Sensor Driver Shared Memory Access for Lower-Cost Displays

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process for sensor drivers that include an internal memory is complex and expensive, which increases the overall cost of display devices.

Innovation Solution

The sensor driver does not include a nonvolatile memory, instead sharing a signal line with a display driver and using a flag signal line to access a memory, which stores firmware and calibration data, allowing for a simplified manufacturing process and reduced size and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sensor driver includes an internal memory, then the sensor driver can store firmware and calibration data independently, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent data storage capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the memory resources of the sensor driver and display driver into a shared memory space. The sensor driver and display driver share a common memory module through a memory interface, eliminating the need for separate internal memory in the sensor driver. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining data storage capability through shared access protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared memory system serves multiple functions: it stores firmware for both sensor and display drivers, holds calibration data, and provides working memory for operations. This multi-functional memory architecture replaces dedicated internal memory in the sensor driver, reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary data storage functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the sensor driver includes an internal memory, then the sensor driver can store firmware and calibration data independently, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent data storage capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the memory resources of the sensor driver and display driver into a shared memory space. The sensor driver and display driver share a common memory module through a memory interface, eliminating the need for separate internal memory in the sensor driver. This reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining data storage capability through shared access protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shared memory system serves multiple functions: it stores firmware for both sensor and display drivers, holds calibration data, and provides working memory for operations. This multi-functional memory architecture replaces dedicated internal memory in the sensor driver, reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary data storage functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the sensor driver and display driver share a signal line and memory, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but data collision may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddata access stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic time-division multiplexing where the sensor driver and display driver take turns accessing the shared memory in defined time slots. The sensor driver accesses memory during sensing periods while the display driver accesses during display periods, preventing data collisions through periodic, alternating access patterns controlled by a timing coordinator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a memory interface or controller as an intermediary between the sensor driver, display driver, and shared memory. This intermediary manages access requests, arbitrates between competing drivers, and ensures proper data transfer protocols, preventing collisions while enabling cost-effective shared memory architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250251825A1Sensor driver, and input sensing device and display device including the sensor driver

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a display panel including pixels. A display driver provides a data signal to the display panel. A sensor overlaps the display panel. A sensor driver transmits a driving signal to the sensor and receives sensing signals corresponding to the driving signal from the sensor. The display driver and the sensor driver share a signal line and are connected to a memory through the signal line. The display driver and the sensor driver are interconnected through a flag signal line. The sensor driver outputs a flag signal to the flag signal line to inform the display driver that the sensor driver desires to access the memory.