Display Driver IC Connection Failure Detection via Loop Antenna

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current display technologies lack the ability to detect connection failures between the display driver IC and the display panel, which can lead to critical information being lost or improperly displayed on vehicle safety modules, posing a safety risk due to the absence of bonding issue detection.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a loop antenna and a processor to send a signal with a predetermined frequency to the scanning or data lines of the display device, and analyzing the coupled signal to determine connection failures between the display driver IC and the TFT layer, thereby detecting bonding issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If display driver IC connection failure detection is not implemented, then device complexity remains low, but reliability deteriorates due to undetected bonding issues causing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection failure detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display driver IC performs self-diagnosis by internally generating test signals and detecting connection failures through its own output interface, eliminating the need for external detection equipment. The IC uses its data output lines to send test signals and its error detection function to identify bonding issues, making the system self-sufficient for failure detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex physical inspection methods with electrical signal-based detection. Instead of mechanical probing or visual inspection of bonding connections, the system uses electrical test signals transmitted through data lines to detect connection failures, simplifying the detection mechanism while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If comprehensive failure detection is implemented, then reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to extended detection procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection coverageVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display driver IC performs connection failure detection during the initialization phase before normal display operations begin. By conducting the self-diagnosis test in advance, the system identifies bonding issues early without interrupting or delaying the main display function, thus improving reliability while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection process is integrated into the normal operation flow of the display driver IC, allowing continuous functionality. The IC maintains its display driver role while simultaneously performing detection tasks through its existing data output interface, ensuring that useful actions continue uninterrupted while failure detection occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution expands the failure detection coverage of display devices, ensuring functional safety by identifying and minimizing the impact of display errors, particularly in vehicle systems, and helping to achieve Automotive Safety Integrity Levels (ASIL B) requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a loop antenna; a detecting unit coupled with the loop antenna for detecting a frequency of a coupled signal on the loop antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3724871B1Method and display device for detecting connection failure of display driver integrated circuit
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3724871B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3724871B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3724871B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A method and a display device for detecting connection failure of display driver IC (102, 202, 204, 302, 304). A display device comprises a display driver IC (102, 202, 204, 302, 304); a loop antenna (310); a detecting unit (312) coupled with the loop antenna (310) for detecting a frequency of a coupled signal on the loop antenna (310); and a processor (314) configured to control the display driver IC (102, 202, 204, 302, 304) to send a signal including a predetermined frequency to a scanning line or a data line of the display device; and analyze the frequency of the coupled signal on the loop antenna (310) to determine a connection failure of the display driver IC (102, 202, 204, 302, 304) corresponding to the scanning line or the data line. A solution for failure detection/diagnostic of the bonding issue of the display driver IC (102, 202, 204, 302, 304) of the display device.