Timing Controller Segment Decoder for Real-Time Failsafe Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timing controllers in image display systems cannot display useful information in real-time during display inoperative states, relying on predetermined failsafe patterns that are determined during the design stage and lack flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A timing controller with a main input interface, memory for segment data, a sub input interface, a segment decoder, and an image processing circuit that generates output image data using segment characters, allowing real-time display of desired information using segment characters like 16-segment, 14-segment, or 7-segment characters, even in abnormal states, with reduced memory requirements and flexible configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If predetermined failsafe display patterns are used in display inoperative state, then the display panel can prevent complete blackout, but the system cannot display useful information in real-time manner
Solution Approach 1:
The character display function is segmented into independent segment characters (such as 7-segment, 14-segment, or 16-segment characters) that can be individually controlled. Each segment character is composed of multiple segments that can be turned on or off independently based on sub data, allowing flexible real-time information display while maintaining system reliability during inoperative states
Solution Approach 2:
The timing controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it can display both normal image data from the graphic controller and alternative segment character information when the main display interface is inoperative. The sub input interface and segment decoder enable the controller to universally handle both regular display operations and failsafe information display, making the system adaptable to different operational states
2Adaptability or versatility
If bitmap information for multiple alphabetic and numeric characters is stored, then various characters can be displayed, but the memory capacity required becomes very large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing complete bitmap information for each character, the system segments characters into reusable component parts (segments). Common geometric shapes such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, diagonal lines, and curved segments are stored once in memory, then assembled through combination to form different characters. This segmentation approach dramatically reduces memory requirements while maintaining comprehensive character display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation from storing complete character bitmaps to storing segment combination patterns. By parameterizing characters as combinations of basic segments controlled by sub data, the memory storage requirement transitions from large bitmap data to compact segment definition data, achieving efficient memory utilization
3Adaptability or versatility
If segment characters are used for real-time display, then useful information can be displayed in display inoperative state, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A segment decoder is introduced as an intermediary component between the sub input interface and the display panel. The segment decoder receives sub data specifying segment characters and automatically generates the corresponding raster image data by combining stored segment patterns. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by handling the complex character generation logic in a dedicated module, making the timing controller structure more manageable
Data Source
AI summary
A main input interface receives input image data. Memory stores multiple segment data that specify the on/off states of the multiple respective segments that form a segment character on an image frame. A sub input interface receives sub data that specifies the segment character to be displayed. A segment decoder converts the segment character into a raster image based on the sub data and the multiple segment data. An image processing circuit generates output image data to be displayed on a display panel, based on at least one of the input image data and the output data of the segment decoder.