U.S. patent application number 09/748858 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for display device compensating for color irregurality between pixels.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hayashi, Norihisa, Okazaki, Norihiko.
Application Number | 20020030449 09/748858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18503362 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020030449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okazaki, Norihiko ; et
al. |
March 14, 2002 |
Display device compensating for color irregurality between
pixels
Abstract
A large display device whose screen is defined by a matrix of
pixels. Each pixel is made up of at least two light-emitting diodes
(LEDs): a first LED producing light of first color, and a second
LED producing light of second color. The display device includes an
LED control circuit designed to actuate the second LED in each
pixel by look-up using a correction table to visually mix the light
of the second color with the light of the first color produced by a
corresponding one of the first LED in a given proportion to
minimize a difference in chromaticity of the lights of the first
color between the pixels.
Inventors: |
Okazaki, Norihiko;
(Yokohama, JP) ; Hayashi, Norihisa; (Yokohama,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PARKHURST & WENDEL, L.L.P.
1421 Prince Street, Suite 210
Alexandreia
VA
22314-2805
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
18503362 |
Appl. No.: |
09/748858 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
315/169.1 ;
315/169.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09G 3/2014 20130101;
G09G 3/2081 20130101; G09G 3/32 20130101; G09G 2320/0666 20130101;
G06F 3/1446 20130101; G09G 2320/0626 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
315/169.1 ;
315/169.3 |
International
Class: |
G09G 003/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 28, 1999 |
JP |
11-374156 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display device: a screen defined by a matrix of pixels on
which an image represented by an image input signal is to be
displayed; first light-emitting elements one for each of the
pixels, each of said first light-emitting elements being actuated
to produce light of a first color in a corresponding one of the
pixels; second light-emitting elements one for each of the pixels,
each of said second light-emitting elements being actuated to
produce light of a second color different from the first color in a
corresponding one of the pixels; and a light-emitting element
controlling circuit responsive to the image input signal to control
actuation of each of said first and second light-emitting elements
to form the image on said screen, said light-emitting element
controlling circuit actuating said second light-emitting element in
each of the pixels to visually mix the light of the second color
with the light of the first color produced by a corresponding one
of said first light-emitting elements in a given proportion to
minimize a difference in chromaticity of the lights of the first
color between the pixels.
2. A display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit also actuates said first
light-emitting element in each of the pixels to visually mix the
light of the first color with the light of the second color
produced by a corresponding one of said second light-emitting
elements in a given proportion to minimize the difference in
chromaticity of the lights of the second color between the
pixels.
3. A display device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising
third light-emitting elements one for each of the pixels, each of
said third light-emitting elements being actuated to produce light
of a third color different from the first and second colors, and
wherein said light-emitting element controlling circuit actuates
said second light-emitting element and said third light-emitting
element in each of the pixels in a given luminance proportion to
minimize a shift in chromaticity of the light of the first color
produced by a corresponding one of the first light-emitting
elements from a reference one.
4. A display device as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of the
first color, the second color, and the third color is one of red,
green, and blue.
5. A display device as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said
first, second, and third light-emitting elements is implemented by
a light-emitting diode.
6. A display device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit is responsive to the
image input signal to produce reference pulse signals each for
actuation of one of the first light-emitting elements for producing
the light of the first color at a given luminance specified by the
image input signal, each of the reference pulse signals having a
width specifying a duration of emission of the light from a
corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a height
that is a function of a value of current for excitation of the one
of the first light-emitting elements, said light-emitting element
controlling circuit storing therein correction factors each
required to substantially compensate for a shift in chromaticity of
the light emitted from one of first light-emitting elements from a
reference one and producing correction pulse signals based on the
correction factors each of which is applied to a corresponding one
of said second light-emitting elements to produce the light of the
second color, thereby minimizing the difference in chromaticity of
the lights of the first color between the pixels.
7. A display device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit produces the correction
pulse signals each of which has a width substantially identical
with the width of a corresponding one of the reference pulse
signals and a height determined based on a corresponding one of the
correction factors as a function of the shift in chromaticity of
the light from the reference one.
8. A display device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit produces the correction
pulse signals each of which has a height substantially identical
with the height of a corresponding one of the reference pulse
signals and a width determined based on a corresponding one of the
correction factors as a function of the shift in chromaticity of
the light from the reference one.
9. A display device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit outputs each of the
correction pulse signals in a given time sequential relation to
output of a corresponding one of the reference pulse signals.
10. A display device as set forth in claim 6, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit corrects each of the
reference pulse signals so as to substantially eliminate a
difference between a luminance of the light emitted from a
corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a target
one.
11. A display device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit is responsive to the
image input signal to produce reference pulse signals each for
actuation of one of the first light-emitting elements for producing
the light of the first color at a given luminance specified by the
image input signal, each of the reference pulse signals having a
width specifying a duration of emission of the light from a
corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a height
that is a function of a value of current for excitation of the one
of the first light-emitting elements, said light-emitting element
controlling circuit storing therein correction factors required to
substantially compensate for a shift in chromaticity of the light
emitted from each of first light-emitting elements from a reference
one and producing correction pulse signals based on the correction
factors which are applied to said second and third light-emitting
elements in a corresponding one of the pixels to produce the lights
of the second and third colors, thereby visually shifting the light
of the first color to the second and third colors to minimize the
difference in chromaticity of the lights of the first color between
the pixels.
12. A display device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said
light-emitting element controlling circuit corrects each of the
reference pulse signals so as to substantially eliminate a
difference between a luminance of the light emitted from a
corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a target
one.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a display device
including a matrix of light-emitting elements which are selectively
turned on and off to display a still and a moving picture, and more
particularly to a display device designed to compensate for
differences in luminance and chromaticity of light between pixels
for producing high-quality images without irregularity in color
over the whole of a screen.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] There are known display units which change the brightness or
luminance and chromaticity of light produced by a discharge tube, a
CRT, or an array of point sources such as light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) each defining a pixel on a screen in response to an image
signal to form a still image or a moving image.
[0005] LEDs used as light sources defining pixels of a screen are
superior in reliability and lifetime to the discharge tubes and
CRTs and are employed, especially as pixels on a large-sized screen
in recent years. For example, a display unit is known which defines
a screen with a rectangular array of pixels each made up of primary
color LEDs: red, green, and blue LEDs and modifies the luminance of
light emitted by each of the LEDs in response to an image signal to
produce a full-color still picture or moving picture.
[0006] The color of each pixel of the picture is produced by
controlling the brightness of the primary color LEDs in given
proportions. However, even when the same brightness level signals
are provided to the LEDs, a difference in chromaticity may arise on
the screen, which will lead to irregularity in color of the image,
resulting in a decrease in image quality.
[0007] FIG. 8 shows the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric system
(XYZ). As can be seen from the drawing, even when LEDs of the same
color are actuated, irregularity in color of light emitted from the
LEDs is visually perceived because of a difference in chromaticity
between the LEDs. Specifically, an increase in the chromaticity
difference between the LEDs will also cause a difference in
chromaticity between pixels each consisting of the LEDs of primary
colors to be produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to avoid
the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a display
device which is designed to compensate for at least one of
differences in luminance and chromaticity of light between pixels
for producing high-quality images without irregularity in color
over the whole of a screen.
[0010] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a display device. The display device includes: (a) a screen defined
by a matrix of pixels on which an image represented by an image
input signal is to be displayed; (b) first light-emitting elements
one for each of the pixels, each of said first light-emitting
elements being actuated to produce light of a first color in a
corresponding one of the pixels; (c) second light-emitting elements
one for each of the pixels, each of said second light-emitting
elements being actuated to produce light of a second color
different from the first color in a corresponding one of the
pixels; and (d) a light-emitting element controlling circuit
responsive to the image input signal to control actuation of each
of said first and second light-emitting elements to form the image
on said screen, said light-emitting element controlling circuit
actuating said second light-emitting element in each of the pixels
to visually mix the light of the second color with the light of the
first color produced by a corresponding one of said first
light-emitting elements in a given proportion to minimize a
difference in chromaticity of the lights of the first color between
the pixels.
[0011] In the preferred mode of the invention, the light-emitting
element controlling circuit also actuates said first light-emitting
element in each of the pixels to visually mix the light of the
first color with the light of the second color produced by a
corresponding one of said second light-emitting elements in a given
proportion to minimize the difference in chromaticity of the lights
of the second color between the pixels.
[0012] Third light-emitting elements may be provided one for each
of the pixels. Each of said third light-emitting elements is
actuated to produce light of a third color different from the first
and second colors. The light-emitting element controlling circuit
actuates said second light-emitting element and said third
light-emitting element in each of the pixels in a given luminance
proportion to minimize a shift in chromaticity of the light of the
first color produced by a corresponding one of the first
light-emitting elements from a reference one.
[0013] The light-emitting element controlling circuit is responsive
to the image input signal to produce reference pulse signals each
for actuation of one of the first light-emitting elements for
producing the light of the first color at a given luminance
specified by the image input signal. Each of the reference pulse
signals has a width specifying a duration of emission of the light
from a corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a
height that is a function of a value of current for excitation of
the one of the first light-emitting elements. The light-emitting
element controlling circuit stores therein correction factors each
required to substantially compensate for a shift in chromaticity of
the light emitted from one of first light-emitting elements from a
reference one and produces correction pulse signals based on the
correction factors each of which is applied to a corresponding one
of said second light-emitting elements to produce the light of the
second color, thereby minimizing the difference in chromaticity of
the lights of the first color between the pixels.
[0014] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may produce
the correction pulse signals each of which has a width
substantially identical with the width of a corresponding one of
the reference pulse signals and a height determined based on a
corresponding one of the correction factors as a function of the
shift in chromaticity of the light from the reference one.
[0015] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may
alternatively produce the correction pulse signals each of which
has a height substantially identical with the height of a
corresponding one of the reference pulse signals and a width
determined based on a corresponding one of the correction factors
as a function of the shift in chromaticity of the light from the
reference one.
[0016] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may output
each of the correction pulse signals in a given time sequential
relation to output of a corresponding one of the reference pulse
signals.
[0017] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may also
correct each of the reference pulse signals so as to substantially
eliminate a difference between a luminance of the light emitted
from a corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a
target one.
[0018] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may produce
the correction pulse signals based on the correction factors which
are applied to said second and third light-emitting elements in a
corresponding one of the pixels to produce the lights of the second
and third colors, thereby visually shifting the light of the first
color to the second and third colors to minimize the difference in
chromaticity of the lights of the first color between the
pixels.
[0019] The light-emitting element controlling circuit may correct
each of the reference pulse signals so as to substantially
eliminate a difference between a luminance of the light emitted
from a corresponding one of the first light-emitting elements and a
target one.
[0020] Each of the first color, the second color, and the third
color is one of red, green, and blue.
[0021] Each of said first, second, and third light-emitting
elements may be implemented by a light-emitting diode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
detailed description given hereinbelow and from the accompanying
drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which,
however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific
embodiments but are for the purpose of explanation and
understanding only.
[0023] In the drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram which shows a display device
according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a plan view which a screen of the display device
in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3(a) shows a reference PWM signal to actuate each
LED;
[0027] FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) show examples of modified reference PWM
signals for adjusting the luminance of light emitted from each
LED;
[0028] FIG. 4(a) shows an example of a reference PWM signal for
actuating a green LED;
[0029] FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) show examples of correction PWM signals
to actuate a red and a blue LED for compensating for a shift in
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED in FIG. 4(a) from
a target one;
[0030] FIG. 5(a) shows a second example of a reference PWM signal
for actuating a green LED;
[0031] FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) show examples of correction PWM signals
to actuate a red and a blue LED for compensating for a shift in
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED in FIG. 5(a) from
a target one;
[0032] FIG. 6(a) shows a third example of a reference PWM signal
for actuating a green LED;
[0033] FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c) show examples of correction PWM signals
to actuate a red and a blue LED for compensating for a shift in
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED in FIG. 6(a) from
a target one;
[0034] FIG. 7(a) shows a fourth example of a reference PWM signal
for actuating a green LED;
[0035] FIGS. 7(b) and 7(c) show examples of correction PWM signals
to actuate a red and a blue LED for compensating for a shift in
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED in FIG. 7(a) from
a target one; and
[0036] FIG. 8 shows the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric system
(XYZ).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers
refer to like parts in several views, particularly to FIGS. 1 and
2, there is shown a large display device 1 according to the present
invention.
[0038] The large display device 1 consists of a matrix of display
units 2 and an image signal converter 8. The number of the display
units 2 is determined as a function of the size of a screen of the
large display device 1. Specifically, the display units 2 form one
screen as a whole, as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the display units 2
has a matrix of, for example, 256 pixels 3. The pixels 3 are
actuated in units of primary colors to form on one of the display
units 2 a portion of a large-sized full color image to be displayed
on the large display device 1.
[0039] The display unit 2 consists of a rectangular frame 10,
primary color light-emitting diodes: red LEDs 3a, green LEDs 3b,
and blue LEDs 3c arranged on a front surface of the rectangular
frame 10 to define the pixels 3, and a printed circuit board 4
installed on a reverse surface of the rectangular frame. The
printed circuit board 4 has disposed thereon an interface 5,
arithmetic circuits 6, and driver units 7. The interface 5 receives
image signals outputted from the image signal converter 8. The
arithmetic circuits 6 are provided one for each pixel 3. Each of
the driver units 7 consists of a red LED driver 7a, a green LED
driver 7b, and a blue LED driver 7c which are responsive to pulse
signals from one of the arithmetic circuits 6 to actuate the red
LED 3a, the green LED 3b, and the blue LED 3c, respectively. The
image signal converter 8 receives an image signal representing an
image to be display on the screen of the large display device 1
from an external device and divides it into image signals for the
display units 2, respectively.
[0040] The number of the pixels 3 is, as described above, 256. The
driver units 7 are provided one for each of the pixels 3 and each
one of them consists of the three LED drivers 7a, 7b, and 7c. The
total number of the LED drivers 7a to 7c is 768. All the LED
drivers 7a to 7c may be built in a single integrated circuit
mounted on the printed circuit board 4. Each of the pixels 3 may
alternatively be defined by more than or less than three LEDs. For
example, four or more LEDs may be used to combine three colors in
various proportions to specify any other color.
[0041] The image signals are, as described above, distributed to
each of the display units 2 and inputted to the arithmetic circuits
6 through the interface 5. Each of the arithmetic circuits 6
converts the inputted signals into image signals R', G', and B', as
described below in detail, and outputs them to the driver units 7
in the form of pulse signals (also referred to below as PWM
signals) whose width defines the duration of emission of light from
the LEDs 3a to 3c and height or amplitude is a function of a
current value for excitation of a corresponding one of the red,
green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c. Specifically, the red, green,
and blue LED drivers 7a, 7b, and 7c of each of the driver units 7
are responsive to the PWM signals to control the actuation of the
red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c so that red, green, and
blue lights may be combined in given proportions to produce a given
colored light in each of the pixels 3. Each of the display units 2,
as indicated by arrows 2a in FIG. 2, turns on vertical arrays of
the pixels 3 at intervals of 60 sec. to form an image visually.
[0042] The display device 1 is designed to decrease a difference in
chromaticity between the pixels 3 to minimize the irregularity in
the same color of an image displayed on the screen. This is
achieved by adjusting the luminance of light emitted from each of
the red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c in a manner as
described below.
[0043] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) show an example of the PWM signal
inputted to each of the red, green, and blue LED drivers 7a, 7b,
and 7c for specifying the luminance of output light. The following
discussion will be referred to the green LED 3b as an example.
[0044] First, a reference PWM signal, as shown in FIG. 3(a), is
provided to excite the green LED 3b. The pulse width L1, as
described above, defines the duration of emission of light from the
green LED 3b. The pulse height h1 represents the current value for
excitation of the green LED 3b. Next, the brightness or luminance
of light emitted from the green LED 3b is measured. When the
luminance of light emitted from the green LED 3b is higher than a
target one, either or both of the emission duration L1 and the
current value h1 are decreased to determine, as shown in FIG. 3(b),
an emission duration L2 and a current value h2 required to bring
the luminance of light into agreement with or close to the target
one. Alternatively, when the luminance of light emitted from the
green LED 3b is lower than the target one, either or both of the
emission duration L1 and the current value h1 are increased to
determine, as shown in FIG. 3(c), an emission duration L3 and a
current value h3 required to bring the luminance of light into
agreement with or close to the target one.
[0045] However, if the green light lies within a range S of the
standard calorimetric system in FIG. 8, it is impossible to shift
the green light to red and blue sides, that is, to decrease the
range S only by the luminance adjustment as described above. A
shift in chromaticity of the green light from a reference one is,
therefore, measured in the following manner. In this example, the
reference chromaticity is set to the chromaticity G existing near a
point defined by x and y coordinates of 0.20 and 0.53 in the
standard calorimetric system of FIG. 8.
[0046] First, it is determined whether the light emitted from the
green LED 3b lies near the point defined by x and y coordinates of
0.21 and 0.71 in the standard calorimetric system of FIG. 8 or not.
Specifically, the chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED
3b is measured to determine a difference between the measured
chromaticity and the reference chromaticity G. When the measured
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED 3b does not lie
near the reference chromaticity G, the red LED 3a and the blue LED
3c are actuated to visually shift the chromaticity of light emitted
from the green LED 3b to the red and blue sides so as to eliminate
the difference between the measured chromaticity and the reference
chromaticity G. A test is performed to determine values of the PWM
signals required to produce a mixture of red and blue lights in
proportions for eliminating the difference between the chromaticity
of light emitted from the green LED 3b and the reference
chromaticity G (or required to have the chromaticity of light
emitted from the pixel 3 fall within an allowable range
predetermined around the reference chromaticity G).
[0047] In the above manners, correction PWM signals for the red,
green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c of each pixel 3 are determined
which are required to eliminate shifts between the luminance and
chromaticity of light emitted from the green LED 3b and the target
ones. Similarly, correction PWM signals required to correct each of
red and blue lights to be emitted from the red and blue LEDs 3a and
3c are determined.
[0048] Referring back to FIG. 1, the image signal converter 8
provides red, green, and blue image signals R, G, and B to each of
the arithmetic circuits 6 through the interface 5. Each of the
arithmetic circuits 6 corrects image signals R, G, and B in color
tone to produce the image signals R', G', and B' in the form of the
PWM signals to be inputted to the red, green, and blue LED drivers
7a, 7b, and 7c for actuating the red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b,
and 3c, respectively, thereby minimizing the irregularity in color,
or difference in color tone between the pixels 3.
[0049] If the primary color lights: red, green, and blue lights
emitted directly from the red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c
based on the reference PWM signals are defined as R, G, and B, and
red, green, and blue lights corrected based on the image signals
R', G', and B' are defined as R', G', and B', the corrected red,
green, and blue lights R', G', and B'are
R'=(1+.alpha.1) R+.alpha.2G+.alpha.3B
=R+(.alpha.1R+.alpha.2G+.alpha.3B)
[0050] where .alpha.1, .alpha.2, .alpha.3 are correction factors
for the red, green, and blue lights.
G'=.beta.1R+(1+.beta.2)G+.beta.3B
=G+(.beta.3R+.beta.2G+.beta.3B)
[0051] where .beta.1, .beta.2, .beta.3 are correction factors for
the red, green, and blue lights.
B'=.gamma.1R+.gamma.2G+(1+.gamma.3)B
=B+(.gamma.1R+.gamma.2G+.gamma.3B)
[0052] where .gamma.1, .gamma.2, .gamma.3 are correction factors
for the red, green, and blue lights.
[0053] Thus, the image signals R', G', and B' (i.e., the corrected
PWM signals to be inputted to the red, green, and blue LED drivers
7a, 7b, and 7c) are given by the following equation.
A'=A+XA
[0054] 1 A ' = ( R ' G ' B ' ) , A = ( R G B ) , X = ( 1 2 3 1 2 3
1 2 3 )
[0055] where A indicates the reference PWM signal determined
directly based on the image signal outputted from the image signal
converter 8 and XA indicates the correction PWM signal.
[0056] Each of the arithmetic circuits 6 has a table in a memory
(not shown) which lists the correction factors, as described above,
and looks up them in response to input of each of the image signals
R, G, and B from the image signal converter 8 to produce the
corrected image signals R', G', and B'.
[0057] FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) show an example of a combination
of the reference PWM signal and the correction PWM signals when it
is required to emit the green light the pixel 3.
[0058] The reference PWM signal, as shown in FIG. 4(a), whose width
L4 is a function of the duration of emission of light from the
green LED 3b and height h4 is a function of a current value is
provided within one cycle ({fraction (1/60)} sec.) of the image
signal inputted to the image signal converter 8 by the arithmetic
circuit 6 to the green LED driver 7b. The arithmetic circuit 6 also
outputs, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the correction PWM signal having
the width L5 and the height h5 to the red LED driver 7a prior to
rising of the reference PWM signal, thereby mixing red light
visually with the green light emitted from the green LED 3b to
shift the green light to the red side. Further, the arithmetic
circuit 6 outputs, as shown in FIG. 4(c). the correction PWM signal
to the blue LED driver 7c whose width L6 is identical with the
width L4 of the reference PWM signal and height h6 is smaller than
the height h4 of the reference PWM signal, thereby shifting the
green light to the blue side further. This causes the light emitted
from each pixel 3 to be brought into agreement with or close to the
reference chromaticity G.
[0059] Therefore, when it is required to produce the green light
over the screen of the display device 1, for example, the
chromaticity adjustment, as described above, may be performed to
bring the chromaticity of light emitted from each pixel 3 agreement
with or close to the reference chromaticity G, thereby eliminating
or minimizing the irregularity in color between the pixels 3.
[0060] FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c) show the second example of a
combination of the reference PWM signal and the correction PWM
signals when it is required to emit the green light from the pixel
3.
[0061] The reference PWM signal, as shown in FIG. 5(a), is provided
within one cycle ({fraction (1/60)} sec.) of the image signal
inputted to the image signal converter 8 by the arithmetic circuit
6 to the green LED driver 7b. The arithmetic circuit 6 also outputs
the correction PWM signals, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), to the
red LED driver 7a and the blue LED driver 7c, respectively, prior
to rising of the reference PWM signal, thereby shifting the green
light to the red and blue sides to bring the chromaticity of light
emitted from the pixel 3 into agreement with or close to the
reference chromaticity G.
[0062] FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) show the third example of a
combination of the reference PWM signal and the correction PWM
signals when it is required to emit the green light from the pixel
3.
[0063] In this example, the reference PWM signal inputted to the
green LED driver 7b and the correction PWM signals inputted to the
red and blue LED drivers 7a and 7c have the same width. If it is
required to correct the chromaticity of green light emitted from
the green LED 3b by substantially the same degree as that in the
first example shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), the correction PWM in
FIG. 6(b) is set equal in area to the one shown in FIG. 4(b), and,
the correction PWM in FIG. 6(c) is set equal in area to the one
shown in FIG. 4(c). A plurality of correction PWM signals may
alternatively be provided to actuate each of the red and blue LEDs
3a and 3c as long as a total area of the PWM signals is identical
with that of a corresponding one of the correction PWM signals of
FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c) and the length of time all the correction PWM
signals are outputted is so set as to fall within one cycle
({fraction (1/60)} sec.) of the image signal inputted to the image
signal converter 8.
[0064] FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) show the fourth example of a
combination of the reference PWM signals and the correction PWM
signals for correcting both the luminance and chromaticity of light
produced by the pixel 3 when it is required to mix the red, green,
and blue lights emitted from the red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b,
and 3c to produce any other color light from the pixel 3.
[0065] The arithmetic circuit 6 provides the reference PWM signals
having the same height to the red, green, and blue LED drivers 7a,
7b, and 7c to actuate the red, green, and blue LEDs 3a, 3b, and 3c,
respectively. Prior to output of the reference PWM signals, the
arithmetic circuit 6 provides the correction PWM signals to the
red, green, and blue LED drivers 7a, 7b, and 7c, respectively. To
take an example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), of correcting the green
light emitted from the green LED 3b of one of the pixels 3, the
correction PWM signals .beta.1R, .beta.2G, and .beta.3B are
outputted adjust before the output of the reference PWM signal to
the green LED driver 7b. The correction PWM signal .beta.1R serves
to produce the red light from the red LED 3a to shift the green
light to the red side. The correction PWM signal .beta.3B serves to
produce the blue light from the blue LED 3c to shift the green
light to the blue side. The correction PWM .beta.2G serves to
correct the luminance of the light emitted from the green LED 3b.
This causes both the luminance and chromaticity of the light
emitted from the pixel 3 to be brought into agreement with or close
to target ones, respectively.
[0066] The correction PWM signals in each of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are
outputted in sequence from the arithmetic circuit 6, but may be
outputted simultaneously just before the output of the reference
PWM signal. The height and width of each of the correction PWM
signals may also be changed as long as an area thereof is
unchanged. The width of each of the reference PWM signals and the
correction PWM signals may be increased up to the time length of
one cycle (e.g., {fraction (1/60)} sec.) of the image signal
inputted to the image signal converter 8. Further, the reference
PWM signals and the correction PWM signals shown in FIGS. 7(a),
7(b), and 7(c) may be mixed to produce three corrected PWM signals
one for each of the red, green, and blue LED drives 7a, 7b, and
7c.
[0067] The adjustment of chromaticity of light emitted from each
pixel 3 will also be discussed in detail with reference to FIG.
8.
[0068] Assuming that the chromaticity of green light emitted from
the green LED 3b is, as indicated by go, within the range S, the
arithmetic circuit 6 turns on the red LED 3a to shift the
chromaticity go of the green light to the chromaticity g1 and also
turns on the blue LED 3c to shift the chromaticity g1 to the
chromaticity g2 which falls within an allowable range around the
target or reference chromaticity G.
[0069] While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of
the preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better
understanding thereof, it should be appreciated that the invention
can be embodied in various ways without departing from the
principle of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be
understood to include all possible embodiments and modifications to
the shown embodiments witch can be embodied without departing from
the principle of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
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