KR20030069050A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a display device capable of performing initial setting by reading a controller stored in a nonvolatile memory installed in a panel module and initial setting according to the use environment.

The controller unit 5 in the module-shaped liquid crystal display device directly reads a group of predetermined initial setting data (addresses and setting values) stored in the nonvolatile memory 8, and corresponds to the corresponding register of the setting register 7. Initially set the addresses sequentially. In addition, by storing different setting values for the same setting items, the initial setting is optimally performed in accordance with the use environment.

Description

Display {DISPLAY DEVICE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device of a module configuration in which initial setting of display panels, drive parts, and the like is performed.

The liquid crystal panel has its own nonuniformity, such as its threshold voltage, etc., and also its nonuniformity, such as the IC, discrete components, etc. which comprise the display module containing a liquid crystal panel. In order to absorb these nonuniformities, it is necessary to make adjustments, such as trimming reference values, such as a drive voltage, after assembly to a module so that various characteristics, such as the shade of a display, may fit in a product specification. Conventionally, this adjustment is performed in a manufacturing process using a variable resistor, trimming fuse, etc. provided in the module.

Moreover, some models have proposed the module which made these non-volatile memory store these adjustment values in a manufacturing process. In general, for small sets such as mobile phones and PDAs, most cases optimize the size of the display panel, the shape of the module, the specification of the connector, and the like. Thus, if a module is determined, the user is determined, and the set to be used and the method to be used are also determined.

In other words, various settings such as voltage and display frequency that are most suitable for the set (for example, a cellular phone) are determined.

In this case, a set value (hereinafter referred to as group A set value) in which the optimum adjustment value changes according to the manufacture of a liquid crystal panel, a driving IC, or other discrete components, such as an output voltage value or a frame frequency of a driver, an N-line inversion number, and a memory writing direction According to the set to be used, such as setting up the booster circuit and setting the mode of the amplifier, there are set values (hereinafter referred to as group B set values) that are determined for each set at the stage of software development. These general set values are stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in the liquid crystal display module.

Such setting of setting values is usually stored in a nonvolatile memory by sending setting commands or the like at an initial stage such as system startup by a control means such as an MPU set outside the liquid crystal display module. This was done by reading the adjustment values and initial setting.

As described above, in the conventional liquid crystal display module, initial setting is performed by control from the external MPU. Therefore, when the controller of the liquid crystal display module is reset due to the application of an electrostatic pulse or the like, while the MPU is not reset, each set value is different (for example, a state set in advance by hardware or the like). ) Has been initialized.

Moreover, since there are usually one type of adjustment value stored in the nonvolatile memory, there is a problem in that an optimal setting cannot be made in accordance with the use environment.

In addition, in the display module using the nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory cannot be removed from the set and there is a problem that the system configuration is not flexible.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a display module (hereinafter referred to as a display device) in which a setting value stored in a nonvolatile memory provided in a display module is initially set by a controller in the module.

Moreover, it aims at providing the display apparatus which can perform the initial stage setup which is optimal according to a use environment.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a display device capable of removing the nonvolatile memory from the set and giving flexibility to the system configuration.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.

2 is a diagram showing an example of initial setting data of a nonvolatile memory;

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1. External I / F circuit 2. Generation circuit such as driving voltage

3. LCD driving circuit 4. Display memory

5. Driver controller 6. Address control means

7. Configuration register 8. Nonvolatile memory

9. Display panel

The display device according to claim 1 includes: display means, display memory means for storing contents to be displayed on the display means, and driving means coupled to the display means and displaying on the display means in accordance with the contents to be displayed. And a setting register means for storing the initial setting values, a controller portion coupled to each of these means, a controller portion for controlling them, position information indicating an address of the setting register means, and corresponding initial setting values associated with the controller portion. Non-volatile memory in which the initial setting data consisting of the data is stored in the order to be set, and the end data indicating the end of the initial setting data group as data following the group of initial setting data (initial setting data group). With means,

The controller unit sequentially reads initial setting data from a predetermined start address of the nonvolatile memory means in accordance with an initial setting start signal, and sets the setting according to an address of the setting register means included in the initial setting data. The initial setting value is stored in the register means, and when the end data is detected, the initial setting of the initial setting data group is terminated.

The display device according to claim 2 is characterized in that the display device according to claim 1 has an external control device provided externally and an external 1 / F means for interfacing the controller unit.

In the display device according to claim 2, in the display device according to claim 2, in the nonvolatile memory means, a plurality of initial setting data groups are stored with at least end data interposed therebetween. It is characterized by being selectively readable.

In the display device according to claim 3, in the display device according to claim 3, the nonvolatile memory means has a plurality of position information indicating the address of the setting register means and having different initial setting values corresponding to the position information. The initial setting data group is stored.

The display device according to claim 5 is the display device according to claims 1 to 4, wherein after the controller unit is once reset, the controller unit resets initial setting data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit to the setting register unit. It is characterized by storing as an initial setting value.

The display device according to claim 6 is the display device according to claim 2, wherein the controller unit sets, according to an initial setting data write command, initial setting data paired with an address of the setting register and an initial setting value corresponding to the address. The end data is stored sequentially from a predetermined start address of the nonvolatile memory means, and the end data is stored at an address after the end of one initial set data group.

The display device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the display device according to claim 6, there is provided an opening means capable of setting the signal line connected from the controller portion to the nonvolatile memory means in an electrically open state, and the initial setting data from outside. It is characterized in that it is possible to directly store in the nonvolatile memory.

The display device according to claim 8, in the display device according to claims 6 and 7, also stores parity data when storing the initial setting data in the nonvolatile memory means, and reads the initial setting data from the nonvolatile memory means. Parity is combined at the time.

The display device of claim 9 is the display device according to claim 2, wherein the nonvolatile memory means is assembled to an IC chip separate from the IC chip constituting the controller unit.

The display device of claim 10 is the display device of claim 9, wherein the driver controller generates the end data or invalid data when the nonvolatile memory means is not connected to the driver controller. ．

(Example)

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of the display apparatus of this invention is described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 as an example by using the liquid crystal display device of a module structure.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. This liquid crystal display device has a module configuration, and its main component is an external 1 / F circuit 1, a generation circuit 2 such as a driving voltage, and a liquid crystal drive association that forms driving means together with the generation circuit 2. The furnace 3 includes a furnace 3, a display memory 4, a driver controller 5, an address control means 6, a setting register 7, a nonvolatile memory 8, and a liquid crystal display panel 9. In addition, although not shown, it has necessary components, such as a timing generating circuit.

The external 1 / F circuit 1 interfaces with a control device such as an MPU provided outside the module. The liquid crystal drive circuit 3 receives the drive voltage from the generation circuit 2, such as the drive voltage, and the display data of the display memory 4 composed of RAM, for example, to receive the liquid crystal display panel 9 as display means. Drive.

The setting register 7 is a register which stores various setting values of the present liquid crystal display device, and stores various setting values such as an output voltage value and a display mode of a driver. The nonvolatile memory 8 stores various initial setting values stored in the setting register 7, and nonvolatile ones such as EEPROM, FLASH, and FRAM are used.

The driver controller 5 controls the respective constituent parts of the liquid crystal display device, and shows the address control means 6 which performs some functions thereof. The address control means 6 includes an address pointer and a control portion thereof, and stores the initial setting data in the nonvolatile memory 8, or sets a predetermined value in the setting register 7 from the nonvolatile memory 8. It functions to transfer and store the initial setting data.

By the way, in this liquid crystal display device, the nonvolatile memory 8 stores initial setting data first. In this nonvolatile memory 8, initial setting data of group A (for example, an output voltage value of a driver, a frame frequency, etc.) is recorded in the manufacturing process in accordance with a value adjusted in the manufacturing process. The group B initial setting data (e.g., N-line inversion number, memory write direction, boost circuit setting, amplifier mode setting, etc.) is set to a value determined for each set at the stage of software development according to the set used. Accordingly, recording is also performed during the manufacturing process.

As a method of installing the nonvolatile memory 8, an IC chip which is formed in the IC chip of the driver controller 5 and a separate example, for example, an EEPROM is formed on the IC chip of the driver controller 5. It may be connected as. In any of the installation methods, the initial setting data to be set is input from the outside through the external 1 / F circuit 1, and the nonvolatile memory 8 is provided by the driver controller 5 and the address control means 6. Is stored at a predetermined address.

In addition, when the nonvolatile memory 8 is connected as a separate IC chip, an electronic switch may be provided in each signal line connected to the nonvolatile memory 8. That is, since these electronic switches can be turned off and can be set to an electrically open state, in this open state, in the manufacturing process, for example, a tester or the like is used to initialize the initial setting data to the nonvolatile memory 8. Can be stored directly from the outside.

2 shows the storage state of the initial setting data of the nonvolatile memory 8. With reference to this FIG. 2, the procedure of storing initial setting data in the nonvolatile memory 8 is demonstrated. The initial setting data to be set is configured by pairing an address of the setting register 7 and a setting value stored in the address.

The address of the nonvolatile memory 8 in which the head data of the group of initial setting data should be stored is determined. For example, it is assumed that the address is at "1B" (hereinafter, "-" indicates that it is HEX data). From this "1B" address, a group of initial setting data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 8 sequentially from "1C" to "1D".

After the group of initial setting data is stored up to address "25", the end data indicating that the group of initial setting data ends is stored immediately after that. In this example, the end data is stored at address "26". The end data is the same for any initial setting data group. In this example, "AA" is assigned to the address of the setting register and "55" is assigned to the setting value. The group of initial setting data memorized here is shown in the right end of FIG. 2 as a 2nd data group.

Similarly, another group of initial setting data groups is stored in address 31 after address 27 of the nonvolatile memory 8 as the third data group, for example. Also in this case, the end data is stored in the immediately preceding "32" address.

It is also possible to store different setting values in exactly the same setting register address. This example is shown as a first data group. This first data group is stored at address "00" from address "00" of the nonvolatile memory 8, and end data is stored at address "1A" immediately after that.

In this way, a plurality of initial setting data groups are stored in the nonvolatile memory 8 so that they can be stored at the same address of the setting register 7. Therefore, when actually setting the initial setting data in the setting register 7, it is possible to set the appropriate initial setting data according to the usage environment at that time. In this example, the number is two, but any number of three or more data groups can be stored in duplicate.

In addition, when storing the initial setting data, although not particularly shown in Fig. 2, parity check data can be added and stored. As a unit of this parity check, you may perform with respect to the sum total of the address of a setting register, and a setting value, and you may carry out individually.

Next, a method of transferring the desired initial setting data among the initial setting data stored in the nonvolatile memory 8 to a predetermined address of the setting register 7 and storing it will be described.

In the address control means 6 of the driver controller 5, in accordance with the initial setting start signal, the address of the head of the nonvolatile memory 8 in which desired initial setting data is stored is designated as an address pointer. If the second data group in Fig. 2 is a desired initial setting data group, the address "1B" of the nonvolatile memory 8 is designated, the initial setting data is read from the address, and the setting register address in the initial setting data is set. The set value "50" is stored in the address "09" shown. Subsequently, the address pointer is incremented to read the initial setting data of the next "1C" address, and the setting value "36" is stored in the setting register address "12". Hereinafter, similarly, the last initial setting data of the 2nd data group is read out sequentially, and a setting value is stored. When the initial setting data stored at the next nonvolatile memory address "26" is read out, the data is at the address "AA" and the setting value "55" indicating the end data, and the driver controller 5 is then selected. Recognizing that the initial setting data group has been read, the setting operation is terminated. In this way, the initial data necessary for the predetermined address of the setting register 7 is set, and the initial setting is performed in accordance with the setting values stored in the setting register 7, respectively.

In the present invention, these initial setting data are not set by an external MPU but by the driver controller 5 in this liquid crystal display device. The setting target by the driver controller 5 is similarly performed not only for the initial setting data of the group A adjusted in the manufacturing process, but also for the initial setting data of the group B determined for each set at the stage of software development.

Next, a description will be given of processing in the case where the liquid crystal display device of the present invention is reset for some reason during normal operation.

It is assumed that the external MPU is not reset even though the driver controller 5 is reset because the potential of the power supply line or the signal line of the system is irregular due to an electrostatic pulse (hereinafter referred to as an ESD). In this case, the driver controller 5, the setting register 7 controlled by the driver, and the like are initialized in a state where the hardware is fixed in advance in hardware. This condition is often seen when the device's ESD tolerance is insufficient.

At this time, when the initial setting processing is performed from the MPU external to the module as before, since the initial setting is not performed again from the MPU, the display or the like remains abnormal.

In contrast, in the present invention, when only the driver controller 5 is incorrectly reset for some reason, the initial setting data is automatically reset in the setting register 7. That is, the designer of the system prepares the initial setting data group optimally prepared in advance and stored in the nonvolatile memory 8, and the driver controller 5 automatically writes the initial setting data to the setting register 7 for reading. Reset to return the optimum display state.

In the nonvolatile memory 8, a plurality of different initial setting data for the same setting register address are stored in a selectable manner according to the use environment. Select the data group.

In addition, as a countermeasure when only the driver controller 5 is reset and the MPU is not reset, the driver controller 5 is notified of the reset to the external MPU, and the MPU performs the reset processing by this notification. For example, the MPU always monitors the driver controller, and when the reset is detected, the reset processing can be performed. However, in either of these cases, the program design of the MPU depends on the processing of the MPU. It is also necessary to prepare means for ensuring the notification and monitoring.

Therefore, as in the present invention, only the liquid crystal display device having a module configuration (IC integrated within one chip to several chips) can be automatically designed to return from the reset state. The strength of the situation of i) is constant, and it has big advantage.

By the way, it can be comprised so that the nonvolatile memory 8 may be formed in the IC chip of the driver controller 5, and may be connected to the IC chip of the driver controller 5 as a separate IC chip.

When the nonvolatile memory 8 is configured to be connected as a separate 1C chip, it is also possible to select not to connect the nonvolatile memory 8. Therefore, when cost reduction is important, it is possible to reduce the portion of the nonvolatile memory 8 from the components of the liquid crystal display without connecting the nonvolatile memory 8.

When the nonvolatile memory 8 is not attached (connected) to the driver controller 5 (this includes only the case where the assembly is lost and the connection is broken due to a defect or an impact), the connection of the driver controller 5 is performed. The terminal is open. If the end data is inputted to the input terminal, the end data is always responded to in response to a read command from the driver controller 5 by, for example, pulling up or pulling down the same specific state. For example, the input terminal may be pulled up, and if the all H input is set to NG (unmounted and determined), the address of the corresponding setting register may not be present.

In this case, since the initial setting data from the nonvolatile memory 8 is not obtained, each setting value is first set to a state that has been previously fixed in hardware, that is, a default value. This prevents accidental setting of unintended data. In addition, when the MPU knows in advance that the nonvolatile memory is not installed, the MPU may make settings prepared in advance.

Thereby, even in the liquid crystal display device on the premise of a system for reading the initial setting data from the driver controller 5 to the nonvolatile memory 8, the nonvolatile memory 8 is not necessarily mounted and is unnecessary. It can also respond to requests for cost reduction.

In the module configuration, the display panel 9 may be separated as a separate object. In this case, in the present invention, the display device (display module) is replaced with the display driver (display drive module).

In addition, although only the liquid crystal display device was demonstrated in the above description, this invention can be used also for other types of display apparatuses, such as a plasma display apparatus (PDP).

According to the display device of claim 1, the controller unit in the module directly reads a group of required initial setting data (address of the setting register and its setting value) stored at a predetermined address of the nonvolatile memory, Initially set to the corresponding address sequentially. Therefore, the initial setting operation is simplified.

According to the display device of claim 2, the display data, the initial setting data, and other data can be passed through an external 1 / F means with a control device such as an MPU installed externally.

According to the display device of claim 3, since the end data is stored between the initial setting data groups, the controller unit reads the group of initial setting data only by giving the nonvolatile memory the first address of the required group of the initial setting data. You can do it.

According to the display device of claim 4, by storing different setting values for the same setting item (i.e., the address of the setting register means), it is possible to perform the initial setting that is optimal for the use environment.

According to the display device of claim 5, when the controller unit of the module is reset due to some reason such as the application of an electrostatic pulse and the MPU has not been reset, the controller unit resets the initial setting upon reset in accordance with the reset. Is done. Therefore, it is avoided that each set value is initialized to a separate state.

According to the display device of claim 6, since one initial setting data group and end data are stored consecutively in a series of addresses of the nonvolatile memory, it is easy to store in the nonvolatile memory and also a group of initial setting data. It is easy to recognize.

According to the display device of claim 7, the nonvolatile memory can directly store initial setting data (address and setting value) in the manufacturing process. In addition, the test of the memory can be directly performed by directly reading back the recorded initial setting data by a tester or the like.

According to the display device of claim 8, since the parity check is always performed on the read-out initial setting data, the reliability of the initial setting data can be improved. In addition, by performing a parity check, it can be determined that the nonvolatile memory is not mounted in the driver controller.

According to the display device of claim 9, when the nonvolatile memory is configured to be connected as a separate separate IC chip, it is possible to select not to connect the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, when cost reduction is important, only a portion of the nonvolatile memory can be reduced from the components of the liquid crystal display without connecting the nonvolatile memory.

According to the display device of claim 10, since the initial setting data from the nonvolatile memory is not obtained, the accidental setting of unintended data is prevented. In addition, the nonvolatile memory is not necessarily mounted, and it is not necessary, and the request for cost reduction can be met.

Claims (10)

Display means, Display memory means for storing contents to be displayed on said display means; Drive means coupled to the display means for displaying on the display means according to the content to be displayed; Setting register means for storing an initial setting value; A controller unit coupled to each of these means and controlling them; Coupled to the controller, initial setting data comprising position information indicating an address of the setting register means and initial setting values corresponding thereto are stored in an order to be set, and a group of initial setting data (initial setting) Non-volatile memory means for storing end data indicating that the initial set data group has ended as data subsequent to the data group); The controller unit sequentially reads initial setting data from a predetermined start address of the nonvolatile memory means in accordance with an initial setting start signal, and sets the setting register according to an address of the setting register means included in the initial setting data. Storing the initial setting value in the means, and ending the initial setting of the initial setting data group when the end data is detected. The method of claim 1, And an external 1 / F means for interfacing the controller with an external control device. The method of claim 2, And a plurality of initial setting data groups are stored in the nonvolatile memory means with at least the end data therebetween, so that the desired initial setting data group can be selectively read. The method of claim 3, wherein And a plurality of initial setting data groups having the same position information indicating an address of the setting register means and having different initial setting values corresponding to the position information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, And after the controller unit is once reset, the controller unit stores initial setting data stored in the nonvolatile memory means as initial setting values in the setting register means. The method of claim 2, The controller unit sequentially stores, according to an initial setting data write command, initial setting data paired with an address of the setting register and an initial setting value corresponding to the address from a predetermined start address of the nonvolatile memory means. And storing the end data at an address after the end of one initial setting data group. The method of claim 6, And an opening means capable of setting the signal line connected to the nonvolatile memory means from the controller portion to an electrically open state, and storing the initial setting data directly from the outside in the nonvolatile memory. Display. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And storing parity data at the time of storing initial setting data in said nonvolatile memory means, and performing parity combination when reading initial setting data from said nonvolatile memory means. The method of claim 2, And the nonvolatile memory means is assembled to an IC chip separate from the IC chip constituting the controller unit. The method of claim 9, And when the nonvolatile memory means is not connected to the driver controller, the driver controller generates the end data or invalid data.