Touch Display Data Read-Out Controller Circuit Complexity Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch LCDs face increased manufacturing costs, circuit complexity, and power consumption due to the large number of data read-out controllers and output points required, and time division multiplexing introduces errors in sensing signal reading and data output.

Innovation Solution

A data read-out controller with sampling units and read-out switches allows for sufficient sampling charging time, enabling multiple sensing signals to be output via a single point, reducing the number of output points and minimizing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If time division multiplexing is used to reduce the number of data read-out controllers and output points, then manufacturing cost and circuit complexity are reduced, but sensing signal reading accuracy deteriorates due to unequal charging times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of data read-out controllers and output pointsVSAvoidsensing signal reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging all sampling capacitors to the same reference voltage level before sampling begins. This preliminary charging action ensures that all sampling units start with equal conditions, eliminating the charging time difference problem that would otherwise occur with time division multiplexing. The reference voltage source pre-charges all capacitors simultaneously before the sampling phase, so when sampling starts, all units are already prepared with equal charge levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by using dynamic switching control to alternately connect different sampling units to the single output point through read-out switches. Instead of static simultaneous output, the system dynamically switches which sampling unit connects to the output at any given moment, controlled by timing signals. This dynamic switching allows time division multiplexing to work while maintaining accuracy through the preliminary charging mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a large number of data read-out controllers and output points are used to read sensing signals from all pixels, then sensing signal reading accuracy is maintained, but manufacturing cost and circuit complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing signal reading accuracyVSAvoidnumber of data read-out controllers and output points

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple sampling units' output signals into a single output point through time division multiplexing. Instead of having separate output points for each sampling unit, all sampling units share one common output point, with only one unit connected at any given moment through controlled switching. This merging reduces the number of output points from N (where N is the number of sampling units) to just 1, significantly reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by making the single output point serve multiple functions - it sequentially outputs data from all different sampling units. The same physical output point is reused for different purposes at different times, controlled by the read-out switches and timing signals. This multi-functional use of the single output point eliminates the need for dedicated output points for each sampling unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If time division multiplexing is used to reduce output points, then power consumption is reduced, but sensing signal reading accuracy deteriorates due to charging time errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsensing signal reading accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging all sampling capacitors to the same reference voltage level before sampling begins. This preliminary charging action ensures that all sampling units start with equal conditions, eliminating the charging time difference problem that would otherwise occur with time division multiplexing. The reference voltage source pre-charges all capacitors simultaneously before the sampling phase, so when sampling starts, all units are already prepared with equal charge levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8228302B2Display apparatus and data read-out controller thereof

Publication Date: 2012.07.24 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A display apparatus and a data read-out controller thereof are provided. The display apparatus comprises a touch display module, a first data read-out controller, and a second data read-out controller. Each of the first and the second data read-out controllers comprises a first read-out switch, a second read-out switch, a first sampling unit, and a second sampling unit. According to the time division multiple output operated by the first sampling units, the first read-out switches, the second sampling units, and the second read-out switches of the first and the second data read-out controllers, the number of the output points and power loss can be reduced effectively.