A novel pixel memory using integrated voltage‐loss‐compensation (VLC) circuit for ultra‐low‐power TFT‐LCDs

Abstract— A novel pixel memory using an integrated voltage‐loss‐compensation (VLC) circuit has been proposed for ultra‐low‐power TFT‐LCDs, which can increase the number of gray‐scale levels for a single subpixel using an analog voltage gray‐scale technique. The new pixel with a VLC circuit is integrated under a small reflective electrode in a high‐transmissive aperture‐ratio (39%) 3.17‐in. HVGA transflective panel by using a standard low‐temperature‐polysilicon process based on 1.5‐μm rules. No additional process steps are required. The VLC circuit in each pixel enables simultaneous refresh with a very small change in voltage, resulting in a two‐orders‐of‐magnitude reduction in circuit power for a 64‐color image display. The advanced transflective TFT‐LCD using the newly proposed pixel can display high‐quality multi‐color images anytime and anywhere, due to its low power consumption and good outdoor readability.     

Transflective device with a transparent organic light‐emitting diode and a reflective liquid‐crystal device

Abstract— A high‐transmittance transflective device based on a hybrid structure consisting of a transparent organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) stacked on top of a reflective liquid‐crystal device (RLCD) was conceptually demonstrated. By placing the transparent OLED on top of a vertically aligned LCD operated under normally black mode, a transmittance as high as 75.7% was obtained due to the asymmetric emission characteristics of a transparent OLED. To further improve the performance in the transmissive mode, a polarizer‐free LCD was used, which yielded an ultra‐high transmittance (82.2% overall).     

A single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display with special electrodes

Abstract— A single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display with special electrodes was demonstrated. In the transmissive region, a strong longitudinal electric field was generated by decreasing the distance between the top and bottom transparent indium‐tin‐oxide electrodes; while in the reflective region, a weak longitudinal electric field is generated by increasing the distance between the top and bottom transparent indium‐tin‐oxide electrodes. And slit‐patterned electrodes were used to optimize the fringe field at the junction of the transmissive and reflective regions. As a result, both the transmissive and reflective display modes show well‐matched gray scales. The simulated single‐cell‐gap TR‐LCD has good performances.     

Transflective TFT‐LCDs with high optical performance

Abstract— In order to reduce panel cost, reduce power consumption, and minimize thickness, a single panel with dual functions for high‐transmissive main displays and high reflective sub‐displays is becoming the trend. Two novel RGB‐W transflective 1.9‐in. a‐Si TFT LCDs have been developed to meet the requirements. By using the traditional seven‐mask dual‐cell‐gap structure, novel transflective tRGB‐t/rW TFT LCD and tRGB‐rW TFT‐LCD panels were fabricated with high transmittance and high reflectance, respectively. The optical clarity is excellent in both dark and bright conditions. Their superior optical performance is attributed to the high‐efficiency “transflective white” subpixel or “reflective white” subpixel.     

A dual‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display with identical response time in transmissive and reflective regions

Abstract— A dual‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display (TR‐LCD) with identical response time in both the transmissive and reflective regions is demonstrated. In the transmissive region, strong anchoring energy is used to decrease the response time, while in the reflective region, weak anchoring energy is used to increase the response time. And overdrive voltage technology is adopted to make the response time identical in both the transmissive and reflective regions. The device structure and operating principle of the TR‐LCD was analyzed, the anchoring energy in the transmissive and reflective regions was designed, and the response time and electro‐optic characteristics of the TR‐LCD was calculated. The simulated dual‐cell‐gap TR‐LCD demonstrated good performances.     

Transflective ferroelectric liquid‐crystal display with a single‐cell gap

Abstract— A ferroelectric liquid‐crystal (FLC) display was optimized as a transflective liquid‐crystal display (LCD). In this configuration, the single‐cell‐gap approach was considered. The optimized configuration exhibits a high contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, and achromatic (black/white) switching in both the transmissive and reflective modes. Because no double‐cell‐gap structure, no subpixel separation, and no patterning polarizers and retarders are included in the configuration, the configuration is easy to fabricate and also possess a perfect dark state. This configuration is also suitable for bistable applications.     

A single‐cell‐gap transflective LCD using active‐level‐shift technology

Abstract— A single‐cell‐gap transflective LCD using active‐level‐shift (ALS) technology has been developed and is presented. An efficient pixel architecture has recently been designed to apply different voltages on transmissive and reflective subpixels through two separated storage capacitors, formed by a boosting electrode and pixel electrodes. A 2.2‐in. vertical‐alignment‐mode (VA) transflective LCD prototype with a similar gamma for both the transmissive and reflective areas was obtained. Compared to a conventional dual‐cell‐gap design, the new single‐cell‐gap design achieves a 17% higher aperture ratio and the contrast increased from 200:1 to 500:1.     

Improved image quality of a high‐transflective tRGB‐t/rW TFT‐LCD

Abstract— This work combines a very simple resolution rescaling method, a well‐known RGB‐to‐YUV converting technique and a detection strategy into an optimized switchable mechanism in order to eliminate the problems of obvious zigzag profiles caused by the special layouts of transflective tRGB‐t/rW TFT‐LCDs and the poor reflective gray‐level contrast ratio effected by the minimum white data in the transmissive RGB‐W + subpixel rendering algorithms. Finally, a transflective tRGB‐t/rW TFT‐LCD is revealed not only to have no visible zigzag profiles and high visibility of reflective gray‐level contrast ratio, but also to have extreme reflectance and transmittance. The excellent optical performance of the proposed system makes it particularly suitable for single‐panel applications that need both high‐transmissive main displays and high‐reflective subdisplays.     

Novel application of ink‐jet‐printing technology in multi‐domain alignment liquid‐crystal displays

Abstract— Based on the drop‐on‐demand characteristics of ink‐jet printing, the multi‐domain alignment liquid‐crystal display (LCD) could be achieved by using patterned polyimide materials. These polyimide ink locations with different alignment procedures could be defined in a single pixel, depending on the designer 's setting. In this paper, we combined the electro‐optical design, polyimide ink formulation, and ink‐jetting technology to demonstrate the application of multi‐domain alignment liquid‐crystal display manufactory. The first one was a multi‐domain vertical‐alignment LCD. After the horizontal alignment material pattern on the vertical alignment film, the viewing angle would reach 150° without compensation film. The second one was a single‐cell‐gap transflective LCD within integrating the horizontal alignment in the transmissive region and hybrid alignment in the reflective one in the same pixel. In addition, this transflective LCD was also demonstrated in the form of a 2.4‐in. 170‐ppi prototype.     

Single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display and the use of photoalignment technology

Abstract— In this paper, transflective liquid‐crystal‐display (LCD) technology will be reviewed, and several new single‐cell‐gap transflective LCD configurations are proposed. Photoalignment technology is studied especially for transflective‐LCD applications. In order to realize the optimal performance of the display as well as a matched transmittance/reflectance voltage curve (TVC/RVC) for the transflective configurations, two different single‐cell‐gap transflective‐LCD approaches will be discussed. The first one is the dual‐mode single‐cell‐gap approach, in which different liquid‐crystal modes are applied to the transmissive and reflective subpixels of the transflective LCD. The other approach is the single‐mode s ingle‐cell‐gap approach, in which an in‐cell retardation film is applied to adjust the performance and TVC/RVC matching of a transflective LCD. Photoalignment technology is used to fabricate the dual‐mode liquid‐crystal cell in the first approach and also the in‐cell retardation film in the second approach. Prototypes of the proposed configurations have been fabricated, which show good performance and a matched TVC/RVC.     

Viewing‐angle compensation of TN‐ and ECB‐LCD modes by using a rod‐like liquid‐crystalline polymer film

Abstract— A liquid‐crystal line retardation‐film technology by using a rod‐like liquid‐crystalline polymer (LCP) for various LCD modes have been developed. In particular, considerable improvements in viewing‐angle performance have been achieved for the twisted‐nematic (TN) and the transmissive/transflective electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) modes by using hybrid aligned nematic film (NH Film).     

Switchable transmissive and reflective liquid‐crystal display using a multi‐domain vertical alignment

Abstract— A wide‐view transflective liquid‐crystal display (LCD) capable of switching between transmissive and reflective modes in response to different ambient‐light conditions is proposed. This transflective LCD adopts a single‐cell‐gap multi‐domain vertical‐alignment (MVA) cell that exhibits high contrast ratio, wide‐viewing angle, and good light transmittance (T) and reflectance (R). Under proper cell optimization, a good match between the VT and VR curves can also be obtained for single‐gamma‐curve driving.     

A dual‐gap RGBW transflective TFT‐LCD with adjustable color gamut

Abstract— An adjustable‐color‐gamut dual‐gap RGBW transflective liquid‐crystal display that uses a four‐color manufacturing process and a color‐processing algorithm to achieve the appropriate color performance in both the transmissive and reflective modes is presented. Based on superior‐color‐transformation units, the total brightness and color gamut can be modified under different ambience. The highest NTSC color gamut in the reflective mode (reflectance, 4.4%) that has been fabricated successfully for a RGBW 1.5‐in. dual‐gap panel is 23% with a 7%, 17%, and 40% NTSC color gamut in the transmissive mode by using different algorithms. Compared to a typical RGB panel, it not only provides flexibility for any environment but also satisfies a variety of personal requirements. Based on personal preference, users have more choices to adjust the LCD settings such as color saturation, brightness, etc. The smart RGBW TRLCD will definitely become the developing trend towards sunlight‐readable LCDs in the near future.     

Transflective IPS‐LCD with improved reflective contrast ratio

Abstract— In order to improve the reflective contrast ratio of transflective IPS‐LCDs, a novel pixel design for a normally white reflective IPS has been proposed. In this design, the large‐inter‐electrode‐spacing layout using a novel driving method and a double‐layered electrode have effectively reduced the light leakage. By applying these two technologies, a transflective IPS‐LCD has been successfully demonstrated with a high contrast ratio (15:1) in the reflective mode and a wide‐viewing‐angle characteristic in the transmissive mode.     

A single‐cell‐gap transflective blue‐phase liquid crystal display based on fringe in‐plane switching electrodes

A transflective blue‐phase liquid crystal display (TRBP‐LCD) based on fringe in‐plane switching (FIS) electrodes is proposed. The proposed structure generates combined fringe and in‐plane electric fields that cause more liquid crystal (LC) molecules to reorient almost in plane above and between the pixel electrodes. The fringe field is mainly generated in the transmissive (T) region, and the horizontal electric field is mainly generated in the reflective (R) region. By optimizing the width of the pixel electrodes and the gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes, the different electric field intensity in the T and R regions contribute to balance the optical phase retardation between the T and R regions. As a result, the proposed TRBP‐LCD exhibits a low operating voltage and high optical efficiency, while it preserves a relatively simple fabrication process.     

Transflective blue‐phase liquid‐crystal display with corrugated electrode structure

Abstract— A transflective polymer‐stabilized blue‐phase liquid‐crystal display (BP‐LCD) with a corrugated electrode structure is proposed. To balance the optical phase retardation between the transmissive (T) and reflective (R) regions, two device structures are proposed. The first device structure has the same inclination angles but different cell gaps in the T and R regions. And the second device structure has the same cell gap but different inclination angles in the T and R regions. Both of the device structures can obtain well‐matched VT and VR curves. This display exhibits low operating voltage, high optical efficiency, and a wide viewing angle.     

Simulation study of single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid crystal display with nonuniform potential

A single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid crystal display with a nonuniform electric potential is demonstrated. The top substrate has a top planar common electrode, a transparent dielectric layer with a general dielectric constant is coated on the bottom substrate, and two planar pixel electrodes with the same size are coated on the dielectric layer and the bottom substrate, respectively. With the different gaps between the two planar pixel electrodes and top planar pixel electrode, the nonuniform electric potential from the transmissive region (T region) to the reflective region (R region) is generated, while a bumpy reflector is coated under the bottom substrate. In this device, with the dielectric layer, the pixel and common electrodes generate a strong electric potential in the T region and a relatively weak electric potential in the R region. Consequently, the T and R regions accumulate the same optical phase retardation. The simulation results show that the display exhibits reasonably low operating voltage, high optical efficiency, and well‐matched voltage‐dependent transmittance and reflectance curves. Besides, the fabrication process and the driving mode of the transflective liquid crystal display are relatively simple, and it is suitable for mobile applications.     

Single‐cell‐gap transflective liquid‐crystal display using double‐ and single‐mode approaches

Abstract— In this paper, many popular methods to study transflective liquid‐crystal‐displays (LCDs) have been discussed, and several new transflective LCD configurations with a single‐cell gap have been proposed. The traditional double‐cell‐gap method gives the best match of the transmittance/reflectance voltage curve (TVC/RVC) and also the widest viewing angle, but also brings the highest fabrication complexity. The single‐cell‐gap transflective LCD is much easier to fabricate and also shows a good match of TVC/RVC. A new methodology has been shown to find optimal configurations for single‐cell‐gap transflective LCDs. New configurations using multimode in a single pixel include twisted nematic (TN) optically compensated bend (OCB), TN electrically controlled birefringence (ECB), and TN low‐twisted nematic (LTN). TN and hybrid‐aligned nematic (HAN) modes have been investigated for single‐mode transflective LCDs. The results exhibit high contrast ratio, a good match of TVC/RVC, as well as wide viewing angle.     

White‐emitting OLED devices in an RGBW format with microelement white subpixels

Abstract— OLED devices with an RGBW pixel format using an unpatterned white emitter have the potential to provide very good efficiency and color gamut while enabling lower‐cost and large‐format manufacturing. However, the white subpixel often has unacceptably large color shifts with viewing angle. Furthermore, for some architectures such as top‐emitting microcavity devices, it can even be difficult to produce a white subpixel with good on‐axis color. In this paper, we describe the use of a white subpixel made up of a combination of differently tuned microelements and demonstrate how such an approach can overcome these problems. By carefully tuning the color and areas of each of the microelements in the white subpixel, we can trade off between better on‐axis color, less color change with angle, and higher efficiency. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that an RGBW top‐emitter microcavity device with a microelement white subpixel can achieve an increase in both power efficiency and color gamut relative to a conventional RGBW bottom‐emitter non‐microcavity device.     

Effects of electronic‐book display and inclination on users' comprehension under various ambient illuminance conditions

Abstract— This study used several electronic‐book (e‐book) displays (a conventional LCD under transmissive mode, a conventional LCD under reflective mode, a Ch‐LC display, and an e‐ink display) to investigate the effect of e‐book inclination (105° and 135°) and ambient illuminance (200, 800, 1500, and 2200 lux) on the comprehension of subjects. Results indicate that the ambient illuminance does not significantly affect the comprehension of subjects. However, their comprehension differed significantly when using different e‐book displays. In addition, the interaction between illuminance and e‐book display had a significant effect on their comprehension. When the ambient illuminance was set at 800, 1500, and 2200 lux, the subjects' comprehension for reading different e‐book displays did not show a significant difference. When the ambient illuminance was set at 200 lux, however, their comprehension for reading a Ch‐LC display, an e‐ink display, and a conventional LCD under transmissive mode were better than their comprehension of reading a conventional LCD under reflective mode. Regarding the inclination for using e‐books, the subjects' comprehension was better under 105° than that under 135°.