Dual Horizontal Drive Circuits for Narrower LCD Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display devices face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly in the standby mode, and achieving a narrower frame due to the complexity and layout requirements of horizontal drive circuits, which hinder the miniaturization of mobile terminals.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a dual horizontal drive circuit system, where each circuit handles different color data in a time-division manner, allowing for separate processing and output of R, G, and B data, reducing the number of required circuits and layout area, and eliminating the need for connecting reference voltage lines, thereby enabling a narrower frame and lower power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If traditional horizontal drive circuits are used to drive display lines, then the display can be driven properly, but the frame width increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe widthVSAvoidhorizontal drive circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the horizontal drive circuits into two separate circuits: a first horizontal drive circuit for driving odd-numbered data lines and a second horizontal drive circuit for driving even-numbered data lines. This segmentation allows each circuit to be simpler and smaller, reducing the overall frame width while maintaining proper display drive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple sampling latch circuits into a single shared sampling latch circuit that serves both horizontal drive circuits. This combining approach reduces the total number of circuits required, simplifies the layout, and enables a narrower frame width without compromising the drive capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sampling latch circuits are provided for each data line, then data can be sampled accurately, but the layout area increases and frame becomes wider

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sampling accuracyVSAvoidlayout area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling latch circuit is designed with multi-functionality to serve both the first and second horizontal drive circuits. A single sampling latch circuit can sample data for odd-numbered lines and even-numbered lines sequentially, eliminating the need for separate sampling latch circuits for each drive circuit and significantly reducing the layout area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If reference voltage lines are connected between horizontal drive circuits, then voltage stability is maintained, but the layout becomes more complex and frame width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidcircuit connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides separate reference voltage generation circuits for the first and second horizontal drive circuits, eliminating the need for connecting reference voltage lines between the two circuits. Each circuit generates its own reference voltages independently, which simplifies the layout and reduces frame width while maintaining voltage stability through dedicated reference voltage generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7961167B2Display device having first and second vertical drive circuits
Publication Date: 2011.06.14 MAGNOLIA WHITE CORP
  • US7961167B2 patent drawing
  • US7961167B2 patent drawing
  • US7961167B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device and mobile terminal are provided. The display device can narrow the pitch, narrow the frame, and further reduce power consumption. The display device includes a display area; a vertical drive circuit; a first horizontal drive circuit converting input first and second digital image data to analog image signals, and supplying the same to a data line selected by the vertical drive circuit; and a second horizontal drive circuit converting input third digital image data to an analog image signal, and supplying the same to a data line selected by the vertical drive circuit. The first horizontal drive circuit includes a sampling latch circuit, a second latch circuit, a digital/analog conversion circuit, and a line selector for selecting the first and second digital image data in a time division manner in a predetermined period and outputting the same to the data line.