CN116110313A

CN116110313A - Signal transmission method, controller, source driver, device and electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN116110313A
Application number: CN202211566790.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 南帐镇; 李东明; 吴佳璋
Original assignee: Hefei Yisiwei Computing Technology Co ltd; Beijing Eswin Computing Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hefei Yisiwei Computing Technology Co ltd; Beijing Eswin Computing Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-07
Filing date: 2022-12-07
Publication date: 2023-05-12

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a signal transmission method, a controller, a source driver, an apparatus, and an electronic device. The signal transmission method is used for the controller to transmit the display signal to the source driver through the low-voltage differential signal interface. The method comprises the following steps: determining a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in response to selecting to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal using the low voltage differential signal interface; and transmitting the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or transmitting the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship. The method can be compatible with various transmission operations without changing the hardware of the controller and the source driver.

Description

Signal transmission method, controller, source driver, device and electronic equipment

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a signal transmission method, a controller, a source driver, an apparatus, and an electronic device.

Background

In the field of display technology, for example, a pixel array of a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light emitting diode (Organic Light Emitting Diode, OLED) display panel generally includes a plurality of rows of gate lines and a plurality of columns of data lines disposed to intersect the gate lines. The timing controller (T-con) of the display panel needs to supply gate signals and data signals to the plurality of rows of gate lines and the plurality of columns of data lines through the gate driving circuit and the source driving circuit, respectively, so as to form gray voltages required for each gray level required for displaying an image in pixel units of each row in a line-by-line scanning manner, for example, thereby displaying one frame of image.

Disclosure of Invention

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a signal transmission method for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver, the method including: determining a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in response to selecting to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal using the low voltage differential signal interface; and transmitting a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal according to a first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or transmitting a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal according to a second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides another signal transmission method for a source driver to acquire a display signal from a controller, the source driver including a low voltage differential signal interface, the method including: acquiring a relative time sequence relation between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal; in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, performing a multi-mode transmission operation through the low voltage differential signal interface to receive the display signal provided by the controller, or in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, performing a single-mode transmission operation through the low voltage differential signal interface to receive the display signal provided by the controller, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a controller for transmitting a display signal to a source driver, the controller comprising: a processing circuit configured to determine a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal; a low voltage differential signal interface configured to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit a display signal to a source driver in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship; and a control signal transmission interface configured to transmit a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal according to a first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform a multi-mode transmission operation, or to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to a second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform a single-mode transmission operation, wherein the first relative timing relationship is different from the second relative timing relationship.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a source driver for acquiring a display signal from a controller, the source driver including: a control signal acquisition interface configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal; the low-voltage differential signal interface is configured to receive a multimode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship or to receive a single mode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a signal transmission apparatus for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver, the apparatus comprising: a timing relationship determining unit configured to determine a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using the low-voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal; and a control signal providing unit configured to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to a first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to a second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a signal transmission apparatus for a source driver to acquire a display signal from a controller, the source driver including a low voltage differential signal interface, the apparatus comprising: a signal acquisition unit configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal; and a signal receiving unit configured to receive a multimode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, or to receive a single mode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electronic device comprising a controller provided by any one embodiment of the present disclosure; the source driver provided by any of the embodiments of the present disclosure; and a display panel connected with the source driver to receive the driving signal provided by the source driver.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below, and it is apparent that the drawings in the following description relate only to some embodiments of the present disclosure, not to limit the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a circuit driving system of a display panel;

FIG. 1B shows a schematic diagram of a configuration of a connection between a timing controller TCON and a source driver via a mini-LVDS interface;

FIG. 1C illustrates a flow chart of a signal transmission method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic diagram of a first relative timing relationship provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic diagram of a second relative timing relationship provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method for a controller to perform a multi-mode transmission operation to transmit a display signal provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of a signal format of a display sub-signal provided by a row configuration mode provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B illustrates a signal format schematic of a display sub-signal provided by a frame configuration mode provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C illustrates a signal format schematic of a display sub-signal provided by a correction configuration mode provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are signal format diagrams illustrating a display signal provided by a controller to a source driver in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of controlling execution of a transmission operation in a single mode to transmit a display signal provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of another signal transmission method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of a method for a source driver to perform a multi-mode transmission operation to receive a display signal provided by a controller, provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of another signal transmission method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a controller provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a source driver provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a signal transmission apparatus provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of another signal transmission apparatus provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 14 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an electronic device provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent that the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments, which can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without the need for inventive faculty, are within the scope of the present disclosure, based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should be given the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms "first," "second," and the like, as used in this disclosure, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Likewise, the terms "a," "an," or "the" and similar terms do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. The word "comprising" or "comprises", and the like, means that elements or items preceding the word are included in the element or item listed after the word and equivalents thereof, but does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "connected" or "connected," and the like, are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which may also be changed when the absolute position of the object to be described is changed.

Various driving circuits for display panels generally include a scan driving integrated circuit (also referred to as a gate driver or G-IC), a data driving integrated circuit (also referred to as a source driver or SD-IC), a controller, and the like. The controller is mainly used to convert a data signal, a control signal, a clock signal, etc., received from an external (e.g., a signal source such as a storage device, a network modem, etc.), into a data signal, a gate signal, a control signal, a clock signal, etc., suitable for a source driver and a gate driver for implementing image display driving of the display panel. For example, the controller may be a timing controller (Timing Controller, TCON). The source driver is mainly used for receiving the digital signals (display signals or image signals) and control signals and the like provided by the controller, converting the digital signals into corresponding analog gray scale voltage signals through digital-to-analog conversion, and inputting the corresponding analog gray scale voltage signals into each column of pixel units of the pixel array of the display panel. The grid driver is mainly used for opening pixel units of each row of the pixel array, such as progressive (or interlaced), and is matched with the source driver under the action of the control signal, and required data signals are input into corresponding pixel units for the opened pixel unit rows, so that the pixel units can display according to the data signals.

In the display process of the display panel, the video and the animation are combined by innumerable pictures displayed in sequence in time sequence (for example, the frame rate is 60Hz or 120Hz, etc.), and each picture is a frame, that is, a frame of image refers to a complete picture displayed by the display panel. In the display process of a frame image, the gate driver sequentially turns on each row of pixel units in the pixel array from the first row to the last row to scan, and in the scanning process, the source driver inputs data signals required by each row of pixel units into the turned-on pixel units, thereby completing the scanning and display required by a frame image. For example, in order to obtain a clear and complete display effect with good quality, the display screen needs to be continuously refreshed, and one frame of image needs to be displayed every refresh, so that the images displayed continuously by multiple frames form a still image or a dynamic image in visual effect due to the process of the pixel units of the display panel.

Fig. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a circuit driving system architecture of a display panel. As shown in fig. 1A, the circuit driving system architecture includes a timing controller TCON, a gate driver G-IC, a source driver SD-IC, and a display Panel. The circuit driving system architecture further comprises a power management integrated circuit PMIC, a Gamma (Gamma) circuit, a common electrode voltage (Vcom) circuit and the like.

The input voltage Vin of the power management integrated circuit is, for example, 5V or 12V, and the output voltage includes a digital operating voltage DVDD supplied to each IC, an analog voltage AVDD supplied to the Gamma circuit and the Vcom circuit, a gate-on voltage VGH supplied to the gate driver G-IC, a gate-off voltage VGL, and the like. A common electrode voltage (Vcom) circuit is used to provide a common voltage to the pixel array.

The control signals outputted from the timing controller TCON include a control signal supplied to the gate driver G-IC and a control signal supplied to the source driver SD-IC. For example, the control signals supplied to the source driver SD-IC include a line Start Signal (STH) for Start of line data transfer, a line clock signal (Clock Pulse Horizontal, CPH), a data transfer control signal LOAD, and a data polarity inversion signal POL. For example, the control signals supplied to the gate driver G-IC include a frame Start Signal (STV) representing the scan Start of one frame, a scan clock signal (Clock Pulse Vertical, CPV), an Enable signal (Enable), and the like.

For example, the input digital interface type of the timing controller TCON may be, for example, a Low-voltage differential signal (Low-Voltage Differential Signaling, LVDS), an embedded display signal (Embedded Display Port, eDP) interface, a V-by-One (Vx 1) interface, and the like. The digital interface type of the output of the timing controller TCON may be mini-LVDS, for example, for communication with the source driver SD-IC.

The LVDS interface is a device that transmits signals in the form of pairs, including a clock pair and several signal pairs. For example, the LVDS signal line pair includes three control signals: a field sync signal, a row sync signal, and an enable signal. The mini-LVDS interface is similar to the LVDS interface, and signals are transmitted by the differential signal line pair; unlike the LVDS signal line pair, the signals transmitted by the mini-LVDS signal line pair of the mini-LVDS interface do not include control signals, which are transmitted through a signal line or a signal differential pair independent of the mini-LVDS signal line pair.

Fig. 1B shows a schematic structural diagram of a connection between the timing controller TCON and the source driver through a mini-LVDS interface.

As shown in fig. 1B, the timing controller TCON supplies control signals and image data signals to a plurality of source drivers. The plurality of source drivers includes, for example, source driver sd#1, source driver sd#2, and the like, the number of which is related to the physical resolution of the display panel, and tens or even hundreds may be required for one display panel. Each source driver is connected through a pair of clock signal lines for transmitting clock signals, a pair of mini-LVDS signal lines for transmitting image data signals, and a control signal line for transmitting a plurality of control signals. The mini-LVDS signal line pair may be 3 pairs of signal lines or 6 pairs of signal lines. The control signal lines may or may not be differential signal pairs. The mini-LVDS signal line and the plurality of control signal lines are independent of each other.

For example, the timing controller TCON and the source driver sd#1 are connected through a pair of mini-LVDS signal lines transmitting data signals, a LOAD control signal line transmitting a data transmission control signal LOAD, a POL control signal line transmitting a control signal POL, a POL2 control signal line transmitting a control signal POL2, and the like; TCON and source driver sd#2 are also connected through a mini-LVDS signal line pair, a LOAD control signal line, a data polarity inversion control signal line (e.g., a POL control signal line, a POL2 control signal line, a POLC control signal line, etc.), and the like.

For example, other control signal lines, such as a horizontal DOT inversion (H2 DOT) control signal line, a bias voltage (PWRC) control signal line, etc., may be further included between each source driver and the timing controller TCON.

As shown in fig. 1B, the mini-LVDS signal line pair is used only for transmitting image data signals, and is not used for transmitting control signals such as polarity inversion configuration information, data transmission control information, and the like. Therefore, there are a plurality of signal lines and a plurality of signal line interfaces between the timing controller and the source driver, which results in occupying a larger signal routing space in the display panel, and this problem is more remarkable particularly when the number of source drivers is large. If the signal routing space available in the display panel is not sufficient to accommodate the plurality of signal lines, some of the commonly used control functions cannot be flexibly embedded in the source driver. Even if a new transmission mode is proposed for the controller and the source driver to save signal lines, the hardware of the controller and the source driver is often required to be modified, which is costly and has compatibility problems.

To this end, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a signal transmission method for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver. The signal transmission method includes determining a relative timing relationship between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using a low-voltage differential signal interface to transmit a display signal; and transmitting a data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or transmitting the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation. The signal transmission method utilizes the relative time sequence relation between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal to distinguish the transmission modes between the controller and the source driver, so that the multi-mode transmission operation can be performed to save signal lines, and meanwhile, the single-mode transmission operation is compatible, and the hardware of the controller and the source driver is not required to be changed.

Fig. 1C illustrates a flowchart of a signal transmission method provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the signal transmission method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to both LVDS interfaces and mini-LVDS interfaces.

As shown in fig. 1C, the signal transmission method includes steps S10 to S30. The signal transmission method provided in fig. 1C is performed by the timing controller TCON in fig. 1A, for example. For example, the signal transmission method is used for the timing controller TCON to transmit a display signal to the source driver SD-IC.

Step S10: in response to selecting to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal using the low voltage differential signal interface, a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal is determined.

Step S20: and transmitting a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship, so as to inform the source driver to execute the multi-mode transmission operation.

Step S30: and transmitting a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative time sequence relationship in response to the relative time sequence relationship being the second relative time sequence relationship so as to inform the source driver to execute the single-mode transmission operation, wherein the first relative time sequence relationship is different from the second relative time sequence relationship.

For step S10, the low voltage differential signal interface includes a plurality of pairs of transmission lines, each pair of transmission lines including two complementary differential signals through which signals are transmitted. For example, the low voltage differential signal interface may be the mini-LVDS interface or the LVDS interface described above.

The multi-mode transmission operation refers to providing a display signal to a source driver through at least two modes during one frame display period. One of the at least two modes may include, for example, a row configuration mode, a frame configuration mode, a correction configuration mode, or the like, for which reference is made below.

The single mode transfer operation refers to supplying a display signal to a source driver through one mode during one frame display period. For example, in one frame display period, display signals are supplied to the source driver in the same signal format. For example, the single mode transmission operation may be to provide a display signal conforming to the mini-LVDS interface protocol to the source driver in one frame display period using the mini-LVDS interface.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a display signal transmitted, for example, using a low voltage differential signal interface to perform a multi-mode transmission operation includes image data and configuration data. That is, the display signals provided by the low voltage differential signal interface include both configuration data (e.g., control signals) and image data, so that some control signal lines may be omitted when insufficient signal routing space is available in the display panel to accommodate multiple signal lines. For example, the data polarity inversion control signal line POL2 and the data polarity inversion control signal line POLC, the horizontal DOT inversion control signal line H2DOT, the bias voltage control signal line PWRC, and the like in fig. 1B may be omitted. The source driver and the controller may each still comprise an interface for these control signal lines for transmitting control signals using the interface for these control signal lines when single mode transmission is performed. In some examples of the present disclosure, the control signal lines between the controller and the source driver still exist, i.e., the connection relationship between the controller and the source driver may still be the connection relationship shown in fig. 1B, except that if the multi-mode transmission operation is performed between the controller and the source driver, these control signal lines do not transmit signals.

The image data may be, for example, a signal obtained by receiving an LVDS differential signal from the outside and analyzing the LVDS differential signal by the timing controller TCON. The image data is, for example, RGB (red green blue) data. Hereinafter, RGB data is taken as an example of image data in the embodiments of the present disclosure, but it is noted that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, some display devices may also employ image data in the form of RGBW (red green blue white) or the like, for example.

The configuration data may be generated by a timing control module in the timing controller, for example. For example, the configuration data is used to configure the source driver such that after the source driver receives and stores the configuration data, the image data is processed according to the configuration data. For example, the source driver outputs image data to the pixel array according to the timing provided by the configuration data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration data includes control signals required in the process of displaying RGB data by the pixel array. For example, if the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, the polarities of the liquid crystal molecules need to be controlled in the process of displaying RGB data by the liquid crystal display panel, and the control signals may include data polarity inversion control signals (e.g., POL control signal, POL2 control signal, and POLC control signal). For another example, the control signal may include a start signal STH of the row data when the start signal of the row data is required in the process of displaying the RGB data by the pixel array. As another example, the display panel may also be an OLED display panel or the like, to which embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited.

For example, the configuration data may be set by those skilled in the art according to actual needs, and the present disclosure does not limit the configuration data.

The data polarity inversion control signal controls the polarity inversion of the data signal output by the source driver by switching the high and low levels to realize the alternating current driving of the liquid crystal. The data polarity inversion control signal may be, for example, the data polarity inversion signal POL mentioned in fig. 1A above. The data transfer control signal is used to latch the image data and the data polarity inversion signal input to the source driver at a rising edge, and the falling edge controls the release of the image data to the display panel. The data polarity inversion control signal may be, for example, the data transmission control signal LOAD mentioned in fig. 1A above.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the relative timing relationship of the data polarity inversion signal POL and the data transmission control signal LOAD may include a first timing relationship and a second timing relationship, which are different.

For example, the first relative timing relationship includes: the first transition edge of the data polarity inversion control signal is later than the second transition edge of the data transmission control signal, and the first transition state of the data polarity inversion control signal after the first transition edge is at least partially time coincident with the second transition state of the data transmission control signal after the second transition edge.

For example, the second relative timing relationship includes: the first transition edge of the data polarity inversion control signal is earlier than the second transition edge of the data transmission control signal, and the first transition state of the data polarity inversion control signal after the first transition edge is at least partially time coincident with the second transition state of the data transmission control signal after the second transition edge.

Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic diagram of a first relative timing relationship provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 2A, in the first relative timing relationship, a first transition edge (e.g., a rising edge) of the data polarity inversion control signal POL is later than a second transition edge (e.g., a rising edge) of the data transmission control signal LOAD, and a first transition state (e.g., a high-level state) of the data polarity inversion control signal POL after the first transition edge is at least partially time-coincident with a second transition state (e.g., a high-level state) of the data transmission control signal LOAD after the second transition edge.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, a driver in the controller may be adjusted such that the data polarity inversion control signal POL is later than the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD by a time length tS2 in the same period of the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD and the data polarity inversion control signal POL, so that a rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal POL is later than a rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD. The data polarity inversion control signal POL and the data transmission control signal LOAD are simultaneously in a high state for a time period tH2 after a rising edge.

Fig. 2B illustrates a schematic diagram of a second relative timing relationship provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 2B, in the second relative timing relationship, a first transition edge (e.g., a rising edge) of the data polarity inversion control signal POL 'is earlier than a second transition edge (e.g., a rising edge) of the data transmission control signal LOAD', and a first transition state (e.g., a high-level state) of the data polarity inversion control signal POL 'after the first transition edge coincides with a second transition state (e.g., a high-level state) of the data transmission control signal LOAD' after the second transition edge at least partially in time.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, a driver in the controller may be adjusted such that the data polarity inversion control signal POL ' is earlier than the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD ' by a time length tS1 in the same period of the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD ' so that a rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal POL ' is earlier than a rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal LOAD '.

The embodiments of fig. 2A and 2B can distinguish between a single mode transmission operation and a multi-mode transmission operation by a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal, and are easy to implement without changing the hardware circuit of the interface. In this way, the same set of controllers and source drivers may be selected to implement single mode transmission or multi-mode transmission as desired without separately providing a set of controllers and source drivers for single mode transmission and multi-mode transmission, respectively, thus reducing costs for design, development, manufacturing, and management for the provider.

It should be understood that the relative timing relationship of the data polarity inversion signal POL and the data transmission control signal LOAD is not limited to the first timing relationship and the second timing relationship, but may be other timing relationships, and those skilled in the art can design the relative timing relationship of the data polarity inversion signal POL and the data transmission control signal LOAD by themselves as required.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a controller to perform a multi-mode transmission operation to transmit a display signal according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 3, the method includes steps S301 to S303.

Step S301: image data and first configuration data for a multi-mode transfer operation are acquired, and the source driver processes the image data in accordance with the first configuration data.

Step S302: according to the image data and the first configuration data, a first display signal for a multimode transmission operation is transmitted according to a first signal transmission protocol.

Step S303: the first display signal is provided to the source driver in at least two modes using the low voltage differential signal interface during a frame display period.

The multimode transmission operation may multiplex a low voltage differential signal interface, such as a mini-LVD interface or an LVDs interface, so that the low voltage differential signal interface is used to transmit both image data and configuration data, thereby saving resources such as an interface and a signal line for transmitting display signals.

For step S301, the image data may be, for example, a result of the timing controller TCON receiving the LVDS differential signal from the outside and parsing the LVDS differential signal.

The first configuration data is used for a multimode transmission operation. It should be appreciated that the terms "first," "second," and the like herein do not denote a sequence or limitation, but merely serve to distinguish one configuration data or signal from another. For the first configuration data please refer to the related description about the configuration data in the description for step S10.

For example, the first configuration data includes row configuration data, or frame configuration data, or correction configuration data, or the like. For the line configuration data, or the frame configuration data, or the correction configuration data, reference is made to the following description.

For example, the row configuration data may include a data polarity inversion signal, and the source driver controls rotation of the liquid crystal molecules during display of the image data according to the data polarity inversion signal. For another example, the frame configuration data includes a gamma setting signal, and the source driver converts a digital signal of the image data into a corresponding analog gray scale voltage data signal or the like according to the gamma setting signal.

For step S302, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first display signal includes a plurality of display sub-signals, and at least two modes respectively provide different display sub-signals. For example, the display signal includes a display sub-signal provided by each of at least two modes. The first signal transmission protocol is, for example, a new transmission protocol applied to the low-voltage differential signal interface proposed in the present disclosure. The first signal transmission protocol has different signal formats for different modes. For example, the signal format of the display sub-signal transmitted in the line configuration mode is different from the signal format of the display sub-signal transmitted in the frame configuration mode. Examples of the first signal transmission protocol provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure are provided below.

For step S303, one Frame display period includes, for example, an image display period (Active Frame) and a vertical blanking period (Vertical Blanking Period, VBP). During image display, for example, pixels in a pixel array display image data line by line, and during vertical blanking, preparation is made for display of the next frame of image data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, a plurality of display sub-signals are sequentially provided to a source driver in at least two modes through one low voltage differential signal interface.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, each mode provides a display sub-signal that includes configuration data and image data. For another example, at least some of the at least two modes include both configuration data and image data, while another part of the modes include only configuration data. For another example, at least some of the at least two modes include only image data, and another part of the at least two modes include only configuration data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the at least two modes is a line configuration mode, the configuration data includes line configuration data, and the display sub-signals provided by the line configuration mode include line configuration data and line image data.

The display sub-signals provided by the row configuration mode are used for image data display of a row of pixels. The line image data is, for example, RGB data corresponding to the line in the pixel array. The row configuration data is used to configure the source driver such that the source driver outputs the row image data, timing control signals, and the like to the row of pixels in response to the row configuration data.

For example, the first display sub-signal includes first line configuration data and first line RGB data, and the second display sub-signal includes second line configuration data and second line RGB data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the at least two modes is a frame configuration mode, the configuration data comprises frame configuration data, and the display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode comprises frame configuration data.

The display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode is used for displaying one frame of image. The frame configuration data is used, for example, to configure the source driver so that the source driver outputs a control signal for the frame image. The frame configuration data may include, for example, a Gamma (Gamma) setting signal, an Amplification (AMP) offset control signal, a shift direction selection signal, and the like.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, display signals are provided to the source driver through the low voltage differential signal interface in at least two modes of signal format defined by the first signal transmission protocol. The signal formats of at least two modes defined by the first signal transmission protocol are exemplarily described below with reference to fig. 4A to 4C.

Fig. 4A illustrates a schematic diagram of a signal format of a display sub-signal provided by a row configuration mode provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The first display sub-signal and the second display sub-signal provided to the source driver in a row configuration mode are shown in the example of fig. 4A. It should be understood that the first display sub-signal and the second display sub-signal are only for illustrating a signal format of the display sub-signal provided in the row configuration mode, and do not mean that the two display sub-signals are provided to the source driver only in the row configuration mode, and in fact, the number of display sub-signals provided to the source driver in the row configuration mode may be the same as the number of rows of the pixel array, that is, the display sub-signals are provided to each row of pixels in the row configuration mode, respectively.

As shown in fig. 4A, the display sub-signals provided by the line configuration mode include line configuration data and line image data (e.g., RGB data of a line of pixels).

The first line of RGB data refers to RGB data of an optional line of subpixels in the pixel array, and the first line of configuration data always corresponds to the RGB data of the line of subpixels.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 4A, the display sub-signals provided by the row configuration mode include: and combining data obtained by combining the line configuration data of each line with the line image data of each line in the image data. For example, the first display sub-signal is formed by combining the first line configuration data and the first line RGB data, and the second display sub-signal is formed by combining the second line configuration data and the second line RGB data. That is, the controller sequentially supplies the display sub-signals corresponding to each row of pixels to the source driver. In this embodiment, the configuration data and the image data of one line are combined and then transmitted through the low-voltage differential signal interface, so that multiplexing of the low-voltage differential signal interface is realized, and the source driver is facilitated to process the image data of each line according to the configuration data of each line in time, so that the image display is facilitated.

In the signal format example shown in fig. 4A, the line configuration data is located in front of the RGB data for each display sub-signal, i.e., the controller supplies the line configuration data to the source driver first and then supplies the RGB data of the line to the source driver for each display sub-signal. Providing the line configuration data to the source driver first and then providing the RGB data for the line to the source driver can facilitate the source driver to process the RGB data for the line in time according to the line configuration data.

Fig. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a signal format of a display sub-signal provided by a frame configuration mode according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4B, the display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode includes frame configuration data and invalid data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the frame configuration mode is applied to the vertical blanking period. During the vertical blanking period, the pixel array does not display image data, and thus the display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode may include invalid data.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode may not include invalid data if the data length of the frame configuration data is the same as the data length of the combined data provided by the row configuration mode. In embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, invalid data may refer to a data signal at a logic invalid level, for example.

In the signal format example shown in fig. 4B, the frame configuration data is located before the invalid data for each display sub-signal, i.e., the controller supplies the frame configuration data to the source driver first and then the invalid data to the source driver for each display sub-signal.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the at least two modes includes a correction configuration mode, the configuration data includes a correction signal, and the display sub-signal provided by the correction configuration mode includes a correction signal, for example, for correcting a clock signal of the source driver and a timing of the display signal.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller provides the correction signal to the source driver in a correction configuration mode during the vertical blanking period.

For example, the transmission of the display signal depends on the clock signal. For example, in an ideal case, the transition edge of the clock signal is aligned with the middle time when the display signal is at the active logic level, but since there is a delay in the clock signal or the display signal in practice, the transition edge of the clock signal is not aligned with the middle time when the display signal is at the active logic level, correction of the clock signal or the display signal is required, for example. For example, the correction signal is used, for example, to align the transition edge of the clock signal with the middle instant at which the display signal is at an active logic level.

The frame configuration mode and the correction configuration mode enable the source driver to perform frame configuration and timing correction during the vertical blanking period to prepare for display of the next image frame, and since the frame configuration and the timing correction are performed during the vertical blanking period, time is saved and display efficiency is improved.

Fig. 4C illustrates a signal format diagram of a display sub-signal provided by a correction configuration mode provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4C, the display sub-signal provided by the correction configuration mode includes a correction signal. For example, in at least one example, the correction signal may comprise, for example, a delay time length of a clock signal or a data signal for calculating a delay time length of a clock signal, etc. The correction signal can be set by a person skilled in the art according to the relevant correction method.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, each display sub-signal further comprises a pattern recognition signal. The mode identification signal is used for indicating the mode of the display sub-signal to the source driver so that the source driver analyzes the display sub-signal according to the mode of the display sub-signal to acquire configuration data or image data.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the display sub-signals includes a pattern recognition signal for indicating to the source driver a pattern to which the display sub-signal belongs, such that the source driver parses the display sub-signal according to the pattern to which the display sub-signal belongs.

As shown in fig. 4A to 4C, the display sub-signal provided in the line configuration mode includes a mode identification signal a to indicate that the display sub-signal belongs to the line configuration mode, the display sub-signal provided in the frame configuration mode includes a mode identification signal B to indicate that the display sub-signal belongs to the frame configuration mode, and the display sub-signal provided in the correction configuration mode includes a mode identification signal C to indicate that the display sub-signal belongs to the correction configuration mode.

As shown in fig. 4A to 4C, the pattern recognition signal of the display sub-signal provided in each pattern may be located before the configuration data, i.e., the controller provides the pattern recognition signal of each display sub-signal to the source driver before providing the configuration data of the display sub-signal to the source driver. For example, for a row configuration mode, the controller provides the mode identification signal a to the source driver first, then provides the row configuration data to the source driver, and then provides the row image data to the source driver. For another example, for the frame configuration mode, the controller provides the mode identification signal B to the source driver first, then provides the frame configuration data to the source driver, and then provides the invalid data to the source driver. For another example, for a correction configuration mode, the controller provides the mode identification signal C to the source driver before providing the correction signal to the source driver. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the invalid data may be, for example, a logic invalid level signal, such as a low level signal.

Each display sub-signal comprises a pattern recognition signal which can facilitate the source driver to correctly analyze and process subsequently received data according to the pattern to which the display sub-signal belongs so as to acquire row configuration data, frame configuration data, correction signals or the like.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least two modes include a line configuration mode and a frame configuration mode, the line configuration mode providing display sub-signals including line configuration data and image data, and the frame configuration mode providing display sub-signals including frame configuration data. For the description of the row configuration mode and the frame configuration mode, reference is made to the above description.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least two modes further include a correction configuration mode, the display sub-signals provided by the correction configuration mode including correction signals for correcting a clock signal of the source driver and a timing of the display signals. For a description of the correction configuration mode, reference is made to the above description.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, since RGB image data needs to be transferred during an image display period and RGB image data does not need to be transferred during a vertical blanking period, the image display period and the vertical blanking period respectively transfer display sub-signals in different modes.

For example, the at least two modes include a row configuration mode and a frame configuration mode. Display sub-signals required for displaying image data for each row of pixels are transferred to the source driver in a row arrangement mode during image display, and display sub-signals required for displaying image data for each row of pixels are transferred to the source driver in a frame arrangement mode during vertical blanking. For example, the frame configuration mode and the correction configuration mode are in the vertical blanking period within one frame display period.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the frame configuration mode includes a power consumption control sub-mode that provides data signals for the source driver to be less during the vertical blanking period for controlling (e.g., reducing) the power consumption of the source driver at least during the vertical blanking period, controlling the overall power consumption of the system.

For example, power consumption configuration sub-data for reducing power consumption of the source driver at least during the vertical blanking period is included in the frame configuration data. For example, the source driver enters a low power consumption operation state in which at least part of the circuit modules of the source driver are powered down in response to the power consumption configuration sub-data, thereby reducing the power consumption of the source driver at least during the vertical blanking period. The data signal provided by the power consumption control sub-mode may be, for example, a logic inactive level. In embodiments of the present disclosure, for example, the logic inactive level may be a low level signal, which represents a data signal "0", and the logic active level may be a high level signal, which represents a data signal "1". The controller is providing a logic disable level to the source driver during a low power consumption operating state of the source driver to reduce power consumption during vertical blanking. For example, the power consumption configuration sub-data includes at least part of the circuit blocks that the source driver disables during the vertical blanking period. Those skilled in the art can define circuit blocks that are disabled during the vertical blanking period into the power consumption configuration sub-data to issue the disabled circuit blocks to the source driver so that the source driver disables the circuit blocks in the power consumption configuration sub-data during the vertical blanking period. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, disabling a circuit module may refer to powering down the circuit module.

For example, the circuit module indicated by the power consumption configuration sub-data to be disabled at the vertical blanking device includes an output driver, and the source driver is configured to power down the output driver during the vertical blanking period.

Fig. 5A and 5B are signal format diagrams illustrating a display signal provided by a controller to a source driver according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 5A, in one frame display period (including an image display period and a vertical blanking period), the display signal includes a plurality of display sub-signals 501 provided in a line configuration mode, a display sub-signal 502 provided in a frame configuration mode, and a display sub-signal 503 provided in a correction configuration mode.

For example, a plurality of display sub-signals 501 are provided in a line configuration mode during image display, a display sub-signal 502 is provided in a frame configuration mode and a display sub-signal 503 is provided in a correction configuration mode during vertical blanking.

As shown in fig. 5A, providing display signals to the source driver in at least two modes through the low voltage differential signal interface during one frame display period includes: the display signals are sequentially supplied to the source driver in at least two modes using the low voltage differential signal interface during a frame display period, and for each mode, one or more display sub-signals are sequentially supplied to the source driver using the low voltage differential signal interface.

For example, in the example of fig. 5A, a plurality of display sub-signals 501 are provided to the source driver in a row configuration mode, then a display sub-signal 502 is provided to the source driver in a frame configuration mode, and then a display sub-signal 503 is provided to the source driver in a correction configuration mode using the low voltage differential signal interface. For example, for a row configuration mode including a plurality of display sub-signals 501, the plurality of display sub-signals 501 are sequentially provided to the source driver using a low voltage differential signal interface. That is, in the example of fig. 5A, a plurality of display sub-signals 501 are provided to the source driver by using the low voltage differential signal interface, then a display sub-signal 502 is provided to the source driver by using the low voltage differential signal interface, and then a display sub-signal 503 is provided to the source driver by using the low voltage differential signal interface.

As shown in fig. 5A, each display sub-signal 501 provided in the line configuration mode includes line data LPC and image data (e.g., RGB data). As shown in fig. 5B, the line data LPC includes a pattern recognition signal a and line configuration data. For example, the pattern recognition signal a includes a RESET signal RESET and a line pattern Start signal LPC Start. For example, the row pattern start signal may be a logic inactive level, such as "000 000". For the pattern recognition signal and the row configuration data of the row configuration pattern, refer to the above description.

As shown in fig. 5A, each of the display sub-signals 502 provided in the frame configuration mode includes frame data FPC and invalid data IDLE0 and IDLE1. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, IDLE0 and IDLE1 are, for example, both logic inactive levels. As shown in fig. 5B, the frame data FPC includes a pattern recognition signal B and frame configuration data. For example, the mode identification signal B of the frame data FPC is a RESET signal RESET and a frame mode Start signal FPC Start. For example, the frame mode start signal is different from the line mode start signal to distinguish between the frame configuration mode and the line configuration mode, and may be, for example, a logically valid level such as "111 111". For the pattern recognition signal and the frame configuration data of the frame configuration pattern, refer to the above description. As shown in fig. 5A, each display sub-signal 503 provided in the correction configuration mode includes correction data ASC. As shown in fig. 5B, the correction data ASC includes a pattern recognition signal C and a correction signal. The pattern recognition signal C may be, for example, a logic invalid level. For the correction signal, please refer to the description above.

As shown in fig. 5A, after the display signal in the display period of one frame is transmitted to the source driver, the display signal in the display period of the next frame is continuously transmitted to the source driver.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, transmitting a first display signal for a multimode transmission operation according to a first signal transmission protocol includes: before each display sub-signal is supplied to the source driver, the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal are transmitted according to the first relative timing relationship such that the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal serve as trigger signals to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transfer operation.

In this embodiment, the first signal transfer protocol causes the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal to be supplied to the source driver before each of the display sub-signals. The source driver may thus use the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal satisfying the first relative timing relationship as trigger signals for the multi-mode transfer operation.

As shown in fig. 5A, before each display sub-signal is provided to the source driver, a trigger signal PSI for notifying the source driver of performing a multi-mode transmission operation is provided to the source driver.

In this embodiment, the source driver is informed of performing the multi-mode transmission operation by the trigger signal PSI, which is advantageous in that the source driver and the controller are compatible with other transmission operations (e.g., single-mode transmission operation) than the multi-mode transmission operation, improving compatibility. If the controller and the source driver execute the multi-mode transmission operation, the controller firstly provides a trigger signal PSI to the source driver as an indication signal of the multi-mode transmission operation; if the controller and the source driver perform a single mode transmission operation or other mode transmission operation, control first provides a mode identification signal different from the trigger signal PSI to the source driver.

The signal line multiplexing can be realized by setting the trigger signal, so that the chip has multiple functions, and the difficulty in popularization of the first signal transmission protocol is reduced.

As shown in fig. 5A, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display sub-signals provided by the frame configuration mode include power consumption configuration sub-data 512. The power consumption configuration sub data 512 includes an inactive signal IDLE0 and an inactive signal IDLE1 provided to the source driver in the power consumption configuration sub mode. During the controller providing the inactive signal IDLE0 and the inactive signal IDLE1 to the source driver in the power consumption configuration sub-mode, at least part of the circuit blocks in the source driver are in a power down state to save power consumption. In the example of fig. 5A, before the source driver is supplied with the disable signal IDLE0 in the power consumption configuration sub-mode, the controller supplies the source driver with the trigger signal PSI again to instruct the source driver to enter the low power consumption operation state.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the signal transmission method is applied to a display device. For example, to the display panel shown in fig. 1A. In the starting-up process of the display device, display signals transmitted between the controller and the source driver are display sub-signals provided by the correction configuration mode and display sub-signals provided by the frame configuration mode in sequence; and after the display device enters the working state, the display signals transmitted between the controller and the source driver are display sub-signals provided by a row configuration mode, display sub-signals provided by a frame configuration mode and display sub-signals provided by a correction configuration mode in sequence.

In the process of starting up the display device, the controller firstly provides a correction signal to the source driver, and then provides frame configuration data to the source driver, so that the controller prepares for image display in advance. During the power-on of the display device, no image display is performed, and thus it is not necessary to supply the display sub-signals to the source driver in the row configuration mode. After the source driver is configured according to the correction signal and configured according to the frame configuration data, the display device enters an operating state. After the display device enters an operating state, the controller supplies a plurality of display sub-signals to the source driver in a row configuration mode, a frame configuration mode, and a correction configuration mode.

For example, the controller first line-configures data and line image data to the source driver in a line configuration mode so that the display device sequentially displays the image data of each line to display a complete image of one frame. After the display device displays a complete image, the vertical blanking period is entered. During the vertical blanking period, the controller first provides frame configuration data to the source driver in a frame configuration mode, so that the source driver performs frame configuration. For example, the source driver enters a low power consumption state according to the frame configuration data, and then the controller supplies a logic disable level to the source driver in the correction configuration mode. During the vertical blanking period, the source driver is configured according to the frame configuration data and the correction configuration data to prepare for display of the next frame image.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method of controlling a transmission operation in a single mode to transmit a display signal provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 6, the method may include steps S601 to S603.

Step S601: image data is acquired.

Step S602: a second display signal conforming to a second signal transmission protocol for single mode transmission operation is generated from the image data.

Step S603: the second display signal is sent to the source driver using the low voltage differential signal interface.

The single mode transmission operation transmits image data using a low voltage differential signal interface, the transmission pressure of which is small.

In step S601, the image data may be, for example, a signal obtained by receiving an LVDS differential signal from the outside and analyzing the LVDS differential signal by the timing controller TCON. The image data is, for example, RGB (red green blue) data. The image data may comprise, for example, line image data for each line of pixels.

For step S602, the second signal transmission protocol may be some protocols different from the first signal transmission protocol, for example, mini-LVD transmission protocol or LVDs transmission protocol in the related art. For specific formats of the mini-LVD transmission protocol or the LVDs transmission protocol, please refer to related data, and the disclosure is not repeated.

For step S603, a second display signal conforming to the mini-LVDS transmission protocol is sent to the source driver, for example, using the mini-LVDS interface.

The mini-LVDS interface may be, for example, a 3-channel interface or a 6-channel interface. The 3-channel interface transmits the second display signal using 3 pairs of signal lines, and the 6-channel interface transmits the second display signal using 6 pairs of signal lines.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller further comprises a configuration signal interface different from the low voltage differential signal interface, the method further comprising: acquiring second configuration data for a single mode transmission operation, and processing the image data by the source driver according to the second configuration data; and providing the second configuration data to the source driver using the configuration signal interface.

The second configuration data is used for single mode transmission operation. For the second configuration data, please refer to the related description about the configuration data in the description for step S10 as well.

In this embodiment, the second configuration data is transmitted using, for example, the respective control signal lines shown in fig. 1B. For example, the connection is such that the data transmission control signal LOAD is transmitted by the LOAD control signal line, the control signal POL is transmitted by the POL control signal line, the control signal POL2 is transmitted by the POL2 control signal line, and the like. Other control signal lines, such as a horizontal DOT inversion (H2 DOT) control signal line, a bias voltage (PWRC) control signal line, etc., may be further included between each source driver and TCON to respectively transmit other control signals, which are not illustrated herein.

The signal transmission method provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can be applied to single-mode transmission operation, is compatible with the traditional signal transmission mode, and improves the diversity and flexibility of signal transmission between the controller and the source driver.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flow chart of another signal transmission method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 7, the signal transmission method includes steps S710 to S730. The signal transmission method shown in fig. 7 is performed by, for example, the source driver SD-IC in fig. 1A. For example, the signal transmission method is used for the source driver SD-IC to receive the display signal from the timing controller TCON.

Step 710: a relative timing relationship between the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal is obtained.

Step S720: in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship, receiving a multi-mode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal.

Step S730: and receiving a single-mode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low-voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

For step S710, the data transmission control signal, the data polarity inversion control signal, and the relative timing relationship are similar to those of the above-described embodiment, please refer to the above description.

For example, in the example of fig. 1A, the timing controller TCON supplies the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal to the source driver SD-IC through its own data transfer control signal interface and data polarity inversion control signal interface, and the source driver SD-IC receives the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal and determines the relative timing relationship of the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal.

For step S720, if the relative timing relationship is the first relative timing relationship, the multi-mode transmission operation is performed through the low-voltage differential signal interface of the source driver SD-IC itself to receive the display signal provided by the controller.

For step S730, if the relative timing relationship is the second relative timing relationship, a single mode transmission operation is performed through the low voltage differential signal interface of the source driver SD-IC itself to receive the display signal provided by the controller.

For the multi-mode transmission operation, the single-mode transmission operation, the first relative timing relationship and the second relative timing relationship, please refer to the above description.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, performing a multi-mode transmission operation over a low voltage differential signal interface to receive a display signal provided by a controller, comprising: the method includes receiving, via a low voltage differential signal interface, a first display signal transmitted in accordance with a first signal transmission protocol, the first display signal provided by a controller in at least two modes, the first display signal generated from image data and first configuration data for a multi-mode transmission operation, the first display signal including a plurality of display sub-signals, the at least two modes providing different display sub-signals, respectively.

For example, the first display signal provided by the controller is received through the mini-LVDS interface of the source driver itself. For at least two modes, the first configuration data and the image data, reference is made to the description above.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, receiving a first display signal transmitted according to a first signal transmission protocol through a low voltage differential signal interface includes: using a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal provided by the controller according to the first relative time sequence relationship as trigger signals; and after determining the trigger signal, receiving the display sub-signal transmitted according to the first signal transmission protocol through the low voltage differential signal interface.

For example, the source controller receives the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal provided by the controller before receiving the display sub-signal, so as to determine whether the subsequently received display sub-signal conforms to the first signal transmission protocol or the second signal transmission protocol according to the relative timing relationship of the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal provided by the controller.

If the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal are in a first relative time sequence relationship, the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal are trigger signals of multi-mode transmission operation, and the source driver determines that the subsequently received display sub-signals accord with a first signal transmission protocol.

The signal transmission method performed by the source driver corresponds to the signal transmission method performed by the controller, and the signal transmission method performed by the source driver is understood with reference to the signal transmission method performed by the controller, which is not described in detail in this disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for a source driver to perform a multi-mode transmission operation to receive a display signal provided by a controller in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8, the method includes steps S801 to S803. In this embodiment, the display signal comprises a display sub-signal provided by each of the at least two modes, each display sub-signal comprising a mode identification signal. For the display sub-signals and the pattern recognition signal, please refer to the above description.

Step S801: a pattern recognition signal is acquired.

Step S802: and determining the mode to which the display sub-signal belongs according to the mode identification signal.

Step S803: and analyzing the display sub-signals according to the modes to which the display sub-signals belong to obtain configuration data or image data.

For example, if the pattern recognition signal is the pattern recognition signal a shown in fig. 5B, the pattern to which the display sub-signal belongs is a row configuration pattern.

After determining the mode to which the display sub-signal belongs according to the mode identification signal, the source driver parses the display sub-signal according to the mode to which the display sub-signal belongs. For example, line configuration data and line image data obtained by analyzing a display sub-signal supplied in a line configuration mode; frame configuration data obtained by analyzing the display sub-signals provided in the frame configuration mode; and a correction signal obtained by analyzing the display sub-signal supplied in the correction configuration mode.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the display signals provided by the controller in at least two modes are sequentially received through the low voltage differential signal interface during one frame display period, and for each mode, one or more display sub-signals are sequentially received through the low voltage differential signal interface.

For example, the source driver sequentially receives at least one display sub-signal provided by the controller in a row configuration mode, at least one display sub-signal provided in a frame configuration mode, and at least one display sub-signal provided in a correction configuration mode through the low voltage differential signal interface.

Fig. 9 illustrates a flow chart of another signal transmission method provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 9, the signal transmission method includes steps S901 to S912. Steps S901 to S912 may be performed by the source driver, for example.

Step S901: the source driver is powered up.

Step S902: and judging whether the trigger signal PSI is acquired. For example, it is determined whether or not the rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal POL is later than the rising edge of the data transmission control signal LOAD in the same period. If the rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal POL is later than the rising edge of the data transmission control signal LOAD, the trigger signal PSI is acquired. If the rising edge of the data polarity inversion control signal POL is earlier than the rising edge of the data transmission control signal LOAD, a non-trigger signal (e.g., the above-described single pattern recognition signal) is acquired.

If the trigger signal PSI is acquired, executing step S903; if the trigger signal PSI is not acquired, the process goes to step S911 to execute.

Step S903: it is determined whether the display sub-signal includes a reset signal. If the display sub-signal does not include a reset signal, the display sub-signal is a display sub-signal provided in a correction configuration mode. If the display sub-signal includes a reset signal, continuing to determine whether the display sub-signal is a display sub-signal provided in a frame configuration mode or a display sub-signal provided in a row configuration mode. That is, if the display sub-signal includes a reset signal, step S904 is performed; if the display sub-signal does not include the reset signal, the process proceeds to step S910.

Step S904: and judging whether a line mode starting signal LPC Start and a frame mode starting signal FPC Start are received. That is, whether the display sub-signal includes the line mode Start signal LPC Start or the frame mode Start signal FPC Start is judged.

If a line mode Start signal LPC Start is received, step S908 is executed; if the frame mode Start signal FPC Start is received, step S905 is performed.

Step S905: the frame configuration data continues to be received using the low voltage differential signal interface.

Step S906: and judging whether the low-power-consumption working state is enabled or not. For example, the source driver enters a low power consumption operation state according to the frame configuration data.

If the frame configuration data enables the low power consumption operation state, executing step S907; if the low power consumption operation state is not enabled by the frame configuration data, the process returns to step S902.

Step S907: the source driver enters a low power consumption operating state. For example, in a low power consumption operating state, at least part of the circuit blocks of the source driver are powered down, thereby reducing the power consumption of the source driver at least during the vertical blanking period. At least a portion of the circuit modules may be configured and in the frame configuration data.

Step S908: the row configuration data continues to be received using the low voltage differential signal interface.

Step S909: continuously receiving line image data using low voltage differential signal interface

Step S910: a correction signal provided by the controller in a correction configuration mode is received.

Step S911: a reset signal is received.

Step S912: image data is received.

For example, for steps S901 to S910, the reset signal and image data supplied from the controller to the source driver conform to the first signal transmission protocol. For step S911 and step S912, for example, the controller supplies a reset signal to the source driver and the image data conforms to the second signal transmission protocol.

Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a controller 1000 provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller 1000 is used to transmit display signals to the source driver.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, the controller 1000 includes a processing circuit 1010, a low voltage differential signal interface 1020, and a control signal transmission interface 1030.

The processing circuit 1010 is configured to determine a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal using the low voltage differential signal interface. The processing circuit 1010 may, for example, perform step S10 described in fig. 1C.

The low voltage differential signal interface 1020 is configured to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal to the source driver in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship. The low voltage differential signal interface 1020 may perform, for example, step S20 described in fig. 1C.

The control signal transmitting interface 1030 is configured to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to a first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship, or to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to a second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship. The control signal transmission interface 1030 may perform step S30 described in fig. 1C, for example.

The controller 1000 can distinguish the transmission modes between the controller and the source driver by using the relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal, so that the multi-mode transmission operation can be performed to save signal lines, and the single-mode transmission operation is compatible, and the hardware of the controller and the source driver is not required to be changed.

Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a source driver 1100 provided by at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The source driver 1100 is used to acquire a display signal from the controller.

For example, as shown in fig. 11, the source driver 1100 includes a control signal acquisition interface 1110 and a low voltage differential signal interface 1120.

The control signal acquisition interface 1110 is configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal. The control signal acquisition interface 1110 may perform, for example, step S710 described in fig. 7.

The low voltage differential signal interface 1120 is configured to receive a multi-mode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, or to receive a single-mode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship. The low voltage differential signal interface 1120 may perform, for example, step S720 and step S730 described in fig. 7.

The source driver 900 distinguishes the transmission modes between the controller and the source driver using the relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal, and not only can perform multi-mode transmission operation to save signal lines, but also is compatible with single-mode transmission operation without changing the hardware of the controller and the source driver.

Fig. 12 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a signal transmission apparatus 1200 provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission device 1200 is used for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver. For example, the controller includes a signal transmission device 1200.

For example, as shown in fig. 12, the signal transmission apparatus 1200 includes a timing relationship determination unit 1210 and a control signal supply unit 1220.

The timing relationship determining unit 1210 is configured to determine a relative timing relationship between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal using the low voltage differential signal interface.

The timing relationship determination unit 1210 may perform, for example, step S10 described in fig. 1C.

The control signal providing unit 1220 is configured to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship, or transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation according to the second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship.

The control signal providing unit 1220 may perform, for example, step S20 and step S30 described in fig. 1C.

The signal transmission device 1200 can distinguish the transmission modes between the controller and the source driver by using the relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal, so that the multi-mode transmission operation can be performed to save signal lines, and the single-mode transmission operation is compatible, and the hardware of the controller and the source driver is not required to be changed.

Fig. 13 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a signal transmission apparatus 1300 provided in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The signal transmission device 1300 is used for the source driver to acquire the display signal from the controller. For example, the signal transmission device 1300 is provided to a source driver.

For example, as shown in fig. 13, the signal transmission apparatus 1300 includes a signal acquisition unit 1310 and a signal reception unit 1320.

The signal acquisition unit 1310 is configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal.

The signal acquisition unit 1310 may perform, for example, step S710 described in fig. 7.

The signal receiving unit 1320 is configured to receive a multimode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, or to receive a single mode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, the first relative timing relationship being different from the second relative timing relationship.

The signal receiving unit 1320 may perform, for example, step S720 and step S730 described in fig. 7.

The signal transmission apparatus 1300 distinguishes transmission modes between the controller and the source driver using a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal, and can perform multi-mode transmission operation to save signal lines while being compatible with single-mode transmission operation without changing hardware of the controller and the source driver.

For example, the timing relationship determining unit 1210, the control signal providing unit 1220, the signal acquiring unit 1310, and the signal receiving unit 1320 may be hardware, software, firmware, and any feasible combination thereof. For example, the timing relationship determining unit 1210, the control signal providing unit 1220, the signal acquiring unit 1310, and the signal receiving unit 1320 may be dedicated or general-purpose circuits, chips, devices, or the like, or may be a combination of a processor and a memory. With respect to the specific implementation forms of the respective units described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the disclosure, each unit of the controller 1000, the source driver 1100, the signal transmission device 1200 and the signal transmission device 1300 corresponds to each step of the foregoing signal transmission method, and the specific functions of the controller 1000, the source driver 1100, the signal transmission device 1200 and the signal transmission device 1300 may refer to the relevant descriptions of the signal transmission method, which are not repeated herein. The components and structures of the controller 800 shown in fig. 10, the source driver 900 shown in fig. 11, the signal transmission apparatus 1200 shown in fig. 12, and the signal transmission apparatus 1300 shown in fig. 13 are merely exemplary, not limiting, and the controller 800, the source driver 900, the signal transmission apparatus 1200, and the signal transmission apparatus 1300 may further include other components and structures as desired.

Fig. 14 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an electronic device 1400 provided in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 14, the electronic device 1400 includes a controller 1410, a source driver 1420, and a display panel 1430.

The controller 1410 performs the signal transmission method described above with respect to fig. 1C. The source driver 1420 performs, for example, the signal transmission method described above with respect to fig. 7. The display panel 1430 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and is configured to receive a driving signal (i.e., a gray scale voltage signal) supplied from the source driver 1420, and display an image.

The electronic device 1000 may be a variety of electronic devices having image display capabilities including, but not limited to, smartphones, tablets, notebooks, displays, televisions, etc.

The electronic device can perform multi-mode transmission operation to save signal lines, is compatible with single-mode transmission operation, and does not need to change the hardware of a controller and a source driver.

Although as described above, the following points are also described:

(1) The drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure relate only to the structures to which the embodiments of the present disclosure relate, and reference may be made to the general design for other structures.

(2) The embodiments of the present disclosure and features in the embodiments may be combined with each other to arrive at a new embodiment without conflict.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the scope of the disclosure should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A signal transmission method for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver, the method comprising:

determining a relative timing relationship between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal in response to selecting to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal; and

transmitting the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transfer operation, or

Transmitting the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single mode transfer operation,

wherein the first relative timing relationship is different from the second relative timing relationship.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the first relative timing relationship comprises:

the first transition edge of the data polarity inversion control signal is later than the second transition edge of the data transmission control signal, and the first transition state of the data polarity inversion control signal after the first transition edge is at least partially time-coincident with the second transition state of the data transmission control signal after the second transition edge; and

the second relative timing relationship comprises:

the first transition edge of the data polarity inversion control signal is earlier than the second transition edge of the data transmission control signal, and the first transition state of the data polarity inversion control signal after the first transition edge is at least partially time coincident with the second transition state of the data transmission control signal after the second transition edge.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the multi-mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal comprises:

acquiring image data and first configuration data for the multimode transmission operation, wherein the source driver processes the image data according to the first configuration data;

Transmitting a first display signal for the multi-mode transmission operation according to a first signal transmission protocol based on the image data and the first configuration data; and

providing the first display signal to the source driver in at least two modes using the low voltage differential signal interface during a frame display period,

the first display signal comprises a plurality of display sub-signals, and the at least two modes respectively provide different display sub-signals.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first configuration data comprises row configuration data, at least one of the at least two modes is a row configuration mode,

the display sub-signals provided by the row configuration mode include the row configuration data and the image data.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first configuration data comprises frame configuration data, at least one of the at least two modes comprises a frame configuration mode,

the display sub-signal provided by the frame configuration mode includes the frame configuration data.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the first configuration data comprises correction configuration data, at least one of the at least two modes comprises a correction configuration mode,

The display sub-signals provided by the correction configuration mode include the correction configuration data for correcting the clock signal of the source driver and the timing of the display signals.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein transmitting the first display signal for the multi-mode transmission operation in accordance with the first signal transmission protocol comprises:

the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal are transmitted in accordance with the first relative timing relationship before each display sub-signal is provided to the source driver such that the data transfer control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal act as trigger signals to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transfer operation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the display sub-signals comprises a pattern recognition signal,

the mode identification signal is used for indicating the mode of the display sub-signal to the source driver so that the source driver analyzes the display sub-signal according to the mode of the display sub-signal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the single mode transmission operation to transmit the display signal comprises:

Acquiring image data;

generating a second display signal conforming to a second signal transmission protocol for the single mode transmission operation based on the image data; and

the second display signal is sent to the source driver using the low voltage differential signal interface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the controller further comprises a configuration signal interface different from the low voltage differential signal interface, the method further comprising:

acquiring second configuration data for the single mode transfer operation, wherein the source driver processes the image data according to the second configuration data; and

the second configuration data is provided to the source driver using the configuration signal interface.

11. A signal transmission method for a source driver to acquire a display signal from a controller, the source driver including a low voltage differential signal interface, the method comprising:

acquiring a relative time sequence relation between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal;

performing a multi-mode transmission operation through the low voltage differential signal interface to receive the display signal provided by the controller, or in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship

In response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship, performing a single mode transmission operation over the low voltage differential signal interface to receive the display signal provided by the controller,

12. The method of claim 11, wherein performing a multi-mode transmission operation over the low voltage differential signal interface to receive the display signal provided by the controller in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship comprises:

receiving a first display signal transmitted according to a first signal transmission protocol through the low voltage differential signal interface, the first display signal being provided by the controller in at least two modes, wherein the first display signal is generated from image data and first configuration data for the multi-mode transmission operation,

13. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving a first display signal transmitted according to a first signal transmission protocol over the low voltage differential signal interface comprises:

Using the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal provided by the controller according to the first relative time sequence relationship as trigger signals; and

after determining the trigger signal, receiving a display sub-signal transmitted according to the first signal transmission protocol through the low voltage differential signal interface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each of the display sub-signals comprises a pattern recognition signal,

15. A controller for transmitting a display signal to a source driver, the controller comprising:

a processing circuit configured to determine a relative timing relationship between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal;

a low voltage differential signal interface configured to perform a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation to transmit a display signal to the source driver in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship; and

A control signal transmission interface configured to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in accordance with the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal in accordance with the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation,

16. A source driver for acquiring a display signal from a controller, the source driver comprising:

a control signal acquisition interface configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal;

a low voltage differential signal interface configured to receive a multi-mode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship or to receive a single-mode transmission operation performed by the controller to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship,

17. A signal transmission apparatus for a controller to transmit a display signal to a source driver, the apparatus comprising:

a timing relationship determining unit configured to determine a relative timing relationship between a data transmission control signal and a data polarity inversion control signal in response to a selection of performing a multi-mode transmission operation or a single-mode transmission operation using the low-voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal; and

a control signal providing unit configured to transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the first relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the multi-mode transmission operation, or transmit the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal according to the second relative timing relationship in response to the relative timing relationship being the second relative timing relationship to inform the source driver to perform the single-mode transmission operation,

18. A signal transmission apparatus for a source driver to acquire a display signal from a controller, the source driver including a low voltage differential signal interface, the apparatus comprising:

a signal acquisition unit configured to acquire a relative timing relationship between the data transmission control signal and the data polarity inversion control signal; and

a signal receiving unit configured to receive a multimode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a first relative timing relationship, or to receive a single mode transmission operation performed by the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface to transmit the display signal in response to the relative timing relationship being a second relative timing relationship,

19. An electronic device, comprising:

the controller according to claim 15;

the source driver of claim 16, the source driver being connected to the controller through the low voltage differential signal interface; and

and the display panel is connected with the source driver and used for receiving the driving signals provided by the source driver.