Display Panel Source Driver Circuit Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display panel driving circuits waste current when neighboring cells display similar colors and require extensive routing space due to bit-by-bit comparison, making it difficult to minimize current consumption and arrangement area.
Innovation Solution
A display driving circuit with a source driver comprising unit source drivers connected in parallel, a data comparator, and a controller that activates buffers for one source line when neighboring cells have identical image data, reducing current consumption and minimizing the arrangement area by rearranging image data to neighbor channels of the same color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If bit-by-bit comparison is performed for each channel data, then current consumption is reduced when neighboring cells have identical data, but routing space and device area increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all R channel data, G channel data, and B channel data for multiple source lines into single shared lines. Instead of routing separate data lines for each channel and source line combination, the invention combines channels of the same color and uses a single data line that is sequentially accessed through timing control and switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic switching mechanisms where switches selectively connect different data lines to different source lines based on the current operation phase. The system dynamically changes connections during different time periods to enable shared data lines to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for static dedicated routing for each channel.
2Reliability
If buffers for all source lines are driven independently, then each source line receives its data correctly, but current consumption increases when neighboring cells display similar colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a comparison mechanism that checks whether data for adjacent source lines is identical. Based on this comparison feedback, the system determines whether to activate buffers for both source lines or only one. When data is identical, the system activates only one buffer and shares its output with both source lines, thereby reducing current consumption while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always activating all buffers for all source lines (excessive action), the system activates only the necessary number of buffers based on actual data requirements (partial action). When neighboring source lines have identical data, only one buffer is activated to serve both lines, reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring reliable data transfer when data differs.
3Ease of operation
If separate data lines are provided for each channel and source line, then data routing is simplified and reliable, but device area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data lines into fewer shared lines by merging channels of the same color. All R channel data for different source lines are merged into a single R data line, all G channel data into a single G data line, and all B channel data into a single B data line. This merging approach maintains routing simplicity while significantly reducing the total number of data lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared data lines serve multiple functions by being sequentially connected to different source lines through switching mechanisms. A single R data line can provide data to multiple source lines at different time periods, making the data line universal rather than dedicated to a single source line. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of lines while maintaining the ability to deliver correct data to each source line.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a display panel driving circuit. The display panel driving circuit rearranges and stores image data input of a predetermined number of source lines externally so that data of the same channel neighbor each other, and compares the rearranged data. If the rearranged data are identical, only one buffer is driven, and common data is transferred to a plurality of source lines, outputs the rearranged data according to each channel, sequentially outputs data according to each source line using source drivers of each channel. Thus, when output data neighboring source lines are identical, the current required for the buffer is reduced.