Semiconductor Buffer Circuit Switching Driving Capability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing semiconductor devices lack the ability to switch driving speed, which is essential for optimizing performance in various applications such as imaging devices and display devices.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor device is designed with a first and second buffer circuit that can switch between electrical connection and disconnection to a control line, allowing for two modes of operation: one with a first driving capability and another with a second driving capability greater than the first, enabling speed switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If an auxiliary driving circuit is added to increase driving speed, then the driving speed is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving speedVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the first buffer circuit and second buffer circuit into a unified buffer system that shares common components such as the control signal input, power supply connections, and output to the control line. This merging approach allows the circuit to achieve two different driving capabilities through selective activation of buffer circuits rather than requiring completely separate auxiliary driving circuits, thereby improving driving speed while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between first mode and second mode through the switching element that selectively connects the second buffer circuit to the control line. This dynamic configuration allows the driving speed to be adjusted based on operational requirements, enabling the system to transition from a standard driving capability to an enhanced driving capability when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between speed improvement and complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the driving capability is increased by adding a second buffer circuit, then the current supply capability is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent supply capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary buffer circuit based on the required driving capability. In the first mode, only the first buffer circuit operates, consuming less power. In the second mode, both buffer circuits are activated to provide excessive current supply capability when needed. This selective activation strategy allows the system to optimize power consumption by using the minimal required driving capability for each operational scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the buffer system by switching between different configuration modes. The switching element modifies the electrical connection state, thereby changing the effective driving capability parameter. This parameter change allows the system to adjust current supply capability dynamically, enabling high power output when needed while maintaining low power consumption during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between current supply capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If buffer circuits are used to transmit control signals, then the signal transmission is improved, but the timing differences across pixels increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmissionVSAvoidtiming difference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different buffer circuit configurations for different operational requirements. The first buffer circuit provides standard signal transmission for normal operation, while the second buffer circuit provides enhanced signal transmission capability when timing synchronization is critical. The switching element enables selective activation of the appropriate buffer circuit based on the specific operational context, thereby maintaining signal transmission reliability while minimizing timing differences when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between buffer circuit modes to adapt to varying timing requirements. The switching element responds to control signals that indicate when timing synchronization is critical, dynamically transitioning from the first buffer circuit to the second buffer circuit. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal signal transmission quality and minimize timing differences across pixels during critical operations while using the more power-efficient first buffer circuit during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12283224B2Semiconductor device that selectively supplies a control line with a first driving capability or a second driving capability
Publication Date: 2025.04.22 CANON KK
  • US12283224B2 patent drawing
  • US12283224B2 patent drawing
  • US12283224B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A semiconductor device including a first buffer circuit and a second buffer circuit each configured to output a control signal to one control line based on an input from a signal output circuit, and an element configured to receive the control signal transmitted through the one control line. The second buffer circuit is switchable between electrical connection and electrical disconnection to the one control line. A first mode in which a current is supplied to the one control line with a first driving capability by the first buffer circuit and a second mode in which a current is supplied to the one control line with a second driving capability greater than the first driving capability by both the first buffer circuit and the second buffer circuit are switchable.