Display Data Distribution Unit Switching for Cost Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing costs of display apparatuses increase due to the need for a large number of data output lines in the data driving unit, which is required to apply data signals to each data line effectively.

Innovation Solution

A display apparatus with a reduced number of data output lines in the data driving unit is implemented, utilizing a data distribution unit with switches to connect data output lines to multiple data lines, and a control circuit to manage the control signals for these switches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large number of data output lines are provided in the data driving unit to apply data signals to each data line, then the data signal application effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata signal application effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The data distribution unit divides the data output lines into multiple groups and distributes them to different data lines through switch arrays. This segmentation allows fewer data output lines to serve multiple data lines by time-multiplexing the signal distribution, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining effective data signal application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamically controllable switches in the data distribution unit that can selectively connect different data output lines to different data lines based on control signals. This dynamic switching capability enables a reduced number of data output lines to effectively serve all required data lines through temporal multiplexing, resolving the contradiction between signal effectiveness and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the number of data output lines is reduced to lower manufacturing costs, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the slew rate of control signals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costsVSAvoidslew rate of control signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit acts as an intermediary that generates optimized control signals for the switches in the data distribution unit. This intermediary control mechanism ensures that even with reduced data output lines, the control signals maintain adequate slew rate by coordinating switch transitions and preventing signal degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If switches are introduced to connect data output lines to multiple data lines, then the number of data output lines is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of data output linesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switches in the data distribution unit are designed as multi-functional elements that can dynamically connect any data output line to any data line based on control signals. This universal switching capability allows a compact, standardized switch array to replace multiple dedicated data output lines, reducing the overall device complexity while achieving line reduction through functional multiplicity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4567779A1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4567779A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4567779A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4567779A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A display apparatus includes a pixel unit, a data driving unit, a data distribution unit including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch, where the first switch connects a first data output line to a first data line according to a first control signal, the second switch connects the first data output line to a second data line according to a second control signal, the third switch connects a second data output line to a third data line according to a third control signal, and the fourth switch connects the second data output line to a fourth data line according to a fourth control signal, and a control circuit, where the first control signal has a same phase as a phase of the third control signal, and the second control signal has a same phase as a phase of the fourth control signal.