Integrated Row Driver for Display and Sensor Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices with narrow bezels face challenges in integrating sensor elements due to the need for separate driver circuits, which increases complexity and occupies more space, hindering the miniaturization of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor apparatus with a cascaded structure of flip-flop circuits and switch circuits that can selectively operate multiple signal potentials, allowing a single row driver to manage both display and sensor elements, reducing the number of required wirings and transistors, and enabling a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate driver circuits are provided for display elements and sensor elements, then each circuit can be optimized for its specific function, but the device size increases and the bezel cannot be narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display element driver circuit and sensor element driver circuit into a single integrated driver circuit. This is achieved by sharing common components such as shift registers and control circuits between the two functional blocks, thereby reducing the total circuit area while maintaining independent optimization capabilities for both display and sensor operations
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. For example, the shift register and control logic can operate in different modes to drive either display elements or sensor elements, allowing a single circuit to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated circuits for each function
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driver circuits are integrated to support both display and sensor functions, then functional versatility is improved, but the circuit complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The driver circuit employs universal control units and shift registers that can be configured through control signals to perform different functions. The same hardware infrastructure supports both display driving operations and sensor reading operations, achieving functional versatility without proportionally increasing circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit incorporates dynamic switching mechanisms that allow the same hardware resources to be allocated to different functions based on operational requirements. Control signals dynamically reconfigure the circuit behavior to switch between display mode and sensor mode, maintaining versatility while managing complexity through time-multiplexed resource usage
3Area of stationary object
If a single driver circuit is used to reduce device size, then manufacturing cost and device area are reduced, but the circuit must handle multiple functions which increases design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driver functions into a single integrated circuit block that shares common resources such as shift registers, control logic, and signal pathways. This merging reduces the overall device area and component count while the modular internal structure manages design complexity through systematic resource sharing
Solution Approach 2:
Within the unified driver circuit, the patent segments functionality into distinct operational modules that can be independently controlled. The circuit is divided into functionally separate but physically integrated units for display control and sensor control, allowing complex multi-functional operation to be managed through modular design principles that reduce overall design complexity
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a common semiconductor apparatus for driving two different circuits. The semiconductor apparatus is capable of switching a plurality of signal potentials and sequentially outputting the plurality of signal potentials to the outside. The semiconductor apparatus can make one of two different circuits arranged in a matrix operate in all the rows and can make the other circuit operate in all the rows or only in a specific row. For example, in the case where the semiconductor apparatus is applied to a row driver that drives pixels of a display device in which sensor elements are incorporated, the operation of display elements in pixels in all the rows and the operation of sensor elements in pixels in all the rows or in the specific row can be switched.