WO2013130186A1

WO2013130186A1 - Subpixel arrangements of displays and method for rendering the same

Info

Publication number: WO2013130186A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/021845
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing GU; Keigo Hirakawa
Original assignee: Shenzhen Yunyinggu Technology Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2012-02-28
Filing date: 2013-01-17
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: US20130222442A1; EP2820643A1; CN104025183A; TWI595464B; EP2820643A4; US9165526B2; EP2820643B1; TW201335911A; CN104025183B

Abstract

An apparatus including a display and control logic is provided, in one example, the display includes an array of subpixels having a subpixel repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern. The subpixel repeating group comprises n rows of subpixels and n columns of subpixels. Each row of the subpixel repeating group comprises n types of subpixels. Each column of the subpixel repeating group comprises the n types of subpixels. Subpixels along each diagonal direction of the subpixel repeating group comprise at least two types of the n types of subpixels. The control logic is operatively coupled to the display and is configured to receive display data and render the display data into control signals for driving the array of subpixels of the display.

Description

SIJBPIXEL ARRANGEMENTS OF DISPLAYS AND METHOD FOR RENDERING

THE SAME

BACKGROUND

[0001. ] The disclosure relates generally to displays, and more particularly, to subpixei arrangements of displays and a method for rendering the same.

[0002] Displays are commonly characterized b display resolution, which is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed (e.g., 1920x 1080). Many displays are, tor various reasons, not capable of displaying different color channels at the same site. Therefore, the pixel grid is divided into single-color parts that contribute to the displayed color when viewed at a distance. In some displays, such as liquid crystal dispiay (LCD), organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, electrophoretic ink (E-ink) display, or electroluminescent display (ELD), these single-color parts are separately addressable elements, which are known as subpixels.

[^'0003] Various subpixei arrangements (layouts, schemes) have been proposed to operate with a proprietary set of subpixei rendering algorithms in order to improve the display quality by increasing the apparent resolution of a displa and by anti-aliasing text with greater details. For example, LCDs typically divide each pixel into three strip subpixeis (e.g., red, green, and blue subpixels) or four quadrate subpixels (e.g., red, green, blue, and white subpixels) so that each pixel can present brightness and a full color. However, since human vision system is not as sensitive to brightness as to color, the known solutions of using three or four subpixeis to constitute a. full-color pixel are not always necessary.

[0004] Other known solutions take a different approach by dividing each pixel into two subpixels and arranging the subpixels tiled across the display in specifically designed pattern. In order to keep the same apparent color resolution in a larger scale, it is desired to design the subpixei arrangement so that the pixels in a line along any direction of the displa can still present full colors, in other words, different types (colors) of subpixels are desired to be uniformly distributed in each direction on the display . In addition, some of these known solutions divide each pixel into subpixels with different shapes and sizes, thereby causing extra hardship for manufacturing,

[0005| Accordingly, there exists a need for improved subpixei arrangements of display s and a method for rendering the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006) The embodiments wii! be more readily understood in view of the following description when accompanied b the below figures and wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, wherein:

[0007j FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a apparatus including a display and control logic;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one example of the display of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment set forth in the disclosure;

[0009) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the display of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodimeni set forth in the disclosure;

[001 Q] FIG. 4A is a depiction of a subpixel repeating group in accordance with one embodiment set forth in die disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 4B is a depiction of a subpixel arrangement of a display defined by the subpixei repeating group shown in FIG. 4 A;

[0012) FIG. 5 is a depiction of a red, green, blue, and white subpixels arrangement of a display defined b the subpixel repeating group shown in FIG. 4A;

[0013) FIGS. 6A-6Q are depictions of subpixel repeating groups in accordance with various embodiments set forth in the disclosure;

[00141 FIG. 7 is a depiction of another subpixel arrangement of a display defined by the subpixel repeating group shown in FIG. 4A;

100.15] FIG. 8 is a depiction of still another subpixel repeating group in accordance with one embodiment set forth in the disclosure;

[^'0016] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating one example of Ac control logic of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodimeni set forth in the disclosure: and

[00171 FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for rendering subpixels of the display of the apparatus shown, in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment set forth m the disclosure.

SUMMARY

[OOISj The present disclosure describes subpixel arrangements of displays and a method for rendering the same. An apparatus including a display and control logic is provided, hi one example, the display includes an army of subpixels having a subpixei repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern. The subpixel repeating group comprises n rows of subpixeis and n columns of subpixeis. Each row of the subpixel repeating group composes n types of subpixeis. Each column of the subpixel repeating group comprises the n types of subpixeis. Subpixeis along each diagonal direction of the subpixel repeating group comprise at least two types of the n types of subpixeis. The control iogic is operatively coupled to the display and is configured to receive display data and render the display data into control signals for driving the array of subpixeis of the display.

100.19] A method for rendering subpixeis of a display is also provided. The method may be implemented by the control logic of the apparatus or on an suitable machine having at least one processor. I n one example, an arrangement of the array of subpixeis provided above is first identified. Display data, including, for each pixel for display, three parts of original subpixel data for rendering three types of subpixeis of the display is then received. For each pixel for display, the display data is converted into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of subpixeis. Eventually, based on the converted display data, control signals are provided for rendering the array of subpixeis of the display.

[0020] Among other advantages, the present disclosure provides the ability to reduce the number of subpixeis while maintaining the same apparent display resolution, thereby reducing die cost and power consumption of the display, or to reduce the size of each pixel while keeping tl½ same manufactiiring process, thereby increasing the display resolution. The novel subpixel arrangements of the present disclosure make the color distribution of the display more -uniform compared with known solu tions, thereby increasing the user experience. In addition, because each pixel in the present disclosure: may be divided equally into too subpixeis instead of the conventional three strip subpixeis or four quadrate subpixeis. the number of addressable display elements per unit area of a display can be increased without changing the current manufacturing process.

[0021] Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which, follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of various aspects of the methodologies- instrumentalities and combinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

10022) in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth fay way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant disclosures. However, it should be apparent to those skilled irt the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, systems, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high- level, without, detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023) FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 100 including a display 102 and control logic

104. The apparatus 100 may be any suitable device, for example, a television set, laptop computer, desktop computer, iieibook computer, media center, handheld device (e.g., dumb or smart phone, tablet etc.), electronic billboard, gaming console, set-top box, printer, or any other suitable device, in this example, the display ,102 is operativeiy coupled to the control logic 104 and is part of the apparatus 100, such as but not limited to, a television screen, computer monitor, dashboard, head-mounted display, or electronic, billboard. The displa 102 may be a LCD, OLED display, E-ink display, ELD. billboard display with incandescent lamps, or any other suitable type of display. The control logic 104 may be any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof, configured to receive display data 106 and render the received display data 10 into control signals 108 for driving the array of subpixels of the display .102. For example, subpixel rendering algorithms for various subpixel arrangements may be part of the control logic 104 or implemented by the control logic 104. The control logic 104 may include any other suitable components, including an. encoder, a decoder, one or more processors, controllers (e.g., timing controller), and storage devices. One example of the control logic 1 4 and a method for rendering subpixels of the display 102 implemented by the control logic 104 are described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. The apparatus 100 may also include airy other suitable component such, as, but not li mired to, a speaker 1 18 and an input device 120, e.g., a mouse, keyboard, remote controller, handwriting device, camera, microphone, scanner, etc.

[^'0024) in one example, the apparatus 100 ma be a laptop or desktop computer having a display 1 2. In this example, the apparatus .100 also includes a processor 1.10 and memory 1 12. The processor 1 10 may be, for example, a graphic processor (e.g., GPU), a general processor (e.g., APti, accelerated processing unit; GFGFU, general-purpose computing on GPU), or any other suitable processor. The memory 1 12 may be, for example, a discrete frame buffer or a unified memory. The processor 1 10 is configured to generate display data 106 in display frames and temporally store the display data 106 in the memory 112 before sending it to the control logic 104. The processor HO may also generate other data, such as but not limited to, control instructions 114 or test signals, and provide them to the control logic 104 directly or through the memory i 12. The control logic 104 then receives the display data 106 from the memory 1 12 or from the processo ί 10 directly.

|O025] hi another example, the apparatus 100 may be a television set having a display 102. hi this example, the apparatus 100 also includes a receiver 1 16, such as but not limited to, an antenna, radio frequency receiver, digital signal tuner, digital display connectors, e.g., HDM1, DV.1, Display Port, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi receiver, or Ethernet port The receiver 1 16 is configured to recei ve the display data 106 as an input of the apparatus 100 and provide the native or modulated display data 106 to the control logic 104.

[0026] In still another example, the apparatus 10 may be a handheld device, such as a smart phone or a tablet. In ibis example, the apparatus 100 includes the processor 110, memory 1 12, and the receiver 1 16. The apparatus 100 may both generate display data 106 by its processor 1 10 and receive display data 106 through its receiver 11 . For example, the apparatus 100 may be a handheld device that work as both a portable television and a portable computing device. In any event the apparatus 100 at least includes the display 102 with specifically designed subpixel arrangements as described below in detail and the control logic 104 for the specifically designed subpixel arrangements of the display 102.

[0027) FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the display 102 including an array of siibpixels 202, 204, 206, 208. The display 102 may be any suitable type of display, for example, LCDs, such as a twisted nematic (IN) LCD. in-plane switching {LPS} LCD, advanced fringe field switching (AFFS) LCD, vertical alignment (VA) LCD, advanced super view (ASV) LCD, blue phase mode LCD, passive-matrix (PM) LCD, or any other suitable display. The display 102 .may include a display panel 210 and a. backlight panel 212, which are operatively coupled to the control logic 104. The backlight, panel 212 includes light sources for providing lights to the display panel 210. such as but not limited to, incandescent light bulbs. LEDs, EL panel, cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), and hot cathode fluorescent lamps (HCFLs). to name a few. [0028] The display panel 210 may be, for example, a TN panel, an IPS panel, an

AFFS panel, a. VA panel, an ASV panel, or any other suitable display panel. In this example, the display panel 210 includes a Filter substrate 2.2.0, an electrode substrate 224. and a liquid crystal layer 226 disposed between the filter substrate 220 and the electrode substrate 224. As shown in FIG. 2, the filter substrate 220 includes a plurality of filters 228, 230, 232, 234 corresponding to the plurality of subpixels 202, 204, 206, 208, respectively. A, B, C, and D in FIG . 2 denote four different types of filters, such as but not limited to, red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, or white filter. The filter substrate 220 may also include a black matrix 236 disposed between the filters 228, 230, 232, 234 as shown in FIG. 2. The black matrix 236, as the borders of the subpixels 202, 204, 206, 208, is used tor blocking the lights coming out from the parts outside the filters 228, 230, 232. 234. In this example, the electrode substrate 224 includes a plurality of electrodes 238, 240, 242, 244 with, switching elements, such as thin film transistors (TFTs). corresponding to the plurality of filters 228, 230, 232, 234 of the plurality of subpixels 202, 204. 206, 208. respectively. The electrodes 238, 240, 242, 244 with the switching elements may be individually addressed by the control signals 108 from the control logic 104 and are configured to drive the corresponding subpixels 202, 204, 206, 208 by controlling the light passing through the respective filters 228, 230, 232, 234 according to the control signals .108. The display panel. 210 may include any other suitable component, such as one or more glass substrates, polarisation layers, or a touch panel, as known in the art.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of subpixels 202. 204, 206, 208 is constituted b at least a filter, a corresponding electrode, and the liquid crystal region between Che corresponding filter and electrode. The filters 228, 230, 232, 234 may be formed of a resin film in which dyes or pigments having the desired color are contained. Depending on the characteristics (e.g., color, thickness, etc.) of the respective filter, a subpixel may present a distinct color and brightness. In this example, two adjacent subpixels may constitute one pixel, for display. For example, the subpixels A 202 and B 204 may constitute a pixel 246, and the subpixels C 206 and D 208 may constitute another pixel 248. Here, since the display data 106 is usually programmed at the pixel level, the two subpixels of each pixel or the multiple subpixels of several adjacent pixels may be addressed collectively by subpixel rendering to present the brightness and color of each pixel, as designated in the display data 106, wit the hel of subpixel rendering . However, it is understood thai, in other examples- the display data 106 may be programmed at the subpixei level such that the display data. .106 can directly address individual subpixel without: die need of subpixei rendering. Because it usually requires three primary colors (red. green, and blue) to present a full color, specifically designed subpixei arrangements are provided below in detail for the display 102 to achieve an appropriate apparent color resolution.

[0030j FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a display i 02 including an array of subpixeis 302, 304, 306, 308. The display 102 may be any suitable type of display, for example, OLED displays, such as an active-matrix (AM) OLED display, passive-matrix (P ) OLED display, or any other suitable display. The display 102 may include a display panel 310 operatively coupled to the control logic 104. Different from FIG. 2, a backlight panel may not be necessary for an OLED display 102 in FIG. 3 as the display panel 310 can emit lights by the OLEDs therein.

(0031 j In this example, the display panel 310 includes a light emitting substrate 3 i 8 and an electrode substrate 320. As shown in FIG. 3, the tight emitting substrate 18 includes a plurality of OLEDs 322. 324, 326, 328 corresponding to the plurality of subpixeis 302, 304. 306, 308, respectively. A, B, C, and D in FIG. 3 denote four different types of OLEDs, such as but not limited to, red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, or white OLED. The light emitting substrate 318 may also include a black matri 330 disposed betwee the OLEDs 322. 324. 326, 328, as shown in FIG. 3. The black matrix 330, as the borders of the subpixeis 302, 304, 306, 308, is used for blocking the lights coming out from the parts outside the OLEDs 32.2, 324, 326, 328. Different from FIG. 2, a filter substrate may not be necessary for an OLED display 302 as each OLED in the light emitting substrate 318 can emit the light with a predetermined color and brightoess. in this example, the electrode substrate 320 includes a plurality of electrodes 332, 334, 336, 33 with switching elements, such as TFTs, corresponding to the plurality of OLEDs 322, 324, 326, 328 of the plurality of subpixeis 302, 304, 306. 308, respectively. The electrodes 332, 334, 336, 33 with the switching elements may be individually addressed by the control signals 108 from the control logic 104 and are configured to drive the corresponding subpixeis 302, 304, 306, 308 by controlling the light emitting from the respective OLEDs 322, 324, 326, 328 according to the control signals 108. The display panel 310 may .include any other suitable component, such as one or more glass substrates, polarization layers, or a touch panel, as known in the art. [0032] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of subpixels 302, 304, 306, 308 is constituted by at least an OLED and a corresponding electrode. Each OLED may be formed by a sandwich structure of anode, light emitting layers, and cathode, as known in the art. Depending on the characteristics (e.g., material, structure, etc.) of the light emitting layers of the respecti ve OLED, a subpixel may present a distinct color and brightness, hi this example, two adjacent subpixels may constitute one pixel tor display. For example, the subpixels A 302 and B 304 may constitute a pixel 340, and the subpixels C 306 and D 308 may constitute another pixel 342. Here, since the display data 106 is usually programmed at the pixel level, the two subpixels of each pixel or the multipie subpixels of several adjacent pixels may be addressed collectively by subpixel rendering to present the appropriate brightness and color of each pixel, as designated tn the display data 106, with the help of subpixel rendering. However, it is understood that, in other examples, the display data 106 may be programmed at the subpixel level such mat the display data 106 can directly address individual subpixel without the need of subpixel rendering. Because it usually requires three primary colors (.red, green, and blue) to present a full color, specifically designed subpixel arrangements are provided below in detail for the display .1 2 to achieve an appropriate apparent color resolution.

[0033] Although FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrated as a LCD display and an OLED display, respectively, it is understood that FKJS. 2 and 3 are provided for an exemplary purpose only and without limitations. As noted above, in addition to LCD and OLED display, the display 102 may be an E-ink display, an ELD, a billboard display with incandescent lamps, or any other suitable type of display.

[0034] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a subpixel arrangement of a display 400 defined by a subpixel repeating group 402. The display 400 includes an arra of subpixels having a subpixel repeating group 402 tiled across the display 400 in a regular pattern. A. B, C, and D in FIGS. 4A and 4B denote four different types of subpixels, such as but not limited to, red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, or white subpixel. FIG. 48 may be, for example, a top view of the display 102 and depicts one example of the subpixel arrangements of the display 400. Referring to FIG. 4A, the subpixel repeating group 40 in this example is a four by four matrix, including four rows and four columns of subpixels. Each row of the subpixel repeating group 402 in this example includes four types of subpixels, i.e.. A, 8, C, and D. In other words, subpixels in each row of the subpixel repeating group 402 are different from each other. Also, each column of the subpixel repeating group 402 in this example includes the tour types of subpixels, i.e.. A, B. C, and D. That is, subpixels in each column of the subpixel repeating group 402 are also different from each other. Accordingly, any two adjacent subpixels along the horizontal or vertical direction are different from, each other, in. addition, subpixels along each, diagonal direction of the stibpixei repeating group 402 include at least two types of the four types of subpixels (A, B, C. and D). In oilier words, subpixels along any diagonal direction in the subpixel repeating group 420 cannot be ail the same. In this example, the subpixels along the first diagonal direction (e.g ., A-A-D- B, from the top left comer to the bottom right corner) of the subpixel repeating group 402 includes three types of subpixels, i.e.. A, EL and D, and the subpixels along the second diagonal direction (e.g.. D-B-C-C, from the top right comer to the bottom left comer) of the subpixel repeating group 402 includes three types of subpixels, i.e., B, C, and D.

[0035| Referring to FIG. 4B. the subpixel arrangement of the display 400 may be defined by the subpixel repeating group 402 illustrated in FIG. 4A. In both the horizontal and vertical directions of the display 400, the subpixel arrangement may be described as the subpixel repeating group 402 repeating itself. In other words, the subpixel repeating group 402 is tiled across the display 400 in a .regular pattern.

[0036] In this example, all the subpixels of the display 400 have the same shape and size, and two adjacent subpixels constitute one pixel for display. For example, each subpixel may have a substantially rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of about 2: 1. as shown in FIG. 4B. In other words, each square pixel 404 is divided horizontally and equally into two rectangular subpixels 406, 408. As can be seen, each pixel of the display 400 may include subpixels with different colors because of the specifically designed subpixel arrangement. For example, the pixel 404 includes a subpixel A arid a subpixel B, and another pixel on the right includes a subpixel C and a s bpi el D.

[0037] F G. 5 depicts one example of the subpixel arrangement of the display 400 in

FIG. 4B defined by the subpixel repeating group in FIG. A.. In this example, the subpixel A is a red subpixel, the subpixel 6 is a white subpixel, the subpixel C is a blue subpixel, and the subpixel D is a green subpixel. In the case that the display 400 is a LCD, each type of subpixel may include a different filter. In the case that, the display 400 is an OLED display, each type of subpixel may include an OLED emitting different color of light, in both the horizontal and vertical directions, the numbers of the red, green, blue, and white subpixels are evenly distributed, with each type of subpixel having 1/4 of the total number of all subpixels in the respective direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the specifically designed subpixel arrangement: ensures that the pixels along any diagonal direction of die displa 400 are not all the same. Thus, the uniformity of color distribution of this sub-pixel arrangement is improved compared with known solutions as noted above . In this example, white subpixels are used to effectively increase the brightness of the display 102 without increasing the power consumption.

(0038 j FIGS. 6A-6Q depict various examples of subpixel repeating group. The examples include, but are not limited to, the following patterns:

A B C D A B C D A B C D ABCD A B C D

B D A C C D A B C D A B D C A B C D A B C A D B B A D C BCD A B A D C D A B C D C B A, D C B A. DAB C, C D B A. BCD A.

A B C D ABCD A BCD ABCD ABCD ABCD D A B C B C D A D C B A B A D C B D A C D C B A B C D A DABC B A D C D C B A DCBA B D A C C D A B. C l> A B, C D A B, C D A B, C A D B, CADB,

ABCD A CD ABCD ABCD ABCD A D CADB DCBA CD AB DCBA CDB A DC AB DCBA CADB DCBA CDAB DCAB C B A B AC, D B A C, B AD CI B ADC, B A D C, and B A DC, where A, B, C, and D denote our different types of subpixels, such as but not limited to, red. green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta, or white subpixe!.

[0039] All the examples in FGS.6A-6Q satisfy the requirements as noted above with respect to FIG.4A. Thai, is, (1) each subpixe! repeating group includes four rows of subpixels and four columns of subpixels; (2) each row of the subpixe! repeating group includes four types of subpixels; (3) each column of the subpixel repeating group includes the four ty pes of subpixels; and (4) subpixels along each diagonal direction of the subpixe! repeating group includes at least two ty pes of the four ty pes of subpixels.

[Θ04Θ] Although all the exemplar} subpixel repeating groups in FIGS, 6A-6Q are four by four matrices, it is understood that the subpixel repeating group may be a larger matrix, e.g., a five by five matrix, a six by six matrix, etc. Accordingly, general rules may be applied to define the subpixel repeating groups. For example, (1) each subpixe! repeating group includes » rows of subpixels arid « columns of subpixels: (2) each row of the subpixel repeating group includes n types of subpixels; (3) each n of the subpixe! repeating group includes the n types of subpixels; and (4) subpixels along each diagonal direction of the subpixel repeating group includes at least two types of the n types of subpixels. n may be any .integer larger than three. In other words, any two adjacent subpixels along the horizontal or vertical direction of the subpixel repeating group are different from each other, and subpixeis along any diagonal direction of the subpixel repeating group are not all the same.

[0041 ] Ah the subpixeis in FIGS, 4-6 have substantially rectangular shapes with an aspect ratio of about 2: 1. That is, each square pixel is divided horizontally and equally into two rectangular subpixeis. However, it is understood that each square pixel may be divided differently in other examples. For example, FIG. 7 depicts another subpixel arrangement of a display 700 defined by the subpixel repeating group 402 in FIG. 4A. Different from FIG. 4.B. each subpixel in this example has a substantially rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of about 1 :2. In other words, each square pixel 702 is divided vertically and equally into two rectangular subpixeis 704, 706.

[0042] in the examples of FIGS. 4-7, each subpixel has a substantially rectangular shape. However, it is understood that the shape of each subpixel in other examples may vary. For example, FIG . 8 depicts one example of a subpixel repeating group 800 having subpixeis in a substantially rectangular shape with curved comers. Other shapes of the subpixeis include, but are not limited to, substantially round, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, or any other sui table shape. The regions between the subpixeis 802 may be filled with the black matrix 804, as noted above.

[0043] FIG. 9 depicts one example of the control logic 1 4 of the apparatus .1 0 for rendering subpixeis of the display 102 with the subpixel arrangements provided above. The "logic" and '^"module" referred to herein are defined as any suitable software, hardware, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof that can perform the desired function, such as programmed processors, discrete logic, for example, state machine, to name a few. In this example, the control logic 104 includes an identifying module 902 configured to identify the subpixel arrangement 904 of the display 102, such as any one of the subpixel arrangements provided above or any other suitable subpixel arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, a storage device 906, for example a ROM as part of the display .102, stores the information regarding the subpixel arrangement 904 of the display 1.02. ^'The identifying module 902 thus obtains the information regarding the subpixel arrangement 904 from the storage device 906, hi another example, the storage device 906 is not part of the display 102. but part of the control logic 104 or any other suitable component of the apparatus 100. In still another example, the storage device 906 is outside the apparatus KKL and the identifying module 902 may load the information of the subpixel arrangement 904 from, for example, a remote database-.. [0044] The control logic .104 in FIG. 9 also includes a converting module 908 operative!}" coupled to the identifying module 902. The converting module 908 is configured to convert the received display data 106 from the processor 1 10» memory 1 12» and/or the receiver 1 16 into converted display data 910 based on the identified subpixel arrangement 904 of the display 102, As noted above, the display data 106 may be programmed at die pixel level and thus, includes tlvree parts of data for rendering three subpixeis with different colors (e.g., three primary colors of red, green, and blue) for each pixel of the display 102.

[0045| For example, the converting module 908 may first calculate converted white subpixel data based on th original primary colors of red, green and blue in the display data 106 for each pixel. In one example, the value of the converted white subpixel data component (W may be calculated by

W^■■■■ min (R, G, B) fx ( 1),

where .v is a predetermined correction value, x > .1 , and R, G, and B represent the values of red, green, and blue subpixel components, respectively, in the display d te 106 for each pixel.

[0046] The converting module 908 then may calculate converted red, green, and blue subpixel data based on the converted white subpixel data and the original red, green, and blue subpixel data. n one example, the values of the converted red, green, and blue subpixel data components (R G '._ and B '} may be calculated by

R ' ^ R - W (2)

G G · W (3)

β ^' />' - IV (4).

[0047] The converting module 908 may further assign the converted subpixel data to each pixel of the display 1.02. For example, if the first pixel (e.g., the top left comer) of the display 102 may include a white and a red subpixel then the converting module 908 may assign the values of I ^" and R ' calculated based on the R, G, and B components of the first pixel in the display data 1.06 to the white and red subpixeis on the display 1 2, respectively. The converting module 908 repeats this process for all the pixels on the display 102 and generates the converted display data 910 for the specifically designed subpixel arrangement 904 of the display .102. It is understood that any other suitable rending algorithm may be applied fay the converting module 908 to convert the display data 1.06 into the converted display data 9.10. [0048| The control logic 104 in FIG. 9 also includes a rendering module 912 operative!}" coupled to the converting module 908, The rendering module 9.12 is configured to provide tire control signals 108 for rendering the array of subpixels of the display 102 based on the converted display data 910. As noted above, for example, the control signals 1.08 may control tire state of each individual subpixel of the display 102 by voltage and/or current signals in accordance with the converted display data 910.

(0049] FIG. 10 depicts one example of a method for rendering subpixel s of a display

.102. The method may be implemented by the control logic .104 of the apparatus .100 or on any other suitable machine having at least one processor. Beginning at block 1000, an arrangement of an array of subpixels of the display 102 is identified. As described above, block 1000 may be performed by the identifying module 902 of the control logic 104. At block .1002, displa data including, for each pixel for display, three parts of original subpixel data for rendering three types of subpixels of the display 102 is received. As described above, block 1002 may be performed by the converting module 908 of the control logic .104. Proceeding to block 1004., the received display data is converted into converted displa data based on the identified arrangement of the army of subpixels. As described above, block 1.004 may be performed by the converting module 908 of the control logic 104. In. one example, block 1004 may include blocks 1008, 1010. and 101.2. At block 1008, converted white subpixel data is calculated based on original red, green, and blue subpixel data in the display data. Then at block 1010. con verted red, green, and blue subpixel data is calculated based on the con verted white subptxel data and the original, red, green, and blue subpixel data. At block .1012, the converted display data, including the converted subpixel. data that corresponds to the adjacent subpixels constituting the respective pixel is generated. Proceeding to block 1006, control signals for rendering the array o.f subpixels of the display .102 are provided based on the converted display data. As described abo ve, block 1006 may be performed by the rendering module 912 of the control logic 104.

(0050] Although the processing blocks of FIG 10 are illustrated in a particular order, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thai die processing cats be performed in different orders. For example, block 1002 may be performed prior to block 1000 or performed essentially simultaneously. That is, the display data may be received before or at the same time whe the subpixel arrangement of the display 102 is identified. [00511 Aspects of the method for rendering subpixels of a displa , as outlined above, may be embodied is programming. Program aspects of the technology may be thought of as "products^"' or "^"articles of manufacture" t pically in the form of executable code and/or associated data that is carried on or embodied in a type of machine readable medium. Tangible non-transitory "storage^" type media include any or all of the memory or other storage for the computers, processors or the like, or associated modules thereof such as various semiconductor memories, tape drives, disk drives and the like, which may provide storage at any time for the software programming.

10052] All or portions of die software may at times be communicated through a network such as the internet or various other telecommunication networks. Such communications, for example, may enable loading of the software from one computer or processor into another. Thus, another t e of media that may bear the software elements includes optical, electrical and electromagnetic waves, such as used across physical interfaces between local devices, through wired and optical landline networks and over various air-links. The physical elements that cany such waves, such as wired or wireless links, optical links or the like, also may be considered a media bearing the software. As used herein, unless restricted to tangible '"storage" media, terms such as computer or machine "readable medium" refer to any medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution.

[0053j Hence, a machine readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, a tangible storage medi m, a carrier wave medium or physical transmission medium. Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computers) or the like, which may be used to implement the system or any of its components s shown in the drawings. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as a main memory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cab!es; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that form a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission media can take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (I ) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD- ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPR.OM, airy other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or finks transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read programming code and/or data. Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

(0054^'j The abov e detailed description of the disclosure and the examples described therein have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description only and oot by limitation. It is therefore contemplated that me present disclosure cover any and all modifications, variations or equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising.

a display comprising an array of subpixeis having a subpixel repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern; and

control logic operative! - coupled to the display; configured to receive display data and render the display data into control signals for driving the array of subpixeis of the display, wherein

the subpixel repeating group comprises n rows of subpixeis and n columns of subpixeis.

each row of die subpixel repeating group comprises n types of subpixeis, each col umn of the subpixel repeating group comprises the n types of subpixeis, and subptxels along each diagonal direction of the subpixel repeating group comprise at least two ty pes of the n types of subpi xeis ,

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein

each subpixel of the array has the same shape and size; and

two adjacent subpixeis constitute one pixel for display.

3. The apparatus of claim 2. wherein each subpixel of the array has a substantially rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of abou 2: 1 or about 1 :2,

4. The apparatus of claim 2. wherein

n equals to tour, and

the four different types of subpixeis include a red subpixel. a green subpixel, a blue subpixel, and a white subpixel,

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the control logic comprises:

an identifying module configured to identify an arrangement of the array of subpixeis;

a converting module operatively coupled to the identifying module, configured to convert the display data into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of subpixeis, and a rendering module operatively coupled to the converting module, configured to provide the control signals based on the converted display data.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, for each pixel for display,

die display data comprises original red, green, and blue subpixel data for rendering the red. green, and blue subpixels on the display, respectively; and

the converting module, in converting the display data into the converted display data, is further configured to:

calculate con verted white subpixel data based on the original red, green, and blue subpixel data of the display data;

calculate converted red. green, and blue subpixel data based on the original red, green, and blue subpixel data of the display data, respectively, and the converted white subpixel data; and

generate the converted display data, comprising converted subpixel data that corresponds to the two adjacent subpixels constituting the respective pixel.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to generate the display data: and

a memory operatively coupled to the processor and the control logic, configured to store the display data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a receiver operatively coupled to the contoi logic, configured to receive die display data and provide the display data to the control logic.

9. Tlie apparatus of claim 1. wherein the display is one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLEO) display, an electrophoretic ink (E~ ink) display, and an electroluminescent display (ELD).

30. An apparatus comprising:

a display comprising:

a display panel having a filter substrate comprising an array of filters, each filter of the array corresponding to one subpixel for display,

an electrode substrate comprising an array of electrodes, each electrode corresponding to one subpixel for display and configured to drive the corresponding subpixe!, and

a. liquid crystal layer disposed between the filter substrate and the electrode substrate; and

a backlight panel configured t provide lights to the display panel: and control logic operative! ' coupled to the display, configured to receive display data and render the display data into control signals for driving the display, wherein

the array of fdters comprises a subpixel repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern,

the subpixel repeating group comprises n rows of filters and n columns of filters, each ro of the subpixel repeating group comprises n types of filters,

each column of the subpixe! repeating group comprises the n types of filters, and filters along each diagonal direction of the subpixe! repeating group comprises at least two types of the n types of filters.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10, wherein

each filter of the array has the same shape and size; and

two adjacent filters correspond to one pixel for display.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control logic comprises:

an identifying module configured to identify an arrangement of the array of filters; a converting module operative!}-- coupled to the identifying module, configured to convert the display data into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of filters; and

a. rendering module operatively coupled to the converting module, configured to provide the control signals based on the converted display data.

13. The apparatus of claim 1.0, further comprising:

a processor configured to generate the display data: and a memory operatively coupled to the processor and the control logic, configured to store the display data,

14. 'flie apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a receiver operatively coupled to the control logic, configured to receive the display data and provide the display data to the control logic.

15. An apparatus comprising :

a display comprising:

a display panel having

a light emitting substrate comprising an array of OLEDs, each OLED of the array corresponding to one subpixei for display, and

an electrode substrate comprising an army of electrodes, each electrode corresponding to one subpixei for display and configured to drive the corresponding subpixei, and

control logic operatively coupled to the display, configured to receive display data and render the display data into control signals for driving the display, wherein,

the array of OLEDs comprises a subpixei repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern,

the subpixei repeating group comprises n rows of OLEDs and n columns of OLE Ds. each ro of the subpixei repeating group comprises « types of OLEDs,.

each column of the subpixei repeating group comprises the « types of OLEDs, and OLEDs along each diagonal direction of the subpixei repeating group comprises at least two types of the n types of OLEDs.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein

each OLED of the array has the same shape and size; and

two adjacent OLEDs correspond to one pixel for display.

37. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the control logic comprises:

an identifying module configured to identify an arrangement of the array of OLEDs; a converting module operative!}." coupled to die identifying module, configured to convert the display data into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of OLEDs; and

a rendering module operative!}' coupled to the converting module, configured to provide the control signals based on the converted display data.

1 . The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a processor configured to generate the display data; and

a memon' operatively coupled to the processor and the control logic, configured to store the display data.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a receiver operatively coupled to the control logic, configured to receive the display data and provide the display date to the control logic.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a display comprising an array of subpixeis having a subpixel repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern , the subpixel repeating group is selected from the group consisting of:

A B C D A BCD A B C D ABC D A B C D

BD AC C D A B C D A B D C A B C D A B C A D B B A D C B C D A B A D C DABC

D€ B A, D C B A, D A B C, C D B A. B C D A,

ABCD A BCD ABCD AB D A B C D A B C D

D A BC B C D A D C B A B A D C B D A C D C B A

B C D A DAB C B A D C D C B A DCBA B D A C

CDAB, CDAB, C D A B, C A B, CAD B, CADB, BCD AB D ABCD ABC A CD ABCD CADB DCBA CDAB DC B A DBA DC AB DCBA CADB DCBA CDAB DCAB CDBA B D A C, D B A C, B A D C, B A D C, B A D C, and B A D C, wherein A denotes a first type of subpixel B denotes a second type of subpixel, C denotes a third type of subpixel, and D denotes a fourth type of subpixel; and

control logic operativeiy coupled to the display, configured to receive display data and reader the display data into control signals for driving the army of subpixels of the display.

2 i . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein

each subpixel of the array has the saute shape and size;

two adjacent subpixels constitute one pixel for display.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each subpixel of the array has a substantially rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of about.2:1. or about..1:2.

23. Hie apparatus of claim 20, wherein A, B, C, and D each denotes one of a red subpixel, a green subpixel, a blue subpixel and a white subpixel

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the control logic comprises: an identifying module configured to identify an arrangement of the array of subpixeis;

a converting module operatively coupled to the identifying module, configured to convert the display data into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of subpixeis, and

a rendering module operatively coupled to the converting module, configured to provide the control signals based on the converted display data,

25. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising;

a processor configured to generate the display data; and

2.6, The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a receiver operativel coupled to the control logic, configured to receive the display data and provide the display data to the control logic.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the display is one of a LCD, an 01.ED display, an E*ink display, and an ELD.

2.8, A method, implemented on a machine having at least one processor, for rendering subpixeis of a display, comprising:

identifying an arrangement of an array of subpixeis of the display;

receiving display dat comprising, for each pixel for display, three parts of original subpixel data for rendering three types of subpixeis of the display:

for each pixel for display, converting the display data into converted display data based on the arrangement of the array of subpixeis: and

providing control signals for rendering the array of subpixeis of the display based on the converted display data, wherein

the array of subpixeis comprises a subpixel repeating group tiled across the display in a regular pattern,

the subpixel repeating group comprises n rows of subpixeis and n columns of subpixeis. each row of the suhpixei repeating grou comprises n types of sisbpixels, each column of {he sitbpixd repeating group comprises the n types of subpixels. and subpixeis along each diagonal direction of the subpixei repeating group comprises at least two types of t e n types of filters.