Gate Driver Circuit Shared Nodes Display Fingerprint Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of fingerprint sensing and display functions in electronic devices often requires multiple pins and complex routing, increasing the width of the frame area of the display panel, which is inefficient and aesthetically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit that controls a gate driver circuit on the display panel, using shared output nodes to transmit control signals for both display and fingerprint sensing operations, allowing the gate driver circuit to switch between display and fingerprint sensing modes using clock signals, start pulse signals, and switch control signals, thereby reducing the number of pins and routing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control circuits and multiple pins are used for display and fingerprint sensing operations, then the reliability and functionality of both operations are improved, but the device complexity and frame area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can drive display pixels during display periods and drive fingerprint sensing electrodes during fingerprint sensing periods. The same circuit uses different control signals (clock signals, start pulse signals, switch control signals) to switch between these functions, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the display driving function and fingerprint sensing driving function into a single gate driver circuit. By merging these functions and using time-division multiplexing with switch control signals, the patent reduces the number of pins and routing complexity while ensuring both operations can be performed reliably through proper signal timing and control
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pins and complex routing are used for signal transmission between electronic circuit and display panel, then the functionality for both display and fingerprint sensing is improved, but the frame area width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuit serves dual purposes by responding to different control signals: it drives display operations during display periods and fingerprint sensing operations during sensing periods. This multi-functionality allows the same physical circuit and pinout to support both functionalities without requiring additional pins or increasing frame area width
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic time-division multiplexing where the gate driver circuit alternates between display driving mode and fingerprint sensing mode based on period information in control signals. During display periods, it drives display scan lines; during fingerprint sensing periods, it drives fingerprint sensing electrodes. This periodic switching enables both functionalities through shared routing without increasing frame area
3Device complexity
If a single gate driver circuit is used for both display and fingerprint sensing operations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operation precision and timing control become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms through switch control signals that monitor the operational state and adjust timing accordingly. The circuit responds to period information and control signals that provide feedback on when to switch between display and fingerprint sensing modes, ensuring precise timing control despite the single circuit's dual responsibilities
Solution Approach 2:
The gate driver circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on received control signals. It can change its driving mode, timing, and output characteristics in real-time depending on whether it is in display period or fingerprint sensing period, allowing precise timing control for both operations through adaptive signal processing
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit adapted to control an operation of a gate driver circuit is provided. The electronic circuit includes a gate control circuit. The gate control circuit outputs control signals to the gate driver circuit in a display period and a fingerprint sensing period via the same output nodes. The control signals include a start pulse signal and a switch control signal. The switch control signal controls the gate driver circuit to operate in the display period or the fingerprint sensing period. The gate driver circuit includes a plurality of shift register groups and a switch circuit. The shift register groups output scan signals according to the start pulse signal. The switch circuit receives and outputs the scan signals to display scan lines in the display period and outputs the scan signals to fingerprint scan lines in the fingerprint sensing period according to the switch control signal.