Light Emission Control Driver Stage Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light emission control drivers face challenges in improving output characteristics when emission control signals have low levels, leading to potential issues with power consumption and current generation.

Innovation Solution

A light emission control driver is designed with stages that include input, main, output, and auxiliary circuits to control voltage levels based on clock signals and emission control signals, allowing for precise control of emission control signals from high to low levels in a single step, reducing power consumption and preventing instantaneous current generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing light emission control drivers are used, then the basic emission control function is provided, but the output characteristic when emission control signal has low level is poor, leading to increased power consumption and instantaneous current generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput characteristicVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The driver is divided into multiple stages (first stage, second stage, etc.), each stage containing separate circuits for different functions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each stage's output characteristics, enabling better control over the emission control signal's low level output and reducing power consumption without compromising overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs multiple clock signals with different phases (first clock signal, second clock signal, third clock signal) to control different circuits at different times. By changing the timing parameters and voltage levels dynamically through these phased clock signals, the driver achieves improved output characteristics while minimizing power consumption and preventing instantaneous current generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing light emission control drivers are used, then the basic emission control function is provided, but instantaneous current generation occurs when emission control signal transitions to low level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent control stabilityVSAvoidinstantaneous current

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The input circuit prepares the voltage levels of first and second nodes in advance based on the emission control signal state. The main circuits further prepare third node voltage in anticipation of the signal transition. This preliminary action ensures that when the emission control signal transitions to low level, the circuit is already in the optimal state, preventing instantaneous current generation and improving current control stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate nodes (first node, second node, third node) and intermediate circuits (input circuit, main circuits, auxiliary circuits) that mediate between the emission control signal and the final output. These intermediaries smooth out voltage transitions and prevent direct, abrupt current changes, thereby eliminating instantaneous current while maintaining reliable current control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If multi-stage circuits with multiple circuits per stage are used, then output characteristic and power efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcircuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While the driver is divided into multiple stages, each stage merges related functions into integrated circuits (input circuit, first main circuit, second main circuit, output circuit, auxiliary circuits). This merging within stages reduces the number of discrete components and interconnections, managing device complexity while still achieving power efficiency through the multi-stage architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each stage of the driver is designed with multi-functional circuits that can perform multiple operations. For example, the main circuits control both voltage levels and timing, and the auxiliary circuits handle both signal conditioning and power management. This universality reduces the overall number of dedicated circuits needed, managing device complexity while maintaining improved power consumption characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11514840B2Light emission control driver and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A light emission control driver includes stages, each including: an input circuit controlling voltages of first and second nodes (N1, N2) based on a first clock signal (CS) and one of a start signal and a carry signal; a first main circuit controlling a voltage of a third node (N3) based on the voltage of N1 and a second CS; a second main circuit controlling the voltage of N3 based on the voltage of N2; an output circuit controlling output of an emission control signal (ECS) based on the voltages of N2 and N3; a first auxiliary circuit controlling a low level output of the ECS from a first low level to a second low level based on the second CS; and a second auxiliary circuit controlling the low level output in a single step from a high level to the second low level based on the voltage of N2.