RGBW Panel Driver Structure Reducing IC Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RGBW four-color panel driver structures face challenges in reducing power consumption and driver IC costs while maintaining high resolution and image contrast, particularly with increasing device thinness and battery efficiency demands.
Innovation Solution
A driver structure for RGBW four-color panels is introduced, where twelve adjacent sub-pixels are connected to a same scan line with specific orders of red, green, blue, and white sub-pixels, and two adjacent data lines with opposite signal polarities drive odd and even rows of sub-pixels, implementing a 2-to-12 De-mux driver structure to reduce the number of data lines and operational amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional 2-to-8 De-mux driver structure is used, then power consumption is reduced under common row reverse conditions, but the driver IC cost and complexity remain high for ultra-high resolution panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driver structure into multiple source driver units, each responsible for driving a specific group of sub-pixels. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each unit, reducing the overall complexity of the driver IC while maintaining the power-saving benefits of row reverse driving. Each source driver unit handles a portion of the data lines, distributing the complexity across multiple manageable units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the driver structure by implementing a hybrid architecture that combines elements of both 1-to-4 and 2-to-8 De-mux structures. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve reduced power consumption without proportionally increasing driver IC complexity, as the new structure optimizes the balance between data lines and source driver units.
2Productivity
If the number of sub-pixels is reduced by 1/3 using sub-pixel common algorithm, then generation yield rate risk is reduced, but the driver structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing source driver units that can handle multiple types of sub-pixel configurations. The driver structure is made multi-functional to accommodate different sub-pixel arrangements (including RGBW with reduced sub-pixel count) without requiring completely different driver architectures. This universal design reduces driver structure complexity while supporting the sub-pixel common algorithm for improved yield rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the driving parameters and signal allocation in the driver structure to accommodate reduced sub-pixel counts. By changing operational parameters rather than fundamentally redesigning the driver architecture, the system achieves improved generation yield rate while keeping driver structure complexity manageable.
3Speed
If low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) technology is used instead of amorphous silicon (a-Si), then migration rate is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by designing the driver structure to leverage the high migration rate特性 of LTPS technology from the outset. The architecture is pre-optimized to take advantage of LTPS's faster electron mobility, allowing the system to achieve improved speed performance while managing manufacturing complexity through proactive design considerations rather than retroactive adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a driver structure for RGBW four-color panel, the RBGW four-color panel comprising a plurality of sub-pixels arrange in an array, for twelve adjacent sub-pixels connected to a same scan line n, the twelve sub-pixels comprising a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, a blue sub-pixel and a white sub-pixel arranged in a specific order with three repetitions, two adjacent data lines n and n+1, being connected respectively to drive the sub-pixels of the odd-rows and even-rows in the twelve sub-pixels, and the data line n and data line n+1 having opposite signal polarity. In summary, the driver structure for RGBW four-color panel of the present invention can reduce the panel power-consumption and the cost of driver IC, which enables improving flickering.