Driver Circuit for Large Display Panels Using Segmented Gate Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale display panels face signal decay issues due to the long distance transmission of gate signals, which existing gate line driving circuits struggle to effectively compensate for.

Innovation Solution

A gate line driving circuit design that utilizes a polysilicon transistor with a silicon semiconductor layer as the pull-up transistor for increased current capability and an oxide semiconductor transistor, such as IGZO, in the control circuit to reduce leakage current and stabilize voltage, thereby mitigating signal decay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the gate line length is increased for large-scale panels, then the display area is improved, but signal decay occurs due to long distance transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gate line is divided into multiple segments with intermediate driving circuits positioned along its length. Each segment is driven independently by local driving circuits, breaking the long transmission path into shorter segments that can maintain signal integrity without requiring the entire gate line to be driven from a single endpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate driving circuits are introduced as mediator components along the gate line. These intermediate circuits receive control signals and generate local drive currents to compensate for voltage drops, acting as intermediaries between the main driving circuit and the distant gate line segments to maintain signal quality across large display areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If a conventional transistor is used in the output circuit, then the circuit area is reduced, but the driving capability is insufficient to compensate for signal decay in long gate lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit areaVSAvoiddriving capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite transistor structure combining oxide semiconductor and silicon semiconductor layers. The oxide semiconductor layer provides low leakage current characteristics while the silicon semiconductor layer provides high carrier mobility and strong driving capability. This composite structure enables the transistor to deliver sufficient drive current for long gate lines while maintaining compact dimensions suitable for integrated circuit implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the gate line length is increased, then the display resolution is improved, but voltage variation occurs at the control end of the pull-up transistor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay resolutionVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs preliminary voltage compensation by detecting voltage variations at the control end of the pull-up transistor and adjusting the gate voltage in advance. This preliminary action prevents voltage instability from propagating through the gate line, ensuring stable operation even when gate line length is increased for higher display resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11900893B2Driver circuit
Publication Date: 2024.02.13 INNOLUX CORP
  • US11900893B2 patent drawing
  • US11900893B2 patent drawing
  • US11900893B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A driver circuit which includes an output circuit and a control circuit coupled to the output circuit. The driver circuit includes a pull-up transistor with a silicon semiconductor layer. The control circuit includes a first transistor with an oxide semiconductor layer.