US6384808B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Level shifter
Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co Ltd
•
Filing: 2001-03-05
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Granted: 2002-05-07
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Expires: 2021-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A compact level shifter is provided, which has a low consumption power and speedy operation, capable of easily performing a level conversion of voltage levels having a large difference. A voltage regulating circuit ( 10 a ), a P channel MOS electric field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as PMOST), a PMOST ( 103 ), and an N channel MOS electric field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as NMOST) ( 105 ) are connected in series between 2 power sources. Similarly, a voltage regulating circuit ( 10 b ), a PMOST ( 102 ), a PMOST ( 104 ), and an NMOST ( 106 ) are connected in series between 2 power sources. During the flow of a penetrating current in a transient period of a level conversion operation, a power source voltage is effectively reduced by the above-mentioned voltage regulating circuit, whereby the level conversion of the voltage level having a large difference is made easy.
Inventors
- 👤 Munehiro Azami
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:59
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/353; H03K3/356; H03K19/00; H03K19/0008; H03K19/0013; H03K19/0175; H03K19/0185; H03K19/018507; H03K19/018521; G; G09; G09G; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0264; G09G2310/0289; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/36; G09G3/3611; G09G3/3685; G09G3/3688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
371 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said third thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a sixth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said fourth thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude is converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first thin film transistor or said second thin film transistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
371 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said third thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a sixth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said fourth thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude is converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first thin film transistor or said second thin film transistor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 1 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit comprises a thin film transistor having a drain and a gate thereof connected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 1 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit has a resistor which contains a poly-silicon layer or a silicon layer doped with an impurity element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 1 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit includes a thin film transistor having a constant voltage applied to a gate thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 1 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claims 1 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 1 , wherein said an active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active matrix display device according to claim 1 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a light emitting device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
294 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, wherein said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said third thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fourth thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude is converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first thin film transistor or said second thin film transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
294 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, wherein said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said third thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fourth thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude is converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first thin film transistor or said second thin film transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit comprises a thin film transistor having a drain and a gate thereof connected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit has a resistor containing a poly-crystalline silicon layer or a silicon layer doped with an impurity element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein said voltage regulating circuit includes a thin film transistor having a constant voltage applied to a gate thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device or a light emitting display device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 9 , wherein said active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
325 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said third thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a sixth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said fourth thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth thin film transistor and said second power source.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
325 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first thin film transistor of a first conductive type having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said first conductive type, having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third thin film transistor of a second conductive type different from said first conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said third thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second thin film transistor; a sixth thin film transistor of a same conductive type as said second conductive type, having a drain connected to a source of said fourth thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth thin film transistor and said second power source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 16 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 16 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active matrix display device according to claim 16 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a light emitting device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 16 , wherein said active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
331 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
331 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 21 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 21 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active matrix display device according to claim 21 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a light emitting device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
53 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 21 , wherein said active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
345 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit comprising a seventh p-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit comprising an eighth p-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
345 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit comprising a seventh p-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source; and a second voltage regulating circuit comprising an eighth p-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 26 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 26 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active matrix display device according to claim 26 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a light emitting device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 26 , wherein said active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
378 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit comprising a seventh n-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source, wherein a gate of said seventh n-channel thin film transistor is connected to a drain thereof; and a second voltage regulating circuit comprising an eighth n-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein a gate of said eighth n-channel thin film transistor is connected to a drain thereof, and wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
378 words
An active matrix type display device comprising: a plurality of pixel thin film transistors over a substrate; and a driver circuit over said substrate for driving said pixel thin film transistors, said driver circuit comprising at least a level shifter, said level shifter comprising: a first n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to a first power source, and a gate to which a first input signal is inputted; a second n-channel thin film transistor having a source connected to said first power source, and a gate to which a second input signal is inputted, wherein said second input signal is an inverted signal of said first input signal; a third p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said first input signal is inputted; a fourth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor, and a gate to which said second input signal is inputted; a fifth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said third p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said second n-channel thin film transistor; a sixth p-channel thin film transistor having a drain connected to a source of said fourth p-channel thin film transistor, and a gate connected to a drain of said first n-channel thin film transistor; a first voltage regulating circuit comprising a seventh n-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said fifth p-channel thin film transistor and a second power source, wherein a gate of said seventh n-channel thin film transistor is connected to a drain thereof; and a second voltage regulating circuit comprising an eighth n-channel thin film transistor connected between a source of said sixth p-channel thin film transistor and said second power source, wherein a gate of said eighth n-channel thin film transistor is connected to a drain thereof, and wherein said first and second input signals of a first voltage amplitude are converted to a signal of a second voltage amplitude to thereby output a signal from at least one of said drains of said first n-channel thin film transistor or said second n-channel thin film transistor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 31 , wherein a voltage of said first power source is fixed to 0 V.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 31 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
An active matrix display device according to claim 31 , wherein said active matrix type display device is a light emitting device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
An active matrix type display device according to claim 31 , wherein said active matrix type display device is one selected from the group consisting of a mobile telephone, a video camera, a personal computer, a head mount display, a television, a portable book, a DVD player, a digital camera, and a projector.
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