Hybrid Over-Current Protection Detection in Display Timing Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices in automotive vehicles face challenges in accurately determining whether display module or host system malfunctions due to erroneous signals, leading to potential over-current protection failures and misjudgment.
Innovation Solution
A method for hybrid over-current protection (OCP) detection in a display module, involving a timing controller with a communications port, register bank, and both BIST and normal mode OCP detection circuits, to generate and store detection results, enabling correct judgment of system failures without significant cost increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a display device notifies the host system of an error by changing a voltage level of a signal, then the host system can be informed of errors, but misjudgment occurs when erroneous signals cause abnormal display and large current consumption, preventing correct OCP fail detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single OCP detection function into two separate detection modes: BIST mode detection and normal mode detection. Each mode independently detects OCP conditions and stores results separately, allowing the system to identify which mode experienced the error and thus determine the error source without misjudgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a register bank as an intermediary storage component between the detection circuits and the host system. The register bank stores detection results from both BIST and normal modes, enabling the host system to access and analyze the results to accurately identify error sources without direct intervention affecting the detection process.
2Reliability
If hybrid OCP detection with both BIST mode and normal mode detection circuits is implemented, then fail detection accuracy is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the OCP detection circuits to serve multiple functions: the same basic detection circuitry is used in both BIST mode and normal mode, with the only difference being the operational state. This multi-functionality approach enhances detection accuracy without requiring completely separate detection systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the BIST mode detection circuit and normal mode detection circuit into a unified detection architecture that shares common components. The detection results from both modes are merged and stored in a single register bank, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive fail detection accuracy while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate detection systems.
3Reliability
If dual-mode OCP detection is implemented to accurately identify error sources, then system reliability improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic detection approach where the system can switch between BIST mode and normal mode detection based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability allows the system to achieve high error source identification accuracy while optimizing resource usage, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing cost compared to always operating in both modes simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing hybrid over-current protection (OCP) detection in a display module and associated timing controller are provided. The method includes: during initialization of the display module, after a set of driving voltages have been established, performing first OCP detection in a built-in self-test (BIST) mode to generate a first OCP detection result; writing the first OCP detection result into a register bank, for being accessed by a host device, wherein the display module is applicable to displaying information for the host device; performing second OCP detection in a normal mode to generate a second OCP detection result; and writing the second OCP detection result into the register bank, for being accessed by the host device.