Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a flip-flop. In particular, the present invention relates to a hybrid latch flip-flop.  
         [0003]     2. Prior Art  
         [0004]     The TFT-LCD is now gradually becoming a standard output apparatus for various digital products. However, the TFT-LCD still needs a proper driving circuit to let it work stably.  
         [0005]     In general, the driving circuit of a TFT-LCD can be divided into two parts, one is the source driving circuit and the other is the gate driving circuit. The source electrode in the TFT-LCD is used for controlling the gray level of each pixel unit of the TFT. The gate electrode driving circuit is used for controlling the scanning of each pixel unit. These two kinds of driving circuit both apply shift registers as core circuit units. Latch units and flip-flops are the common choice for use as the shift registers. There are many kinds of flip-flops, such as the SR flip-flop, the JK flip-flop, the D flip-flop, and the T flip-flop. In these kinds of flip-flops, the D flip-flop is commonly used as the shift register. That is to say, the D flip-flop is always used as the core circuit unit in the TFT-LCD driving circuit.  
         [0006]     However, the D flip-flop according to the prior art still has many disadvantages. It has a long transition period and easily shifts the clock period. For this reason, people skilled in the art have developed a hybrid latch flip-flop for solving the above problems.  
         [0007]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a hybrid latch flip-flop is disclosed by H. Partovi, R. Burd, U. Salim, F. Webber, L. DiGregorio, and D. Draper in “Flow-through latch and edge-triggered flip-flop hybrid elements”, published in ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, February 1996, pp. 138-139. The hybrid latch flip-flop  100  according to the prior art comprises a clock input  101 , an inverter unit  110 , a latch flip-flop  130 , a buffer unit  150 , a data input  103 , and a data output  105 . The latch flip-flop  130  comprises a data sample unit  140  and a data hold unit  149 .  
         [0008]     The inverter unit  110  comprises a first inverter  111 , a second inverter  112 , and a third inverter  113 . The input of the first inverter  111  is connected to the clock input  101 . The output of the first inverter  111  is connected to the input of the second inverter  112 . The output of the second inverter  112  is connected to the input of the third inverter  113 . The output of the third inverter  113  is connected to the latch flip-flop  130 .  
         [0009]     The data sample unit  140  comprises four PMOS type transistors and six NMOS type transistors. The four PMOS type transistors comprise a first PMOS type transistor  131 , a second PMOS type transistor  132 , a third PMOS type transistor  133 , and a fourth PMOS type transistor  134 . The six NMOS type transistors comprise a first NMOS type transistor  141 , a second NMOS type transistor  142 , a third NMOS type transistor  143 , a fourth NMOS type transistor  144 , a fifth NMOS type transistor  145 , and a sixth NMOS type transistor  146 . The sources of the four PMOS type transistors are connected to a power source  104 . The gate of the first PMOS type transistor  131 , the gate of the first NMOS type transistor  141 , and the gate of the fourth NMOS type transistor  144  all are connected to the clock input  101 . The gate of the second PMOS type transistor  132  and the gate of the second NMOS type transistor  142  all are connected to the data input  103 . The output of the third inverter  113  is connected to the gate of the third NMOS type transistor  143 , the gate of the sixth NMOS type transistor  146 , and the gate of the third PMOS type transistor  133 . The drain of the first PMOS type transistor  131  is connected to the drain of the first NMOS type transistor  141 , the drain of the second PMOS type transistor  132 , the drain of the third PMOS type transistor  133 , the gate of the fourth PMOS type transistor  134 , and the gate of the fifth NMOS type transistor  145 . The source of the first NMOS type transistor  141  is connected to the drain of the second NMOS type transistor  142 . The source of the second NMOS type transistor  142  is connected to the drain of the third NMOS type transistor  143 . The drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  is connected to the drain of the fourth NMOS type transistor  144 . The source of the fourth NMOS type transistor  144  is connected to the drain of the fifth NMOS type transistor  145 . The source of the fifth NMOS type transistor  145  is connected to the drain of the sixth NMOS type transistor  146 . The source of the third NMOS type transistor  143  and the source of the sixth NMOS type transistor are connected to ground (0 volts).  
         [0010]     The data hold unit  149  comprises a fourth inverter  147  and a fifth inverter  148 . The input of the fourth inverter  147  and the output of the fifth inverter  148  are connected to the drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  134 . The output of the fourth inverter  147  and the input of the fifth inverter  148  are connected to the buffer unit  150 .  
         [0011]     The buffer unit  150  comprises a sixth inverter  151 . The input of the sixth inverter  151  is connected to the output of the fourth inverter  147 . The output of the sixth inverter  151  is connected to the data output  105 .  
         [0012]     The clock signal is inputted from the clock input  101 . When the clock signal is at low level, the first NMOS type transistor  141  and the fourth NMOS type transistor  144  are placed in a non-conducting state and the first PMOS type transistor  131  is placed in a conducting state. The three inverters in the inverter unit  110  transform the clock signal from low level to high level. The high level signal places the third NMOS type transistor  143  and the sixth NMOS type transistor  146  in a conducting state, and places the third PMOS type transistor  133  in a non-conducting state. The node VI shown in  FIG. 11  would be charged to high voltage, VDD (whose level is equivalent to the power source  104 ). The high voltage places the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  in a non-conducting state, and keeps the voltage value of the data output  105 .  
         [0013]     When the positive edge of the clock signal arrives, the first NMOS type transistor  141  and the fourth NMOS type transistor  144  are placed in a conducting state. The third NMOS type transistor  143  and the sixth NMOS type transistor  146  remain in the conducting state in a delay period which is determined by a delay time of the inverter unit  110 . If the data signal from the data input  103  is at low level, the second PMOS type transistor  132  is placed in a conducting state, the node V 1  is charged to high voltage, the fifth NMOS type transistor  145  is in a conducting state, and the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  is in a non-conducting state. The source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  is connected to ground through the fourth, fifth, and sixth NMOS type transistors  144 ,  145 ,  146 . On the other hand, if the data signal from the data input  103  goes high, the second NMOS type transistor  142  is placed in a conducting state, the second PMOS type transistor  132  is in a non-conducting state, and the node V 1  is connected to ground through the fourth, fifth, and sixth NMOS type transistors  144 ,  145 ,  146 . Because the node V 1  is at low level, the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  is placed in a conducting state, and the fifth NMOS type transistor  145  is in a non-conducting state. The drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  134  outputs the high voltage to the data hold unit  149 . In this period, the latch flip-flop is viewed as placed in a conducting state, and then the data signal from data input can be sampled and hold. Once the node CKDB shown in  FIG. 11  turns to low level, the connection between the node V 1  and data input is weaker and the latch flip-flop  130  is viewed as in a non-conducting state. After the negative edge of the clock signal arrives, the first PMOS type transistor  131  remains in a conducting state and the node V 1  is held at high voltage VDD. The data signal from the data input  103  cannot be sampled.  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 12 , this is a sequence diagram of the hybrid latch flip-flop of  FIG. 11 . V(D), V(Clock), and V(Q) shown in  FIG. 12  respectively represent the waveform diagram of the data input  103 , the clock input  101 , and the data output  105  of  FIG. 11 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the data output  105  is at low level before Tn. When the positive edge of the clock signal arrives at Tn, the data input  103  is at high level, and this high level would be sampled and output to make the data output  105  change from low to high. Before Tn+1, the data input  103  is at low level, and the data output  105  is at high level. At Tn+1, the data input  103  remains at low level, and this low level is sampled and output to make the data output  105  change from high to low. Before Tn+2, the data input  103  is at low level and the data output is at low level too. At Tn+2, the low level of the data input  103  is sampled and the data output  105  remains at low level. Before Tn+3, the data input  103  is at high level and the data output  105  is at low level. At Tn+3, the high level of the data input  103  is sampled and the data output  105  changes from low to high. Before Tn+4, the data input  103  is at high level and the data output is at high level, too. At Tn+4, the high level of the data input  103  is sampled and the data output  105  remains at high level. Before Tn+5, the data input  103  is at low level and the data output  105  is at high level. At Tn+5, the low level of the data input  103  is sampled and the data output  105  changes from high to low.  
         [0015]     When applying the hybrid latch flip-flop of the prior art to the driver circuit of the LCD, each column electrode and row electrode needs an exclusive hybrid latch flip-flop (HLFF)  100 . However, the HLFF  100  comprises too many transistors and causes high power consumption in the driver circuit. In order to meet the requirement of low power consumption of the driver circuit, the HLFF applied in the LCD must have lower power consumption. On the other hand, a new HLFF design having the same function but lower power consumption is demanded.  
         [0016]     According to the above description, to provide a new HLFF having lower power consumption is necessary.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid latch flip-flop that has lower power consumption.  
         [0018]     In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a hybrid latch flip-flop (HLFF) in accordance with the present invention includes a clock input, a negative pulse generating unit, a latch flip-flop, a buffer unit, a data input, and a data output. The latch flip-flop includes a sample unit and a hold unit. The clock input is connected to the negative pulse generating unit. The negative pulse generating unit is connected to the sample unit. The sample unit is connected to the hold unit. The hold unit is connected to the buffer unit. The data input is connected to the sample unit. The buffer unit is connected to the data output.  
         [0019]     The negative pulse generating unit can be a positive edge trigger type, a negative edge trigger type, and a double edge trigger type. The sample unit includes seven transistors or six transistors.  
         [0020]     Compared to the prior art, the advantages of the present invention is that the number of transistors in the sample unit is fewer, thus reducing power consumption. In the present invention, the negative pulse generating unit and the latch flip-flop are used separately, and the negative pulse generating unit is the common circuit in the driver circuit. Although the negative pulse generating unit has more transistors than the inverter unit of the prior art, the total number of transistors in the driver circuit of the present invention is fewer than in the prior art. Thus, the present invention achieves the object of reducing power consumption.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, if adopting the double trigger, the data transmitting rate of the HLFF could be doubled compared to the data transmitting rate of the prior art.  
         [0022]     Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a hybrid latch flip-flop according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hybrid latch flip-flop comprising a negative pulse generating unit and a latch flip-flop;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of a negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a circuit diagram of a third embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a circuit diagram of a first embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a circuit diagram of a second embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram of a third embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a circuit diagram of a fourth embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the HLFF applied in an LCD driving circuit according to the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  is a sequence diagram of the hybrid latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a hybrid latch flip-flop disclosed in the prior art; and  
         [0034]      FIG. 12  is a sequence diagram of the hybrid latch flip-flop of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , this is a block diagram of a hybrid latch flip-flop (HLFF)  300  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The HLFF  300  includes a clock input  301 , a negative pulse generating units  310 , a latch flip-flop  330 , a buffer unit  350 , a data input  303 , and a data output  305 . The latch flip-flop  330  includes a sample unit  340  and a hold unit  349 .  
         [0036]     The clock input  301  is connected to the negative pulse generating unit  310 . The negative pulse generating unit  310  is connected to the sample unit  340 . The sample unit  340  is connected to the hold unit  349 . The hold unit  349  is connected to the buffer unit  350 . The data input  303  is connected to the sample unit  340 . The buffer unit  350  is connected to the data output  305 .  
         [0037]     The negative pulse generating unit  310  receives the clock signal from the clock input  301 , and transforms the clock signal to the negative pulse signal. The latch flip-flop  330  receives the negative pulse signal from the node  302 . In the latch flip-flop  330 , the sample unit  340  receives the data signal from the data input  303 , and receives the negative pulse signal from the negative pulse generating unit  310 . The sample unit  340  samples the data signal at each peak of the negative pulse signal. For example, at each peak of the negative pulse, if the data signal is at high level, the sample unit would output a high level signal. Otherwise, if the data signal is at low level, the sample unit would output a low level signal. The data signal being sampled would be sent to the hold unit  349  via the node  304 . Before the next data sampling, the hold unit  349  would hold the sampled result from the sample unit  340  and output the sampled signal to the buffer unit  350  via the node  306 . The buffer unit  350  delays and amplifies the sampled signal to provide a higher driving ability to drive the following circuit. Obviously, the HLFF  300  according to the present invention has the basic function like the conventional flip-flop. The basic function is to sample the data signal and output the sampled signal according to the clock signal. In the HLFF  300  according to the present invention, the negative pulse generating unit  310  includes at least three embodiments, and the latch flip-flop  330  includes at least four embodiments.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , this is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 . The negative pulse generating unit  410  includes a first inverter  411 , a second inverter  412 , a third inverter  413 , a fourth inverter  414 , and an AND gate  415 . The input of the first inverter  411  is connected to the clock input  401 . The output of the first inverter  411  is connected to the input of the second inverter  412 . The output of the second inverter  412  is connected to the input of the third inverter  413 . The output of the third inverter  413  is connected to one input of the AND gate  415 . The other input of the AND gate  415  is connected to the clock input  401 . The output of the AND gate  415  is connected to the input of the fourth inverter  414 . The output of the fourth inverter  414  is connected to the node  402 . The first inverter  411  and the second inverter  412  are used for delaying the clock signal, and the third inverter  413  is used for delaying and inverting the clock signal from the clock input  401 . That means the clock signal would be delayed and inverted by the first, second and third inverters  411 ,  412 ,  413 , and then input to one input of the AND gate  415 . The clock signal from the clock input  401  is also input into the other input of the AND gate  415 . The positive edge or the negative edge is directly input into one input of the AND gate  415 , and the positive edge or the negative edge being delayed and inverted is also input into the other input of the AND gate  415 . After receiving the positive edge of the clock signal and before receiving the delayed negative edge, the AND gate  415  outputs a positive voltage. These successive positive voltages would be viewed as a positive pulse. The positive pulse would be inverted to a negative pulse by the fourth inverter  414 . The negative pulse is output to the node  402 . However, after receiving the delayed negative edge of the clock signal and before receiving the positive edge, there would not be any pulse generated.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , this is a circuit diagram of the second embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 . The negative pulse generating unit  510  includes a first inverter  511 , a second inverter  512 , a third inverter  513 , a fourth inverter  514 , and a NOR gate  516 . The input of the first inverter  511  is connected to the clock input  501 . The output of the first inverter  511  is connected to the input of the second inverter  512 . The output of the second inverter  512  is connected to the input of the third inverter  513 . The output of the third inverter  513  is connected to one input of the NOR gate  516 . The other input of the NOR gate  516  is connected to the clock input  501 . The output of the NOR gate  516  is connected to the input of the fourth inverter  514 . The output of the fourth inverter  514  is connected to the node  502 . The first inverter  511  and the second inverter  512  are used for delaying the clock signal, and the third inverter  513  is used for delaying and inverting the clock signal from the clock input  501 . That means the clock signal would be delayed and inverted by the first, second and third inverters  511 ,  512 ,  513 , and then input to one input of the NOR gate  516 . The clock signal from the clock input  501  is also input into the other input of the NOR gate  516 . The positive edge or the negative edge is directly input into one input of the NOR gate  516 , and the positive edge or the negative edge being delayed and inverted is also input into the other input of the NOR gate  516 . After receiving the negative edge of the clock signal and before receiving the delayed positive edge, the NOR gate  516  outputs a positive voltage. These successive positive voltages would be viewed as a positive pulse. The positive pulse would be inverted to a negative pulse by the fourth inverter  514 . The negative pulse is output to the node  502 . However, after receiving the delayed positive edge of the clock signal and before receiving the negative edge, there would not be any pulse generated.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , this is a circuit diagram of the third embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 1 . It must be emphasized that the third embodiment of the negative pulse generating unit  610  adopts the double trigger method, and the data transmitting rate of the HLFF  300  could be double the data transmitting rate without changing the clock frequency. The negative pulse generating unit  610  includes a first inverter  611 , a second inverter  612 , a third inverter  613 , a fourth inverter  614 , and an Exclusive NOR gate  617 . The input of the first inverter  611  is connected to the clock input  601 . The output of the first inverter  611  is connected to the input of the second inverter  612 . The output of the second inverter  612  is connected to the input of the third inverter  613 . The output of the third inverter  613  is connected to one input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617 . The other input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617  is connected to the clock input  601 . The output of the Exclusive NOR gate  617  is connected to the input of the fourth inverter  614 . The output of the fourth inverter  614  is connected to the node  602 . The first inverter  611  and the second inverter  612  are used for delaying the clock signal, and the third inverter  613  is used for delaying and inverting the clock signal from the clock input  601 . That means the clock signal would be delayed and inverted by the first, second and third inverters  611 ,  612 ,  613 , and then input to one input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617 . The clock signal from the clock input  601  is also input into the other input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617 . The positive edge or the negative edge is directly input into one input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617 , and the positive edge or the negative edge being delayed and inverted is also input into the other input of the Exclusive NOR gate  617 . After receiving the negative edge of the clock signal and before receiving the delayed positive edge, or after receiving the positive edge of the clock signal and before receiving the delayed negative edge, the Exclusive NOR gate  617  outputs a positive voltage. These successive positive voltages would be viewed as a positive pulse. The positive pulse would be inverted to a negative pulse by the fourth inverter  614 . The negative pulse is output to the node  602 .  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , this is a circuit diagram of the first embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 . The latch flip-flop  730  comprises a sample unit  740  and a hold unit  749 . The sample unit  740  comprises: four PMOS type transistors; which are a first PMOS type transistor  731 , a second PMOS type transistor  732 , a third PMOS type transistor  733 , and a fourth PMOS type transistor  734 ; and three NMOS type transistors, which are a first NMOS type transistor  741 , a second NMOS type transistor  742 , and a third NMOS type transistor  743 . The hold unit  749  includes a fifth inverter  747  and a sixth inverter  748 .  
         [0042]     The source of the first PMOS type transistor  731  and the source of the third PMOS type transistor  733  are connected to a power source VDD. The gate of the first PMOS type transistor  731 , the gate of the first NMOS type transistor  741 , and the gate of the third PMOS type transistor  733  all are connected to the pulse input  702 . The gate of the second NMOS type transistor  742  and the gate of the second PMOS type transistor  732  are both connected to the data input  703 . The drain of the first PMOS type transistor  731  is connected to the source of the second PMOS type transistor  732 . The drain of the third PMOS type transistor  733  is connected to the source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  734 . The node V 7  is connected to the drain of the second PMOS type transistor  732 , the drain of the first NMOS type transistor  741 , the drain of the second NMOS type transistor  742 , the gate of the third NMOS type transistor  743 , and the gate of the fourth PMOS type transistor  734 . The sources of the three NMOS type transistors  741 ,  742 ,  743  are connected to ground (0 volts). The drain of the third NMOS type transistor  743  and the drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  734  are connected to the hold unit  749  via the node  704 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , people skilled in the art could easily recognize that the first PMOS type transistor  731 , the second PMOS type transistor  732 , the first NMOS type transistor  741 , and the second NMOS type transistor  742  constitute a NOR gate. The pulse input  702  and the data input  703  are two inputs of the NOR gate, and the node V 7  is the output of the NOR gate. If the pulse input  702  is at high level, the node V 7  would be at low level whether the data input  703  is at high level or low level. In such conditions, the fourth PMOS type transistor  734  is placed in a conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  743  is in a non-conducting state. The pulse input  702  being at high level also places the third PMOS type transistor  733  in a non-conducting state, and then the hold unit  749  holds the same data. In addition, if the pulse input  702  is at low level and the data input  703  is also at low level, the node V 7  would be at high level. Otherwise, if the pulse input  702  is at low level and the data input  703  is at high level, the node V 7  would be at low level. When the node V 7  is at high level, the fourth PMOS type transistor  734  is placed in a non-conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  743  is in a conducting state. The hold unit  749  is connected to ground through the node  704  and the third NMOS type transistor  743 . This is equal to outputting a low voltage to the hold unit  749 . On the other hand, when the node V 7  is at low level, the fourth PMOS type transistor  734  is placed in a conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  743  is in a non-conducting state. Due to the low level at the pulse input  702 , the third PMOS type transistor  733  is placed in a conducting state. Then, a high voltage would transmit to the hold unit  749 . The negative edge of the clock signal would trigger the sample unit  740 , and then the data signal from the data input is sampled. The hold unit  749  receives the sampled data signal from the sample unit  740  via the node  704 . Before the next data are sampled, the hold unit  749  inverts and holds the sampled data, and then outputs the sampled data to the buffer unit  750  via the node  706 .  
         [0043]     The buffer unit  750  includes a seventh inverter  751 , which is used for inverting the inverted sampled data from the latch flip-flop  730  and the node  706 . Then, the inverted sampled data are transformed to the original sampled data. The buffer unit  750  outputs the sampled data to the node  705 . That means the buffer unit  750  can provide the function of buffering the output data, and provide the higher driving force to the following circuit.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , this is a circuit diagram of the second embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 . The latch flip-flop  830  comprises a sample unit  840  and a hold unit  849 . The sample unit  840  comprises: four PMOS type transistors, which are a first PMOS type transistor  831 , a second PMOS type transistor  832 , a third PMOS type transistor  833 , and a fourth PMOS type transistor  834 ; and three NMOS type transistors, which are a first NMOS type transistor  841 , a second NMOS type transistor  842 , and a third NMOS type transistor  843 . The hold unit  849  includes a fifth inverter  847  and a sixth inverter  848 .  
         [0045]     The source of the first PMOS type transistor  831  and the source of the third PMOS type transistor  833  are connected to a power source VDD. The gate of the first PMOS type transistor  831  and the gate of the second NMOS type transistor  842  are connected to the data input  803 . The gate of the first NMOS type transistor  841 , the gate of the second PMOS type transistor  832 , and the gate of the fourth PMOS type transistor  834  all are connected to the pulse input  802 . The drain of the first PMOS type transistor  831  is connected to the source of the second PMOS type transistor  832 . The drain of the third PMOS type transistor  833  is connected to the source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  834 . The node V 8  is connected to the drain of the second PMOS type transistor  832 , the drain of the first NMOS type transistor  841 , the drain of the second NMOS type transistor  842 , the gate of the third NMOS type transistor  843 , and the gate of the third PMOS type transistor  833 . The sources of the three NMOS type transistors  841 ,  842 ,  843  are connected to ground (0 volts). The drain of the third NMOS type transistor  843  and the drain of the fourth NMOS type transistor  844  are connected to the hold unit  849  via the node  804 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , people skilled in the art could easily recognize that the first PMOS type transistor  831 , the second PMOS type transistor  832 , the first NMOS type transistor  841 , and the second NMOS type transistor  842  constitute a NAND gate. The pulse input  802  and the data input  803  are two inputs of the NAND gate, and the node V 8  is the output of the NAND gate. If the pulse input  802  is at high level, the node V 8  would be at low level whether the data input  803  is at high level or low level. In such conditions, the third PMOS type transistor  833  is placed in a conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  843  is in a non-conducting state. The pulse input  802  being at high level also places the fourth PMOS type transistor  834  in a non-conducting state, and then the hold unit  749  holds the same data. In addition, if the pulse input  802  is at low level and the data input  803  is also at low level, the node V 8  would be at high level. Otherwise, if the pulse input  802  is at low level and the data input  803  is at high level, the node V 8  would be at low level. When the node V 8  is at high level, the third PMOS type transistor  833  is placed in a non-conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  843  is in a conducting state. The hold unit  849  is connected to ground through the node  804  and the third NMOS type transistor  843 . This is equal to outputting a low voltage to the hold unit  849 . On the other hand, when the node V 8  is at low level, the third PMOS type transistor  833  is placed in a conducting state and the third NMOS type transistor  843  is in a non-conducting state. Due to the low level at the pulse input  802 , the fourth PMOS type transistor  834  is placed in a conducting state. Then, a high voltage would transmit to the hold unit  849 . The negative edge of the clock signal would trigger the sample unit  840 , and then the data signal from the data input is sampled. The hold unit  849  receives the sampled data signal from the sample unit  840  via the node  804 . Before the next data are sampled, the hold unit  849  inverts and holds the sampled data, and then outputs the sampled data to the buffer unit  850  via the node  806 .  
         [0046]     The buffer unit  850  includes a seventh inverter  851 , which is used for inverting the inverted sampled data from the latch flip-flop  830  and the node  806 . Then, the inverted sampled data are transformed to the original sampled data. The buffer unit  850  outputs the sampled data to the node  805 . That means the buffer unit  850  can provide the function of buffering the output data, and provide the higher driving force to the following circuit.  
         [0047]     The sample units  740  and  840  described above each include seven MOS type transistors. Since the sampling process according to the present invention adopts negative pulse signal triggering, the pulse input  802  is mostly at low level and the node V 8  is mostly at high level. Thus, in most implementations, adopting only the first NMOS type transistor  841  is good enough, and better than adopting both the first NMOS type transistor  841  and the second NMOS type transistor  842 . By this means, the number of transistors in the latch flip-flop is further decreased.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , this is a circuit diagram of the third embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 . The latch flip-flop  930  comprises a sample unit  940  and a hold unit  949 . The sample unit  940  comprises: four PMOS type transistors, which are a first PMOS type transistor  931 , a second PMOS type transistor  932 , a third PMOS type transistor  933 , and a fourth PMOS type transistor  934 ; and two NMOS type transistors, which are a first NMOS type transistor  941  and a second NMOS type transistor  942 . The hold unit  949  includes a fifth inverter  947  and a sixth inverter  948 .  
         [0049]     The source of first PMOS type transistor  931  and the source of the third PMOS type transistor  933  are connected to a power source VDD. The gate of the first PMOS type transistor  931 , the gate of the first NMOS type transistor  941 , and the gate of the third PMOS type transistor  933  are connected to the node  902 . The gate of the second PMOS type transistor  932  is connected to the data input  903 . The drain of the first PMOS type transistor  931  is connected to the source of the second PMOS type transistor  932 . The drain of the third PMOS type transistor  933  is connected to the source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  934 . The node V 9  is connected to the drain of the second PMOS type transistor  932 , the drain of the first NMOS type transistor  941 , the gate of the second NMOS type transistor  942 , and the gate of the fourth PMOS type transistor  934 . The source of the first NMOS type transistor  941  and the source of the second NMOS type transistor  942  are connected to ground (0 volts). The drain of the second NMOS type transistor  942  and the drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  934  are connected to the hold unit  949  via the node  904 . If the node  902  is at high level, the first PMOS type transistor  931  is placed in a non-conducting state, the third PMOS type transistor  933  is in a non-conducting state, and the first NMOS type transistor is in a conducting state. The high level of the node V 9  is connected to ground via the first NMOS type transistor  941 , and is discharged to a low level. Due to the node V 9  being at low level, the fourth PMOS type transistor  934  is placed in a conducting state and the second PMOS type transistor  932  is in a non-conducting state. Then, the hold unit  949  holds the same data whether the data input  903  is at high level or low level. When the node  902  is at low level, the first PMOS type transistor  931  is placed in conducting state, the third PMOS type transistor  933  is in a conducting state, and the first NMOS type transistor  941  is in a non-conducting state. If the data input  903  is at low level at that moment, the second PMOS type transistor  932  would be placed in a conducting state. The node V 9  is charged to a high level, and the fourth PMOS type transistor  934  is placed in a non-conducting state and the second NMOS type transistor  942  is in a conducting state. The hold unit  949  is connected to ground through the node  904  and the second NMOS type transistor  942 . The equivalent is to output a low voltage to the hold unit  949 . If the data input  903  is at high level, the second PMOS type transistor  932  is placed in a non-conducting state. The node V 9  is connected to ground. Thus, the fourth PMOS type transistor  934  is placed in a conducting state and the second NMOS type transistor  942  is in a non-conducting state. Assuming that the third PMOS type transistor  933  is also in a conducting state, the node  904  is successively charged to a high level, and outputs the high voltage to the hold unit  949 . The negative edge of the clock signal would trigger the sample unit  940 , and then the data signal from the data input  903  is sampled. The hold unit  949  receives the sampled data signal from the sample unit  940  via the node  904 . Before the next data are sampled, the hold unit  949  inverts and hold the sampled data, and then outputs the sampled data to the buffer unit  950  via the node  906 .  
         [0050]     The buffer unit  950  includes a seventh inverter  951 , which is used for inverting the inverted sampled data from the latch flip-flop  930  and the node  906 . Then, the inverted sampled data are transformed to the original sampled data. The buffer unit  950  outputs the sampled data to the node  905 . That means the buffer unit  950  can provide the function of buffering the output data, and provide the higher driving force to the following circuit.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , this is a circuit diagram of the fourth embodiment of the latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 . The latch flip-flop  1030  comprises a sample unit  1040  and a hold unit  1049 . The sample unit  1040  comprises: four PMOS type transistors, which are a first PMOS type transistor  1031 , a second PMOS type transistor  1032 , a third PMOS type transistor  1033 , and a fourth PMOS type transistor  1034 ; and two NMOS type transistors, which are a first NMOS type transistor  1041  and a second NMOS type transistor  1042 . The hold unit  1049  includes a fifth inverter  1047  and a sixth inverter  1048 .  
         [0052]     The source of first PMOS type transistor  1031  and the source of third PMOS type transistor  1033  are connected to a power source VDD. The gate of the first PMOS type transistor  1031  and the gate of the first NMOS type transistor  1041  are connected to the data input  1003 . The drain of the first PMOS type transistor  1031  is connected to the source of the second NMOS type transistor  1042 . The drain of the third PMOS type transistor  1033  is connected to the source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  1034 . The gate of the second PMOS type transistor  1032  and the gate of fourth PMOS type transistor  1034  are connected to the node  1002 . The drain of first PMOS type transistor  1031  is connected to the source of the second PMOS type transistor  1032 . The drain of third PMOS type transistor  1033  is connected to the source of the fourth PMOS type transistor  1034 . The node V 10  is connected to the drain of the second PMOS type transistor  1032 , the drain of the first NMOS type transistor  1041 , the gate of the second NMOS type transistor  1042 , and the gate of the third PMOS type transistor  1033 . The source of the first NMOS type transistor  1041  and the source of the second NMOS type transistor  1042  are connected to ground (0 volts). The drain of the second NMOS type transistor  1042  and the drain of the fourth PMOS type transistor  1034  are connected to the hold unit  1049  via the node  1004 . If the node  1002  is at high level, the second PMOS type transistor  1032  and the fourth PMOS type transistor  1034  would be placed in a non-conducting state. If the data input  1003  is at high level, the first PMOS type transistor  1031  would be placed in the non-conducting state and the first NMOS type transistor  1041  would be placed in the conducting state. That causes the node V 10  to connect to ground via the first NMOS type transistor  1041 . When the node V 10  is at low level, the third PMOS type transistor  1033  is placed in a conducting state and the second NMOS type transistor  1044  is in a non-conducting state. Then, the hold unit  1049  holds the same data whether the data input is at high level or low level. If the data input  1003  is at low level, the second PMOS type transistor  1032  would be placed in a conducting state and the fourth PMOS type transistor  1034  would be placed in a conducting state. If the data input is at low level at that moment, the first NMOS type transistor  1041  would be placed in the non-conducting state and the first PMOS type transistor  1031  would be placed in a conducting state. The node V 10  is successively charged to a high level. Due to the high level of the node V 10 , the third PMOS type transistor  1033  would be placed in a non-conducting state and the second NMOS type transistor  1042  would be placed in a conducting state. According to the above, the hold unit  1049  is connected to ground through the node  1004  and the second NMOS type transistor  1042 . The equivalent is to output a low voltage to the hold unit  1049 . If the data input  1003  is at high level, the first PMOS type transistor  1031  would be placed in a non-conducting state and the first NMOS type transistor  1041  would be placed in a conducting state. The node V 10  is connected to ground via the second NMOS type transistor  1042 . Thus, the third PMOS type transistor  1033  is placed in a conducting state and the second NMOS type transistor  1042  is in a non-conducting state. The node  1004  is successively charged to a high level, and outputs the high voltage to the hold unit  1049 . The negative edge of the clock signal would trigger the sample unit  1040 , and then the data signal from the data input  1003  is sampled. The hold unit  1049  receives the sampled data signal from the sample unit  1040  via the node  1004 . Before the next data are sampled, the hold unit  1049  inverts and holds the sampled data, and then outputs the sampled data to the buffer unit  1050  via the node  1006 .  
         [0053]     The buffer unit  1050  includes a seventh inverter  1051 , which is used for inverting the inverted sampled data from the latch flip-flop  1030  and the node  1006 . Then, the inverted sampled data are transformed to the original sampled data. The buffer unit  1050  outputs the sampled data to the node  1005 . That means the buffer unit  1050  can provide the function of buffering the output data, and provide the higher driving force to the following circuit.  
         [0054]     The sample units  740  and  840  described above each include seven MOS type transistors, and the sample units  940  and  1040  described above each include six MOS type transistors. Compared to the sample unit  140  of  FIG. 11 , which has ten MOS type transistors, the sample unit according to the present invention has lower power consumption. Although the number of transistors of the negative pulse generating unit  310  of the present invention is more than the number of transistors of the inverter unit  110  of  FIG. 11 , the negative pulse generating unit  310  and the latch flip-flop according to the present invention can be separated to let the negative pulse generating unit  310  be the common circuit in the driving circuit. Referring to  FIG. 9 , this is a block diagram of the HLFF applied in an LCD driving circuit according to the present invention. The negative pulse generating unit is the common circuit in the LCD driving circuit, therefore the increase in the number of transistors from the negative pulse generating unit will not cause increased power consumption of the total driving circuit. Thus, the HLFF according to the present invention achieves the object of having lower power consumption than the prior art.  
         [0055]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , this is a sequence diagram of the hybrid latch flip-flop of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 10 , V(D) represents the waveform diagram of the data input  303 , V(Clock) represents the waveform diagram of the clock input  301 , V(CLK) represents the waveform diagram of the pulse input  302 , and V(Q) represents the waveform diagram of the data output  305 . V(CLK) is generated by the negative pulse generating unit of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , V(CLK) and V(Clock) are at low level before clock time Tn. When the negative edge of V(Clock) arrives at Tn, V(CLK) generates a negative pulse and V(D) is sampled. Because V(D) is at high level, V(Q) changes from low to high level. Before Tn+1, V(D) is at low level, and V(Q) is at high level. At Tn+1, another negative edge of V(Clock) arrives, and V(CLK) generates another negative pulse and V(D) is sampled. Because V(D) is at low level, V(Q) changes from high to low level. For this reason, at Tn+2, because V(D) is at low level, V(Q) remains at low level. At Tn+3, because V(D) is at high level, V(Q) changes from low to high level. At Tn+4, because V(D) is at high level, V(Q) remains at high level. At Tn+5, because V(D) is at low level, V(Q) changes from high to low level. Although the embodiments described above are applied in the LCD driving circuit, people skilled in the art would know that the present invention can be applied in many fields according to the disclosure above. The present invention should not be limited to the LCD driving circuit.  
         [0056]     It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: g