JP2011191497A - Electrophoretic display device, method for driving the same, and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrophoretic display device and the like, displaying a time adjustment screen that allows a user to set accurate time. <P>SOLUTION: The electrophoretic display device includes a clock counter 2 counting an input reference signal 120 to clock the time and outputting the clock information 122, an external input detecting part 4 detecting an external input and outputting the detection result as external input information, a display part 3 holding electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles between a pair of substrates and displaying an image, and a control part 1 controlling the clock counter and the display part. The control part carries out a normal display control of controlling the display part to display the clock based on the clock information, and a time adjustment display control of controlling the display part to display an image for adjustment, which is not displayed in the normal display control; and the control part switches between the normal display control and the time adjustment display control on the basis of the external input information. Upon carrying out the time adjustment display control, clocking by the clock counter is stopped on the basis of the external input information and the value of the clock counter is adjusted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophoretic display device, a driving method of an electrophoretic display device, an electronic apparatus, and the like.

  In recent years, a display panel having a memory property that can hold an image even when the power is turned off has been developed and used in an electronic timepiece or the like. As a display panel having a memory property, an EPD (Electrophoretic Display), that is, an electrophoretic display device, a memory-type liquid crystal display device, and the like are known. For example, the electrophoretic display device has excellent advantages such as wide viewing angle, high contrast, and flexibility in addition to the property of memory.

  When the time display is performed by the electrophoretic display device, the second digit may not be intentionally displayed in order to reduce power consumption. Since the electrophoretic display device maintains the display due to its memory characteristics, it does not consume power except when the display is updated. By omitting the second digit, it is only necessary to update the time display once per minute, so that power consumption can be suppressed.

  According to Patent Document 1, when the temperature of the electrophoretic display device is low, the mobility of the electrophoretic particles becomes low. When the second digit is displayed in a low temperature (for example, −10 ° C.) usage environment, the movement of the electrophoretic particles cannot follow the display update every second and the second digit display may be inaccurate. . At this time, the user may be misunderstood that the electrophoretic display device is faulty. From this, it is meaningful not to display the second digit.

Special table 2007-501436 gazette

  However, the time displayed on the electrophoretic display device needs to be set (time adjustment) by the user at the time of initialization or the like. If the second digit is not displayed when setting the time, the user cannot set an accurate time including the second, which is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. According to some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophoretic display device or the like that performs time adjustment display in which a user can set an accurate time.

(1) The present invention is an electrophoretic display device, which counts an input reference signal to measure time, outputs a time counter, and detects an external input, and the result is externally input. An external input detection unit that outputs information, a display unit that displays an image by sandwiching an electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles between a pair of substrates, a control unit that controls a time counter and the display unit, The control unit performs normal display control for displaying the time on the display unit based on the time information, and time adjustment display control for displaying an adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display control on the display unit. When the time adjustment display control is performed by switching between the normal display control and the time adjustment display control based on the external input information, the time counter is controlled based on the external input information. To adjust.

  According to the present invention, the control unit that controls the time counter and the display unit includes the normal display control for displaying the time on the display unit, and the time adjustment display control for displaying the adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display control on the display unit. And do. When the time adjustment display control is performed, the value of the time counter can be adjusted by an external input. At this time, an adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display control is displayed. For example, if the adjustment image contains a second digit for time display, the normal display control suppresses power consumption without displaying the second digit, and the time adjustment display control allows the user to adjust the time accurately based on the second digit. It is possible to do. For example, when a cursor indicating a part of the time display is included as the adjustment image, the time display with good visibility is performed without displaying the cursor in the normal display control, and the time is displayed to the user in the time adjustment display control. Allows partial modification of With such an adjustment image, the user can accurately adjust the value of the time counter.

  Here, the image means a wide range of images including not only graphics but also letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. In particular, in an electrophoretic display device of an active matrix driving system, various images such as figures, characters, numbers, symbols, etc. can be freely displayed.

(2) In the electrophoretic display device, the control unit does not display a second digit in the normal display control, and the adjustment unit includes a second digit in which a numerical value is fixed in the time adjustment display control. An image may be displayed.

  According to the present invention, the second digit is not displayed in the normal display control, and the numerical value fixed as the second digit is displayed in the time adjustment display control. In normal time display, power consumption is suppressed without displaying a second digit. In the time adjustment display control, the second digit is displayed, but since the value is a fixed numerical value, the power consumption can be suppressed similarly to the normal display control. Further, since the second digit is displayed in the time adjustment display control, the user can accurately adjust the time including the second.

(3) In the electrophoretic display device, in the time adjustment display control, the control unit displays 0 second on the display unit as the second digit based on the external input information, and the second of the time counter The value of the digit may be fixed to 0 seconds, and the value of the time counter other than the seconds digit may be adjusted.

  According to the present invention, in the time adjustment display control, 0 second is displayed in the second digit, and at the same time, the second value of the time counter is reset to 0 second. The value of the time counter other than seconds can be adjusted by external input. Since the second digit is reset, the user can adjust the time more easily.

(4) The present invention may be an electronic apparatus including the electrophoretic display device.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the electronic device containing the electrophoretic display apparatus which performs the time adjustment display which a user can set an exact time can be provided.

(5) The present invention counts an input reference signal to measure time, outputs a time information, and an external input detection unit that detects external input and outputs the result as external input information And a display unit for displaying an image by sandwiching an electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles between a pair of substrates, and the display unit based on the time information A normal display step for displaying the time on the display, a time adjustment display step for displaying an adjustment image not displayed in the normal display step on the display unit, and the normal display step and the time adjustment display based on the external input information. The time adjustment display step adjusts the value of the time counter based on the external input information.

  According to the present invention, the normal display process for displaying the time on the display unit and the time adjustment display process for displaying the adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display process on the display unit are performed. In the time adjustment display step, the value of the time counter can be adjusted by external input. At this time, an adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display process is displayed. For example, when a second digit for time display is included as an adjustment image, power consumption is reduced without displaying the second digit in the normal display process, and the user can accurately adjust the time based on the second digit in the time adjustment display process. It is possible to do. Further, for example, when a cursor indicating a part of the time display is included as the adjustment image, the time display with good visibility is performed without displaying the cursor in the normal display process, and the time is displayed to the user in the time adjustment display process. Allows partial modification of With such an adjustment image, the user can accurately adjust the value of the time counter.

(6) In this method of driving an electrophoretic display device, the normal display step hides the second digit, and the time adjustment display step displays the adjustment image including the second digit with a fixed numerical value. May be.

  According to the present invention, the second digit is not displayed in the normal display step, and the numerical value fixed as the second digit is displayed in the time adjustment display step. In normal time display, power consumption is suppressed without displaying a second digit. Although the second digit is displayed in the time adjustment display process, the value is a fixed numerical value, so that power consumption can be suppressed as in the normal display process. Further, since the second digit is displayed in the time adjustment display step, the user can accurately adjust the time including the second.

(7) In this method of driving an electrophoretic display device, the time adjustment display step displays 0 seconds on the display unit as the second digit based on the external input information, and the value of the second digit of the time counter May be fixed at 0 seconds, and the value of the time counter other than the second digit may be adjusted.

  According to the present invention, in the time adjustment display step, 0 seconds are displayed in the second digit, and at the same time, the second value of the time counter is reset to 0 seconds. The value of the time counter other than seconds can be adjusted by external input. Since the second digit is reset, the user can adjust the time more easily.

1 is a block diagram of an electrophoretic display device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is another block diagram of the electrophoretic display device in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pixel of the electrophoretic display device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A illustrates a configuration example of an electrophoretic element. 4B and 4C are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the electrophoretic element. The figure which shows the structural example of the time counter in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6A is a view showing a display example in the normal display mode in the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a display example of the time adjustment display mode in the first embodiment. 7A to 7F are diagrams showing transitions and display examples in the time adjustment display mode of FIG. 6B. The flowchart in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 9A is a diagram of a wristwatch that is an example of an electronic device, and FIG. 9B is a diagram of a mobile terminal device that is an example of an electronic device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1.1. Configuration of Electrophoretic Display Device FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrophoretic display device 100 according to this embodiment.

  The electrophoretic display device 100 includes a control unit 1, a time counter 2, a display unit (EPD) 3, and an external input detection unit 4.

  The time counter 2 counts the input reference signal 120 to measure time, and outputs time information 122. Here, the reference signal 120 is, for example, a 1 Hz clock. The electrophoretic display device 100 may include an oscillation circuit (not shown) and a frequency dividing circuit (not shown) that divides an output signal from the oscillation circuit to generate a 1 Hz clock.

  The display unit 3 holds an electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles between a pair of substrates, and displays an image. Here, the image means a wide range of images including not only graphics but also letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. In the present embodiment, it is possible to freely display various images such as figures, characters, numbers, symbols, etc., as the electrophoretic display device 100 of the active matrix driving system. The driving method of the present invention is not limited to the active matrix method, and may be a segment method.

  The external input detection unit 4 detects external inputs 44, 46, 47, and 48 (hereinafter referred to as external inputs 44, etc.), and the results are external input information 124, 126, 127, and 128 (hereinafter referred to as external inputs). Information 124). The number of external inputs is arbitrary and is not limited to four.

  The control unit 1 controls the time counter 2 and the display unit 3 with the control signal 132 and the control signal 130, respectively, based on the time information 122, the external input information 124, and the like. The control unit 1 may change the value of the time counter 2, permit the time counter 2 to count, or stop the operation. Further, the control unit 1 may change the image displayed on the display unit 3 by switching the display mode determined based on the external input information 124 or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 1 performs at least normal display control and time adjustment display control. The normal display control is control when the time is displayed on the display unit 3 based on the time information 122. The time adjustment display control is control when the user adjusts the value of the time counter 2 by the external input 44 or the like.

  The control unit 1 may include a display control circuit 10 and a controller 12. Here, the display control circuit 10 may be a circuit that outputs a control signal 130 that causes the display unit 3 to display a desired image. The controller 12 may be a functional block that outputs a control signal 132 for controlling the time counter and an internal signal 134 for the display control circuit 10 based on the time information 122, the external input information 124, and the like. The controller 12 may be a CPU.

FIG. 2 shows an electrophoretic display device 100 of an active matrix driving system according to this embodiment.
FIG. Here, description of the time counter 2 and the external input detection unit 4 is omitted, and the connection between the control unit 1 and the display unit 3 will be described in detail.

  The electrophoretic display device 100 includes a display unit 3 in which a plurality of pixels 40 are arranged. The control unit 1 controls the display unit 3. The control unit 1 includes a scanning line driving circuit 61, a data line driving circuit 62, a controller 12, and a common power supply modulation circuit 64. Here, in the present embodiment, the scanning line driving circuit 61, the data line driving circuit 62, and the common power supply modulation circuit 64 constitute the display control circuit 10.

  The scanning line driving circuit 61, the data line driving circuit 62, and the common power supply modulation circuit 64 are each connected to the controller 12. The controller 12 comprehensively controls not only the time information 122 and the external input information 124 but also an image signal and a synchronization signal other than the time information supplied from outside the figure. The controller 12 may include a storage unit 160. The storage unit 160 may be SRAM, DRAM, EEPROM, or other memory, or may include ROM in part. The storage unit 160 may store image information to be displayed on the display unit 3.

  The display unit 3 displays the time as 10:08, for example, based on control signals from the display control circuit 10 (scanning line driving circuit 61, data line driving circuit 62, common power supply modulation circuit 64). In the display unit 3, a plurality of scanning lines 66 extending from the scanning line driving circuit 61 and a plurality of data lines 68 extending from the data line driving circuit 62 are formed, and the pixels 40 correspond to these intersection positions. Is provided.

  The scanning line driving circuit 61 is connected to each pixel 40 by m scanning lines 66 (Y1, Y2,..., Ym). The scanning line driving circuit 61 specifies the on-timing of the driving TFT 41 (see FIG. 3) provided in the pixel 40 by sequentially selecting the scanning lines 66 from the first row to the m-th row under the control of the controller 12. A selection signal is supplied.

  The data line driving circuit 62 is connected to each pixel 40 by n data lines 68 (X1, X2,..., Xn). The data line driving circuit 62 supplies an image signal defining 1-bit image data corresponding to each of the pixels 40 to the pixels 40 under the control of the controller 12. In the present embodiment, when defining pixel data “0”, a low-level image signal is supplied to the pixel 40, and when defining image data “1”, a high-level image signal is applied to the pixel 40. 40.

The display unit 3 also includes a low-potential power line 49 (Vss), a high-potential power line 50 (Vdd), a common electrode line 55 (Vcom), and a first control line 91 (S ₁ ) extending from the common power modulation circuit 64. ), A second control line 92 (S ₂ ) is provided, and each wiring is connected to the pixel 40. The common power supply modulation circuit 64 generates various signals to be supplied to each of the wirings according to the control of the controller 12, while electrically connecting and disconnecting these wirings (high impedance, Hi-Z).

1.2. Circuit Configuration of Pixel Portion FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the pixel 40 of FIG.

  The pixel 40 is provided with a driving TFT (Thin Film Transistor) 41, a latch circuit 70, and a switch circuit 80. The pixel 40 has an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) type configuration in which an image signal is held as a potential by a latch circuit 70. Note that the same numbers are assigned to the same wirings as those in FIG. Further, the description of the common electrode wiring 55 common to all pixels is omitted.

  The driving TFT 41 is a pixel switching element made of an N-MOS transistor. The gate terminal of the driving TFT 41 is connected to the scanning line 66, the source terminal is connected to the data line 68, and the drain terminal is connected to the data input terminal of the latch circuit 70. The latch circuit 70 includes a transfer inverter 70t and a feedback inverter 70f. A power supply voltage is supplied to the inverters 70t and 70f from the low potential power supply line 49 (Vss) and the high potential power supply line 50 (Vdd).

  The switch circuit 80 includes transmission gates TG1 and TG2, and outputs a signal to the pixel electrode 35 (see FIGS. 4B and 4C) according to the level of the pixel data stored in the latch circuit 70. . Va in FIG. 3 means a potential (signal) supplied to the pixel electrode of one pixel 40. Here, in the present embodiment, since the active matrix driving type electrophoretic display device 100 is used, the driving electrode of the electrophoretic display device 100 is a pixel electrode. Therefore, description will be made using the name of the pixel electrode. The drive electrode may be a segment electrode instead of a pixel electrode.

Image data "1" into latch circuit 70 (high-level image signal) is stored, the transmission gate TG1 is turned, switching circuit 80 supplies a potential S ₁ as Va. On the other hand, the image data "0" in the latch circuit 70 (the image signal of a low level) is stored, when the transmission gate TG2 is turned on, the switch circuit 80 supplies a potential S ₂ as Va. With such a circuit configuration, the control unit 1 can control the potential (signal) supplied to the pixel electrode of each pixel 40. The circuit configuration of the pixel 40 is an example and is not limited to that shown in FIG.

1.3. Display Method The electrophoretic display device 100 of the present embodiment is a two-particle microcapsule type electrophoresis method. Assuming that the dispersion is colorless and transparent, and the electrophoretic particles are white or black, the electrophoretic display device 100 can display at least two colors based on two colors of white or black.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a configuration of the electrophoretic element 32 of the present embodiment. The electrophoretic element 32 is sandwiched between the element substrate 30 and the counter substrate 31 (see FIGS. 4B and 4C). The electrophoretic element 32 is configured by arranging a plurality of microcapsules 20. The microcapsule 20 encloses, for example, a colorless and transparent dispersion, a plurality of white particles (electrophoretic particles) 27, and a plurality of black particles (electrophoretic particles) 26. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the white particles 27 are negatively charged and the black particles 26 are positively charged.

  FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view of the display unit 3 of the electrophoretic display device 100. The element substrate 30 and the counter substrate 31 sandwich an electrophoretic element 32 in which the microcapsules 20 are arranged. The display unit 3 includes a drive electrode layer 350 in which a plurality of pixel electrodes 35 are formed on the electrophoretic element 32 side of the element substrate 30. In FIG. 4B, a pixel electrode 35A and a pixel electrode 35B are shown as the pixel electrode 35. The pixel electrode 35 can supply a potential to each pixel (for example, Va, Vb). Here, a pixel having the pixel electrode 35A is referred to as a pixel 40A, and a pixel having the pixel electrode 35B is referred to as a pixel 40B. The pixel 40A and the pixel 40B are two of the pixels 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  On the other hand, the counter substrate 31 is a transparent substrate, and an image is displayed on the counter substrate 31 side in the display unit 3. The display unit 3 includes a common electrode layer 370 in which a common electrode 37 having a planar shape is formed on the electrophoretic element 32 side of the counter substrate 31. The common electrode 37 is a transparent electrode. Unlike the pixel electrode 35, the common electrode 37 is an electrode common to all pixels, and is supplied with the potential Vcom.

  The electrophoretic element 32 is disposed in the electrophoretic display layer 360 provided between the common electrode layer 370 and the drive electrode layer 350, and the electrophoretic display layer 360 serves as a display area. A desired display color can be displayed for each pixel according to the potential difference between the common electrode 37 and the pixel electrode (for example, 35A, 35B).

  In FIG. 4B, the common electrode side potential Vcom is higher than the potential Va of the pixel electrode of the pixel 40A. At this time, since the negatively charged white particles 27 are attracted toward the common electrode 37 and the positively charged black particles 26 are attracted toward the pixel electrode 35A, the pixel 40A is visually recognized as displaying white.

  In FIG. 4C, the common electrode side potential Vcom is lower than the potential Va of the pixel electrode of the pixel 40A. At this time, on the contrary, the positively charged black particles 26 are attracted to the common electrode 37 side, and the negatively charged white particles 27 are attracted to the pixel electrode 35A side, so that it is visually recognized that the pixel 40A displays black. Is done. Note that the structure in FIG. 4C is similar to that in FIG.

1.4. Time Counter FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the time counter 2 in the first embodiment.

  The time counter 2 of the present embodiment outputs time information 122A to 122F that are components of the time information 122. Here, the time information is used as a generic term including information on the year, month, day / week (calendar information).

  The time counter 2 of the present embodiment specifically includes a second counter 201, a minute counter 202, an hour counter 203, a day / week counter 204, a month counter 205, and a year counter 206. The time information 122A to 122F held by each counter is output to the control unit 1 as time information 122.

  Further, the control unit 1 can change the values of the counters 201 to 206 by the counter value adjustment signals 132A to 132F. Here, the counter value adjustment signals 132 </ b> A to 132 </ b> F are signals constituting the control signal 132 from the control unit 1. The counter value adjustment signals 132A to 132F may be signals that directly write the values of the counters 201 to 206, or may be signals that are incremented or decremented. Further, the counter 201 to 206 may be reset individually, that is, a signal for setting the value to 0.

  The counters 201 to 206 are incremented by a second carry signal 220, a minute carry signal 221, a hour carry signal 222, a day / week carry signal 223, a month carry signal 224, and a year carry signal 225, respectively. In this embodiment, the carry signals 221 to 225 are positive logic signals, and are signals obtained by ANDing the reference signal 120 and the carry permission signals 211 to 215 from the lower counter. The second carry signal 220 is a logical product of the reference signal 120 and the enable signal 132G (one of the signals constituting the control signal 132) from the control unit 1. Therefore, the control unit 1 can stop the operation of the time counter 2 by setting the enable signal 132G to a low level. The configuration of the time counter 2 is an example and is not limited to that shown in FIG.

1.5. Display Mode FIG. 6A shows a display example of the electrophoretic display device 100 in the normal display mode M1. The normal display mode M1 is a display mode when the control unit 1 performs normal display control. When the display mode is the normal display mode M1, time display based on the time information 122 from the time counter 2 is performed on the display unit 3. In the present embodiment, the time adjustment display mode M2 is also defined as the display mode. When the display mode is the time adjustment display mode M2, the display as shown in FIG. 6B is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the electrophoretic display device 100 includes an operation button A (44), an operation button C (46), an operation button D (47), and an operation button E (48) as external inputs. The operation buttons A, C, D, and E correspond to the switches 44, 46, 47, and 48 in the external input detection unit 4 of FIG. When the operation buttons A, C, D, and E are pressed, the external input information 124, 126, 127, and 128 is transmitted to the control unit 1 for each.

  In the present embodiment, the transition from the normal display mode M1 to the time adjustment display mode M2 is performed by, for example, pressing the operation button E (48) (C1). Then, by pressing the operation button A (44), the time adjustment display mode M2 returns to the normal display mode M1 (C2). The correspondence between the operation button and the display mode switching is not limited to this example. Even if the assignment of the operation button A and the operation button E is reversed, other operation buttons may be used.

  FIG. 6B shows a display example of the electrophoretic display device 100 in the time adjustment display mode M2. The time adjustment display mode M2 is a display mode when the control unit 1 performs time adjustment display control. When the display mode is the time adjustment display mode M2, an image that allows the user to adjust the value of the time counter 2 by the external input 44 or the like is displayed on the display unit 3. For example, a cursor 76 or a second digit 74 indicating an adjustment target that is not displayed in the normal display mode M1 may be displayed. For example, the user moves the cursor 76 with the operation button E (48), sets the time with the operation button C (46) or the operation button D (47), and then presses the operation button A (44) to display the normal display mode M1. You may return to Then, at the timing when the operation button A is pressed, the time counter 2 may start counting based on the adjusted value.

  As described above, it is preferable that the second digit 74 is not displayed in the normal display mode M1 in order to reduce power consumption and not to cause a misunderstanding of failure when used in a low temperature environment. When the cursor 76 is displayed in the normal display mode M1, a blinking display is generally performed to distinguish it from a time display or the like. However, in order to make it blink, it is necessary to control to rewrite the cursor 76 in about 1 second, for example. Therefore, it is preferable that the cursor 76 is not displayed in the normal display mode M1 for the same reason as the second digit 74 (low power consumption, avoiding misunderstanding of failure).

  In the present embodiment, the cursor 76 and the second digit 74 are displayed in the time adjustment display mode M <b> 2 shifted by the user's intention. The cursor 76 does not blink, and is displayed as a black frame, for example. However, since the display mode is the time adjustment display mode M2, there is no problem that the time is difficult to see. The cursor 76 allows the user to adjust only the parts that need to be individually changed, such as the hour digit, minute digit, and date.

  In the present embodiment, a fixed numerical value is shown in the second digit 74 displayed in the time adjustment display mode M2. This fixed numerical value indicates to the user that the second digit of the time counter 2 is counted from this numerical value when returning from the time adjustment display mode M2 to the normal display mode M1. For example, this value may be the value of the second counter 201 (see FIG. 5) when the time adjustment display mode M2 is entered, or may be 0 seconds. Note that the control unit 1 adjusts the value of the second counter 201 in accordance with the counter value adjustment signal 132A (see FIG. 5) in accordance with the fixed second digit value.

  At this time, since the display of the second digit is fixed, no extra power is consumed, and there is no misunderstanding of failure in a low temperature environment. Since the second digit is also displayed, the user can accurately adjust the time.

  In the time adjustment display mode M2, calendar information (year, month, day), display method (12-hour display, 24-hour display), etc. may be adjustable. However, only the adjustment of the hour and minute digits will be described here.

  FIGS. 7A to 7F show display examples in the time adjustment display mode M2 of FIG. 6B.

  Immediately after switching from the normal display mode M1 to the time adjustment display mode M2, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cursor 76 is set at the hour digit. When moving to a different time zone, only the hour digits may need to be changed. In such a case, for example, the operation button C and the operation button D can be used in the state shown in FIG. In the following, it is assumed that the operation button C decrements the numerical value at which the cursor 76 is set, and the operation button D increments the numerical value.

  When only the hour digit needs to be changed, it is not necessary to change the minute with the operation button. Therefore, the control unit 1 does not stop the time counter 2 and the hour counter 203 by the counter value adjustment signal 132C (see FIG. 5). The value of may be adjusted. At this time, the second digit 74 is not displayed because it is not necessary for time adjustment. Note that the control unit 1 may count the time required to change the hour digit with, for example, a timer (not shown) and correct the time counter 2 with the counter value adjustment signals 132A and 132B.

  When the user presses the operation button E in the state of FIG. 7A, the state of FIG. 7B is entered (C10). In FIG. 7B, the cursor 76 is set at the minute digit. When the user presses the operation button E again, the state returns to the state of FIG. 7A (C20).

  When changing the minute digit, since the second digit is not displayed in FIG. 7B, the user cannot accurately adjust the time including the second digit.

  In this embodiment, when the operation button C is pressed from this state, as shown in FIG. 7C, the minute digit is decremented by 1 and “00” indicating 0 second is displayed in the second digit 74 (C11). . This indicates that when the user presses the operation button A to return to the normal display mode M1, it is counted from 0 seconds. Therefore, the user can accurately set the time. At this time, the control unit 1 decrements the value of the minute counter 202 (see FIG. 5) by the counter value adjustment signal 132B, stops the operation of the time counter 2 by setting the enable signal 132G to the low level, and by the counter value adjustment signal 132A. The value of the second counter 201 is reset to 0 seconds.

  On the other hand, when the operation button D is pressed in the state of FIG. 7B, the minute digit is incremented by 1 and “00” is displayed in the second digit 74 as shown in FIG. 7D (C12). . Also at this time, the control unit 1 performs the same operation as in the case of FIG.

  When the user presses the operation button E from the states of FIGS. 7C and 7D, the states of FIGS. 7E and 7F are obtained, respectively, and the hour digit can be adjusted again (see FIG. 7C). C13, C14). At this time, since the second counter 201 is reset to 0 second by adjusting the minute digit, the display “00” of the second digit 74 is also continuously displayed. When the user presses the operation button E from the state shown in FIGS. 7E and 7F, the state returns to the state shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, respectively (C21 and D22).

  7A to 7F, when the user presses the operation button A, the display returns to the normal display mode M1, and the operation of the time counter 2 is resumed (the minute digit is not adjusted). Is continued).

  By the way, the number of operation buttons is not limited to four. In the time adjustment display mode M2, the operation button C and the operation button D are assigned to decrement and increment, respectively. However, when the hour and minute digits loop, for example, only one button for incrementing is required. Further, the operation button A and the operation button E are used for switching the display mode and moving the cursor 76, but when the control unit 1 has a function of distinguishing the long press and the short press of the operation button. Operation with one button is possible. Therefore, at least two operation buttons are sufficient by these devices. The electrophoretic display device according to the present embodiment enables the user to set an accurate time even when there are only two external input means, for example.

1.6. Driving method (flow chart)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a driving method of the electrophoretic display device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The time counter 2 determines whether there is an input of the reference signal 120, that is, whether there is a second count (S1).

  If there is no second count in S1 (S1N), it is determined whether or not there is a request for transition to the time adjustment display mode M2, that is, whether or not the user has pressed the operation button E (S10).

  When there is a request for transition to the time adjustment display mode M2 (S10Y), the display mode is changed from the normal display mode M1 to the time adjustment display mode M2 (S11).

  After changing to the time adjustment display mode M2, the process returns to S1 again. Note that the process also returns to S1 when there is no request to shift to the time adjustment display mode M2 (S10N).

  If there is a second count in S1 (S1Y), it is determined whether the normal display mode M1 or the time adjustment display mode M2 (S2).

  In the normal display mode M1 (S2N), the time counter 2 is counted up (S3), and if there is a minute carry, the time display on the display unit 3 is updated (S4Y, S5). After updating the time, the process returns to S1 again. Note that the process returns to S1 also when there is no minute carry (S4N).

  In the time adjustment display mode M2 (S2Y), the user adjusts the value of the time counter 2 by the external input 44 or the like. At this time, the adjustment target is designated by the cursor 76 (see FIG. 7A). First, it is determined whether the cursor 76 is selecting the hour digit or the minute digit (S30). In the present embodiment, the selection target can be switched by the operation button E.

  When the hour digit is to be adjusted (S30N), the hour digit value can be adjusted by the operation buttons C and D (S35). Thereafter, the time counter 2 may be corrected by the time required for the operation of S35 (S36). However, when the hour digit is adjusted after the minute digit adjustment S31 (S40N, S30N, S35), the time counter 2 is stopped and it is not necessary to perform such correction.

  When the minute digit is to be adjusted (S30Y), the minute digit value can be adjusted by the operation button C and the operation button D (S31). At this time, the value of the second counter 201 (see FIG. 5) is reset to 0 so that the time measurement starts from 0 second when returning to the normal display mode M1, and the time counter 2 also stops time measurement (S32). As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, 00 is displayed in the second digit 74 (S33) to explicitly indicate to the user that it is 0 seconds.

  After adjusting the hour or minute digits, it is determined whether or not there is a request to return to the normal display mode M1, that is, whether or not the user has pressed the operation button A (S40). If there is no return request, the user's time adjustment is continued (S40N). When there is a return request (S40Y), the display mode is changed from the time adjustment display mode M2 to the normal display mode M1, and the timekeeping of the time counter 2 is resumed (continues if there is no minute digit adjustment). (S41).

  The driving method of the electrophoretic display device 100 according to the present embodiment allows the user to set an accurate time when adjusting the time.

2. Application Example An application example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (A) to 9 (B). The electrophoretic display device 100 can be applied to various electronic devices.

  For example, FIG. 9A is a front view of a wrist watch 1000 that is one of electronic devices. The wristwatch 1000 includes a watch case 1002 and a pair of bands 1003 connected to the watch case 1002. A display unit 1004 including the electrophoretic display device 100 is provided on the front surface of the watch case 1002, and the display unit 1004 performs time adjustment display including a second digit 1074 and a cursor 1076, for example. An operation button A (1044) is provided on the side surface of the watch case 1002, and operation buttons C (1046), D (1047), and E (1048) are provided on the front surface of the watch case 1002. These operation buttons are used as external inputs to the electrophoretic display device 100.

  For example, FIG. 9B is a front view of a mobile terminal device 1100 that is one of the electronic devices. The mobile terminal device 1100 is provided with a display unit 1104 including the electrophoretic display device 100 in front of the case 1102. The display unit 1104 performs time adjustment display including a second digit 1174 and a cursor 1176, for example. Operation buttons A (1144), C (1146), D (1147), and E (1148) are provided on the front surface of the case 1102. These operation buttons are used as external inputs to the electrophoretic display device 100.

  An electronic apparatus including the electrophoretic display device 100 can set an accurate time when adjusting the time.

3. Others In the above-described embodiment, the electrophoretic display device is not limited to one that performs black and white two-particle electrophoresis using black particles and white particles, and may perform one-particle electrophoresis such as blue and white, Also, combinations other than black and white may be used.

  The driving method described above may be applied not only to the electrophoretic display device but also to a memory-type display unit. For example, ECD (Electrochromic Display = electrochromic display), ferroelectric liquid crystal display, cholesteric liquid crystal display, and the like.

  Furthermore, the application example described above is not limited to a wristwatch, and can be widely applied to devices having a clock function such as a table clock, a wall clock, and a pocket watch.

  The present invention is not limited to these exemplifications, and includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations that have the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations that have the same objects and effects). In addition, the invention includes a configuration in which a non-essential part of the configuration described in the embodiment is replaced. In addition, the present invention includes a configuration that exhibits the same operational effects as the configuration described in the embodiment or a configuration that can achieve the same object. Further, the invention includes a configuration in which a known technique is added to the configuration described in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Control part, 2 ... Clock counter, 3 ... Display part (EPD), 4 ... External input detection part, 10 ... Display control circuit, 12 ... Controller, 20 ... Microcapsule, 26 ... Black particle, 27 ... White particle, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Element substrate, 31 ... Opposite substrate, 32 ... Electrophoretic element, 35 ... Pixel electrode (drive electrode), 35A ... Pixel electrode (drive electrode), 35B ... Pixel electrode (drive electrode), 37 ... Common electrode, 40 ... Pixel, 40A ... Pixel, 40B ... Pixel, 41 ... Driving TFT (Thin Film Transistor), 44 ... External input (operation button A), 46 ... External input (operation button C), 47 ... External input (operation button D) 48 ... External input (operation button E) 49 ... Low potential power supply line (Vss) 50 ... High potential power supply line (Vdd) 55 ... Common electrode wiring (Vcom) 61 ... Scanning line drive circuit 62 ... Data Line drive Road, 64 ... common power supply modulation circuit, 66 ... scanning line, 68 ... data line, 70 ... latch circuit, 74 ... second digits, 76 ... cursor, 80 ... switching circuit, 91 ... first pulse signal line _(S 1) , 92 ... second pulse signal line (S ₂ ), 100 ... electrophoretic display device, 120 ... reference signal, 122 ... time information (calendar information), 122A to 122F ... time information (calendar information), 124 ... external input Information A, 126 ... External input information C, 127 ... External input information D, 128 ... External input information E, 130 ... Control signal, 132 ... Control signal, 132A to 132F ... Control signal (counter value adjustment signal), 132G ... Control Signal (enable signal), 134 ... internal signal, 160 ... storage unit, 201 ... second counter, 202 ... minute counter, 203 ... hour counter, 204 ... day / week cow 205, month counter, 206, year counter, 211, minute carry permission signal, 212, hour carry permission signal, 213, day / week carry permission signal, 214, month carry permission signal, 215, year digit Carry permission signal, 220 ... second carry signal, 221 ... minute carry signal, 222 ... hour carry signal, 223 ... day / week carry signal, 224 ... month carry signal, 225 ... year carry signal, 230 ... AND circuit, 231 ... AND circuit, 232 ... AND circuit, 233 ... AND circuit, 234 ... AND circuit, 235 ... AND circuit, 350 ... drive electrode layer, 360 ... electrophoretic display layer, 370 ... common Electrode layer, 1000 ... wristwatch, 1002 ... watch case, 1003 ... band, 1004 ... display unit, 1044 ... operation button A, 1046 ... operation button C, 1047 ... operation button D, 1048 ... operation Button E, 1074 ... second digit, 1076 ... cursor, 1100 ... mobile terminal device, 1102 ... case, 1104 ... display unit, 1174 ... second digit, 1176 ... cursor, 1144 ... operation button A, 1146 ... operation button C, 1147 ... Operation buttons D, 1148 ... operation buttons E, M1 ... normal display mode, M2 ... time adjustment display mode

Claims (7)

An electrophoretic display device comprising:
A time counter that counts the input reference signal to time and outputs time information;
An external input detection unit that detects external input and outputs the result as external input information;
A display unit for displaying an image by sandwiching an electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles between a pair of substrates;
A control unit for controlling the time counter and the display unit,
The controller is
Performing normal display control for displaying time on the display unit based on the time information, and time adjustment display control for displaying an adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display control on the display unit,
Switching between the normal display control and the time adjustment display control based on the external input information,
An electrophoretic display device that adjusts the value of the time counter based on the external input information when performing the time adjustment display control. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 1.
The controller is
In the normal display control, the second digit is not displayed,
In the time adjustment display control, an electrophoretic display device that displays the adjustment image including a second digit with a fixed numerical value. The electrophoretic display device according to claim 2.
The controller is
In the time adjustment display control, based on the external input information, the display unit displays 0 seconds as the second digits, the second digit value of the time counter is fixed to 0 seconds, and the time digits other than the second digits are displayed. An electrophoretic display that adjusts the value of the time counter.   An electronic apparatus comprising the electrophoretic display device according to claim 1. A time counter that counts the input reference signal to time and outputs time information, an external input detector that detects external input and outputs the result as external input information, and a pair of substrates A method for driving an electrophoretic display device including an electrophoretic element including electrophoretic particles and a display unit that displays an image,
A normal display step of causing the display unit to display a time based on the time information;
A time adjustment display step for displaying an adjustment image that is not displayed in the normal display step on the display unit;
A step of switching between the normal display step and the time adjustment display step based on the external input information,
The time adjustment display step includes
A method for driving an electrophoretic display device, wherein the value of the time counter is adjusted based on the external input information. The method for driving an electrophoretic display device according to claim 5,
In the normal display step, the second digit is not displayed,
The method of driving an electrophoretic display device, wherein the time adjustment display step displays the adjustment image including a second digit with a fixed numerical value. The method for driving an electrophoretic display device according to claim 6,
The time adjustment display step includes
Based on the external input information, 0 seconds are displayed on the display unit as the second digits, the value of the second digit of the time counter is fixed to 0 seconds, and the value of the time counter other than the second digit is adjusted. Driving method of electrophoretic display device.

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