Drive Circuit Shift Registers for Foldable Display Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In foldable display devices, when only one screen is in use after folding, the other screen must display a black image, leading to increased power consumption and energy waste due to the need for both screens to remain operational.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit with shift registers, first and second switch circuits, and control signals that allow simultaneous or individual operation of two display regions, enabling one screen to be shut down and reducing power consumption by selectively outputting signals or voltages to each region based on control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both display regions are kept operational, then the display device can display images on both screens, but power consumption increases and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is divided into two independent display regions, each with its own switch circuit (first switch circuit and second switch circuit). These switch circuits can independently control the operational state of each display region, allowing one region to be turned off while the other remains active, thus reducing power consumption without compromising overall display functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The switch circuits are configured to dynamically adjust the operational state of each display region based on control signals. The switch circuits can transition between different states (on/off) in response to control signals, enabling flexible power management where unused display regions can be dynamically shut down to save energy
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate shift registers are provided for each display region, then each region can operate independently, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single set of shift registers is designed to serve multiple functions by controlling both display regions through shared control lines. The shift registers generate control signals that are distributed to both the first and second switch circuits, allowing one set of shift registers to manage the independent operation of both display regions without requiring separate shift register sets for each region
3Use of energy by moving object
If one display region is shut down to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to display on both screens simultaneously is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Switch circuits act as intermediary components between the shift registers and the display regions. These switch circuits receive control signals from the shift registers and use them to selectively connect or disconnect power/signals to each display region. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible power management while preserving the capability to activate both regions simultaneously when needed
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive circuit (10), a display panel (20), a display device (1) and a drive method. The drive circuit (10) includes a plurality of shift registers (110); a first switch circuit (120) connected with the shift registers (110), which is configured to selectively output output signals (OUTPUT) of the shift registers (110) or a first voltage (VGH) based on a first control signal (SW1) and a second control signal (SW2); and a second switch circuit (130) connected with the shift registers (110), which is configured to selectively output the output signals (OUTPUT) of the shift registers (110) or the first voltage based on a third control signal (SW3) and a fourth control signal (SW4). A set of shift registers (110) can simultaneously or individually drive two display regions, which can reduce the amount of the shift registers (110), achieve independent operation of the display regions, reduce power consumption, and save energy.