Display Driver Buffer Voltage Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bi-stable display driving apparatuses experience spur currents and excessive average currents due to sudden voltage level changes in the buffer unit when data signals vary frequently.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that includes a shift register, first and second latch units, a data comparison unit, and a level select unit to compare data signals across channels, generating a transition voltage level when differences exceed a default value, thereby stabilizing voltage levels in the buffer unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the data signal changes frequently, then the display can show dynamic content, but the voltage level of the buffer unit switches fast between peak and foot voltage causing spur currents and excessive average currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by comparing the current data signal with the previous data signal before the buffer unit switches voltage levels. The data comparison unit detects changes in advance and generates a control signal to prevent unnecessary voltage switching when data remains unchanged, thereby avoiding spur currents before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (data comparison unit and control signal generation unit) between the data signal input and the buffer unit. This intermediary compares data signals and generates control signals to regulate voltage level switching, preventing direct and frequent voltage changes that cause spur currents.
2Productivity
If the data signal changes frequently, then the display can show dynamic content, but the buffer unit generates over huge average currents
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary comparison of data signals before voltage switching occurs. By detecting whether data has changed in advance, the system avoids unnecessary voltage transitions and reduces average current consumption while maintaining the ability to display dynamic content when data actually changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing current data signals with previous data signals. Based on the comparison result, the control signal generation unit adjusts the voltage level switching of the buffer unit, creating a feedback loop that optimizes power consumption by eliminating redundant voltage transitions.
3Speed
If the voltage level switches fast between peak and foot voltage, then the buffer can respond to data changes, but it causes the system to crash
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data comparison before voltage switching. By detecting data changes in advance and generating appropriate control signals, the system prevents excessive and rapid voltage switching that would compromise system stability, while still maintaining responsive voltage transitions when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The data comparison unit and control signal generation unit act as intermediaries that regulate the relationship between data changes and voltage switching. This intermediary layer filters out unnecessary voltage transitions and ensures that voltage level changes occur only when needed, maintaining both speed and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for driving a display includes a shift register, a first latch unit, a second latch unit, a data comparison unit and a level select unit. The shift register generates multiple latch signals according to a sync signal. The first latch unit latches a data signal in response to the latch signals to obtain multiple first data corresponding to multiple channels. The second latch unit is coupled to the first latch unit and latches the first data of the channels as multiple second data in response to a latch data signal. The data comparison unit responds to the latch data signal to respectively compare the first data and the second data corresponding to the same channel to output multiple third data corresponding to the channels. The level select unit selects multiple voltage levels corresponding to the channels according to the third data.