Bidirectional Scanning Circuit with Shared Registers and Switch Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bidirectional scanning circuits face challenges in achieving a narrow pitch and narrow frame edge simultaneously while maintaining high display performance, as they require duplicate circuit elements and complex interconnections, leading to asymmetrical operation margins that differ between forward and reverse scanning directions, especially at higher operational frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor circuit comprising a first and second scanning circuit, where the outputs of unit registers from each circuit are coupled, with switch circuits controlled by scanning direction signals to enable bidirectional scanning without duplicating circuit elements, allowing one circuit to be in an output disabled state while the other is active, thus maintaining symmetry and reducing circuit size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If duplicate circuit elements are used for bidirectional scanning, then bidirectional scanning capability is achieved, but circuit size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional scanning capabilityVSAvoidcircuit size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of forward and reverse scanning circuits into a single shared circuit structure. The same circuit elements are used for both scanning directions by controlling the switching state of transistors, eliminating the need for duplicate circuit elements and reducing overall circuit size while maintaining bidirectional scanning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of transistor switching states to change the scanning direction. By controlling the on/off states of switching transistors based on the scanning direction signal, the circuit can dynamically switch between forward and reverse scanning modes without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If duplicate circuit elements are used for bidirectional scanning, then bidirectional scanning capability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional scanning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If asymmetrical circuit configuration is used, then circuit size is reduced, but operation margin differs between forward and reverse directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit sizeVSAvoidoperation margin symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent intentionally introduces asymmetry in the form of switching transistors that are controlled asymmetrically based on scanning direction. While the underlying circuit structure remains symmetric, the dynamic control of transistor switching states creates asymmetric operation modes that allow the same circuit to perform both forward and reverse scanning with equal reliability and operation margins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS8654056B2Semiconductor circuit and display apparatus employing the same

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 NEC LCD TECH CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a display apparatus including two scanning circuits of the same configuration and layout, arranged on either sides of the display part. As long as one of the scanning circuits is in operation, the other scanning circuit is in a state in which no output signal is output.