LCD Input Terminal Reduction via Switching Unit Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
As liquid crystal display devices increase in size to achieve higher resolution, the number of data lines and corresponding switching devices in demultiplexers increases, leading to a larger number of input terminals, which contradicts the effort to reduce panel size and increases the area required for accommodating these terminals.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display device with a reduced number of input terminals is achieved by using a switching unit that electrically connects/disconnects the input terminal to/from signal input lines according to an external control signal, allowing the cutoff signal to be supplied to all signal input lines using only one input terminal, and incorporating a switching unit to maintain the off-state of switching devices during testing to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of data lines is increased to achieve higher resolution, then the display resolution is improved, but the number of input terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple signal input lines are merged into a single input terminal through the switching unit. The switching unit selectively connects the single input terminal to different signal input lines based on control signals, allowing one terminal to serve multiple functions that would traditionally require separate terminals for each data line.
Solution Approach 2:
The single input terminal is designed with multi-functionality through the switching unit. It can be dynamically connected to different signal input lines (first signal input line, second signal input line, etc.) based on the operational mode, allowing the same terminal to control multiple demultiplexer switching devices for different data lines.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of switching devices in demultiplexers is increased to support more data lines, then the data driver capability is improved, but the panel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple switching devices controlled by different control signals are merged into a single control structure. The switching unit combines the control functions for multiple demultiplexer switching devices, allowing them to be controlled through a single input terminal rather than requiring separate terminals for each switching device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control structure transitions from a spatial arrangement where each switching device has its own dedicated terminal to a temporal/multiplexed arrangement. The switching unit dynamically assigns the single input terminal to different signal input lines at different times, effectively controlling multiple switching devices without increasing the physical terminal count.
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of demultiplexers is increased to drive more data lines, then the display quality is improved, but the area for accommodating terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single input terminal is designed with multi-functionality to control multiple demultiplexers. Through the switching unit, the terminal can be connected to different signal input lines corresponding to different demultiplexer switching devices, allowing one terminal to manage multiple demultiplexers that would traditionally require separate terminals for each.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display device includes a display unit having matrix type pixels defined by gate and data lines crossing with each other, a data driver to supply a data voltage to be supplied to the data lines via output lines, the output lines being less in number than the data lines, a plurality of demultiplexers, each including a plurality of switching devices having a gate terminal, source terminal and a drain terminal, wherein the gate terminals are supplied with a plurality of control signals, the source terminals are commonly connected to the corresponding output line, and the drain terminals are individually connected to one side of the data lines, respectively, a data line check unit activated to supply a test data voltage to the other side of the data lines when the data driver is inactive, a plurality of signal input lines individually connected to the gate terminals, respectively, an input terminal supplied with a cutoff signal to be inputted to the signal input lines to turn off the switching devices, and a switching unit electrically connecting/disconnecting the input terminal to/from the signal input lines according to an external control signal.