Display Driver Pre-Charge Voltage Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

As the number of pixels in electro-optical panels increases, ensuring a sufficient pre-charge period in display drivers becomes challenging due to non-uniform supply capabilities of pre-charge voltage at the end and center portions, caused by parasitic resistance and capacitance of wiring lines, leading to uneven charge leakage and image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

The display driver employs a processing circuit that outputs different pre-charge data to D/A conversion circuits, with the first pre-charge data being applied to one circuit and second pre-charge data, differing from the first, being applied to another, to adjust the pre-charge voltage supply capabilities along the long side direction, reducing the voltage difference between the end and center portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the number of pixels in an electro-optical panel is increased, then the display resolution is improved, but the pre-charge period becomes insufficient and the uniformity of pre-charge voltage supply deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoiduniformity of pre-charge voltage supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by setting different pre-charge voltage levels for different regions of the display driver. Specifically, a first pre-charge voltage is applied to data lines at the end portion in the long side direction, while a second pre-charge voltage (higher than the first) is applied to data lines at the center portion. This regional differentiation compensates for the non-uniform voltage distribution caused by parasitic resistance and capacitance in the wiring lines, thereby maintaining uniform pre-charge voltage supply across all pixels even as the number of pixels increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the number of D/A conversion circuits and amplifier circuits is increased, then the display driver can support more pixels, but the supply capability of pre-charge voltage becomes non-uniform due to parasitic resistance and capacitance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of pixelsVSAvoidsupply capability uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by differentiating the pre-charge voltage supply based on the spatial position of the data lines. Data lines at the center portion in the long side direction receive a higher pre-charge voltage compared to those at the end portion. This approach directly addresses the non-uniform supply capability caused by the increased number of D/A conversion circuits and amplifier circuits, ensuring reliable and uniform pre-charge voltage delivery across the entire display driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single pre-charge voltage is applied to all data lines, then the circuit configuration is simplified, but charge leakage cannot be equalized across different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit configurationVSAvoidcharge leakage equalization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing region-specific pre-charge voltage levels. The display driver is divided into at least two regions: an end portion and a center portion in the long side direction. Each region receives a tailored pre-charge voltage level to compensate for its specific electrical characteristics and parasitic effects. This approach achieves effective charge leakage equalization across different regions while maintaining a relatively simple circuit configuration, as the differentiation is achieved through voltage level adjustment rather than complex additional circuitry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10957273B2Display driver, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US10957273B2 patent drawing
  • US10957273B2 patent drawing
  • US10957273B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display driver includes a processing circuit configured to output display data, a D/A conversion circuit configured to D/A-convert the display data output from the processing circuit, a data voltage output terminal, and an amplifier circuit configured to output a data voltage to the data voltage output terminal on the basis of a D/A conversion result output from the D/A conversion circuit. In a pre-charge period, the processing circuit outputs first pre-charge data as pre-charge data for a D/A conversion circuit DACi, and outputs second pre-charge data different from the first pre-charge data as pre-charge data for a D/A conversion circuit DACj.