TW202105026A - E-paper device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an e-paper device and a driving method thereof. The e-paper device includes a driving substrate and an e-paper film. The driving substrate includes a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of data lines. Each pixel region has a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a control circuit. The first pixel electrode has a first side and a second side connected with the first side. The second pixel is disposed adjacent with the first side and the second side, and the first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second pixel through the control circuit. Each scan line is electrically connected to a whole row of first pixel electrodes. Each data line is electrically connected to a whole column of first pixel electrodes. The e-paper film is disposed on the driving substrate.

Description

Electronic paper device and driving method thereof

The present invention relates to a device and a driving method thereof, in particular to a bistable electronic paper device and a driving method thereof.

With the advancement of science and technology, display devices as the communication interface between humans and machines are also continuously improving, and are developing in a diversified direction to meet human needs. Among them, liquid crystal display devices have replaced cold cathode ray tube display devices and have been widely used in various electronic products due to their low power consumption, low heat generation, light weight, and non-radiation properties. : Home TVs, laptops and desktop screens, etc.

However, both the cold cathode ray tube display device and the liquid crystal display device still have the disadvantage of requiring continuous power supply. That is, the display device displays images while still cooperating with the continuous power consumption. Therefore, a bi-stable electronic paper display device was born accordingly. When the bistable electronic paper device displays an image or screen, it does not need to input additional power, the image or screen will always be retained, and only need to input additional power when changing to another state or display screen. The characteristics of low power consumption and memorability have become the first choice for the next generation of display devices.

However, the display medium of the electronic paper device will have different characteristics as the temperature changes. For example, when the temperature is high (for example, more than 30°C), the display medium is easier to be driven. However, because the lateral electric field between two adjacent pixels will cause the image blur between the pixels, the display Text and images become blurred; in addition, when the temperature is low (for example, lower than 15°C or 10°C), the display medium is less likely to be driven, which may easily cause a gap between two adjacent pixels. The problem with the line.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an electronic paper device and a driving method thereof, which can solve the problem of image blur between two adjacent pixels at high temperature and the problem of line separation at low temperature.

To achieve the above objective, an electronic paper device according to the present invention includes a driving substrate and an electronic paper film. The driving substrate includes a plurality of pixel areas, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of data lines. The pixel areas are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Each pixel area has a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, and a control circuit. The first pixel electrode has a first side and a second pixel electrode. One side is connected to a second side, the second pixel electrode is adjacent to the first side and the second side, and the first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second pixel electrode through the control circuit. Each scan line is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode of a whole row. The data lines are alternately arranged with the scan lines, and each data line is electrically connected to a whole row of first pixel electrodes. The electronic paper film is arranged on the driving substrate.

To achieve the above objective, according to a driving method of an electronic paper device of the present invention, the electronic paper device includes a driving substrate and an electronic paper film. The electronic paper film is disposed on the driving substrate, and the driving substrate includes a plurality of pixel areas and a plurality of strips. Scanning lines and a plurality of data lines, the pixel regions are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each pixel region has a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a control circuit, the first pixel electrode has A first side and a second side connected to the first side. The second pixel electrode is adjacent to the first side and the second side. The first pixel electrode is connected to the second side through the control circuit. The element electrodes are electrically connected, each scan line is electrically connected to the first pixel electrodes of a whole row, the data lines are alternately arranged with the scan lines, and each data line is connected to a whole row of the first picture electrodes. The pixel electrodes are electrically connected, and the driving method includes: controlling the control circuits so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each pixel area are connected or not connected; and sequentially transmitting a scanning signal through each scanning line to The pixel areas; and, transmitting a data signal to the first pixel electrodes of the pixel areas through each data line.

In one embodiment, each pixel area further has a first switch, the first end of the first switch is connected to one of the data lines, and the second end of the first switch is connected to the first pixel electrode and the control circuit , The control terminal of the first switch is connected to one of the scan lines.

In one embodiment, the electronic paper device further includes: a control line, each control circuit includes a second switch, the first end of the second switch is connected to the first pixel electrode, and the second end of the second switch is connected to the second The pixel electrode and the control terminal of the second switch are connected to the control line.

In one embodiment, the driving method further includes: transmitting a conduction signal or a cut-off signal to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the second switch is turned on or off.

In an embodiment, the control line is connected to the control terminals of the second switches in all pixel areas.

In one embodiment, a conduction signal or an off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the second switch is turned on or off.

In one embodiment, the conduction signal or the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch according to a temperature value.

In one embodiment, at a first temperature, the conduction signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are connected to have the same voltage; At temperature, the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode is disconnected from the second pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode is floated, thereby increasing the number of pixels and pixels. The spacing where the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

In one embodiment, the control circuit is controlled according to a picture refresh rate to make the control circuit conductive or non-conductive.

In one embodiment, at a first frame refresh rate, the control circuit is turned on, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are connected to have the same voltage; at a second frame refresh rate, the control circuit does not Turn on, so that the first pixel electrode is disconnected from the second pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode is floated, thereby increasing the pixel-to-pixel interval, where the first image update rate is lower than the second image update rate rate.

In one embodiment, the first pixel electrode further has a third side, the third side is connected to the second side, and the second pixel electrode is further adjacent to the third side.

In one embodiment, the electronic paper film includes a display medium, and the display medium is an electrophoretic substance or cholesteric liquid crystal, or other bistable substances.

As mentioned above, in the electronic paper device and the driving method thereof of the present invention, by making the second pixel electrode of each pixel area adjacent to the first side and the second side of the first pixel electrode, In addition, the configuration and design of the first pixel electrode electrically connected to the second pixel electrode through the control circuit can solve the problem of image blur between two adjacent pixels when the electronic paper device is in a high temperature environment and the separation in a low temperature environment. Line problem.

The electronic paper device and its driving method according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to related drawings, wherein the same components will be described with the same reference signs.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the electronic paper film of the electronic paper device in FIG. 1A, FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electronic paper device in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are respectively schematic diagrams of the pixel electrode configuration of the electronic paper device of FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3A, the electronic paper device 1 includes a driving substrate 2 and an electronic paper film 3.

The driving substrate 2 includes a plurality of pixel regions 21, a plurality of scan lines G1 to Gn (only G1 to G4 are shown in FIG. 2), and a plurality of data lines D1 to Dm (only D1 to D4 are shown in FIG. 2). The pixel regions 21, the scan lines G1 to Gn, and the data lines D1 to Dm are arranged on a substrate body 20 (FIG. 1A). Wherein, a plurality of pixel regions 21 are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, and a plurality of data lines D1 to Dm and a plurality of scan lines G1 to Gn are alternately arranged to define the pixel regions 21. Wherein, each pixel area 21 may have at least one switch, such as a thin film transistor (TFT), so that the driving substrate 2 forms an active matrix (Active Matrix) driven thin film transistor substrate to drive and control each pixel area. 21. Whether the electric field is formed or not. In addition, the substrate body 20 can change the substrate state according to product requirements. It can be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a flexible substrate, and the material of the flexible substrate is, for example, but not limited to, polyimide (PI).

Please refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B at the same time. The electronic paper film 3 is disposed on the driving substrate 2. For example, an adhesive G can be used to bond the electronic paper film 3 to the upper surface of the driving substrate 2 and contact the pixel area 21 . The electronic paper film 3 is a bistable display device, so it has the advantages of power saving and wide viewing angle. It can be roughly divided into microcapsule type electronic paper, microcup type electronic paper, or cholesterol liquid crystal ( Cholesteric Liquid Crystal) electronic paper, but not limited to this. When the electronic paper film 3 is microcapsule type or microcup type electronic paper, the display medium may be an electrophoretic substance; when the electronic paper film 3 is cholesteric liquid crystal electronic paper, the display medium may be cholesteric liquid crystal molecules. When the electronic paper film 3 is another type of bistable display, the display medium can be another type of bistable material, and the application does not limit the type of the bistable material.

The embodiment of FIG. 1B is illustrated by taking the electronic paper film 3 of the microcapsule type as an example. The electronic paper film 3 includes a first substrate (lower substrate) 31, a second substrate (upper substrate) 32 opposite to the first substrate 31, a counter electrode 33, and a first substrate 31 and a second substrate 32. Between the electrophoretic substance E. Wherein, the opposite electrode 33 is formed on the entire surface of the second substrate 32 facing the surface of the electrophoretic substance E to form an electric field together with the pixel electrode of the pixel area 21 formed on the driving substrate 2 to drive the display medium ( Electrophoresis substance E). Among them, the electrophoretic substance E may include a plurality of charged light-colored pigment particles C and a dark medium solution L. The pigment particles C and the medium solution L are respectively contained in a plurality of microcapsules E1, and the microcapsules E1 can be used Then the agent is combined together. The content of the electrophoretic substance E can also be a combination of dark pigment particles and a light-colored medium solution, without limitation.

The manufacturing process of the electronic paper film 3 can also be integrated with the drive substrate 2, that is, the drive substrate 2 is used directly as the first substrate 31 of the electronic paper film 3, and the electrophoretic substance E is sealed to the second substrate 32 of the electronic paper film 3 and Between the driving substrates 2, in this way, the material cost of the first substrate 31 can be reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic paper device 1 may further include a scan driver 11 and a data driver 12. The scan driver 11 is electrically connected to the pixel regions 21 of the driving substrate 2 through the scan lines G1 to Gn. , And the data driver 12 can be electrically connected to the pixel regions 21 of the driving substrate 2 through the data lines D1 ˜Dm. When the scan driver 11 sequentially turns on the scan lines G1 to Gn according to the vertical clock signal (Clock Pulse Vertical, CPV) and the vertical synchronization signal (Vertical Synchronizing Signal), the data driver 12 can adjust the data voltage corresponding to each column of the pixel area 21 The signal is transmitted to the pixel electrode of the pixel area 21 through the data lines D1～Dm, so that the pixel electrode of the pixel area 21 and the counter electrode 33 of the electronic paper film 3 can generate an electric field, so that the The charged pigment particles C can move in the medium solution L. When external light passes through the second substrate 32 and enters the electronic paper film 3, it is reflected by the light-colored charged pigment particles C, so that the human eye can see the light-colored charged in the background of the dark medium solution L The light reflected by the pigment particles C forms a display device.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, each pixel area 21 has a first pixel electrode 211, a second pixel electrode 212, and a control circuit 213, and each scan line G1-Gn is connected to a whole row (horizontal direction). ) Are electrically connected to the first pixel electrodes 211, and each of the data lines D1 to Dm is electrically connected to a whole row (vertical) of the first pixel electrodes 211. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first pixel electrode 211 of each pixel area 21 has a first side S1 and a second side S2 connected to the first side S1, and the second pixel electrode 212 is adjacently disposed On the first side S1 and the second side S2, the first pixel electrode 211 can be electrically connected to the second pixel electrode 212 through the control circuit 213. Specifically, each pixel area 21 of this embodiment includes two pixel electrodes: a first pixel electrode 211 and a second pixel electrode 212. The spatial arrangement of the first pixel electrode 211 is roughly A quadrilateral shape has four connected sides, but the actual pixel configuration can be any shape, which is not limited here.

The aforementioned four connected sides are the first side S1, the second side S2, the third side, and the fourth side (the third side and the fourth side are not marked in FIG. 3A), and the second picture The pixel electrode 212 surrounds the first side S1 and the second side S2 of the first pixel electrode 211. In this embodiment, the spatial arrangement of the second pixel electrode 212 is approximately in the shape of an inverted 7 shape, which is adjacent to the first side S1 and the second side S2 connected to the first pixel electrode 211, and The two can be (electrically) connected together through the control circuit 213. The materials of the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 can be light-transmissive or opaque conductive materials, such as but not limited to indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide. Indium zinc oxide (IZO), or other transparent conductive materials, and non-transparent conductive materials are, for example, metals or alloys.

Please refer to FIG. 2 again. Each pixel area 21 of this embodiment further has a first switch T1. The first end of the first switch T1 is connected to one of the data lines D1 to Dm. The first switch The second end of T1 is connected to the first pixel electrode 211 and the control circuit 213, and the control end of the first switch T1 is connected to one of the scan lines G1 to Gn. In addition, the electronic paper device 1 of this embodiment may further include at least one control line Gc, and each control circuit 213 may respectively include a second switch T2, and the first end of the second switch T2 is connected to the first end of the pixel area 21. For the pixel electrode 211, the second end of the second switch T2 is connected to the second pixel electrode 212 of the pixel area 21, and the control end of the second switch T2 is connected to the control line Gc. Here, the control circuit 213 including the second switch T2 is just an example. In different embodiments, the control circuit 213 may have different elements or circuits.

In this embodiment, one control line Gc is taken as an example, and is connected to the scan driver 11. Here, the circuit that controls the on or off of each control circuit 213 (the second switch T2) is integrated into the scan driver 11, so that the scan driver 11 can output a conduction signal or an off signal to be transmitted to all controls through the control line Gc. The control terminal of the circuit 213 (the second switch T2) turns on or off the second switches T2 of all the pixel regions 21. In different embodiments, the circuit for controlling the on or off of the second switch T2 can also be independent of the scan driver 11, and is not limited. The first switch T1 and the second switch T2 may be thin film transistors (for example, P-type), and are formed on the substrate body 20.

In addition, in this embodiment, a control line Gc is used to connect the control terminals of the second switch T2 of all the pixel regions 21 to control the turning on or off of the second switch T2. However, this is a limitation. In different embodiments, , Please refer to Figure 5, which is another schematic circuit diagram of the electronic paper device of the present invention. In the electronic paper device 1a of FIG. 5, the number of control lines Gc1 to Gcn (only Gc1 to Gc4 in FIG. 5) connected to the control circuit 213 can be the same as the number of scanning lines G1 to Gn, and the control lines Gc1 to Gcn are respectively It is connected to the control terminal of the plurality of second switches T2 corresponding to the pixel area 21 of a whole row, so as to control the plurality of second switches T2 of the corresponding row through the plurality of control lines Gc1-Gcn.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A in conjunction with FIG. 4, where FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the driving sequence of the electronic paper device in FIG. 1A.

In this embodiment, the scan driver 11 transmits a conduction signal or a cutoff signal to each control circuit 213 (second switch T2) according to a temperature value, so as to turn on the control circuit 213 (second switch T2) or make the control circuit 213 (The second switch T2) is not conducting. Specifically, the scan driver 11 can send an appropriate control signal to the control circuit 213 (the second switch T2) depending on the place of use. For example, in a department store, a low-temperature place such as a cold storage or freezer for storing fresh food and vegetables, the temperature is for example below 15°C (inclusive), and a high-temperature place is, for example, an area or a warehouse where general daily necessities are placed. , The temperature is, for example, higher than 25°C or above 30°C. The temperature value here is just an example, and the user can apply or adjust the characteristics of the electronic paper device 1 depending on the difference of the location.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, at a first temperature (low temperature), before the scan driver 11 starts to output scan signals to the respective scan lines G1 to Gn, the scan driver 11 of this embodiment can first output the pilot signal and pass The control line Gc is transmitted to the control terminals of the second switches T2 of all the pixel regions 21 to turn on the second switch T2 to connect the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 of each pixel region 21 And make both have the same voltage. Wherein, the second switch T2 is kept in the on state during the entire frame time (Frame time). After that, the scan driver 11 sequentially sends scan signals to the scan lines G1 to Gn, so that the first switch T1 can be turned on, and the data driver 12 can pass the data voltages corresponding to the data lines D1 to Dm through the data lines D1 to D1 to D1. Dm and the first switch T1 are transmitted to the corresponding first pixel electrode 211. Since the second switch T2 is turned on, the data voltage transmitted to the first pixel electrode 211 can be transmitted to the second pixel electrode 212 through the second switch T2, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 Have the same data voltage.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the first pixel electrode 211 of each pixel area 21 is connected to the second pixel electrode 212 and has the same data voltage, an electric field will be generated between each pixel area 21 and the counter electrode 33. The size of the pixel electrode (that is, the sum of the areas of the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212) is relatively large compared with the prior art, so that whether the gap d1 in the row direction or the gap d2 in the column direction is They are all smaller than conventional ones (that is, the pixel-to-pixel spacing becomes smaller). Therefore, the electric field generated between the pixel electrode of the pixel area 21 and the counter electrode 33 is easier to drive the charged pigment particles C. In this way, the problem of low-temperature separation between two adjacent pixels in a low-temperature environment can be solved.

In addition, at a second temperature (high temperature, the first temperature is lower than the second temperature), before the scan driver 11 starts to output the scan signal to the respective scan lines G1 to Gn, the scan driver 11 may output an off signal to be transmitted through the control line Gc To the control terminal of the second switch T2, the second switch T2 is turned off, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 are disconnected, and the second pixel electrode 212 is floated, thereby increasing the number of pixels The distance from the pixel. Here, when the control circuit 213 is not turned on (off), the data voltage transmitted to the first pixel electrode 211 will not be transmitted to the second pixel electrode 212. At this time, as shown in FIG. A pixel electrode 211 has a data voltage, and the size of the pixel electrode (that is, the area of the first pixel electrode 211) that can generate an electric field with the counter electrode 33 in each pixel area 21 is relatively small compared to the conventional one, so that Regardless of the gap d3 in the row direction or the gap d4 in the column direction, it is larger than the conventional one (that is, the pixel-to-pixel spacing becomes larger). Therefore, the lateral electric field between two adjacent pixel regions 21 is relatively low. It will affect (interfere) the movement of the charged pigment particles C, thereby solving the problem of image blur caused by the lateral electric field between two adjacent pixels in a high-temperature environment.

In some embodiments, the circuit that controls the second switch T2 (control circuit 213) can transmit the conduction signal or the cutoff signal to the second switch T2 of each pixel area 21 by manual or automatic control. In terms of automatic control, when it is applied to a low temperature environment (refrigerated or freezer) in a store to make the electronic paper device 1 display product information, a temperature sensor can be used to automatically detect the ambient temperature of the location, so as to control the first The circuit of the second switch T2 (control circuit 213) can automatically transmit the pilot signal to each pixel area 21; when used in a higher temperature environment such as a store (such as an area or a warehouse where general daily necessities are placed), it can be passed The temperature sensor automatically detects the ambient temperature, so that the circuit that controls the turn-on or turn-off of the second switch T2 (control circuit 213) can automatically transmit a turn-off signal to each pixel area 21 for use in different working environments. Of course, the user can also manually switch the mode to control whether the control circuit 213 is turned on.

The control circuit of each pixel area 21 can also have a different form to control the on or off of the control circuit in different ways. For example, the control circuit can be controlled according to a picture update rate to make the control circuit conductive or non-conductive. Specifically, the control circuit may include, for example, a timer (Timer), which may include an RC circuit, and uses the frame rate of the electronic paper device (Frame rate, that is, the frequency at which the display screen is updated per second) for automatic control. When in a low temperature environment, the screen update rate of the electronic paper device can be switched to a lower first screen update rate; when in a high temperature environment, the screen update rate of the electronic paper device can be switched to a higher second screen update rate The update rate of the first frame is lower than the update rate of the second pixel.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic paper device 1b according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at the first frame refresh rate, the control circuit 213b of the electronic paper device 1b is turned on, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 are connected to have the same voltage. Specifically, assuming that under normal conditions, the screen update rate of the electronic paper device 1b is 60Hz. When it is in a low temperature environment, a lower screen update rate (for example, 30Hz) can be used. The low screen update rate represents the scan lines G1~ The conduction time of Gn is relatively long. Within this relatively long conduction time, the timer has been activated to turn on the control circuit 213b, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the first pixel electrode 211 are electrically connected together, so that the first pixel electrode 211 is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode 211. The data voltage of the pixel electrode 211 can be transmitted to the second pixel electrode 212 so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 have the same data voltage. In this way, the problem of low temperature separation between two adjacent pixels can also be solved.

In addition, at the second frame refresh rate, the control circuit 213b is turned off and not turned on, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 212 are disconnected, and the second pixel electrode 212 is floated, thereby increasing the picture. The distance between pixel and pixel. Specifically, when in a high temperature environment, a higher image update rate (for example, 100Hz) is used. A high image update rate means that the conduction time of each scan line G1～Gn is shorter. In this shorter conduction time, the timing The first pixel electrode 211 is disconnected from the first pixel electrode 211, and the data voltage of the first pixel electrode 211 will not be transmitted to the second pixel electrode 212 because the control circuit 213b is not turned on. (Only the first pixel electrode 211 has a data voltage), which can increase the pixel-to-pixel spacing. Therefore, it can also solve the problem of the lateral electric field between two adjacent pixels in a high-temperature environment. Image blur problem. Of course, the aforementioned control method of using a lower image update rate in low temperature environments and a higher image update rate in high temperature environments can also be changed and set by the temperature sensor automatically detecting the ambient temperature, or by the user Manual switching and setting.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another pixel electrode configuration of the electronic paper device of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the second pixel electrode 212 of the electronic paper device 1 is adjacent to the first side S1 and the second side S2 of the first pixel electrode 211. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 7 , The second pixel electrode 212c of each pixel area 21c of the electronic paper device 1c is spatially arranged except for the first side S1 and the second side S2 adjacent to the first pixel electrode 211c, the first picture The pixel electrode 211c further has a third side S3, the third side S3 is connected to the second side S2, and the second pixel electrode 212c is simultaneously adjacent to the first side S1, the second side S2, and the third side. Side S3 (that is, the three sides correspond to the connected second pixel electrode 212c). In addition, in different embodiments, the first pixel electrode may further have a fourth side (not shown), the fourth side is connected to the third side, and the second pixel electrode may be adjacent to the first The first side, the second side, the third side and the fourth side of the pixel electrode, that is, the four sides of the first pixel electrode are surrounded by the second pixel electrode. The present invention does not not limited.

FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of the electronic paper device of the present invention. The main difference between the electronic paper device 1d of FIG. 8 and the aforementioned electronic paper device is that the electronic paper device 1d of this embodiment may further include a transparent substrate 13 and a sealant 14. The material of the transparent substrate 13 may be light-transmissive Glass or plastic, and set on the electronic paper film 3. The sealant 14 surrounds the transparent substrate 13 and the periphery of the substrate body 20 and is located between the transparent substrate 13 and the substrate body 20. Here, the sealant 14 is used to bond the drive substrate 2 and the transparent substrate 13 to form a closed space S, and the electronic paper film 3 accommodates the closed space S to prevent moisture or foreign matter from entering and destroying its characteristics.

In addition, the present invention further provides a driving method of an electronic paper device, which is used in conjunction with one of the aforementioned electronic paper devices 1 to 1d. The technical content of the electronic paper devices 1 to 1d has been described in detail in the above content, and it is here No more explanation.

As shown in FIG. 2, taking the electronic paper device 1 as an example, the driving method may include at least the following steps: The first step: controlling the control circuits 213 so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 211 of each pixel area 21 The pixel electrode 212 is connected or not connected, wherein the control circuit 213 is controlled according to the temperature value or the picture refresh rate to make the control circuit 213 conductive or non-conductive, so that the first pixel electrode 211 and the second pixel electrode 211 of each pixel area 21 are turned on or off. The pixel electrode 212 is connected or not connected. The second step: sequentially send scan signals to the pixel regions 21 through the scan lines G1 ~ Gn to turn on the first switch T1 of each pixel region 21; and send data signals to the pixel regions 21 through the data lines D1 ~ Dm The first pixel electrodes 211 of the pixel regions 21. Wherein, while the scan signal is sent to the scan lines G1 to Gn to turn on the first switch T1 of the pixel area 21, the corresponding data signal is sent to the first switch T1 of the pixel area 21 through the data lines D1 to Dm. One pixel electrode 211.

In addition, other technical features of the driving method of the electronic paper device have been described in detail in the above content, and the specific content can refer to the above content, which will not be repeated here.

In summary, in the electronic paper device and the driving method thereof of the present invention, by making the second pixel electrode of each pixel area adjacent to the first side and the second side of the first pixel electrode, In addition, the configuration and design of the first pixel electrode electrically connected to the second pixel electrode through the control circuit can solve the problem of image blur between two adjacent pixels when the electronic paper device is in a high temperature environment and the separation in a low temperature environment. Line problem.

The above description is only illustrative, and not restrictive. Any equivalent modifications or alterations that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be included in the scope of the appended patent application.

1. 1a～1d: Electronic paper device 11, 11a, 11b: scan driver 12: Data drive 13: Transparent substrate 14: frame glue 2: Drive substrate 20: Substrate body 21, 21b, 21c: pixel area 211, 211c: the first pixel electrode 212, 212c: second pixel electrode 213, 213b: control circuit 3: Electronic paper film 31: The first substrate 32: second substrate 33: Counter electrode C: Pigment particles CPV: vertical clock signal d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d6: gap D1～D4: data line E: Electrophoresis substance E1: Microcapsule G: Adhesive G1～Gn: scan line Gc, Gc1～Gc4: control line L: Medium solution S: closed space S1: First side S2: second side S3: Third side T1: First switch T2: second switch

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an electronic paper device according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the electronic paper film of the electronic paper device of FIG. 1A. Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electronic paper device of Fig. 1A. 3A and 3B are respectively schematic diagrams of the pixel electrode arrangement of the electronic paper device of FIG. 1A. 4 is a schematic diagram of the driving sequence of the electronic paper device of FIG. 1A. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another circuit of the electronic paper device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of an electronic paper device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another pixel electrode configuration of the electronic paper device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of the electronic paper device of the present invention.

1: Electronic paper device

21: Pixel area

211: The first pixel electrode

212: second pixel electrode

d1, d2: gap

S1: First side

S2: second side

Claims (20)

An electronic paper device, including: A drive substrate, including: A plurality of pixel regions are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. Each pixel region has a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a control circuit. The first pixel electrode has a first side And a second side connected to the first side, the second pixel electrode is adjacent to the first side and the second side, and the first pixel electrode passes through the control circuit and the second side Two-pixel electrode is electrically connected; A plurality of scan lines, each of the scan lines is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode of a whole row; and A plurality of data lines are arranged alternately with the scan lines, and each of the data lines is electrically connected to a whole row of first pixel electrodes; and An electronic paper film is arranged on the drive substrate. For the electronic paper device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, each pixel area further has a first switch, the first end of the first switch is connected to one of the data lines, and the first switch of the first switch is connected to one of the data lines. The second terminal is connected to the first pixel electrode and the control circuit, and the control terminal of the first switch is connected to one of the scan lines. The electronic paper device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application includes: A control line, each of the control circuits includes a second switch, the first end of the second switch is connected to the first pixel electrode, the second end of the second switch is connected to the second pixel electrode, the second switch Connect the control terminal to the control line. The electronic paper device described in item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control line is connected to the control terminals of the second switches in all pixel areas. As for the electronic paper device described in item 3 of the scope of patent application, a conductive signal or a cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the second switch is turned on or off. The electronic paper device described in item 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the pilot signal or the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch according to a temperature value. The electronic paper device described in item 6 of the scope of patent application, wherein, at a first temperature, the conduction signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode and the second switch The two pixel electrodes are connected and have the same voltage; at a second temperature, the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are different from each other. Connecting to make the second pixel electrode float, wherein the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. The electronic paper device described in item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the control circuit is controlled according to a frame update rate to make the control circuit conductive or non-conductive. The electronic paper device described in claim 8, wherein the control circuit is turned on at a first image refresh rate, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are connected to have the same voltage ; At a second picture update rate, the control circuit is not turned on, so that the first pixel electrode is not connected to the second pixel electrode, and then the second pixel electrode is floating, wherein the first picture is updated The rate is lower than the second screen update rate. According to the electronic paper device described in claim 1, wherein the first pixel electrode further has a third side, the third side is connected to the second side, and the second pixel electrode is more adjacent Set on the third side. According to the electronic paper device described in claim 1, wherein the electronic paper film includes a display medium, and the display medium is an electrophoretic substance or a cholesteric liquid crystal. A method for driving an electronic paper device. The electronic paper device includes a driving substrate and an electronic paper film. The electronic paper film is disposed on the driving substrate. The driving substrate includes a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of scanning lines, and a plurality of Data line, the pixel regions are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, each pixel region has a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode and a control circuit, the first pixel electrode has a first pixel electrode Side and a second side connected to the first side, the second pixel electrode is adjacent to the first side and the second side, and the first pixel electrode passes through the control circuit and The second pixel electrode is electrically connected, each scan line is electrically connected to a whole row of the first pixel electrodes, the data lines are alternately arranged with the scan lines, and each data line is connected to a whole row The first pixel electrodes are electrically connected, and the driving method includes: Controlling the control circuits so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode of each pixel area are connected or not connected; Send a scan signal to the pixel areas through each scan line in sequence; and A data signal is transmitted to the first pixel electrodes of the pixel areas through each of the data lines. According to the driving method described in item 12 of the scope of patent application, each pixel area further has a first switch, the first end of the first switch is connected to one of the data lines, and the first switch of the first switch is connected to one of the data lines. The two ends are connected to the first pixel electrode and the control circuit, and the control end of the first switch is connected to one of the scan lines. According to the driving method described in claim 12, the electronic paper device further includes a control line, each of the control circuits includes a second switch, and the first end of the second switch is connected to the first pixel electrode, The second end of the second switch is connected to the second pixel electrode, the control end of the second switch is connected to the control line, and the driving method further includes: A conduction signal or an off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the second switch is turned on or off. According to the driving method described in item 14 of the scope of patent application, the pilot signal or the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch according to a temperature value. According to the driving method described in claim 15, wherein, at a first temperature, the conduction signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode and the second The pixel electrodes are connected and have the same voltage; at a second temperature, the cut-off signal is transmitted to the control terminal of the second switch through the control line, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are not connected , So that the second pixel electrode is floated, and the first temperature is lower than the second temperature. According to the driving method described in item 12 of the scope of patent application, the control circuit is controlled according to a picture refresh rate to make the control circuit conductive or non-conductive. According to the driving method described in claim 17, wherein, at a first image refresh rate, the control circuit is turned on, so that the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are connected to have the same voltage; At a second frame update rate, the control circuit is turned off, so that the first pixel electrode is disconnected from the second pixel electrode, and the second pixel electrode is floated. The first frame update rate is lower than The second screen update rate. According to the driving method described in claim 12, wherein the first pixel electrode further has a third side, the third side is connected to the second side, and the second pixel electrode is disposed adjacently On the third side. According to the driving method described in claim 12, the electronic paper film includes a display medium, and the display medium is an electrophoretic substance or a cholesteric liquid crystal.

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