LED Driver Circuit Fault Detection via Shift Register Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED indicator devices lack a fault detection mechanism, making it difficult for control devices to automatically identify damaged LEDs, which requires costly and labor-intensive manual inspection for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An LED driver circuit that integrates fault detection into the display mode, eliminating the need for multiple modes and reducing hardware costs by using a shift register, latches, driver units, and fault-detecting units to serially output fault information in real time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional LED driver circuit without fault detection is used, then the hardware cost is low and the circuit is simple, but the control device cannot automatically identify damaged LEDs requiring costly manual inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fault detection function with the display mode by using the same shift register for both displaying fault information and driving LEDs. The latches store both display data and fault detection data, eliminating the need for separate detection circuits and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable fault detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The shift register is designed to serve multiple functions: it displays control data during normal operation and displays fault information during detection mode. The latches universally store both types of data, allowing a single circuit component to perform multiple roles, thereby reducing hardware complexity while improving reliability
2Reliability
If separate display mode and debug mode are implemented, then fault detection can be performed, but the control complexity increases and hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges display mode and debug mode into a unified system where the shift register and latches handle both display data and fault detection data. A single control signal switches between modes, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing operational complexity while maintaining full fault detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The latches are designed to universally store both display data and fault detection data. The same hardware components perform dual functions based on the mode control signal, reducing the need for additional hardware and simplifying the control interface while ensuring reliable fault detection
3Reliability
If fault detection mechanism is added to LED indicator devices, then automatic fault identification is enabled, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fault detection components with existing display components, using the same shift register, latches, and LED driving circuitry for both functions. This merging approach enables fault detection without requiring separate dedicated detection hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable automatic fault identification
Solution Approach 2:
The latches and shift register are designed to universally handle both display data and fault detection data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated detection hardware, reducing component count and manufacturing costs while enabling automatic fault identification capability
Data Source
AI summary
A method for driving a plurality of LEDs comprises the steps of: driving the plurality of LEDs according to a series of display signals; synchronously detecting the plurality of LEDs in a display mode for obtaining fault information; and serially outputting the fault information.