Source Driver Color Voltage Sequencing for Lower Display Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies with PENTILE™ pixel structures face challenges in minimizing power consumption during operation.
Innovation Solution
A source driver that includes a digital-to-analog converter and output buffers to alternately output color data voltages during horizontal periods, with a controller managing the output sequence to reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a PENTILE pixel structure is used with alternating red/blue and successive green sub-pixels connected to the same data line, then the display can achieve color rendering capability, but power consumption increases due to the need to supply different voltage levels for different colors
Solution Approach 1:
The source driver alternates between outputting red data voltage and blue data voltage during horizontal periods, and outputs green data voltage during subsequent horizontal periods. This periodic action allows the same data line to serve multiple color sub-pixels sequentially, reducing the total number of data lines needed and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining color rendering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The source driver dynamically switches between different data voltage levels (red, blue, green) based on the current horizontal period and the specific sub-pixels that need to be driven. This dynamic voltage switching allows efficient power management by only supplying voltage when needed for the current display operation.
2Productivity
If data lines supply color data voltages for all sub-pixels simultaneously, then all pixels can be driven at full color capability, but power consumption increases due to continuous voltage supply
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into different horizontal periods, where in each period only specific color data voltages are supplied to specific data lines. For example, during one horizontal period red and blue voltages are supplied, and during another only green voltage is supplied. This temporal segmentation reduces power consumption by avoiding simultaneous supply of all color voltages.
Solution Approach 2:
The source driver is configured in advance to alternate between different data voltages based on the predetermined PENTILE pixel structure and scanning sequence. This preliminary configuration allows efficient power management by pre-planning which voltages need to be supplied during each horizontal period.
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
The solution effectively reduces power consumption in display devices with PENTILE™ pixel structures by optimizing data voltage output, thereby enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert a signal corresponding to a first color and a signal corresponding to a second color included in digital image data received from outside of the source driver into a first color data voltage and a second color data voltage, which are analog voltages
Data Source
AI summary
A source driver includes a digital-to-analog converter that converts signals corresponding to first and second colors included in digital image data into first and second analog color data voltages, respectively, an output buffer unit including a first output buffer that alternately outputs the first color data voltage and the second color data voltage during one horizontal period, and a controller that controls the digital-to-analog converter and the first output buffer to alternately output the first color data voltage and the second color data voltage corresponding to each horizontal period for each horizontal period. The controller controls the first output buffer such that the second color data voltage is output after the first color data voltage is first output during a first horizontal period, and the first color data voltage is output after the second color data voltage is first output during a subsequent second horizontal period.