Single-line communication output multiplexing drive circuit, display system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit, display system and method, the driving circuit includes: a controller, at least one driver group; each driver group includes: a plurality of drivers that are sequentially connected from the first-level driver to the last-level driver; the controller includes: an output port and a readback port; the output port is connected to the first driver, and the readback port is connected to the last driver; the output port is used to send the communication signal and interrupt signal of the controller to the first driver, so that the communication signal and interrupt signal pass through each driver of the driver group in sequence; the last-level driver is used to generate readback data and interrupt information in response to the communication signal and interrupt signal, and transmit it back to the readback port. According to the technical solution of the present invention, the last-level driver can not only be a slave, but also a host, which reduces the data processing amount of the controller, thereby reducing the selection restrictions on the controller and reducing the cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a single-line communication output multiplexing drive circuit, a display system and a method. Background Art

[0002] The display system includes a large number of LED units, which can be arranged in the display area in the form of an array. Each LED unit needs to be driven by a corresponding driver, and the driver needs to be driven by a controller. Multiple drivers correspond to one controller.

[0003] In the prior art, the controller and the driver are in master-slave mode, the controller is the master, initiating status readback, and all drivers are slaves. Readback data is generated only when the controller initiates status readback. In order to ensure the normal operation of the display system, the controller needs to read back the working status of all drivers in real time, and the data processing volume is very large. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit, a display system and a method to solve the problem of very large controller processing capacity in the prior art.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit is provided, which comprises: a controller and at least one driver group; wherein:

[0007] Each driver group includes: a plurality of drivers connected in series from the first driver to the last driver;

[0008] The controller comprises: an output port and a readback port; the output port is communicatively connected to the first driver, and the readback port is communicatively connected to the last driver; the output port, the first driver to the last driver, and the readback port sequentially form a serial link;

[0009] The output port is used to send the communication signal and the interrupt signal of the controller to the first driver, so that the communication signal and the interrupt signal pass through each driver of the driver group in sequence;

[0010] The driver before the last stage driver is used to generate readback data in response to the communication signal and the interrupt signal, and transmit it through the serial link;

[0011] The last-level driver is used to generate readback data in the communication mode in response to the communication signal, and is also used to select the corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, and generate interrupt information in the interrupt mode to the controller; and transmit the readback data and interrupt information back to the readback port through the serial link.

[0012] Optionally, the output port is a multiplexed output port.

[0013] Optionally, the last-stage driver includes: a signal identification module, and the signal identification module is used to identify the received signal so that the last-stage driver makes a corresponding response.

[0014] Optionally, the last-stage driver includes: a plurality of communication signal transceiver modules; and the signal formats of the plurality of communication signal transceiver modules are different.

[0015] Optionally, the last-stage driver includes: a communication signal selection module, and the communication signal selection module is used to select between multiple communication signal transceiver modules.

[0016] Optionally, the signal formats of the multiple communication signal transceiver modules include a universal format and a private format.

[0017] Optionally, the number of the interrupt modes in the last-level driver is multiple.

[0018] Optionally, the last-stage driver includes: an interrupt mode selection module, and the interrupt mode selection module is used to select between multiple interrupt modes.

[0019] Optionally, the interruption mode includes: a driving voltage undervoltage mode, an open circuit detection mode, and a short circuit detection mode.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display system comprising: a plurality of light emitting element regions, a single line communication output multiplexing drive circuit;

[0021] The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit is the single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit described in any one of the above items;

[0022] The light emitting element areas correspond to the drivers one by one.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a single-line communication output multiplexing driving method, comprising:

[0024] Sending a communication signal to a driver group through single-line communication; wherein the driver group includes: a plurality of drivers connected in series from a first-stage driver to a last-stage driver;

[0025] The driver before the last stage driver generates readback data in response to the communication signal and transmits it via the single-wire communication;

[0026] The last stage driver generates readback data in the communication mode in response to the communication signal and transmits it back; or, comprising:

[0027] sending an interrupt signal to the driver group via single-line communication;

[0028] The driver before the last stage driver generates readback data in response to the interrupt signal and transmits it via the single-wire communication;

[0029] The last stage driver selects a corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, generates interrupt information in the interrupt mode, and transmits it back.

[0030] The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit, display system and method provided by the present invention, the controller can send communication signals and interrupt signals to the driver, the controller and the driver can be in master-slave mode, the controller sends a communication signal to the driver, at this time all the drivers are slaves, only when the controller sends a communication signal, the driver generates readback data and transmits it back to the controller; the last-level driver can also be a host, when the controller sends an interrupt signal to the driver, the last driver becomes the host, and no longer generates readback data based on the controller's readback signal, but changes to a corresponding interrupt mode, only when the trigger condition of the interrupt mode appears in the driver group, the interrupt information is actively generated and transmitted back to the controller; in the interrupt mode, since the last-level driver is configured as an interrupt, the controller no longer needs to read back the status of all drivers in real time, the last-level driver will automatically determine whether the driver group to which it belongs has a trigger condition corresponding to the interrupt mode, if not, no data will be returned, if so, data will be returned, the data processing amount of the controller is reduced, thereby reducing the selection restrictions on the controller and reducing the cost; and the output multiplexing of the serial link is realized, and a variety of different output forms are realized.

[0031] In addition, the single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit, display system and method provided by the present invention realize the selection of communication mode and interrupt mode through the last-level driver of each driver group. Except for the last-level driver, the remaining drivers are always in the single-line communication mode. Even in the interrupt mode, the brightness and other information can still be sent through the single line. Therefore, the present invention can realize the transmission of readback information and the sending of command information (such as brightness information, etc.) through a single line.

[0032] In an optional solution of the present invention, the communication signal and interrupt signal of the controller are implemented through the same output port (multiplexed output port). Each driver group (i.e., each row driver) only needs to correspond to one output port, and the number of terminals required for the controller is relatively small, which further reduces the selection restrictions on the controller and reduces the cost of the controller.

[0033] In an optional solution of the present invention, the last-stage driver includes: a plurality of communication signal transceiver modules; the plurality of communication signal transceiver modules have different signal formats and can transmit communication signals of a plurality of different formats, and have a wide range of applications.

[0034] In an optional solution of the present invention, the signal formats of the various communication signal transceiver modules include: a universal format and a private format; in the universal format, the controller's interpretation of the read-back information is relatively simple, or even does not require interpretation, saving time; and in the private format, it can adapt to the different needs of different users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication signal selection module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an interrupt mode selection module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a signal recognition module according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 5 A flowchart of a single-line communication output multiplexing driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 A flowchart of a single-line communication output multiplexing driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Description of reference numerals:

[0043] 11- Controller,

[0044] 111 - output port,

[0045] 112-readback port;

[0046] 12-Driver Group;

[0047] 121-First stage driver,

[0048] 122-last stage driver;

[0049] 1221-communication signal selection module;

[0050] 1222-interrupt mode selection module;

[0051] 1223-Multiplexer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0053] In the description of the specification of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the orientation or position relationship indicated by the terms "upper part", "lower part", "upper end", "lower end", "lower surface", "upper surface", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0054] In the description of the present specification, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0055] In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means a plurality, such as two, three, four, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0056] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the term "connection" and other terms should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or mutual communication; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0057] The technical solution of the present invention is described in detail with specific embodiments below. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0058] In one embodiment, a single-line communication output multiplexing drive circuit is provided, please refer to Figure 1 , which includes: a controller 11, at least one driver group 12. Each driver group 12 includes: a plurality of drivers that are sequentially communicatively connected from a first-level driver 121 to a last-level driver 122. The controller 11 includes: an output port 111 and a readback port 112; the output port 111 is communicatively connected to the first driver 121, and the readback port 112 is communicatively connected to the last driver 122; that is, the output port 111, the first driver to the last driver, and the readback port sequentially form a serial link. The output port 111 is used to send the controller's command signal: communication signal, interrupt signal to the first-level driver, so that the communication signal and interrupt signal pass through each driver of the driver group in sequence, and the readback port is used to receive the readback data and interrupt information transmitted back through the serial link.

[0059] The drivers before the last driver (assuming that M drivers are used as an example, the first M-1 drivers) are used to generate readback data in response to communication signals and interrupt signals, and transmit them through a serial link until the last driver. The signal received by the last driver is a signal including the readback data of the first M-1 drivers. The last driver is used to generate readback data in the communication mode in response to the communication signal, and transmit it back to the controller through a serial link, that is, all drivers are in slave mode at this time. The last driver is also used to select the corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, and generate interrupt information in the interrupt mode to the controller, and transmit it back to the controller through a serial link. At this time, the last driver is in host mode, and it is no longer based on the controller's readback signal for reading back, but only when the driver group to which it belongs has the trigger condition of the interrupt mode, it will actively generate interrupt information and transmit it back to the controller. In the interrupt mode, the controller no longer needs to read back the status of all drivers in real time. The last driver will automatically determine whether the driver group to which it belongs has the trigger condition corresponding to the interrupt mode. If not, it will not transmit data back. If so, it will transmit data back, reducing the data processing capacity of the controller. In the single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit of the embodiment of the present invention, the drivers in each driver group are connected by single-line communication, and the first M-1 drivers are always in the single-line communication mode. Even in the interrupt mode, the brightness and other information can still be sent through the single-line communication. Therefore, the transmission of readback information and the sending of driving information (such as brightness information, etc.) can be realized through a single line.

[0060] Figure 1 The signal response in the last driver is only for illustrating its working process, in order to distinguish the working process of the last driver from that of the first M-1 driver, and it is not necessarily a real module.

[0061] Figure 1 Only one driver group 12 is illustrated. In different embodiments, the same controller may correspond to at least two driver groups, or may correspond to more than two driver groups. Different driver groups may be distributed in rows. Of course, in different embodiments, different driver groups may be distributed in columns, or may be distributed in other forms (such as regionalized forms, with no restrictions on how to divide the regions). Details will not be given here.

[0062] In one embodiment, the output port is a multiplexed output port, and the communication signal and the interrupt signal of the controller are implemented through the same output port.

[0063] In the prior art, the output terminals of the controller corresponding to the driver often correspond to different output terminals for different outputs. For example, two different outputs (e.g., sending dimming data and reading status) require two output terminals, that is, each row driver needs to correspond to two output terminals. The display system often includes many row drivers, which will have relatively large requirements for the number of controller terminals. This will greatly restrict the selection of the controller and increase the cost. In the above embodiment of the present invention, the communication signal and interrupt signal of the controller are realized through the same output port (multiplexed output port). Each driver group (i.e., each row driver) only needs to correspond to one output port. The number of controller terminals is relatively small, which reduces the selection restrictions on the controller and reduces the cost of the controller.

[0064] In one embodiment, whether the controller sends a communication signal or an interrupt signal can be implemented through different command formats, and whether to send a communication signal or an interrupt signal can be selected through settings.

[0065] In practice, when the last-stage driver receives a signal outputted from the output port 111, it can identify the signal so that the driver can make a corresponding response. When it is identified as a communication signal, it generates readback data in the communication mode. When it is identified as an interrupt signal, it generates interrupt information in the interrupt mode. The signal identification can be realized by a signal identification module. Different signals can be distinguished by different signal formats. Correspondingly, the signal identification module can identify the signal according to the signal format.

[0066] In one embodiment, the last-stage driver includes: a plurality of communication signal transceiver modules; the signal formats of the plurality of communication signal transceiver modules are different.

[0067] In one embodiment, the last stage driver includes: a communication signal selection module 1221, please refer to Figure 3 The communication signal selection module is used to select between a variety of communication signal transceiver modules. Figure 3 A communication signal including two signal formats is taken as an example, specifically including: a first communication signal and a second communication signal.

[0068] In one embodiment, the signal formats of the multiple communication signal transceiver modules may include a general format and a private format. The general format is a UART communication protocol format; when the UART communication protocol is adopted, since the controller has an embedded UART slave decoding module, no additional resources are required to parse the readback information, and the working status of the driver can be known, which saves time and has low performance requirements for the controller. The private format can meet different needs of users.

[0069] As an implementation method, signal recognition and communication signal selection can be implemented through a two-level module. First, the signal is identified to determine whether it is a communication signal or an interrupt signal. When it is identified as a communication signal, a selection is made between multiple communication signal transceiver modules.

[0070] As another implementation, signal recognition and communication signal selection can also be implemented through the same module, that is, the signal recognition module and the communication signal selection module are the same module, and multiple communication signal transceiver modules and interrupt signals are used as inputs to directly select between multiple communication signal transceiver modules and interrupt signals.

[0071] In one embodiment, the number of interrupt modes in the last stage driver may be multiple, such as including: a driving voltage undervoltage mode, an open circuit detection mode, a short circuit detection mode, etc.

[0072] In one embodiment, the last level driver includes: an interrupt mode selection module 1222, the interrupt mode selection module 1222 is used to select between multiple interrupt modes, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 In the example, three interruption modes are taken: the first interruption mode, the second interruption mode, and the third interruption mode.

[0073] As an implementation method, signal recognition and interrupt mode selection can be implemented through a two-level module. First, the signal is identified as a communication signal or an interrupt signal. When it is identified as an interrupt signal, a selection is made between multiple interrupt modes.

[0074] As another implementation, signal recognition and interruption mode selection can also be implemented through the same module, that is, the signal recognition module and the interruption mode selection module are the same module, and the communication signal and multiple interruption modes are used as inputs to directly identify between the communication signal and multiple interruption modes.

[0075] It should be understood that when there are multiple communication signals and multiple interrupt modes, the selection of communication signals and interrupt modes can be implemented through a multi-level selection module, such as: first identify whether it is a communication signal or an interrupt signal, and when it is identified as a communication signal, select between multiple communication signal transceiver modules, and when it is identified as an interrupt signal, select between multiple interrupt modes. Of course, it can also be implemented through a first-level selection module, that is, the signal identification module, the communication signal selection module, and the interrupt mode selection module are the same module, and multiple communication signal transceiver modules and multiple interrupt modes are used as inputs, and multiple communication signal transceiver modules and multiple interrupt modes are directly selected. Please refer to Figure 5 ,The same module described above can be implemented by means of a multiplexer.

[0076] In different embodiments, the signal recognition, multiple communication mode selection, and multiple interrupt mode selection of the last-stage driver may not be implemented through the modules described above, for example, they may be implemented through a program.

[0077] Practically, the selection of the communication signal and the interrupt signal can be selected according to time settings, such as setting what time to select the communication signal and what time to select the interrupt signal; it can also be selected based on user needs, such as the user can make a selection through a control command.

[0078] In one embodiment, the output port of the last stage driver may also be a multiplexed output port, and a plurality of different output forms may be realized through the same port, such as: readback data under the first communication signal, readback data under the second communication signal, interrupt information, etc.

[0079] In one embodiment, a display system is further provided, which includes: a plurality of light emitting element areas and a single-line communication output multiplexing driver. The single-line communication output multiplexing driver is the single-line communication output multiplexing driver described in any of the above embodiments; the light emitting element areas correspond to the drivers one by one.

[0080] In one embodiment, a single-line communication output multiplexing driving method is also provided, please refer to Figure 5 , which includes:

[0081] S11: sending a communication signal to a driver group through single-line communication; wherein the driver group includes: a plurality of drivers connected in series from a first-stage driver to a last-stage driver;

[0082] S12: The driver before the last driver generates readback data in response to the communication signal and transmits it through the single-line communication;

[0083] S13: The last stage driver generates readback data in the communication mode in response to the communication signal and transmits it back.

[0084] In one embodiment, a single-line communication output multiplexing driving method is also provided, please refer to Figure 6 , which includes:

[0085] S21: Send an interrupt signal to the driver group via single-line communication;

[0086] S22: the driver before the last driver generates readback data in response to the interrupt signal and transmits it through the single-line communication;

[0087] S23: The last driver selects the corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, generates interrupt information in the interrupt mode, and transmits it back. In the interrupt mode, the last driver automatically determines whether the driver group it belongs to has the trigger condition corresponding to the interrupt mode. If not, it will not transmit data back. If so, it will transmit data back.

[0088] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "an implementation", "an example", "a specific implementation process", "an example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0089] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A single-line communication output multiplexing drive circuit, characterized in that: include: A controller and at least one driver group; wherein, Each driver group includes: a plurality of drivers connected in series from the first driver to the last driver; The controller comprises: an output port and a readback port; the output port is communicatively connected to the first-stage driver, and the readback port is communicatively connected to the last-stage driver; the output port, the first-stage driver to the last-stage driver, and the readback port sequentially form a serial link; The output port is used to send the communication signal and the interrupt signal of the controller to the first-stage driver, so that the communication signal and the interrupt signal pass through each driver of the driver group in sequence; The driver before the last stage driver is used to generate readback data in response to the communication signal and the interrupt signal, and transmit it through the serial link; The last-level driver is used to generate readback data under the communication mode in response to the communication signal, and is also used to select the corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, and generate interrupt information under the interrupt mode to the controller based on the trigger condition corresponding to the interrupt mode; and transmit the readback data and interrupt information back to the readback port through the serial link.

2. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output port is a multiplexed output port.

3. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The last stage driver comprises: a signal identification module, and the signal identification module is used to identify the received signal so that the last stage driver makes a corresponding response.

4. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The last-stage driver includes: a plurality of communication signal transceiver modules; the signal formats of the plurality of communication signal transceiver modules are different.

5. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that: The last stage driver comprises: a communication signal selection module, and the communication signal selection module is used to select between a plurality of communication signal transceiver modules.

6. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The signal formats of the various communication signal transceiver modules include a universal format and a private format.

7. The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the interrupt modes in the last-stage driver is multiple.

8. The driving circuit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The last-stage driver includes an interrupt mode selection module, and the interrupt mode selection module is used to select between multiple interrupt modes.

9. A display system, characterized in that: include: Multiple light-emitting element areas, single-line communication output multiplexing drive circuit; The single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit is the single-line communication output multiplexing driving circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The light emitting element areas correspond to the drivers one by one.

10. A single-line communication output multiplexing driving method, characterized in that: include: Sending a communication signal to a driver group through single-line communication; wherein the driver group includes: a plurality of drivers connected in series from a first-stage driver to a last-stage driver; The driver before the last stage driver generates readback data in response to the communication signal and transmits it via the single-wire communication; The last stage driver generates readback data in the communication mode in response to the communication signal and transmits it back; or, comprising: sending an interrupt signal to the driver group via single-line communication; The driver before the last stage driver generates readback data in response to the interrupt signal and transmits it via the single-wire communication; The last-stage driver selects a corresponding interrupt mode in response to the interrupt signal, generates interrupt information in the interrupt mode based on a trigger condition corresponding to the interrupt mode, and transmits the interrupt information back.

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