be aligned along the scanning line 40 is aligned so as to be aligned along the scanning line 40. Can be replaced. Therefore, the above-described electro-optical device can reliably display a normal image.

<Electronic equipment>
Next, electronic devices to which the above-described electro-optical device is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, a case where the above-described electro-optical device is applied to electronic paper and an electronic notebook will be taken as an example.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the electronic paper 1400.

  As illustrated in FIG. 17, the electronic paper 1400 includes the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment as an image display unit 1401. The electronic paper 1400 has flexibility, and includes a main body 1402 formed of a rewritable sheet having the same texture and flexibility as conventional paper.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the electronic notebook 1500.

  As shown in FIG. 18, an electronic notebook 1500 is obtained by bundling a plurality of electronic papers 1400 shown in FIG. 16 and sandwiching them between covers 1501. The cover 1501 includes display data input means (not shown) for inputting display data sent from an external device, for example. Thereby, according to the display data, the display content can be changed or updated while the electronic paper is bundled.

  Since the electronic paper 1400 and the electronic notebook 1500 described above include the electro-optical device according to the above-described embodiment, a high-definition image can be displayed.

  In addition to these, the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment described above can be applied to the display unit of an electronic device such as a wristwatch, a mobile phone, or a portable audio device.

  In addition, the electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment can be applied to a liquid crystal device, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and an electro-optical device with such a change. In addition, an electronic apparatus including the electro-optical device and a data conversion method are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Display part, 10 ... Controller, 20 ... Pixel, 21 ... Pixel electrode, 22 ... Common electrode, 23 ... Electrophoretic element, 24 ... Pixel switching transistor, 25 ... Memory circuit, 28 ... Element substrate, 29 ... Counter substrate 40 ... scanning line, 50 ... data line, 60 ... scanning line drive circuit, 80 ... microcapsule, 82 ... white particle, 83 ... black particle, 91 ... high potential power line, 92 ... low potential power line, 93 ... common Potential line 110 ... Timing generator 120 ... First address output unit 130 ... Second address output unit 140 ... Writing unit 150 ... Storage unit 160 ... Reading unit 200 ... Pixel circuit

Claims (5)

A substrate,
A plurality of scanning lines and a plurality of data lines provided to intersect with each other in the image display area on the substrate;
A plurality of pixel portions provided in the image display region so as to correspond to intersections of the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines;
Of the plurality of pixel portions, the first pixel portion disposed in an oblique region where the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines cross each other obliquely intersects the first pixel portion among the plurality of scanning lines. A first scan line electrically connected to the first scan line, a second scan line adjacent to the first scan line, and a first data line electrically connected to the first pixel portion among the plurality of data lines. And a second pixel portion arranged at a position that is point-symmetric with respect to a point included in a reference region surrounded by each of the second data lines adjacent to each other with the first data line,
The electro-optical device, wherein the second pixel portion is electrically connected to the second scanning line and the second data line, respectively.   2. The image display area includes another area where the plurality of scanning lines and the plurality of data lines intersect with each other at an angle different from the oblique area. Electro-optic device. Storage means capable of writing and reading image data indicating an image to be displayed in the image display area;
Image arrangement conversion means for controlling writing and reading of the image data to and from the storage unit,
The image array conversion means includes
When writing the image data arranged in the first order corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of pixels to the storage means, the first address is used,
When writing the image data arranged in the corresponding second order along the scanning line to the storage means, a second address different from the first address is used,
The electro-optical device according to claim 1, wherein the second address is used when reading the image data written in the storage unit.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electro-optical device according to claim 1. A data conversion method for converting the image data supplied to the electro-optical device according to claim 3,
The image data arranged in the first order is written to the storage means using the first address, and the image data arranged in the second order is written using the second address. A writing step of writing to the storage means;
And a reading step of reading out the image data written in the storage means using the second address.

Images