Shift Register Bidirectional Scanning Control Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shift registers with embedded bi-directional scanning functions experience voltage drops and increased power consumption due to the use of 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuits, leading to higher manufacturing costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A shift register design featuring a series of stages with field-effect thin film transistors and a disable circuit, where control and clock signals with specific phases and periods control the scanning signals, eliminating the need for additional bi-directional control circuits, thereby reducing power consumption and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuit is used in each stage of the shift register, then bidirectional scanning function is achieved, but voltage drops occur and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional scanning functionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuit from each stage of the shift register. By removing this redundant control circuit, the invention achieves bidirectional scanning through a simplified architecture that uses shared control signals, thereby reducing power consumption and eliminating voltage drops associated with the traditional approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal control approach where a single set of control signals (Bi and XBi) serves multiple stages of the shift register simultaneously. This multi-functional control mechanism allows all stages to achieve bidirectional scanning without requiring individual 2-to-2 control circuits at each stage, reducing overall power consumption and eliminating voltage drop issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuit is used in each stage of the shift register, then bidirectional scanning function is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional scanning functionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuit from each stage of the shift register. By removing this redundant control circuit, the invention achieves bidirectional scanning through a simplified architecture that uses shared control signals, thereby reducing power consumption and eliminating voltage drops associated with the traditional approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions across multiple stages by using shared control signals (Bi and XBi) that control multiple stages simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of control circuits required, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs while maintaining full bidirectional scanning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple 2-to-2 bi-directional control circuits are employed, then scanning direction control is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning direction controlVSAvoidcontrol circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control approach where a single set of control signals (Bi and XBi) serves multiple stages of the shift register simultaneously. This multi-functional control mechanism allows all stages to achieve bidirectional scanning without requiring individual 2-to-2 control circuits at each stage, reducing overall power consumption and eliminating voltage drop issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control functions across multiple stages by using shared control signals (Bi and XBi) that control multiple stages simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the total number of control circuits required, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs while maintaining full bidirectional scanning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design allows for efficient bidirectional scanning without voltage drops, reducing power consumption and manufacturing costs, and enhances the reliability and speed of the shift register operation.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the first transistor M1, the second transistor M2, the third transistor M3, and the fourth transistor M4 comprises a field-effect thin film transistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectField-effect transistor operation: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2535899B1A shift register with embedded bidirectional scanning function
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 AU OPTRONICS CORP
  • EP2535899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2535899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2535899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a shift register (100) having a plurality of stages (S) electrically coupled to each other in series. Each stage (S) includes a first (M1) and second (M2) TFT transistor. The first TFT transistor (M1) has a gate electrically coupled to the output of the prior stage (S), a first end electrically coupled to the boost point (BP) of the stage (S), and a second end configured to receive one of first (Bi1) and second (Bi2) control signals. The second TFT transistor (M2) has a gate electrically coupled to the output of the immediately next stage (S), a first end and a second end electrically coupled the first end and the second end of the first transistor (M1), respectively.