Chiplet Driver Pairs for 2D Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional passive-matrix display designs are limited in size and number of light-emitting elements, and active-matrix designs using thin-film transistors (TFTs) have lower electrical performance and non-uniformity issues, necessitating an improved control method for display devices employing LEDs.

Innovation Solution

A display device with distributed, separate row and column chiplet drivers, where each chiplet is fabricated using the lowest cost semiconductor process available, reducing the number of components and connections, and allowing for independent control of pixel groups with reduced flicker and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive-matrix control is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the display size and number of light-emitting elements are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structureVSAvoiddisplay size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control function by distributing independent chiplet drivers across the substrate, with each chiplet controlling a specific region of pixels. This allows the display to scale to larger sizes without proportionally increasing overall control complexity, as each chiplet operates independently with a manageable number of connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If active-matrix control with TFTs is used, then display size and number of light-emitting elements can be increased, but electrical performance and uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoidelectrical performance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses multiple identical chiplet drivers that are replicated across the substrate. Each chiplet is a copy of the same design, ensuring uniform electrical characteristics across the entire display. This approach maintains high electrical performance consistency while enabling large display sizes, overcoming the uniformity issues of TFT-based active-matrix controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If distributed chiplet drivers are used, then electrical performance and uniformity are improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical performanceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each chiplet driver is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can control multiple pixels within its region. The chiplets use standardized interfaces and identical circuit designs, allowing them to perform the same control functions across different display regions. This universality reduces the variety of components needed while maintaining high electrical performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Area of stationary object

If more control connections are added to increase display size, then display area increases, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the display into multiple independently controlled regions by distributed chiplets, each chiplet can manage power consumption locally. This segmentation allows for more efficient power distribution and reduces overall power consumption compared to a centralized control system that would require more extensive connection networks across the entire large display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2399254B1Chiplet driver pairs for two-dimensional display
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 GLOBAL OLED TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP2399254B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2399254B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2399254B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device, including a substrate; a first layer having an array of row electrodes formed in rows across the substrate in a first direction and a second layer having an array of column electrodes formed in columns across the substrate in a second direction different from the first direction wherein the row and column electrodes overlap to form pixel locations; one or more layers of light- emitting material formed between the row and column electrodes to form a two- dimensional array of pixels, the pixels being located in the pixel locations; and a plurality of row driver chiplets and a separate plurality of column driver chiplets distributed relative to the two-dimensional array of pixels, each row driver chiplet exclusively connected to and controlling an independent set of row electrodes and each column driver chiplet exclusively connected to and controlling an independent set of column electrodes.