Micro-LED Display System Using Cascaded μICs and Segmented Drivers

The invention segments the driver functionality by dividing it into row drivers and column drivers that operate independently. Each row driver controls only row clock signals while each column driver controls only column data signals, eliminating the need for complex simultaneous control logic in a single driver unit. This segmentation reduces power consumption by distributing the driving burden across multiple simpler driver units.

The invention implements periodic scanning by sequentially activating different row drivers in alternating time periods. During each period, only one row driver is active while others remain inactive, reducing the total power consumption compared to having all drivers active simultaneously. The row drivers are enabled alternately to drive different sets of μICs in different time slots.

The invention stores column data signals in advance using latch circuits within each μIC before the actual display update is needed. The latched data is held ready for immediate output when the corresponding row clock signal arrives, eliminating data transmission delays during the critical display refresh period. This preliminary latching action enables faster frame rates by preparing data beforehand.

The invention maintains continuous data availability by keeping latched column data signals ready in each μIC throughout the display period. Instead of transmitting data continuously during the entire frame time, the data is latched once and held continuously available, allowing the display system to operate at higher frame rates without data transmission bottlenecks.

The invention makes each μIC universal by equipping it with identical latch circuits that can store and output column data signals for any row. Each μIC can receive and latch column data on any clock cycle and output it when its corresponding row is activated, regardless of which row driver is active. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated pins needed as each μIC can handle multiple row configurations.

Each μIC performs self-service by internally latching its own column data signals and automatically outputting them when the corresponding row clock signal is active. The μICs do not require external control logic or additional pins for data management, as they autonomously manage their data latching and output timing based on the received clock and data signals.

The invention segments the driver system into independent row drivers and column drivers, where each row driver is responsible only for generating row clock signals and each column driver is responsible only for providing column data signals. This functional segmentation allows the system to achieve high display resolution through the matrix combination of rows and columns without requiring complex multi-functional drivers, thereby reducing the total number of driver units needed.

The invention introduces latch circuits within each μIC as intermediary elements that bridge the row clock signals and column data signals. These latches act as mediators that temporarily store and synchronize the column data with the row clock timing, enabling efficient coordination between the segmented row and column drivers without requiring additional complex control logic or more drivers.