Column Drivers with Embedded Timing Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing interface between the timing controller (TCON) and column drivers in display devices consumes significant energy and increases hardware size and cost due to the use of a standalone TCON chip, which is not efficiently integrated with column drivers.
Innovation Solution
Embedding TCON functionality directly into each column driver, utilizing a high-speed interface like DISPLAYPORT, and implementing an auxiliary bus for communication, allowing point-to-point communication while reducing power consumption and hardware real estate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standalone TCON chip is used to control column drivers, then the timing control function is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TCON functionality into the column driver circuitry itself, eliminating the need for a separate TCON chip. The timing controller functions are integrated directly into the column driver, allowing the same hardware to perform both timing control and column driving operations, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the required timing control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The column driver is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the timing controller (TCON) and the column driver. By making the column driver universal and capable of handling timing control tasks, the system eliminates dedicated TCON hardware, reducing power consumption while preserving timing control functionality
2Reliability
If a standalone TCON chip is used, then timing control is achieved, but hardware size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the TCON and column driver into a single integrated circuit block. By merging these previously separate components, the overall hardware size is reduced while the timing control function remains intact, as the integrated design maintains all necessary timing control capabilities within the column driver structure
3Reliability
If a standalone TCON chip is used, then timing control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of TCON functionality into the column driver reduces the total component count and simplifies the manufacturing process. By eliminating the need for a separate TCON chip and its associated packaging, testing, and assembly steps, manufacturing costs are reduced while the timing control function is preserved through the integrated design
4Loss of information
If an interface between TCON and column drivers is implemented, then data transmission is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing control functions from the separate TCON chip and embeds them directly into the column driver. This eliminates the need for a physical interface between TCON and column driver, thereby removing the power consumption associated with that interface while maintaining full data transmission capability through the integrated architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are disclosed for embedding a timing controller on column drivers which, among other advantages, reduces power consumption and size constraints. A standalone timing controller is eliminated by splitting a video input signal and delivering the signal to each of the column drivers. Timing controller functionality is embedded in each of the column drivers to allow the column drivers to process the received video signal. An auxiliary input used for communication between column drivers and an external system is received by a master column driver. The master column driver communicates with slave column drivers to enable point to point communication between each column driver and the external system.