Timing Controller Low-Power Mode for Touch Sensor Driving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch display devices consume unnecessary power during touch sensor driving periods as the timing controller remains in a turn-on state and outputs dummy image data, even though it does not need to operate.

Innovation Solution

A timing controller that operates in a low-power mode during touch sensor driving periods by activating and deactivating components such as the clock generator, transmission link, and transmitter based on a timing synchronization signal, preventing unnecessary power consumption and data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If the timing controller remains in a turn-on state during touch sensor driving periods, then the display panel can be driven continuously, but unnecessary power is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidoperation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The timing controller dynamically switches between normal mode and low-power mode based on the driving period. During display driving periods, it operates in normal mode to drive the display panel; during touch sensor driving periods, it switches to low-power mode to reduce power consumption. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between continuous operation and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The timing controller operates periodically by dividing one frame period into display driving periods and touch sensor driving periods. It activates during display driving periods and deactivates or enters low-power mode during touch sensor driving periods, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining display continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If the timing controller outputs dummy image data during touch sensor driving periods, then the data driving circuit receives continuous data, but data loss occurs and power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata lossVSAvoidpower waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the unnecessary function of outputting dummy image data during touch sensor driving periods. The timing controller is designed to output valid image data only during display driving periods, eliminating the wasteful dummy data transmission that occurred in conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The timing controller changes its operational parameters based on the driving period. During display driving periods, it outputs image data with normal parameters; during touch sensor driving periods, it changes to low-power mode with different parameters, stopping data output entirely. This parameter change prevents both data loss and power waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12099681B2Timing controller and method of driving the same

Publication Date: 2024.09.24 LX SEMICON CO LTD

AI summary

A timing controller according to one aspect of the present disclosure that is capable of operating in a low-power mode for a touch sensor driving period includes a receiver which receives a timing synchronization signal and video image data from an external source, a data processor which generates a gate control signal and a data control signal on the basis of the timing synchronization signal and arranges the video image data as pixel data for a display panel, and a transmitter which operates in a normal mode to output the pixel data, the gate control signal, and the data control signal for a display driving period and operates in a low-power mode for at least some time of a touch sensor driving period.