Driver IC and inspection method for driver IC and output device

Abstract

A driver IC including: a plurality of output pads; and a plurality of signal switch circuits, each of the signal circuits being provided on one of signal paths respectively connected to the output pads, wherein each of the signal switch circuits switches between a first state (or a use state) in which a signal from an upstream side of the signal path is allowed to pass through the signal switch circuit and a second state (or an inspection state) in which a level pattern of signals from the output pads is fixed to an inspection level pattern, according to a control signal.

1 . A driver IC comprising: 
 a plurality of output pads; and    a plurality of signal switch circuits, each of the plurality of signal switch circuits being provided on one signal path of signal paths that are connected to the plurality of output pads,    wherein each of the signal switch circuits switches from a first state to a second state, a first signal to drive a device is outputted from one output pad in the first state, and a second signal to inspect a device is outputted from the one output pad in the second state.    
   
   
       2 . The driver IC as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of second signals are outputted from the output pads, the second signals outputted from two of the output pads being adjacent to each other have different signal levels.  
   
   
       3 . The driver IC as defined in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the output pads being arranged along a side of the driver IC in M rows (M is a natural number greater than one).    
   
   
       4 . The driver IC as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 a first logical signal and a second logical signal to control operation of each of the signal switch circuits are supplied to each of the signal switch circuits.    
   
   
       5 . The driver IC as defined in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the number of the signal switch circuits is equal to the number of the output pads.    
   
   
       6 . The driver IC as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a level shifter provided on one signal path of the signal paths between one output pad of output pads and one signal switch circuit of the plurality of signal switch circuits.