Cascaded Display Driver Inspection via Switched Signal Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack a method to effectively identify defective driver chips, such as improperly mounted or disconnected driver chips, which complicates the detection process.
Innovation Solution
A display device configuration that includes inspection signals, judgement signals, and switches between display drivers to cascade and inspect the drivers, allowing for the identification of defective drivers through a first and second inspection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple driver chips are cascaded together to drive the display panel, then the pixel signal transmission capability is improved, but the difficulty of detecting defective driver chips increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the driver chain into individual detectable units by introducing inspection signals that can be traced through each driver chip. The switch mechanism allows segmentation of the cascaded driver system into isolated testable segments, enabling identification of which specific driver chip is defective without having to test the entire cascade as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inspection signal and switch mechanism between the pixel signal path and the output. This intermediary system allows detection of driver chip status without interfering with the normal pixel signal transmission, enabling separate testing of each driver while maintaining the cascaded structure for actual display operation.
2Productivity
If driver chips are cascaded to increase transmitting clock rate, then the display performance is improved, but the complexity of identifying defective drivers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary inspection capability by providing a dedicated inspection signal path that can be activated before or during operation. The switch is configured to enable inspection mode in advance, allowing defective drivers to be identified before they cause display failures, thus simplifying the overall system maintenance complexity despite the high clock rate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch mechanism serves multiple functions: it routes pixel signals during normal operation and routes inspection signals during testing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated test equipment and pathways, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high transmitting clock rates for display performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel, display drivers, an inspection signal output, judgement signal outputs included in the respective display drivers and through which judgement signals generated by the display drivers are output, signal inputs included in at least the display drivers except a most upstream one of the display drivers and through which the judgement signals and the inspection signals are input, switches located between the adjacent display drivers in an upstream and downstream direction to cascade the display drivers and each configured to switch points connected to the signal input of one of the display drivers on a downstream side between the judgement signal output of one of the display drivers on an upstream side and the inspection signal output, and a judgement unit connected at least to the judgment signal output of a most downstream one of the display drivers to receive the judgement signal.