Non-quadrangular Display Load Matching via Symmetrical Contact Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-quadrangular displays, such as circular displays, face challenges in load matching between gate lines, leading to image quality deterioration due to restricted bezel areas and limited space for driver ICs, which complicates the distribution of scan and data signals.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves forming gate lines and signal supply lines in specific directions with strategically placed contact points to ensure that the linear loads on both types of lines are within a predetermined threshold, allowing for improved load matching and efficient signal distribution. This is achieved by arranging gate lines and signal supply lines in alternating directions with symmetrical contact points to minimize load differences, enabling effective gate signal control through separate gate driving circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the bezel area is made narrower to increase display area, then the displaying area is increased, but the region where the driver IC can be located is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplaying areaVSAvoiddriver IC location constraint
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional single-circumference driver IC layout to a multi-dimensional signal distribution architecture. Signal supply lines are extended beyond the traditional gate line circumference to provide gate signals to multiple gate lines, creating a three-dimensional signal distribution network that resolves the spatial conflict between narrow bezel requirements and driver IC placement constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The driver IC is divided into multiple functional blocks (first gate driving circuit, second gate driving circuit, data driving circuit) that are distributed across different regions. This segmentation allows each block to serve specific gate lines or data lines independently, enabling flexible placement that adapts to the narrow bezel geometry while maintaining full display coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the driver IC is provided in a set region at the entire circumference, then the gate signals can be supplied to all gate lines, but the load varies with respect to the position of the gate line making it difficult to match loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegate signal distributionVSAvoidload matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different signal supply line configurations for different regions of the display. Signal supply lines are strategically routed to ensure that gate lines at different positions (circumferential, radial, corner regions) receive signals with appropriately matched loads. This localized optimization ensures uniform signal characteristics across the entire non-quadrangular display surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts electrical parameters (signal supply line length, routing geometry, connection points) to compensate for positional variations in gate lines. By changing these parameters locally, the load seen by each gate line is equalized, achieving consistent signal timing and amplitude across all gate lines despite their different positions in the non-quadrangular geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If signal supply lines are extended to reach gate lines in non-quadrangular geometry, then all gate lines can be controlled, but the linear load difference between signal supply lines and gate lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-quadrangular geometry supportVSAvoidlinear load difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embraces the asymmetric geometry of non-quadrangular displays by designing asymmetric signal supply line routing patterns. Rather than forcing a symmetric square grid layout, the signal supply lines are customized to follow the actual contours and proportions of the display geometry, ensuring that each line reaches its target gate line with minimal load deviation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3040969B1Non-quadrangular display and driving method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3040969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3040969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3040969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A non-quadrangular display includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of signal supply lines connected to the gate lines through corresponding contact points from among a plurality of contact points, and a difference between linear loads based on the signal supply lines and the gate lines connected to two contact points that have a similar symmetrical relationship from among the plurality of contact points is less than a set threshold value.