OLED Data Driver Multiplexing for Channel Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing organic electro-luminescence (OLED) display devices require a large number of output channels in their data integrated circuits, which increases manufacturing costs and results in bulky panels as the panel size increases.
Innovation Solution
The OLED display device incorporates a data driver integrated circuit with reduced output channels by using a multiplexer to connect output channels to every two data lines, and alternating scan lines to drive subpixels in a vertical stripe configuration, reducing the number of output channels required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional data driver integrated circuit is used with one output channel per data line, then each data line can be driven independently, but the number of output channels increases linearly with panel size, increasing manufacturing costs and panel complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driving function for multiple data lines into a single output channel by time-multiplexing. The data driver integrated circuit sequentially drives multiple data lines using one output channel, where each data line receives its driving signal in a dedicated time slot within a frame period. This combining approach reduces the number of output channels from N (one per data line) to a smaller number, directly reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the frame period into multiple time slots, with each time slot dedicated to driving a specific data line. The single output channel periodically switches between different data lines in a cyclic manner, ensuring each data line receives its driving signal at the appropriate time. This periodic time-multiplexing approach enables one output channel to effectively control multiple data lines, resolving the contradiction between reducing output channel count and maintaining independent data line control.
2Area of stationary object
If the panel size increases, then the display area increases, but the number of data lines increases proportionally, requiring more output channels and making the panel bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing time-division multiplexing where a single output channel periodically drives multiple data lines in sequential time slots within each frame period. As panel size and display area increase, the number of data lines increases, but the number of output channels remains constant or increases much more slowly. The periodic switching between data lines allows the system to handle larger panels without proportionally increasing output channel count, thus preventing panel bulkiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the output channel assignment time-dependent rather than static. The same output channel dynamically switches its connection target across different time slots, adapting to serve different data lines at different times. This dynamic time-multiplexing approach allows the system to scale to larger display areas without requiring a proportional increase in the number of physical output channels, thereby maintaining compact panel design.
3Reliability
If multiple output channels are used to drive each data line simultaneously, then data transmission reliability improves, but the data driver integrated circuit becomes larger and more expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to provide reliable data transmission through time-multiplexed sequential driving of data lines. Instead of using multiple output channels simultaneously, a single output channel periodically drives each data line in turn with sufficient signal strength and appropriate timing. This periodic sequential driving ensures each data line receives reliable driving signals while avoiding the need for multiple parallel output channels, thus preventing increase in integrated circuit size and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration minimizes the number of output channels by ⅙, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables a more compact panel design while maintaining effective light emission.
Implementation Method 1
incorporates a data driver integrated circuit with reduced output channels by using a multiplexer to connect output channels to every two data lines
Implementation Method 2
The EL display device is a self-luminous device that emits light from a fluorescent material in which recombination of electrons and holes occurs
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-luminescence display device includes: an electro-luminescence display panel including red, green and blue subpixels in regions defined by a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; a scan driver integrated circuit for driving the scan lines; and a data driver integrated circuit for driving the data lines, wherein the data driver integrated circuit has no more output channels than half of the plurality of datelines.