Single-Line Control Interface for Compact Light Emission Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light emission control devices require separate control interfaces for turning on/off and light emission control, leading to increased complexity, size, and cost due to multiple external terminals.
Innovation Solution
A control device utilizing a single-line interface with an external terminal receiving a control signal, an output setting circuit, an oscillator, a period detector, and an initializing circuit to manage the output state, allowing on/off and current level control via a single-line interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control interfaces are used for turning on/off and light emission control, then control reliability is improved, but device complexity and number of external terminals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (turning on/off control and light emission amount control) into a single control interface using one external terminal. The single control signal line transmits different commands (activation control signal for on/off, emission control signal for brightness) that are distinguished by their timing characteristics rather than requiring separate physical lines, thereby reducing terminal count while maintaining control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single external terminal is designed to handle multiple control functions universally. By detecting the timing characteristics of incoming control signals, the same terminal can differentiate between activation control signals (for turning on/off) and emission control signals (for adjusting brightness), enabling one terminal to perform what traditionally required multiple dedicated terminals.
2Measurement precision
If multiple external terminals are used for separate control functions, then control precision is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single external terminal, reducing the physical footprint required for multiple terminals. The terminal maintains control precision by detecting timing characteristics of signals to distinguish between different control commands (activation vs. emission control), thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing device size.
3Reliability
If multiple external terminals are used for separate control functions, then control reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by consolidating multiple control terminals into one. The single terminal maintains control reliability through intelligent signal detection that distinguishes between activation control signals and emission control signals based on their timing characteristics, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The external terminal is designed with universal functionality to handle both activation control and emission control through a single interface. This multi-functionality reduces the bill of materials and assembly complexity, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability benefits of separate control functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device has: an external terminal receiving a control signal; an output setting circuit changing an output state every time a predetermined edge appears in the control signal; an oscillator generating a clock signal; a period detector counting the number of pulses in the clock signal to detect whether or not the control signal has been kept at a predetermined logic level for a predetermined period; an initializing circuit initializing, based on the output of the period detector, the output state specified by the output setting circuit when the control signal is found to have been kept at the predetermined logic level for the predetermined period; and an oscillation control circuit permitting the operation of the oscillator only when the control signal is at the predetermined logic level and inhibiting the operation of the oscillator otherwise.