Time-Division LCD Subpixel Sharing for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Triple Rate Driving (TRD) liquid crystal displays suffer from poor legibility due to their subpixel structure, which requires multiple source drive ICs and separate data lines for each subpixel, leading to inefficient power consumption and display quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display design where subpixels share a single data line and are driven in a time-division manner, reducing the number of data lines and source drive ICs by one-third, with a subpixel structure where the column-directional length is longer than the row-directional length, enhancing legibility and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subpixels are driven with separate data lines in conventional TRD displays, then each subpixel can be independently controlled, but the number of source drive ICs and data lines increases, leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data lines for multiple subpixels into a single shared data line. Specifically, multiple subpixels (e.g., red, green, blue subpixels) share a common data line, reducing the total number of data lines and source drive ICs required. This combining approach directly reduces power consumption while maintaining independent control capability through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where data voltages are sequentially supplied to different subpixels sharing the same data line during different time periods within each frame. The gate driver applies gate pulses in a time-division manner, allowing periodic switching of data line assignment to different subpixels, thus enabling independent control without requiring separate dedicated data lines for each subpixel.
2Ease of operation
If subpixels are driven with separate data lines in conventional TRD displays, then each subpixel can be independently controlled, but the number of source drive ICs and data lines increases, leading to more complex device structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data lines for multiple subpixels into a single shared data line. Specifically, multiple subpixels (e.g., red, green, blue subpixels) share a common data line, reducing the total number of data lines and source drive ICs required. This combining approach directly reduces device complexity while maintaining independent control capability through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single data line universal by enabling it to serve multiple subpixels sequentially. The data line functions as a multi-functional resource that can be dynamically assigned to different subpixels through time-division multiplexing controlled by the gate driver, thereby reducing the overall number of data lines needed in the display system.
3Shape
If subpixels have row-directional length greater than column-directional length in conventional TRD displays, then the subpixel structure matches the traditional arrangement, but legibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the subpixel shape from the conventional landscape orientation (row-directional length greater than column-directional length) to a portrait orientation (column-directional length greater than row-directional length). This asymmetric reorientation of subpixels improves legibility by making the display more suitable for viewing from a distance, particularly for mobile devices held in portrait mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent rotates the subpixel orientation by 90 degrees, changing the primary dimension of subpixel extension from horizontal (row-directional) to vertical (column-directional). This dimensional transformation improves legibility by increasing the vertical extent of each subpixel, which enhances text and image clarity when viewed from a distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display is provided comprising an LCD panel including data lines formed along a column direction, gate lines formed along a row direction perpendicular to the column direction, and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix pattern at intersections of the data lines and the gate lines, a data driver that supplies data voltages to the data lines, and a gate driver that sequentially supplies gate pulses to the gate lines. Subpixels of each of the pixels share one data line through which a data voltage is sequentially charged to the subpixels in a time-division manner. A column-directional length of each of the subpixels is longer than a row-directional length of each of the subpixels.