Drive control method, assembly and display device

• US 11,062,634 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2018
• Issued: 07/13/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co Ltd (BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.), BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co Ltd (BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Duan, Xin, Wang, Xin, Zhu, Hao, Wang, Jieqiong, Chen, Ming, Shao, Xibin
• Primary Examiner(s): Reed, Stephen T.
• Application Number:
  US16/620,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20200135081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0426 Layout of electrodes and connections
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/027 Details of drivers for data electrodes, the drivers handling digital grey scale data, e.g. use of D/A converters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0275 Details of drivers for data electrodes, other than drivers for liquid crystal, plasma or OLED displays, not related to handling digital grey scale data or to communication of data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/08 Details of timing specific for flat panels, other than clock recovery
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0693 Calibration of display systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2352/00 Parallel handling of streams of display data
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/08 Details of image data interface between the display device controller and the data line driver circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/10 Use of a protocol of communication by packets in interfaces along the display data pipeline
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/14 Use of low voltage differential signaling [LVDS] for display data communication
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/20 for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2096 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a flat panel suitable for both CRT and flat panel G09G5/006; specific for a CRT G09G1/167

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a drive control method and assembly, and a display device. A drive control method for a timing controller includes generating a point-to-point configuration instruction including an identity identification of a source driver, wherein the source driver is any of a plurality of source drivers, sending the point-to-point configuration instruction via first signal lines, and receiving a configuration response instruction sent by the source driver via the one of the first signal lines. The configuration response instruction is sent by the source driver after executing the point-to-point configuration instruction in response to detecting that the identity identification in the instruction is its own identity identification.

Claims

1. A drive control method for a timing controller, wherein the timing controller is coupled to a plurality of source drivers via first signal lines, and wherein the source drivers are connected in parallel, the method comprising:

generating a point-to-point configuration instruction comprising an identity identification of a source driver of the plurality of source drivers;

sending the point-to-point configuration instruction via the first signal lines; and

receiving a configuration response instruction sent by the source driver via one of the first signal lines, wherein the configuration response instruction is sent by the source driver in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction,

wherein the timing controller is coupled to the plurality of source drivers via a plurality of second signal lines, respectively, and before the generating the point-to-point configuration instruction, the drive control method further comprising;

configuring the identity identification for the source driver of the plurality of source drivers via a target second signal line and one of the first signal lines, wherein the target second signal line is a second signal line of the plurality of second signal lines connecting the timing controller with the source driver, wherein the configuring further comprises;

setting a signal on the target second signal line as an unconventional signal to designate the source driver as a target source driver and setting signals on signal lines other than the target second signal line in the plurality of second signal lines as a conventional signal, wherein the unconventional signal is different from the conventional signal, and wherein the conventional signal is a signal transmitted by the second signal line when working normally, and

sending an identity configuration instruction via the first signal lines, wherein the identity configuration instruction comprises the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver;

receiving an identity configuration response instruction sent by the source driver, wherein the identity configuration response instruction comprises an identity identification;

examining whether the identity identification in the identity configuration response instruction is same as the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver; and

determining that identity identification configuration of the source driver is successful when the identity identification in the identity configuration response instruction is same as the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver.

2. The drive control method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each instruction transmitted on the first signal lines comprises a preamble code, a start identification, data digits and a stop identification that are successively arranged, and

wherein the preamble code is configured for instructing a receiving end to perform clock and phase calibration, the start identification is configured for indicating start of data transmission, the data digits are configured for carrying configuration data, and the stop identification is configured for indicating end of data transmission.

3. The drive control method as claimed in claim 2,

wherein the preamble code is obtained from at least 8 bits of consecutive binary 0s adopting Manchester encoding,

wherein the start identification comprises at least 2 bits of consecutive binary 0s,

wherein the configuration data carried by the data digits comprises data obtained by adopting Manchester encoding, and

wherein the stop identification comprises at least 2 bits of consecutive binary 1s.

4. The drive control method as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the second signal line comprises a differential signal line comprising 2 sub-signal lines, and

wherein the setting the signal on the target second signal line as the unconventional signal comprises:

setting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines in the target second signal line to be at a same level, and setting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines comprised of each of the signal lines other than the target second signal line in the plurality of second signal lines to be at different levels.

5. A drive control method for a source driver of a plurality of source drivers, wherein the plurality of source drivers are connected in parallel and coupled to a timing controller via first signal lines, the drive control method comprising:

receiving a point-to-point configuration instruction sent by the timing controller via one of the first signal lines, wherein the point-to-point configuration instruction comprises an identity identification;

detecting whether the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver; and

sending a configuration response instruction to the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction after it is determined that the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver,

wherein the timing controller is coupled to the plurality of source drivers via a plurality of second signal lines, respectively, and wherein before the receiving the point-to-point configuration instruction sent by the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines, the drive control method further comprises;

obtaining the identity identification configured by the timing controller for the source driver via a target second signal line and the one of the first signal lines,

wherein the target second signal line is a second signal line connecting the timing controller with the source driver, and

wherein the obtaining further comprises;

receiving via the one of the first signal lines an identity configuration instruction sent by the timing controller, wherein the identity configuration instruction comprises the identity identification to be assigned;

detecting a signal type of a signal on the target second signal line, wherein the signal type may comprise an unconventional signal or a conventional signal; and

determining the identity identification to be assigned in the identity configuration instruction as the identity identification of the source driver when the signal on the target second signal line is the unconventional signal,

wherein the unconventional signal is different from the conventional signal, and the conventional signal is a signal transmitted by the second signal line when working normally;

wherein the second signal line comprises a differential signal line comprising 2 sub-signal lines, and

wherein the detecting the signal type of the signal on the target second signal line comprises;

detecting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines in the target second signal line;

determining that the signal on the target second signal line is the unconventional signal when the signals on the 2 sub-signal lines are at a same level; and

determining that the signal on the target second signal line is the conventional signal when the signals on the 2 sub-signal lines are at different levels.

6. The drive control method as claimed in claim 5, wherein after the determining the identity identification in the identity configuration instruction as the identity identification of the source driver, the drive control method further comprises:

sending an identity configuration response instruction to the timing controller, wherein the identity configuration response instruction comprises the identity identification that has been assigned to the source driver.

7. The drive control method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sending the configuration response instruction to the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction comprises:

sending the configuration response instruction to the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction after an interval of a preset reply wait time starting from receiving the point-to-point configuration instruction.

8. The drive control method as claimed in claim 7,

wherein the preset reply wait time is greater than a suspend time and less than a feedback timeout threshold, and

wherein the suspend time is an interval at which the timing controller sends two adjacent instructions.

9. The drive control method as claimed in claim 5,

wherein each instruction transmitted on the first signal lines comprises a preamble code, a start identification, data digits and a stop identification that are successively arranged, and

wherein the preamble code is configured for instructing a receiving end to perform clock and phase calibration, the start identification is configured for indicating start of data transmission, the data digits are configured for carrying configuration data, and the stop identification is configured for indicating end of data transmission.

10. The drive control method as claimed in claim 9,

wherein the preamble code is obtained from at least 8 bits of consecutive binary 0s adopting Manchester encoding,

wherein the start identification comprises at least 2 bits of consecutive binary 0s,

wherein the configuration data carried by the data digits is data obtained by adopting Manchester encoding, and

wherein the stop identification may comprise at least 2 bits of consecutive binary 1s.

11. A drive control assembly for a timing controller, wherein the timing controller is coupled to a plurality of source drivers via first signal lines, and wherein the source drivers are connected in parallel, the drive control assembly comprising:

a generator configured for generating a point-to-point configuration instruction comprising an identity identification of a source driver of the plurality of source drivers;

a sender configured for sending the point-to-point configuration instruction via the first signal lines; and

a receiver configured for receiving a configuration response instruction sent by the source driver via the one of the first signal lines, wherein the configuration response instruction is sent by the source driver in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction,

wherein the timing controller is coupled to the plurality of source drivers via a plurality of second signal lines, respectively, and the drive control assembly further comprises;

a configurator configured for configuring the identity identification for the source driver via a target second signal line and the one of the first signal lines, wherein the target second signal line is a second signal line connecting the timing controller with the source driver, and the configurator further comprises;

a sub-configurator configured for setting a signal on the target second signal line as an unconventional signal so as to designate the source driver as a target source driver and setting signals on signal lines other than the target second signal line in the plurality of second signal lines as a conventional signal, wherein the unconventional signal is different from the conventional signal, and the conventional signal is a signal transmitted by the second signal line when working normally, and

a sub-sender configured for sending an identity configuration instruction via the first signal lines, wherein the identity configuration instruction comprises the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver,

wherein the second signal line comprises a differential signal line comprising 2 sub-signal lines, and wherein the sub-configurator is further configured to perform operations comprising;

setting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines in the target second signal line to be at a same level, and setting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines comprised by each of the signal lines other than the target second signal line in the plurality of second signal lines to be at different levels.

12. The drive control assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the receiver is further configured for receiving an identity configuration response instruction sent by the source driver, wherein the identity configuration response instruction comprises an identity identification, and wherein the drive control assembly further comprises:

a detector configured for examining whether the identity identification in the identity configuration response instruction is same as the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver; and

a determiner which may be configured for determining that identity identification configuration of the source driver is successful when the identity identification in the identity configuration response instruction is same as the identity identification to be assigned to the source driver.

13. A drive control assembly for a source driver of a plurality of source drivers, wherein the plurality of source drivers are connected in parallel and coupled to the timing controller of claim 11 via first signal lines, wherein the receiver is configured for receiving a point-to-point configuration instruction sent by the timing controller via the first signal lines, wherein the point-to-point configuration instruction comprises an identity identification, the drive control assembly comprising:

a detector configured for detecting whether the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver; and

a sender configured for sending a configuration response instruction to the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction after it is determined that the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver.

14. The drive control assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the timing controller is coupled to the plurality of source drivers via a plurality of second signal lines, respectively, and the drive control assembly further comprises:

an obtainer configured for obtaining the identity identification configured by the timing controller for the source driver via a target second signal line and the one of the first signal lines, wherein the target second signal line is a second signal line of the plurality of second signal lines connecting the timing controller with the source driver,

wherein the obtainer further comprises;

a sub-receiver configured for receiving via the one of the first signal lines an identity configuration instruction sent by the timing controller, wherein the identity configuration instruction comprises the identity identification to be assigned;

a sub-detector configured for detecting a signal type of a signal on the target second signal line, wherein the signal type may comprise an unconventional signal or a conventional signal; and

a sub-determiner configured for determining the identity identification to be assigned in the identity configuration instruction as the identity identification of the source driver when the signal on the target second signal line is the unconventional signal,

wherein the unconventional signal is different from the conventional signal, and the conventional signal is a signal transmitted by the second signal line when working normally.

15. The drive control assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sender is further configured to perform operations comprising:

sending an identity configuration response instruction to the timing controller,

wherein the identity configuration response instruction comprises the identity identification that has been assigned to the source driver.

16. The drive control assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second signal line comprises a differential signal line comprising 2 sub-signal lines, and wherein the sub-detector is configured to perform operations comprising:

detecting signals on the 2 sub-signal lines in the target second signal line;

determining that the signal on the target second signal line is the unconventional signal when the signals on the 2 sub-signal lines are at a same level; and

determining that the signal on the target second signal line is the conventional signal when the signals on the 2 sub-signal lines are at different levels.

17. A display device comprising:

a timing controller and a source driver;

wherein the timing controller comprising the drive control assembly as claimed in claim 11; and

wherein the source driver comprises a drive control assembly for a source driver, wherein the source driver is one of a plurality of source drivers, wherein the plurality of source drivers are connected in parallel and coupled to the timing controller via first signal lines, the drive control assembly comprising;

a receiver configured for receiving a point-to-point configuration instruction sent by the timing controller via the first signal lines, wherein the point-to-point configuration instruction comprises an identity identification;

a detector configured for detecting whether the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver; and

a sender configured for sending a configuration response instruction to the timing controller via the one of the first signal lines in response to the point-to-point configuration instruction after it is determined that the identity identification in the point-to-point configuration instruction is that of the source driver.