Source Driver Channel Exchange for Compact Display Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing source drivers for display devices, such as LCDs, face challenges in reducing chip size while implementing various inversion patterns to prevent panel deterioration, as they require multiplexers for data exchange between channels, leading to increased chip size.

Innovation Solution

A source driver design that includes a data exchanger and latch unit capable of independently exchanging data between adjacent channels, utilizing storage units, switch units with inversion switches, and multiplexers to output data, allowing for various inversion patterns and reducing chip size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inversion method is used to exchange data between adjacent channels, then panel deterioration is prevented, but the chip size increases due to requiring multiplexers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel durabilityVSAvoidchip size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The data exchanger is divided into multiple groups, where each group handles data exchange for two adjacent channels independently. This segmentation allows the system to implement inversion patterns for panel protection while using fewer multiplexers overall, thus reducing chip size while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements data inversion by exchanging data between adjacent channels through the data exchanger. This inversion method prevents panel deterioration by alternating polarity, and the patent optimizes this approach by using switch units that can perform exchanges more efficiently than traditional multiplexer-based designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If various inversion methods are implemented to meet customer requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinversion pattern flexibilityVSAvoiddata exchange mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch units are configured to be independently controllable, allowing dynamic selection of different inversion patterns. Each switch unit can be controlled to exchange or hold data based on operational requirements, enabling various inversion methods (such as horizontal inversion, vertical inversion, or dot inversion) without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The data exchanger with multiple switch units serves multiple functions: it can perform data exchange between adjacent channels, implement different inversion patterns, and maintain data buffering capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single structure to handle various customer requirements without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10403226B2Source driver and display device including the same

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 DB GLOBALCHIP CO LTD

AI summary

A source driver is disclosed, including a data exchanger configured to receive a predetermined number of units of data and store the data corresponding to a predetermined number of channels, and a latch unit configured to store the data output from the data exchanger. The data exchanger mutually exchanges data corresponding to two channels included in each of a plurality of groups, and independently exchanges data for each of the plurality of groups, in which each of the plurality of groups includes two adjacent channels.