KR20080084346A - Integrated circuit for source driver and liquid crystal display using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An IC for a source driver and an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) device using the same are provided to enhance image quality by adjusting timing based on LCD device types using an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). An IC(Integrated Circuit) for a source driver includes a memory(420) and a timing control module(410). The memory stores option data required for driving a display panel. The timing control module reads the option data from the memory and generates control signals for transmitting and receiving video data and the video data for displaying images. The memory is embedded in the timing control module. The memory is an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory).

Description

Integrated circuit for source driver and liquid crystal display having same {Integrated circuit for source driver and liquid crystal display using the same}

1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional liquid crystal display.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a timing controller and a source driver integrated circuit provided in a conventional liquid crystal display.

3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed structure of an integrated circuit for a source driver for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed structure of an integrated circuit for a source driver for a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a view for explaining a data read operation in the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing)

110: liquid crystal panel 120: source driver

122: integrated circuit for source driver 130: nonvolatile memory

140: signal connection unit 142: signal transmission line

144: connector 150: printed circuit board

400, 500: integrated circuit for source driver

410, 510: timing control module 412, 512: logic unit

420, 520: storage unit

The present invention relates to an integrated circuit for a source driver and a liquid crystal display device having the same.

In general, a liquid crystal display (LCD) forms a liquid crystal layer having anisotropic dielectric constant between upper and lower transparent insulating substrates, and then adjusts the intensity of an electric field formed in the liquid crystal layer to arrange molecular molecules of the liquid crystal material. And a desired image by controlling the amount of light transmitted through the transparent insulating substrate.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing such a conventional liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device is largely liquid crystal under the control of the external system 10, the liquid crystal panel 30 for displaying an image input from the external system 10, and the external system 10. It is divided into a driving circuit unit 20 for driving the panel 30.

In the liquid crystal panel 30, the gate lines forming a row and the data lines forming a column are arranged to cross each other, and a thin film is formed in each pixel region defined by the crossed gate lines and the data lines. Transistors and liquid crystals form a frame.

The driving circuit unit 20 may be classified into a timing controller 21, a power supply voltage generator 22, a reference voltage generator 23, a gate driver 24, and a source driver 25 in detail.

In each configuration, the timing controller 21 includes RGB data for displaying an image from an external system 10, a data enable signal DE indicating a frame time point, a vertical and horizontal sync signal SYNC, and a clock signal CLK. And the like, data for displaying an image is transmitted to the source driver 25, and at the same time, various control signals for controlling the display operation are generated and transmitted to the corresponding component.

The power supply voltage generator 22 generates a driving voltage necessary for driving the liquid crystal, and in particular, generates a gate on voltage Von and a gate off voltage Voff for scanning the gate lines, and outputs the gate voltage 24 to the gate driver 24.

The reference voltage generator 23 generates a plurality of gamma voltages and applies them to the source driver 25, and the gate driver 24 supplies a scan signal for sequentially scanning the gate lines of the liquid crystal panel 30.

The source driver 25 supplies data signals for displaying images to data lines of the liquid crystal panel 30, respectively.

In this case, the timing controller 21 includes a plurality of option pins for selectively inputting and outputting various data input from the external system 10, which is a main factor for increasing the size of the driving circuit unit 20. .

2 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a timing controller and a source driver included in a conventional liquid crystal display device.

Referring to FIG. 2, the timing controller 21 and the source driver 25 are provided as separate chips, and the timing controller 21 is formed on the printed circuit board 40.

Here, although the source driver 25 is enlarged and illustrated as one source driver integrated circuit for convenience of understanding, a plurality of source driver integrated circuits may be provided.

The timing controller 21 has a plurality of option pins 21a, and a resistor portion 21b made of one or more resistors is connected to the option pins 21a so that a high level voltage or a low level is received from the resistor portion 21b. The voltage of the level is applied. This is an on or off signal, which determines whether to use various functions of the timing controller 21.

However, in the conventional liquid crystal display, as the function of the timing controller 21 is diversified, the number of the option pins 21a that can be controlled from the outside increases, and the resistor unit 21b is provided on the option pins 21a for option setting. Since it is necessary to provide a sufficient space on the limited printed circuit board (40).

Therefore, a technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to implement a timing controller in an integrated circuit for a source driver and to incorporate a storage unit storing option data of the timing controller, thereby reducing the size of the printed circuit board on which the timing controller is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated circuit for a source driver capable of adding various options regardless of a space of a printed circuit board and a liquid crystal display device having the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an integrated circuit for a source driver that can adjust timing according to a model, a resolution, and the like by changing option data stored in a source driver, and a liquid crystal display device having the same.

Further technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above are clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. It can be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a source drive integrated circuit may include a storage unit storing various option data required for driving a display panel, and video data for displaying an image by reading option data from the storage unit. It includes a timing control module for generating a control signal for transmitting and receiving video data.

In this case, the storage unit may be built in the timing control module.

The storage unit is characterized in that the EEPROM (EEPROM).

The timing control module may include a logic unit configured to receive data through serial communication with the storage unit and to output a high level and a low level to transmit the received data to a corresponding driving unit.

The option data includes at least one of video data, timing data, and gamma data.

A liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel for displaying an image input from an external system, and a gate driver for supplying scan signals to a plurality of gate lines arranged in a line on the liquid crystal panel under control of the external system. And a source driver for supplying a data signal for displaying an image to a plurality of data lines arranged to intersect the gate lines, wherein the source driver includes various options required for driving a liquid crystal under control of the external system. And a storage unit for storing data, and a timing control module for reading option data from the storage unit and generating video data for displaying an image and a control signal for transmitting and receiving the video data.

Here, the signal system may further include a signal connection unit electrically connected between the external system and the source driver.

Here, the storage unit may further include a ROM writer for recording various data required for driving the liquid crystal.

In this case, the storage unit may be built in the timing control module.

The storage unit is characterized in that the EEPROM (EEPROM).

The timing control module of the source driver may include a logic unit configured to receive data through serial communication with the storage unit and to output a high level and a low level to transmit the received data to a corresponding driving unit. do.

The signal connection unit may include a plurality of signal transmission lines connected to the source driver, and connectors provided at ends of the plurality of signal transmission lines to connect the source driver to the external system.

The option data may include at least one of video data, timing data, gamma data, a control signal for automatic color correction, and a low voltage differential signaling control signal.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, an integrated circuit for a source driver and a liquid crystal display having the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, a timing controller and a nonvolatile memory are incorporated in a source driver integrated circuit to incorporate the functions of an existing timing controller, thereby reducing the size of the printed circuit board and being limited by the space of the source driver integrated circuit. In addition to the basic timing functions, it provides a structure to implement optional functions of various controllers.

3 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel 110 for displaying an image, a gate driver (not shown) and a source as a driving circuit unit for driving the liquid crystal panel 110. Driver 120. In addition, the electronic device may include a signal connector 140 electrically connecting the source driver 120 to an external system (not shown).

In the liquid crystal panel 110, the plurality of gate lines GL1 and GL2 and the data lines DL1 and DL2 are arranged to cross each other, and the thin film transistor TFT and the liquid crystal Clc are formed at the intersections. The image input from the system is displayed.

The gate driver (not shown) supplies a scan signal to the gate lines GL1 and GL2 of the liquid crystal panel 110 under the control of an external system.

The source driver 120 converts the format of the data input from the external system according to the liquid crystal panel 110 and supplies it to the data lines DL1 and DL2 of the liquid crystal panel 110.

The source driver 120 is typically provided as a driver integrated circuit (D-IC) 122 in the form of a chip, and the source driver integrated circuit 122 includes a tape automated bonding (TAB). In the case of the method, it is electrically connected to the pad unit provided in the liquid crystal panel 110 by a tape carrier package (TCP).

In addition, the source driver 120 is connected to a gate driver (not shown) on the liquid crystal panel 110 in a line on glass (LOG) manner, thereby routing.

In FIG. 3, the source driver 120 is enlarged to show one source driver integrated circuit 122 for convenience of understanding, but in reality, a plurality of source driver integrated circuits 122 are provided.

The nonvolatile memory 130 is embedded in the source driver integrated circuit 122.

In particular, the nonvolatile memory 130 is a memory device in which data is stored even when the power is turned off. In addition to data for performing basic timing options, the nonvolatile memory 130 stores various option data necessary for driving the liquid crystal as necessary.

For example, the optional data includes RGB video data, timing data, gamma data, dynamic capacitance compensation (DCC) control signals for improved response speed, and control for auto color compensation (ACC). Signal, a control signal for Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS), and the like.

The nonvolatile memory 130 is connected to an external system through the signal connection unit 140 to receive various optional data required for driving the liquid crystal directly from the external system. As a result, the options that were performed in the existing timing controller are processed by the source driver 120 itself.

As a memory device used in the nonvolatile memory 130, a ROM capable of erasing and writing data may be used. In particular, an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) may be applied.

The signal connector 140 includes a plurality of signal transmission lines 142 connected to the source driver 120 and the nonvolatile memory 130 therein, and a connector connected to ends of the plurality of signal transmission lines 142. 144).

The signal transmission line 142 and the connector 144 may be implemented on the printed circuit board 150 of the liquid crystal display, in which case the signal transmission line 142 was inevitably required for setting various options of the timing controller. It is significantly less than the number of option pins, so there is no problem with space constraints.

Accordingly, the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention stores the various optional data necessary for driving the liquid crystal by embedding the nonvolatile memory 130 in the source driver 120 as needed, thereby providing a source of data processing in the timing controller. The driver 120 performs the operation.

Accordingly, since the existing timing controller can be deleted, the size of the printed circuit board 150 can be reduced, and the number of signal transmission lines 142 can be reduced. In addition, various option data may be stored through the nonvolatile memory 130, so that options of the timing controller may be added regardless of space.

Although not shown in the drawing, the printed circuit board 150 includes a power supply voltage generator (not shown) for generating driving voltages and gate on / off voltages for driving liquid crystals, and a plurality of gamma voltages to generate a source driver. A reference voltage generator (not shown) applied to the 120 may be provided. In addition, ROM writers can be further integrated to modify the data.

Hereinafter, the integrated circuit for the source driver will be described in detail.

4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed structure of an integrated circuit for a source driver for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a source drive integrated circuit 400 for a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is embedded in a source driver (120 of FIG. 3) in a chip form.

Each of the source driver integrated circuits 400 may be largely comprised of a timing control module 410 and a storage unit 420.

The storage unit 420 is a memory device in which data is stored even when the power is turned off, and various option data necessary for driving the liquid crystal are stored under the control of an external system. In detail, the storage unit 420 may be an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM).

As described above, the option data stored in the storage unit 420 basically includes video data of RGB, timing data or gamma data, and a control signal for automatic color correction and low voltage differential for performing various optional functions. It may further include a control signal for signaling.

The timing control module 410 reprocesses the data in response to the option data received from the storage unit 420, and then generates a control signal for transmitting and receiving video data and video data for displaying an image. After that, it transmits to the drive unit.

For example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) video data received from an external system through the storage unit 420 is reprocessed to convert the data format into the liquid crystal panel 110. After generating the gate control signal for controlling the driving timing of the gate driver and the data control signal for controlling the driving timing of the source driver using the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals SYNC and the clock CLK, respectively. To the gate driver and source driver.

In particular, the timing control module 410 includes a logic unit 412 for selecting options to transmit option data received from the storage unit 420 to the corresponding driving unit.

The logic unit 412 receives the option data transmitted from the storage unit 420, and generates a high level or low level voltage according to the setting of each option included in the option data and transmits the generated voltage to the corresponding driving unit. Do this.

Accordingly, the setting of each option is controlled by on / off through the logic unit 412, and the control of on / off is controlled by the option data stored in the storage unit 420.

The timing control module 410 uses a serial communication method when transmitting and receiving data between the storage units 420.

That is, as shown, a two-wire serial communication interface consisting of a serial data line SDA and a serial clock line SCL is used. This interface method means I2C method, which is a data communication method developed by Philips.

As such, the source driver integrated circuit 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a storage unit 420 capable of storing various option data required for driving a liquid crystal as well as a module that performs a function of a timing controller. By built-in, drive control is possible without a separate timing controller.

In addition, by using the EPIROM, which is a nonvolatile memory, the storage unit 420 may change various data as necessary, and thus timing may be adjusted according to models, panels, and resolutions of the liquid crystal display. Moreover, even as the required options increase, additional implementations can be implemented regardless of spatial constraints.

5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed structure of an integrated circuit for a source driver for a liquid crystal display according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the source driver integrated circuit 500 according to another exemplary embodiment includes a timing control module 510 and a storage unit 520, as in an exemplary embodiment.

Here, the description overlapping with the exemplary embodiment will be omitted, and only the structural parts not overlapping will be described.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the storage unit 520 is not provided separately from the timing control module 510 in the source driver integrated circuit 500 and is embedded in the timing control module 510.

The storage unit 520 may be electrically connected to an external system to directly receive various option data required for driving a liquid crystal from an external system, and may apply EEPROM capable of reading and writing data.

Reference numeral 512 is a logic unit.

According to the present exemplary embodiment configured as described above, since the storage unit 520 is built in the timing control module 510, data may be transmitted and received without an option pin, and various options may be additionally implemented as necessary. In addition, timing adjustment may vary according to models, resolutions, and the like of the liquid crystal panel, and data may be freely changed in response thereto.

6 is a view for explaining a data read operation in the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Looking at the operation thereof, when the initial system is initialized and the control signal RESET for controlling the liquid crystal drive is applied at a high level, the system is turned on while power is supplied and driving starts.

Prior to this, the power-save mode control signal DPM is turned on by delaying a predetermined time [Delta] t to perform signal masking so that the system does not run for a while for stable turn-on.

Therefore, by reading the information of the data stored in the storage unit during this period, it is possible to implement a variety of optional functions without spending a separate time.

Accordingly, the liquid crystal display according to the present exemplary embodiment reads data of a storage unit embedded in a source driver integrated circuit and performs various optional functions.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

According to the above, the liquid crystal display according to the present invention can eliminate the timing controller, option pins, and resistance elements implemented on the printed circuit board can reduce the size of the printed circuit board, and can reduce the manufacturing cost It works.

In addition, by embedding YPIROM capable of erasing and writing data in the integrated circuit for the source driver, timing can be adjusted according to models, panels, and resolutions of the liquid crystal display, thereby supporting image quality improvement.

In addition, EPIROM, which is integrated in the integrated circuit for the source driver, may additionally implement various options of the timing controller regardless of the realizable space of the printed circuit board.

Claims (13)

A storage unit storing various option data required for driving the display panel; And A timing control module that reads option data from the storage unit, and generates video data for displaying an image and a control signal for transmitting and receiving the video data. Integrated circuit for a source driver comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the storage unit may be embedded in the timing control module. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the storage unit is EEPROM. The method of claim 1, wherein the timing control module, And a logic unit configured to read data through serial communication with the storage unit, and output a high level and a low level to transmit the read data to a corresponding driving unit. The method of claim 1, And the option data includes at least one of video data, timing data, and gamma data. A liquid crystal panel for displaying an image input from an external system; A gate driver configured to supply a scan signal to a plurality of gate lines arranged in a line on the liquid crystal panel according to the control of the external system; And A source driver for supplying a data signal for displaying an image to a plurality of data lines arranged to intersect the gate lines; The source driver, A storage unit storing various option data necessary for driving a liquid crystal under the control of the external system, and timing for generating video data for displaying images by receiving option data from the storage unit and a control signal for transmitting and receiving the video data. Liquid crystal display comprising a control module. The method of claim 6, The storage unit may be embedded in the timing control module. The method according to claim 6 or 7, And the storage unit is EEPROM. The method of claim 7, wherein The timing control module of the source driver, And a logic unit configured to receive data through serial communication with the storage unit and to output a high level and a low level to transmit the received data to a corresponding driving unit. The method of claim 7, wherein And a signal connection part electrically connected between the external system and the source driver. The method of claim 10, wherein the signal connection unit, A plurality of signal transmission lines connected to the source driver; And A connector provided at an end of the plurality of signal transmission lines to connect the source driver to the external system Liquid crystal display comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein And a ROM writer for recording various data required for driving the liquid crystal in the storage unit. The method of claim 7, wherein The option data includes at least one of video data, timing data, gamma data, a control signal for automatic color correction, and a low voltage differential signaling control signal.

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