Device for vertical and horizontal synchronization in display system

This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-161390, filed on Aug. 19, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a display driver and a display device, more particularly, to a technique for achieving synchronization (for example, vertical synchronization and horizontal synchronization) in a display driver and a display device.

Generally, a display device (such as a liquid crystal display device and an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display device) requires establishment of synchronization, more particularly, vertical and horizontal synchronizations. The most traditional method for establishing vertical and horizontal synchronizations is to supply a vertical sync (synchronization) signal and a horizontal sync signal. In this architecture, the start of each vertical sync period is indicated by the vertical sync signal and the start of each horizontal sync period is indicated by the horizontal sync signal. In a panel display device, for example, vertical and horizontal synchronizations are achieved by supplying a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal to a display driver which drives a display panel and operating the display driver in synchronization with the vertical sync signal and the horizontal sync signal.

Recent display systems often use an architecture in which specific packets are transmitted to the display driver to indicate starts of vertical sync periods and horizontal sync periods. For example, MIPI DSI (mobile industry processor interface display serial interface) is a typical specification based on such architecture. In the MIPI DSI specification, a Vsync packet is defined as a packet which indicates the start of each vertical sync period and an Hsync packet is defined as a packet which indicates the start of each horizontal sync period. In the present application, a packet which indicates the start of a vertical sync period may be referred to as vertical sync packet and a packet which indicates the start of a horizontal sync period may be referred to as horizontal sync packet. Most typically, an internal vertical sync signal is generated in response to vertical sync packets in the display driver, and an internal horizontal sync signal is generated in response to horizontal sync packets. Circuits integrated in the display driver operate in synchronization with the internal vertical and horizontal sync signals thus generated.

This architecture advantageously reduces the number of signal lines. The configuration in which a vertical and horizontal sync signals are supplied to a display driver, requires signal lines dedicated to supply the vertical and horizontal sync signals, undesirably increasing the number of signal lines. Transmitting vertical and horizontal sync packets indicating the start timing of the vertical and horizontal sync periods by using a data interface in place of the vertical and horizontal sync signals eliminates the need of providing dedicated signal lines, effectively reducing the number of signal lines.

One problem which may occur in synchronization establishment in a display drive is that the synchronization may not be achieved when noise is applied to signal lines related to the synchronization establishment.

For example, FIG. 1 is a timing chart illustrating an example of the operation in which a horizontal sync packet is transmitted over LANE #i in a display system which uses an architecture in which horizontal sync packets are used to establish horizontal synchronization, more specifically, a display system which uses a serial interface supporting the MIPI DSI specification.

A horizontal sync packet is transmitted to the display driver when a horizontal sync period is started. In a typical operation of the display system, when a horizontal sync packet is supplied to the display driver, the internal horizontal sync signal is asserted in synchronization with the horizontal sync packet in the display driver. Circuits integrated in the display driver perform predetermined operations in response to the assertion of the internal horizontal sync signal.

Nevertheless, when the display driver unsuccessfully receives a horizontal sync packet due to an application of high voltage noise to LANE #i, for example, the internal horizontal sync signal is not asserted at appropriate timing and this results in failure of horizontal synchronization. The similar goes for a vertical sync packet. When the display driver unsuccessfully receives a vertical sync packet, this results in failure of vertical synchronization.

When vertical and/or horizontal synchronization is not achieved due to unsuccessful reception of a vertical and/or horizontal sync packet, this may cause disturbance of the image displayed on the display panel. FIG. 2 illustrates one example of the displayed image when vertical and horizontal synchronizations are not successfully established. When an image data packet is not successfully received, the image disturbance is limited to pixels corresponding to the image data packet; however, failure of reception of a vertical and/or horizontal sync packet may undesirably influence on the entire of the displayed image.

The similar goes for an architecture which establishes vertical and horizontal synchronizations by using a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal. When noise is applied to signal lines over which the vertical and horizontal sync signals are transmitted, this may result in failure of vertical and horizontal synchronizations.

As understood from the above, there is a need for suppressing disturbance of the displayed image caused by unsuccessful synchronization establishment.

Therefore, one objective of the present disclosure is to suppress disturbance of the displayed image caused by unsuccessful synchronization establishment. A person skilled in the art would understand other objectives and new features of the present disclosure from the following disclosure.

In one embodiment, a display driver includes a a sync extraction circuit, a timing generator and a drive circuit. The sync extraction circuit is configured to generate a vertical sync source signal in response to a vertical sync period start instruction indicating a start of a vertical sync period where the vertical sync period start instruction is supplied external from the display driver. The timing generator is configured to generate an internal vertical sync signal in response to the vertical sync source signal. The drive circuit is configured to drive a display panel in synchronization with the internal vertical sync signal. The timing generator circuit is further configured to assert the internal vertical sync signal in response to an assertion of the vertical sync source signal. The sync extraction circuit is further configured to assert the vertical sync source signal when detecting the vertical sync period start instruction. Further, the sync extraction circuit is also configured to assert the vertical sync source signal when a predetermined period of time has passed after a previous assertion of the vertical sync source signal.

In another embodiment, a display driver includes a sync extraction circuit, a timing generator and a drive circuit. The sync extraction circuit is configured to generate a horizontal sync source signal in response to a horizontal sync period start instruction indicating a start of a horizontal sync period, the horizontal sync period start instruction is supplied external from outside of the display drive. The timing generator configured to generate an internal horizontal sync signal in response to the horizontal sync source signal. The drive circuit configured to drive the display panel in synchronization with the internal horizontal sync signal. The timing generator circuit is further configured to assert the internal horizontal sync signal in response to an assertion of the horizontal sync source signal. The sync extraction circuit is further configured to assert the horizontal sync source signal when detecting the horizontal sync period start instruction. Further, the sync extraction circuit is also configured to assert the horizontal sync source signal when a predetermined period of time has passed after a previous assertion of the horizontal sync source signal.

In various embodiments, the display driver may be used in a display device.

The present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing disturbance of the displayed image caused by unsuccessful synchronization establishment.

FIG. 1 is a timing chart illustrating one example of the operation for transmitting a horizontal sync packet in a display system which uses a serial interface supporting the MIPI DSI specification;

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a displayed image when vertical and horizontal synchronizations are not successfully established;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary configuration of a display device according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary configuration of a display driver IC according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary format of a data stream in communications from a host to the display driver IC according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a vertical sync source signal generator section in a vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of a horizontal sync source signal generator section in the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a timing chart illustrating an exemplary operation of the vertical sync source signal generator section according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating an exemplary operation of the horizontal sync source signal generator section according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

In the following, one or more embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that same or similar components may be denoted by same or corresponding reference numerals.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary configuration of a display device 10 in one embodiment. The display device 10 , which is configured as a liquid crystal display device, includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 1 and a display driver IC 2 . The display device 10 is configured to receive image data and control data from a host 3 and display images on the LCD panel 1 in response to the received image data and control data.

The LCD panel 1 includes a display area 4 and gate driver circuits 5 . Arranged in the display area 4 are a plurality of gate lines 6 , a plurality of source lines 7 and a plurality of pixels 8 . The pixels 8 are arrayed in rows and columns, and each pixel 8 is disposed at an intersection of the corresponding gate line 6 and source line 7 . The gate driver circuits 5 drive the gate lines 6 in response to control signals received from the display driver IC 2 . In one embodiment, a pair of gate driver circuits 5 are disposed on the right and left of the display area 4 . The gate driver circuits 5 are integrated in the LCD panel 1 by using a CoG (circuit-on-glass) technology.

The display driver IC 2 drives the source lines 7 of the LCD panel 1 in response to the image data and control data received from the host 3 . Additionally, the display driver IC 2 controls the gate driver circuits 5 by supplying the gate control signals to the gate driver circuits 5 .

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary configuration of the display driver IC 2 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, communications between the display driver IC 2 and the host 3 are achieved by using a serial interface which supports the MIPI DSI specification. More specifically, the display driver IC 2 and the host 3 are connected with a clock lane and four data lanes: lanes # 0 to # 3 in one embodiment. The clock lane is used to supply a differential clock signal from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 and lanes # 0 to # 3 are each used to supply a differential data signal from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary format of a data stream used in communications from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 . Each frame period (vertical sync period) includes VSA (vertical sync active) lines, VBP (vertical back porch) lines, VACT (video active) lines and VFP (vertical front porch) lines. A vertical sync packet 31 (that is, a Vsync packet) is transmitted from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 , when each frame period is started, and a horizontal sync packet 32 (that is, an Hsync packet) is transmitted from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 when each line (each horizontal sync period) is started. In one embodiment, a vertical sync packet 31 is used as a vertical sync period start instruction which indicates the start of a vertical sync period, and a horizontal sync packet 32 is used as a horizontal sync period start instruction which indicates the start of a line, that is, a horizontal sync period.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the display driver IC 2 includes a receiver circuit 11 , a lane control interface circuit 12 , a system interface circuit 13 , a display memory 14 , a source driver circuit 15 , a panel interface circuit 16 , a timing generator circuit 17 , a register circuit 18 and an oscillator circuit 19 .

The receiver circuit 11 includes a receiver 21 , a clock generator circuit 22 , receivers 23 0 to 23 3 and deserializers 24 0 to 24 3 . The receiver 21 converts the differential clock signal transmitted from the host 3 over the clock lane into a single end clock signal. The clock generator circuit 22 generates a dot clock signal (not illustrated) used in the receiver circuit 11 and a byte clock signal CLK_byte used in the lane control interface circuit 12 .

The receivers 23 0 to 23 3 respectively convert differential data signals transmitted from the host 3 over lanes # 0 to # 3 into single end signals. The deserializers 24 0 to 24 3 operate in synchronization with the dot clock signal and deserialize the single end signals received from the receivers 23 0 to 23 3 , respectively. In one embodiment, the deserializers 24 0 to 24 3 output the deserialized data with a data width of eight bits.

The lane control interface circuit 12 receives the deserialized data from the deserializers 24 0 to 24 3 in synchronization with the byte clock signal CLK_byte and generates a received data train D RCV by synthesizing the received data. The received data train D RCV is supplied to the system interface circuit 13 .

The system interface circuit 13 identifies the contents of data included in the received data train D RCV by using a data translator 25 and performs various data processing on various data included in the received data train D RCV , which include, for example, image data (data indicating the grayscale levels of the respective pixels of the LCD panel 1 ), commands and parameters used to control the display driver IC 2 , depending on the data types thereof. For example, the system interface circuit 13 forwards image data included in the received data train D RCV to the display memory 14 and forwards commands and parameters used to control the display driver IC 2 to the timing generator circuit 17 and the register circuit 18 via a bus 20 .

The display memory 14 temporarily stores the image data received from the system interface circuit 13 and forwards the image data to the source driver circuit 15 .

The source driver circuit 15 drives the source lines 7 of the LCD panel 1 in response to the image data received from the display memory 14 .

The panel interface circuit 16 generates the gate control signals supplied to the gate driver circuits 5 of the LCD panel 1 .

The timing generator circuit 17 controls operation timing of the circuits included in the display driver IC 2 in response to the commands and parameters received from the system interface circuit 13 and the register circuit 18 . More specifically, the timing generator circuit 17 generates an internal vertical sync signal and an internal horizontal sync signal, which are both used in the display driver IC 2 . The above-described source driver circuit 15 and panel interface circuit 16 operate in synchronization with the generated internal vertical sync signal and internal horizontal sync signal. In other words, the source driver circuit 15 drives the source lines 7 of the LCD panel 1 in synchronization with the internal vertical sync signal and internal horizontal sync signal and the panel interface circuit 16 generates the gate control signals in synchronization with the internal vertical sync signal and internal horizontal sync signal.

The register circuit 18 holds commands and parameters used to control the display driver IC 2 .

The oscillator circuit 19 generates a clock signal used in the display driver IC 2 .

In the display driver IC 2 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the internal vertical sync signal and internal horizontal sync signal used in the display driver IC 2 are generated in synchronization with vertical sync period start instructions and horizontal sync period start instructions received from the host 3 , more specifically, in synchronization with vertical sync packets and horizontal sync packets received from the host 3 . The vertical sync packets and horizontal sync packets are transmitted from the host to the display driver IC 2 over a selected one of lanes # 0 to # 3 . When a vertical sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 , the internal vertical sync signal is asserted by the timing generator circuit 17 . Similarly, when a horizontal sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 , the internal horizontal sync signal is asserted by the timing generator circuit 17 .

To perform these operations, the system interface circuit 13 includes a vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 has the function of detecting vertical sync period start instructions and horizontal sync period start instructions transmitted from the host 3 ; in the present embodiment, the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 has the function of detecting vertical sync packets and horizontal sync packets included in the received data train D RCV to generate a vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC and a horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . The vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC and the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC are used to generate the internal vertical sync signal and the internal horizontal sync signal, respectively, in the timing generator circuit 17 . When detecting a vertical sync period start instruction, that is, detecting a vertical sync packet in the received data train D RCV , the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 asserts the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC . Similarly, when detecting a horizontal sync period start instruction, that is, detecting a horizontal sync packet in the received data train D RCV , the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 asserts the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . The timing generator circuit 17 asserts the internal vertical sync signal when the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is asserted, and asserts the internal horizontal sync signal when the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is asserted.

In one embodiment, the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 is configured to assert the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC when a predetermined period of time has passed after the previous assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC , even if the display driver IC 2 does not successfully receive a vertical sync packet in a period in which a vertical sync packet is expected to be transmitted to the display driver IC 2 . Similarly, the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 is configured to assert the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC when a predetermined period of time has passed after the previous assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC , even if the display driver IC 2 does not successfully receive a horizontal sync packet in a period in which a horizontal sync packet is expected to be transmitted to the display driver IC 2 .

In various embodiments, assert the vertical sync source signal may be asserted when a predetermined period of time has passed after a previous assertion of the vertical sync source signal, even if not the vertical sync period start instruction has not been detected.

In one or more embodiments, the horizontal sync source signal may be asserted when a predetermined period of time has passed after a previous assertion of the horizontal sync source signal even if the horizontal sync period start instruction has not been detected.

These operations of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 effectively suppresses disturbance of the displayed image even when the display driver IC 2 temporarily fails to successfully receive a vertical sync packet or a horizontal sync packet. In the following, a description is given of details of the configuration and operation of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 .

FIGS. 6 and 7 are block diagrams illustrating one example of the configuration of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 . The vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 includes a vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 , a vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V and a horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H. It should be noted that the configuration of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V is illustrated in FIG. 6 , and the configuration of the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H is illustrated in FIG. 7 .

The vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 is configured to detect vertical sync packets and horizontal sync packets and generate a vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC and a horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC in accordance with the detection result. More specifically, when detecting a vertical sync packet in the received data train D RCV , the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 asserts the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC . Similarly, when detecting a horizontal sync packet in the received data train D RCV , the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 asserts the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC .

The vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V generates the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC from the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC . More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V includes a pseudo vertical sync signal generator section 43 V and a logic circuit section 44 V.

The pseudo vertical sync signal generator section 43 V includes a counter 51 V and generates a pseudo vertical sync signal in response to the count value Count held by the counter 51 V. In detail, the pseudo vertical sync signal generator section 43 V includes, in addition to the counter 51 V, an upper limit register 52 V, a lower limit register 53 V, a comparator 54 V, a pseudo signal generator 55 V, an AND gate 56 V, an expected value register 57 V, and a subtracter 58 V.

The counter 51 receives the clock signal CLK from the oscillator circuit 19 and performs a counting operation in synchronization with the received clock signal CLK. In one embodiment, the counter 51 V counts up the count value Count, that is, increases the count value Count with increments of one. The counter 51 V has a reset terminal to which the output signal of the AND gate 56 V is supplied and a set terminal to which the pseudo vertical sync signal is supplied from the pseudo signal generator 55 V. The counter 51 V also has a data terminal to which a setting value DATA_SET is supplied from the subtracter 58 V. When the reset terminal is asserted, the count value Count of the counter 51 V is reset to a predetermined reset value (typically, “0”.) When the set terminal is asserted, the count value Count of the counter 51 V is set to the setting value DATA_SET.

The upper limit register 52 V holds a predetermined upper limit value. As described later, the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 V indicates the count value Count at which the pseudo vertical sync signal is to be asserted in the counting operation of the counter 51 V.

The lower limit register 53 V holds a predetermined lower limit value. As described later, the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V indicates a range of the count value Count in which the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is prohibited in the counting operation of the counter 51 V. The lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V is smaller than the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 V.

The comparator 54 V compares the count value Count of the counter 51 V with the upper and lower limit values held by the upper and lower limit registers 52 V and 53 V, and generates enable signals Enable 1 and Enable 2 in response to the comparison results. The enable signal Enable 1 is a signal which allows assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC and the enable signal Enable 2 is a signal which allows assertion of the pseudo vertical sync signal.

More specifically, when the count value Count is smaller than the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V, the comparator 54 V negates both of the enable signals Enable 1 and Enable 2 . When the count value Count is counted up and reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V, the comparator 54 V asserts the enable signal Enable 1 . Further, the enable signal Enable 2 remains negated. When the count value Count is further counted up and reaches the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 V, the comparator 54 V asserts the enable signal Enable 2 for a predetermined period of time. After asserting the enable signal Enable 2 for a predetermined period of time, the comparator 54 V negates both of the enable signals Enable 1 and Enable 2 .

The pseudo signal generator 55 V generates the pseudo vertical sync signal in response to the enable signal Enable 2 received from the comparator 54 V. More specifically, the pseudo signal generator 55 V asserts the pseudo vertical sync signal for a predetermined period of time when the enable signal Enable 2 is asserted.

The AND gate 56 V has a first input receiving the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC and a second input receiving the enable signal Enable 1 . The AND gate 56 V outputs an output signal indicating the logical product of the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC and the enable signal Enable 1 . As described above, the output signal of the AND gate 56 V is used to reset the counter 51 V.

The expected value register 57 V holds an expected value which is a value corresponding to an expected time duration of one frame period (one vertical sync period).

The subtracter 58 V calculates the setting value DATA_SET to be set to the counter 51 V as a value obtained by subtracting the expected value held by the expected value register 57 V from the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 V.

In one embodiment the display driver IC 2 is configured so that the upper limit value set to the upper limit register 52 V is rewritable from an external entity (for example, the host 3 ). For example, when a packet describing an upper limit value to be set to the upper limit register 52 V is transmitted from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 , this packet is forwarded from the lane control interface circuit 12 to the system interface circuit 13 as a part of the received data train D RCV . The upper limit value described in this packet is written into the upper limit register 52 V. Similarly, in various embodiment, the display driver IC 2 is configured so that the lower limit value set to the lower limit register 53 V and the expected value set to the expected value register 57 V are rewritable from an external entity (for example, the host 3 ).

The logic circuit section 44 V generates the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC to be supplied to the timing generator circuit 17 from the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC received from the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 , the enable signal Enable 1 received from the comparator 54 V and the pseudo vertical sync signal received from the pseudo signal generator 55 V.

More specifically, the logic circuit section 44 V includes an AND gate 61 V and an OR gate 62 V. The AND gate 61 V has a first input receiving the vertical sync packet detect signal VSYNC_DTC from the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and a second input receiving the enable signal Enable 1 from the comparator 54 V. The OR gate 62 V has a first input receiving the output signal of the AND gate 61 V and a second input receiving the pseudo vertical sync signal from the pseudo vertical sync signal generator section 43 V.

The logic circuit section 44 V may be configured to operate as follows:

(1) the logic circuit section 44 V asserts the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC when the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is asserted with the enable signal Enable 1 asserted; (2) the logic circuit section 44 V asserts the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC when the pseudo vertical sync signal is asserted.

It should be noted that the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is not asserted in the state in which the enable signal Enable 1 is negated, even when the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is asserted.

With reference to FIG. 7 , the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H is configured and operates similarly to the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V, except for that the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H receives the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC in place of the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC and generates the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC in place of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC .

The horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H includes a pseudo horizontal sync signal generator section 43 H and a logic circuit section 44 H. The pseudo horizontal sync signal generator section 43 H includes a counter 51 H and generates a pseudo horizontal sync signal in response to the count value Count held by the counter 51 H. The pseudo horizontal sync signal generator section 43 H is configured similarly to the pseudo vertical sync signal generator section 43 V; the pseudo horizontal sync signal generator section 43 H includes, in addition to the counter 51 H, an upper limit register 52 H, an lower limit register 53 H, a comparator 54 H, a pseudo signal generator 55 H, an AND gate 56 H, an expected value register 57 H, and a subtracter 58 H.

The logic circuit section 44 H generates the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC to be supplied to the timing generator circuit 17 from the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC received from the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 , the enable signal Enable 1 received from the comparator 54 H and the pseudo horizontal sync signal received from the pseudo signal generator 55 H. The configuration of the logic circuit section 44 H is the same as that of the logic circuit section 44 V of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V; the logic circuit section 44 H includes an AND gate 61 H and an OR gate 62 H.

In various embodiments, the display driver IC 2 is configured so that the upper limit value set to the upper limit register 52 H is rewritable from an external entity (for example, the host 3 ). Similarly, in one or more embodiments, that the display driver IC 2 is configured so that the lower limit value set to the lower limit register 53 H and the expected value set to the expected value register 57 H are rewritable from an external entity (for example, the host 3 ).

The timing generator circuit 17 receives the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC output from the logic circuit section 44 V of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V and the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC output from the logic circuit section 44 H of the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H. The timing generator circuit 17 includes an internal sync signal generator circuit 45 which generates an internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT and an internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT in response to the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC and the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . The internal sync signal generator circuit 45 asserts the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT in response to an assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC and asserts the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT in response to an assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC .

The internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT and the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT generated by the internal sync signal generator circuit 45 of the timing generator circuit 17 are used for control of the operation timing of the circuits integrated in the display driver IC 2 , for example, control of the operation timing of the source driver circuit 15 and the panel interface circuit 16 . The source driver circuit 15 drives the source lines 7 in synchronization with assertions of the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT and the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT . The panel interface circuit 16 generates the source control signals supplied to the gate driver circuits 5 in synchronization with assertions of the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT and the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT .

Next, a description is given of details of the operation of display driver IC 2 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, especially the operation of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 .

FIGS. 8 and 9 are timing charts illustrating an exemplary operation of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary operation of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 and FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary operation of the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H. In the following, a description is first given of the operation of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V in three frame periods #m to #(m+2). In FIG. 8 , frame periods #m to #(m+2) (vertical sync periods #m to #(m+2)) are defined on the basis of the times when the host 3 transmits vertical sync packets to the display driver IC 2 . In the following, the operation of the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V is described for the case when the display driver IC 2 successfully receives vertical sync packets at the beginnings of frame period #(m+1) and its former frame periods and unsuccessfully receives a vertical sync packet at the beginning of frame period #(m+2).

When a vertical sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 at the beginning of frame period #m, the vertical sync packet is detected by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is asserted. When the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is asserted, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is also asserted by the logic circuit section 44 V. It should be noted that the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted at the beginning of each frame period when a vertical sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 in the previous frame period, as understood from the description given below.

In the timing generator circuit 17 , the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT is asserted by the internal sync signal generator circuit 45 in synchronization with the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC . In one embodiment, the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC .

In one or more embodiments, in response to the assertion of the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC , the reset terminal of the counter 51 V is asserted to reset the counter 51 V to a predetermined reset value (typically “0”); it should be also noted that the enable signal Enable 1 remains asserted at this moment. When the counter 51 V is reset, the count value of the counter 51 V becomes smaller than the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V and therefore the enable signal Enable 1 is negated by the comparator 54 V. Since the enable signal Enable 1 is negated, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is also negated by the logic circuit section 44 V.

This is followed by counting up the count value of the counter 51 V. The enable signal Enable 1 remains negated until the count value of the counter 51 V reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V. Since the enable signal Enable 1 remains negated, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is not asserted, remaining negated, even when the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 erroneously detects a vertical sync packet due to a malfunction and erroneously asserts the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC . This operation effectively improves the reliability of the display driver IC 2 .

When the count value of the counter 51 V is further counted up and reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V, the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted by the comparator 54 V. This places the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V into a state in which the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V is ready to assert the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC when a vertical sync packet is detected thereafter.

When a vertical sync packet is then successfully received by the display driver IC 2 at the beginning of frame period #(m+1), the vertical sync packet is detected by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the same operation as that performed at the beginning of frame period #m is then performed. In detail, the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is asserted by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is also asserted by the logic circuit section 44 V. In the timing generator circuit 17 , the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC . Additionally, the reset terminal of the counter 51 V is asserted in response to the assertion of the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC to reset the counter 51 V. When the counter 51 V is reset, the enable signal Enable 1 is negated and the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is also negated by the logic circuit section 44 V.

This is followed by counting up the count value of the counter 51 V. When the count value of the counter 51 V reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 V, the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted.

Discussed below is the case when the display driver IC 2 fails to successfully receive a vertical sync packet at the beginning of frame period #(m+2), which follows frame period #(m+1). In this case, the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is not asserted at the beginning of frame period #(m+2) and the counter 51 V continues to count up the count value.

When the count value of the counter 51 V reaches the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 V, the enable signal Enable 2 is asserted by the comparator 54 V. In response to the assertion of the enable signal Enable 2 , the pseudo signal generator 55 V asserts the pseudo vertical sync signal. Since the pseudo vertical sync signal is asserted, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC , which is output from the OR gate 62 V, is also asserted. As a result, the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC .

In the operation described above, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is asserted and then the internal vertical sync single V SYNC _ INT is also asserted when a period of time corresponding to the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 V has passed after the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC has been asserted previously, even if a vertical sync packet is not successfully received. This operation effectively suppresses disturbance of the displayed image, since the internal vertical sync signal V SYNC _ INT is asserted even when a vertical sync packet is not successfully received due to noise or other causes.

It should be noted that the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is asserted relatively late in frame period #(m+2), in which the vertical sync packet is not successfully received, compared with frame periods #m and #(m+1), in which a vertical sync packet is successfully received. Accordingly, the time duration from the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC to the assertion of the enable signal Enable 1 should be set shorter in frame period #(m+2). Also, the time duration from the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC in frame period #(m+2) to the assertion of the pseudo vertical sync signal (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) when a vertical sync packet is not successfully received should be set shorter in the next frame period of frame period #(m+2)

In view of the above, the counter 51 V is set to the setting value DATA_SET in response to an assertion of the pseudo vertical sync signal according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, in which the counter 51 V counts up the count value Count, the setting value DATA_SET is determined as being larger than the reset value (typically “0”). Such setting allows asserting the enable signal Enable 1 and the pseudo vertical sync period (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) at appropriate timing even when the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is delayed in a frame period in which a vertical sync packet is not successfully received.

In one embodiment, the setting value DATA_SET is calculated by subtracting the expected value set in the expected value register 57 V from the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 V. Set in the expected value register 57 V is a value corresponding to the expected time duration of the frame period. Since the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 V corresponds to the time duration from a successful reception of a vertical sync packet in a frame period to an assertion of the pseudo vertical sync period (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) in the next frame period in which the vertical sync packet is not successfully received, the setting value DATA_SET is consequently set to such a value that the delay of the assertion of the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is compensated in the frame period in which the vertical sync packet is not successfully received.

It should be noted however that the setting value DATA_SET is not limited to the value obtained by subtracting the expected value set in the expected value register 57 V from the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 V. For example, the setting value DATA_SET may be unconditionally set to a specific fixed value.

The counter 51 V may be configured to count down the count value Count, for example, decrease the count value Count with decrements of one. In this case, the comparator 54 V is configured to assert the enable signal Enable 1 when the count value Count is decreased down to the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 V, and subsequently assert the pseudo vertical sync signal (and the enable signal Enable 2 ) when a vertical sync packet is not successfully received and the count value Count is decreased down to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 V. The setting value DATA_SET is calculated by adding the expected value set in the expected value register 57 V to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 V. Also in this case, the setting value DATA_SET is not limited to the value obtained by adding the expected value set in the expected value register 57 V to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 V. For example, the setting value DATA_SET may be unconditionally set to a specific fixed value. Also when the counter 51 V counts down the count value Count, the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V operates similarly to when the counter 51 V counts up the count value Count, through modifying the operation of the comparator 54 V.

With reference to FIG. 9 , the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H operates similarly to the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V, except for that the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H receives the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC in place of the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC , and generates the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC in response to the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC .

FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H in three horizontal sync periods #n to #(n+2). In FIG. 9 , horizontal sync periods #n to #(n+2) are defined on the basis of the times when the host 3 transmits horizontal sync packets to the display driver IC 2 . In the following, the operation of the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H is described for the case when the display driver IC 2 successfully receives horizontal sync packets at the beginnings of horizontal sync period #(n+1) and its former horizontal sync periods and unsuccessfully receives a vertical sync packet at the beginning of horizontal sync period #(n+2).

When a horizontal sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 at the beginning of horizontal sync period #n, the horizontal sync packet is detected by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC is asserted. When the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC is asserted, the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is also asserted by the logic circuit section 44 H. It should be noted that the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted at the beginning of each horizontal sync period when a horizontal sync packet is successfully received by the display driver IC 2 in the previous horizontal sync period, as understood from the description given below.

In the timing generator circuit 17 , the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT is asserted by the internal sync signal generator circuit 45 in synchronization with the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . In one embodiment, the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC .

In one or more embodiments, in response to the assertion of the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC , the reset terminal of the counter 51 H is asserted to reset the counter 51 H to a predetermined reset value (typically “0”); it should be also noted that the enable signal Enable 1 remains asserted at this moment. When the counter 51 H is reset, the count value of the counter 51 H becomes smaller than the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 H and therefore the enable signal Enable 1 is negated by the comparator 54 H. Since the enable signal Enable 1 is negated, the vertical sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is also negated by the logic circuit section 44 H.

This is followed by counting up the count value of the counter 51 H. The enable signal Enable 1 remains negated until the count value of the counter 51 H reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 H. Since the enable signal Enable 1 remains negated, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is not asserted, remaining negated, even when the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 erroneously detects a horizontal sync packet due to a malfunction and erroneously asserts the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC . This operation effectively improves the reliability of the display driver IC 2 .

When the count value of the counter 51 H is further counted up and reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 H, the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted by the comparator 54 H. This places the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H into a state in which the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H is ready to assert the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC when a horizontal sync packet is detected thereafter.

When a horizontal sync packet is then successfully received by the display driver IC 2 at the beginning of horizontal sync period #(n+1), the horizontal sync packet is detected by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the same operation as that performed at the beginning of horizontal sync period #n is then performed. In detail, the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC is asserted by the vertical/horizontal sync packet detect section 41 and the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is also asserted by the logic circuit section 44 H. In the timing generator circuit 17 , the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . Additionally, the reset terminal of the counter 51 H is asserted in response to the assertion of the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC to reset the counter 51 H. When the counter 51 H is reset, the enable signal Enable 1 is negated and the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is also negated by the logic circuit section 44 H.

This is followed by counting up the count value of the counter 51 H. When the count value of the counter 51 H reaches the lower limit value held by the lower limit register 53 H, the enable signal Enable 1 is asserted.

Discussed below is the case when the display driver IC 2 fails to successfully receive a horizontal sync packet at the beginning of horizontal sync period #(n+2), which follows horizontal sync period #(n+1). In this case, the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC is not asserted at the beginning of horizontal sync period #(n+2) and the counter 51 H continues to count up the count value.

When the count value of the counter 51 H reaches the upper limit value held by the upper limit register 52 H, the enable signal Enable 2 is asserted by the comparator 54 H. In response to the assertion of the enable signal Enable 2 , the pseudo signal generator 55 H asserts the pseudo horizontal sync signal. Since the pseudo horizontal sync signal is asserted, the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC , which is output from the OR gate 62 H, is also asserted. As a result, the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT is asserted when a predetermined delay time has passed after the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC .

In the operation described above, the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is asserted and then the internal horizontal sync single H SYNC _ INT is also asserted when a period of time corresponding to the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 H has passed after the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC has been asserted previously, even if a horizontal sync packet is not successfully received. This operation effectively suppresses disturbance of the displayed image, since the internal horizontal sync signal H SYNC _ INT is asserted even when a horizontal sync packet is not successfully received due to noise or other causes.

The horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is asserted relatively late in horizontal sync period #(m+2), in which the horizontal sync packet is not successfully received, compared with horizontal sync periods #m and #(m+1), in which a horizontal sync packet is successfully received. Accordingly, the time duration from the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC to the assertion of the enable signal Enable 1 may be set shorter in horizontal sync period #(m+2). Also, the time duration from the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC in horizontal sync period #(n+2) to the assertion of the pseudo horizontal sync signal (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) when a horizontal sync packet is not successfully received may be set shorter in the next horizontal sync period of horizontal sync period # (n+2)

In view of the above, the counter 51 H is set to the setting value DATA_SET in response to an assertion of the pseudo horizontal sync signal in one embodiment. In one embodiment, in which the counter 51 H counts up the count value Count, the setting value DATA_SET is determined as being larger than the reset value (typically “0”). Such setting allows asserting the enable signal Enable 1 and the pseudo horizontal sync period (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) at appropriate timing even when the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is delayed in a horizontal sync period in which a horizontal sync packet is not successfully received.

In one embodiment, the setting value DATA_SET is calculated by subtracting the expected value set in the expected value register 57 H from the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 H. Set in the expected value register 57 H is a value corresponding to the expected time duration of the frame period. Since the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 H corresponds to the time duration from a successful reception of a horizontal sync packet in a horizontal sync period to an assertion of the pseudo horizontal sync period (or the enable signal Enable 2 ) in the next frame period in which the horizontal sync packet is not successfully received, the setting value DATA_SET is consequently set to such a value that the delay of the assertion of the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is compensated in the horizontal sync period in which the horizontal sync packet is not successfully received.

It should be noted however that the setting value DATA_SET is not limited to the value obtained by subtracting the expected value set in the expected value register 57 H from the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 H. For example, the setting value DATA_SET may be unconditionally set to a specific fixed value.

The counter 51 H may be configured to count down the count value Count, for example, decrease the count value Count with decrements of one. In this case, the comparator 54 H is configured to assert the enable signal Enable 1 when the count value Count is decreased down to the upper limit value set in the upper limit register 52 H, and subsequently assert the pseudo horizontal sync signal (and the enable signal Enable 2 ) when a horizontal sync packet is not successfully received and the count value Count is decrease down to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 H. The setting value DATA_SET is calculated by adding the expected value set in the expected value register 57 H to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 H. Also in this case, the setting value DATA_SET is not limited to the value obtained by adding the expected value set in the expected value register 57 H to the lower limit value set in the lower limit register 53 H. For example, the setting value DATA_SET may be unconditionally set to a specific fixed value. Also when the counter 51 H counts down the count value Count, the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H operates similarly to when the counter 51 H counts up the count value Count, through modifying the operation of the comparator 54 H.

In one embodiment, the vertical sync source signal is not asserted when the count value does not reach a predetermined lower limit value even if the vertical sync period start instruction detect signal is asserted.

In one embodiment, the vertical sync source signal is not asserted when the count value does not reach a predetermined upper limit value even if the vertical sync period start instruction detect signal is asserted.

In one embodiment, the horizontal sync source signal is asserted when the count value does not reach a predetermined lower limit value even if the horizontal sync period start instruction detect signal is asserted.

In one embodiment, the horizontal sync source signal is not asserted when the count value does not reach a predetermined upper limit value even if the horizontal sync period start instruction detect signal is asserted.

As described above, in one embodiment, the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC is asserted when a predetermined period of time has passed after the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC has been asserted previously, even when the display driver IC 2 fails to successfully receive a vertical sync packet in a period in which the vertical sync packet is expected to be transmitted to the display driver IC 2 . Similarly, the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC is asserted when a predetermined period of time has passed after the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC has been asserted previously, even when the display driver IC 2 fails to successfully receive a horizontal sync packet in a period in which the horizontal sync packet is expected to be transmitted to the display driver IC 2 . Such operation effectively suppresses disturbance in the displayed image even when the display driver IC 2 temporarily fails to successfully receive a vertical sync packet or a horizontal sync packet.

Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically described, the present invention must not be construed as being limited to the above-described embodiments. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be implemented with various modifications.

For example, although the above-described embodiments recite that the display device 10 is configured to display images on the LCD panel 1 , the present invention is applicable to a display device configured to display images on a different display panel (such as an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display panel).

Although the above-described embodiments recite the configuration of the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 adapted to unsuccessful reception of both of vertical sync packets and horizontal sync packets, the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 may be configured to be adapted to unsuccessful reception only of vertical sync packets or only of horizontal sync packets. When the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 is configured to be adapted to unsuccessful reception only of vertical sync packets, the horizontal sync source signal generator section 42 H is not provided; in this case, the horizontal sync packet detect signal H SYNC _ DTC is readily used as the horizontal sync source signal H SYNC _ SRC . When the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 is configured to be adapted to unsuccessful reception only of horizontal sync packets, on the other hand, the vertical sync source signal generator section 42 V is not provided; in this case, the vertical sync packet detect signal V SYNC _ DTC is readily used as the vertical sync source signal V SYNC _ SRC .

Although the above-described embodiments recite that a vertical sync packet is used as a vertical sync period start instruction which indicates the start of a vertical sync period, an external vertical sync signal supplied from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 may be used as the vertical sync period start instruction. In this case, when an assertion of the external vertical sync signal is detected, the circuits integrated in the display driver IC 2 (including the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 ) perform the same operation as that performed in the case when a vertical sync packet is detected in the above-described embodiment.

Similarly, although the above-described embodiments recite that a horizontal sync packet is used as a horizontal sync period start instruction which indicates the start of a horizontal sync period, an external horizontal sync signal supplied from the host 3 to the display driver IC 2 may be used as the horizontal sync period start instruction. In this case, when an assertion of the external horizontal sync signal is detected, the circuits integrated in the display driver IC 2 (including the vertical/horizontal sync extraction circuit 26 ) perform the same operation as that performed in the case when a horizontal sync packet is detected in the above-described embodiment.

This configuration effectively suppresses disturbance of the display image even when vertical and horizontal synchronizations are not successfully achieved due to noise applied to signal lines which supply the external vertical sync signal and the external horizontal sync signal.