Display device

Abstract

The present application relates to a display device. The display device includes a display panel configured to display an image and a display panel driver configured to provide image data to the display panel. Here, the display panel driver is configured to be connected to a facility driver during a mechanism assembly process of the display panel, and is configured to output alignment image data including an alignment pattern based on an alignment control signal provided from the facility driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of exemplary embodiments generally relate to a display panel driver and a display device including the same. Background Art

[0002] Since flat panel display (FPD) devices are relatively lightweight and thin compared to, for example, cathode ray tube (CRT) display devices, FPD devices are widely used as display devices of electronic devices. Examples of FPD devices include liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, field emission display (FED) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, and organic light emitting display (OLED) devices.

[0003] When manufacturing a display device, a process of assembling a display panel and a mechanism (e.g., a housing or other components) by using an alignment mark (e.g., an alignment mark) formed in a non-display area of ​​the display panel is generally used. However, recently, with the development of display devices with narrow bezels, the non-display area of ​​the display panel has been reduced. Therefore, the space for forming the alignment mark is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0004] Some example embodiments provide a display panel driver configured to facilitate a process of assembling a display panel and a mechanism.

[0005] Some example embodiments provide a display device configured to facilitate a process of assembling a display panel and a mechanism.

[0006] According to an embodiment, a display panel driver includes a storage unit and a timing controller, wherein the storage unit is configured to store an alignment pattern, and the timing controller is configured to output alignment image data based on an alignment control signal provided from a facility driver during a mechanism assembly process of the display panel. The alignment pattern includes an alignment mark, and the alignment image data includes the alignment pattern.

[0007] The alignment control signal may be a power signal.

[0008] The timing controller may be configured to be driven in a fault mode when the power signal is supplied to the timing controller.

[0009] The timing controller may be configured to output failure image data in the failure mode, and the display panel may be configured to display an image based on the failure image data.

[0010] The timing controller may be configured to detect image data output from the timing controller, and may be configured to output alignment image data when the image data is malfunctioning image data.

[0011] The alignment control signal may be an enable signal having a reference voltage level.

[0012] The timing controller may be configured to output the alignment image data when an enable signal is provided to the timing controller.

[0013] The alignment control signal may be a command signal provided to the timing controller by using I2C communication.

[0014] The timing controller may be configured to output the alignment image data when a command signal is provided to the timing controller.

[0015] According to an embodiment, a display device includes a display panel configured to display an image and a display panel driver configured to provide image data to the display panel. The display panel driver is configured to be connected to a facility driver during a mechanical assembly process of the display panel, and is configured to output alignment image data including an alignment pattern based on an alignment control signal provided from the facility driver.

[0016] The display panel driver may include a storage unit configured to store an alignment pattern and a timing controller configured to output alignment image data based on an alignment control signal provided from the facility driver during a mechanical assembly process of the display panel. The alignment pattern may include an alignment mark.

[0017] The alignment control signal may be a power signal.

[0018] The timing controller may be configured to be driven in a fault mode when the power signal is supplied to the timing controller.

[0019] The timing controller may be configured to output malfunction image data for displaying an image on the display panel.

[0020] The timing controller may be configured to detect image data output from the timing controller, and may be configured to output alignment image data when the image data is malfunctioning image data.

[0021] The alignment control signal may be an enable signal having a reference voltage level.

[0022] When the enable signal is provided to the timing controller, the timing controller may output alignment image data.

[0023] The alignment control signal may be a command signal provided to the timing controller by using I2C communication.

[0024] The timing controller may be configured to output the alignment image data when a command signal is provided to the timing controller.

[0025] The alignment pattern may include an alignment mark arranged at a reference position.

[0026] Therefore, the display panel driver and the display device including the display panel driver can display an alignment pattern suitable for each of the display panels by outputting alignment image data based on an alignment control signal provided from the facility driver during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel. Therefore, the alignment mark can be arranged at the correct position, and the recognition rate of the alignment mark can be improved.

[0027] Furthermore, since each display in the display panel is aligned with the image data during the mechanical assembly process of the display panel, it is not necessary to change facilities during manufacturing. Therefore, the takt time can be reduced.

[0028] Therefore, the display panel driver and the display device including the same can facilitate the mechanical assembly process of the display panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The illustrative, non-limiting exemplary embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C It is shown that the storage Figure 1 A diagram of an example of an alignment pattern in a memory cell included in a display device shown in FIG.

[0032] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C It is shown Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of an operating method of a display panel driver included in a display device shown in FIG.

[0033] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C It is shown from Figure 1 is a diagram of an example of alignment image data output by a display panel driver included in a display device shown in .

[0034] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C The following is a diagram showing the process of assembling the display panel during the mechanical assembly process. Figure 1 A flowchart of an example of a method of driving a display device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, the aspects and features of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly connected to or directly coupled to another element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or directly connected to the second element, or the first element may be indirectly coupled or indirectly connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0036] The same reference numerals represent the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present invention, the use of "may" relates to "one or more embodiments of the present invention". When a statement such as "at least one of ... " is located after a list element, the statement modifies the elements of the entire list, rather than the separate elements in the list. In addition, the term "exemplary" is intended to represent an example or explanation. As used herein, the terms "use (use)", "use (using)" and "use (used)" can be considered to be synonymous with the terms "utilize (utilize)", "utilize (utilizing)" and "utilize (utilized)" respectively. As used herein, the terms "substantially", "about" and similar terms are used as approximate terms, rather than degree terms, and are intended to illustrate the inherent deviations in the measured values ​​or calculated values ​​that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0037] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts in this article, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of exemplary embodiments, the first element, first component, first area, first layer or first part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, second component, second area, second layer or second part. In the accompanying drawings, for clarity of illustration, the size of each element, layer, etc. can be exaggerated.

[0038] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural forms as well. It will also be understood that when used in this specification, the terms "includes", "including", "comprises" and / or "comprising" represent the presence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or their collections.

[0039] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C It is shown that the storage Figure 1 is a diagram of an example of an alignment pattern (eg, an alignment pattern) in a memory cell included in a display device shown in .

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , the display device 100 may include a display panel 110, a display panel driver 120, a data driver 130, and a scan driver 140. The display panel driver 120 may be coupled to the device driver 200 during (or during) the mechanical assembly process of the display panel 110.

[0041] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of pixels PX. A plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of scan lines SL may be formed in the display panel 110. The scan lines SL may extend in a first direction D1 and may be arranged adjacent to each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The data lines DL may extend in a second direction D2 and may be arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. The first direction D1 may be parallel to the long side of the display panel 110, and the second direction D2 may be parallel to the short side of the display panel 110. Each of the pixels PX may be formed at a cross region of the data lines DL and the scan lines SL. In some exemplary embodiments, each of the pixels PX may include a thin film transistor electrically coupled to the scan lines SL and the data lines DL, a storage capacitor coupled to the thin film transistor, a drive transistor coupled to the storage capacitor, and an organic light emitting diode coupled to the drive transistor. Therefore, the display panel 110 may be an organic light emitting display panel, and the display device 100 may be an organic light emitting display device. In this embodiment, the display panel 110 may be assembled with the housing during (or during) the mechanism assembly process. In other exemplary embodiments, each of the pixels PX may include a thin film transistor electrically coupled to the scan line SL and the data line DL, a liquid crystal capacitor, and a storage capacitor coupled to the thin film transistor. Therefore, the display panel 110 may be a liquid crystal display panel, and the display device 100 may be a liquid crystal display device. In this embodiment, the display panel 110 may be assembled with the backlight unit during the mechanical assembly process.

[0042] The display panel 110 may have a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. Pixels PX may be formed in the display area DA, and an image may be displayed on the display area DA. Lines, circuits, etc. for driving the pixels PX may be formed in the non-display area NDA. Alignment marks (e.g., alignment marks) for assembling the display panel 110 during the mechanism assembly may be formed in the non-display area NDA. However, recently, the non-display area NDA of the display panel 110 has been reduced, so that the display device 100 has a relatively narrow frame. Therefore, the space for forming the alignment mark is reduced. The display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment may facilitate the mechanism assembly process of the display device 100 with a narrow frame by displaying alignment image data (e.g., alignment image data) including the alignment mark on the display panel 110 based on a signal provided from the facility driver 200 (or provided by the facility driver 200) during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel 110.

[0043] The display panel driver 120 may include a storage unit 122 and a timing controller 124. Each of the storage unit 122 and the timing controller 124 may be implemented as a chip and may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), etc. The printed circuit board or the flexible printed circuit board on which the storage unit 122 and the timing controller 124 are mounted may be coupled to the display panel 110.

[0044] Reference FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , the storage unit 122 may store an alignment pattern including one or more alignment marks AM. Figure 2A , the storage unit 122 may store an alignment pattern having a plus sign-shaped or cross-shaped (+) alignment mark AM located at positions corresponding to the four corners of the display area DA of the display panel 110. Figure 2B , the storage unit 122 may store an alignment pattern having plus-shaped or cross-shaped alignment marks AM arranged at regular intervals around the display area DA of the display panel 110 (eg, around the periphery of the display area DA of the display panel 110). Figure 2C , the storage unit 122 may store an alignment pattern having square-shaped alignment marks AM located at positions corresponding to the four corners of the display area DA of the display panel 110. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C , the alignment mark AM having a plus sign shape and a square shape is described, but the shape and number of the alignment mark AM are not limited thereto. For example, the alignment mark AM may have a rectangular shape or a circular shape, and the alignment pattern may include one or more alignment marks AM. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C 10 and 11 describe an alignment pattern including alignment marks AM arranged at four corners of the display area DA or arranged around the display area DA, but the arrangement of the alignment marks AM on the display area DA of the display panel 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the alignment marks AM may be arranged at any suitable position in the display area DA.

[0045] The timing controller 124 may output image data.

[0046] When the display device 100 is driven, the timing controller 124 may receive input image data and an input control signal from an external device. The timing controller 124 may convert the input image data into image data (e.g., display image data) by applying an algorithm for compensating the display quality of the input image data, and provide the image data to the data driver 130. In addition, the timing controller 124 may generate a scan control signal and a data control signal for controlling the driving timing of the image data based on the input control signal. The timing controller 124 may provide the scan control signal to the scan driver 140, and may provide the data control signal to the data driver 130.

[0047] The timing controller 124 may be coupled to the facility driver 200 during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel 110. In some embodiments, the facility driver 200 may not include an additional pattern generator. The timing controller 124 may output alignment image data AIMG including an alignment pattern based on the alignment control signal ACTL provided from the facility driver 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the alignment control signal ACTL may be a power signal, and the facility driver 200 may provide the power signal as the alignment control signal ACTL to the timing controller 124. When the power signal is provided to the timing controller 124, the timing controller 124 may be driven in a fault mode. The timing controller 124 may output fault image data in a fault mode, wherein the fault image data displays an image (e.g., a predetermined image) on the display panel 110. For example, the fault image data may be black image data displaying a black image, red image data displaying a red image, green image data displaying a green image, and / or blue image data displaying a blue image.

[0048] The timing controller 124 may detect image data (eg, display image data). When the image data is faulty image data, the timing controller 124 may output alignment image data AIMG including an alignment pattern. The alignment image data AIMG may be image data in which the faulty image data and the alignment pattern stored in the storage unit 122 are combined.

[0049] In other exemplary embodiments, the alignment control signal ACTL may be an enable signal having a reference voltage level (e.g., a predetermined voltage level). The facility driver 200 may provide the enable signal having the reference voltage level to the timing controller 124. In some embodiments, the enable signal may activate a function of outputting alignment image data AIMG from the timing controller 124 (e.g., may enable the timing controller 124 to output alignment image data AIMG). The timing controller 124 may output alignment image data AIMG in which the fault image data and the alignment pattern stored in the storage unit 122 are combined in response to the enable signal.

[0050] In other exemplary embodiments, the alignment control signal ACTL may be a command signal. The facility driver 200 may provide the command signal to the timing controller 124 by using, for example, I2C communication. The command signal may be a signal that controls (e.g., is configured to control) a logic block of the timing controller 124 (e.g., the timing controller 124 may be configured to control its logic block in response to the command signal). The timing controller 124 may output alignment image data AIMG in which the fault image data and the alignment pattern stored in the storage unit 122 are combined in response to the command signal.

[0051] The scan driver 140 may output a scan signal SS based on a scan control signal provided from the timing controller 124. The scan driver 140 may generate the scan signal SS to output (e.g., display) alignment image data AIMG during a mechanical assembly process of the display panel 110. The scan driver 140 may provide the scan signal SS to the pixel PX through the scan line SL.

[0052] The data driver 130 may output a data signal DS based on the image data and the data control signal provided from the timing controller 124. The data driver 130 may generate the data signal DS corresponding to the alignment image data AIMG provided from the timing controller 124 during the mechanical assembly process of the display panel 110. The data driver 130 may provide the data signal DS to the pixel PX through the data line DL.

[0053] As described above, the display device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment can simplify the mechanism assembly process of the display panel 110 by outputting the alignment image data AIMG based on the alignment control signal ACTL provided from the facility driver 200. In addition, since there is no need to change the facility due to a product change, the tack time can be reduced. In addition, the recognition rate of the alignment mark AM can be improved by displaying the alignment mark AM as an image on the display panel 110. In addition, since the facility driver 200 does not include a pattern generator, and the alignment image data AIMG corresponding to the image displayed on the display panel 110 is generated in the timing controller 124, the alignment mark AM can be positioned at the correct position.

[0054] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C It is shown Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an example of the operation of the display panel driver included in the display device 100 shown in FIG.

[0055] Reference Figure 3A, the display panel driver 300 may include a storage unit 320 and a timing controller 340. The storage unit 320 may store an alignment pattern AP including one or more alignment marks. Figure 1 ) during the mechanism assembly process, the timing controller 340 may be connected to the device driver 400. The device driver 400 may provide the power signal PV to the timing controller 340. Figure 1 ) is driven, the timing controller 340 may receive input image data, an input control signal, a power signal PV, etc. When abnormal input image data or an abnormal input control signal is provided to the timing controller 340, the timing controller 340 may be driven in a fault mode. When the input image data and the input control signal are not provided to the timing controller 340 and only the power signal PV is provided, the timing controller 340 may be driven in a fault mode. The timing controller 340 may output reference image data (e.g., predetermined image data) in a fault mode. The timing controller 340 according to an exemplary embodiment may output fault image data that displays a reference image on the display panel in a fault mode. The timing controller 340 may detect the image data output from the timing controller 340, and may provide the pattern control signal PS to the storage unit 320 when the image data is fault image data. The storage unit 320 may provide one of the alignment patterns AP to the timing controller 340 based on the pattern control signal PS. The timing controller 340 may generate alignment image data AIMG in which the fault image data and the alignment pattern AP stored in the storage unit 320 are combined, and may provide the alignment image data AIMG to the data driver 130 (see Figure 1 ).

[0056] Reference Figure 3B, the display panel driver 300 may include a storage unit 320 and a timing controller 340. The storage unit 320 may store an alignment pattern AP including one or more alignment marks. During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the timing controller 340 may be connected to the facility driver 400. The facility driver 400 may provide an enable signal EN to the timing controller 340. The enable signal EN may have a reference voltage level (e.g., a predetermined voltage level). The enable signal EN may be a signal that activates a function in the timing controller 340 to output alignment image data AIMG. The timing controller 340 may generate fault image data in response to the enable signal EN, and may provide a pattern control signal PS to the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 may provide one of the alignment patterns AP based on the pattern control signal PS. The timing controller 340 may generate alignment image data AIMG in which the fault image data and the alignment pattern AP provided from the storage unit 320 are combined, and may output the alignment image data AIMG to the data driver 130 (see Figure 1 ).

[0057] Reference Figure 3C , the display panel driver 300 may include a storage unit 320 and a timing controller 340. The storage unit 320 may store an alignment pattern AP including one or more alignment marks. During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the timing controller 340 may be connected to the facility driver 400. The facility driver 400 may provide a command signal COMM to the timing controller 340. The command signal COMM may be a signal that controls a logic block of the timing controller 340. The timing controller 340 may generate fault image data in response to the command signal COMM, and may provide a pattern control signal PS to the storage unit 320. The storage unit 320 may provide one of the alignment patterns AP to the timing controller 340 based on the pattern control signal PS. The timing controller 340 may generate alignment image data AIMG in which the fault image data and the alignment pattern AP provided by the storage unit 320 are combined, and may output the alignment image data AIMG to the data driver.

[0058] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C It is shown from Figure 1 2 is a diagram of an example of alignment image data output by a display panel driver included in the display device 100 shown in FIG.

[0059] Reference FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The display panel driver may output alignment image data in which black image data and alignment patterns are combined during the mechanical assembly process of the display panel. The timing controller included in the display panel driver may respond to the power signal PV (see Figure 3A ), enable signal EN (see Figure 3B ) and command signal COMM (see Figure 3C ) to generate black image data. In addition, the timing controller can FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C ) is provided to a storage unit included in the display panel driver, and the alignment pattern AP may be received from the storage unit (see FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C )one of the.

[0060] Reference Figure 4A , the timing controller may generate alignment image data by combining the black image data with an alignment pattern including plus-shaped or cross-shaped alignment marks positioned at four corners of a display area of ​​the display panel.

[0061] Reference Figure 4B , the timing controller may generate alignment image data by combining the black image data with an alignment pattern including plus-shaped or cross-shaped alignment marks arranged at regular intervals around a display area of ​​the display panel.

[0062] Reference Figure 4C , the timing controller may generate the alignment image data by combining the black image data with an alignment pattern including square-shaped alignment marks positioned at four corners of the display area of ​​the display panel.

[0063] Although for FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C The alignment image data in which black image data and the alignment pattern are combined is described, but the image data combined with the alignment pattern is not limited to the black image data. The image data combined with the alignment pattern may have a color that improves the visibility of the alignment pattern. For example, the timing controller may generate the alignment image data in which gray image data and the alignment pattern are combined. In addition, one or more alignment marks included in the alignment pattern may have a variety of colors and a variety of shapes, and may be presented in various numbers.

[0064] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C The following is a diagram showing the process of assembling the display panel during the mechanical assembly process. Figure 1 A flowchart of an example of a driving method of the display device 100 is shown in FIG.

[0065] Reference Figure 5A During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: receiving a power signal S100, operating in a fault mode S120, detecting image data S140, outputting a pattern control signal S160, and generating alignment image data S180.

[0066] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include receiving a power signal from a facility driver S100. The facility driver may not include an additional pattern generator, and may provide the power signal to the display panel driver.

[0067] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include operating the display panel (e.g., timing controller) in a fault mode S120. When only the power signal is provided to the timing controller of the display panel driver, the timing controller may operate in a fault mode. The timing controller may output reference image data (e.g., predetermined image data) in the fault mode. For example, the timing controller may output fault image data that displays a reference image on the display panel in the fault mode.

[0068] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include detecting faulty image data (e.g., black image data) output to the data driver in the fault mode S140. For example, the timing controller of the display panel driver may analyze red image data, green image data, and blue image data of the image data output to the data driver, and may determine whether the image data is faulty image data.

[0069] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: when the image data output to the data driver is the fault image data, outputting the pattern control signal to the storage unit of the display panel S160. The storage unit of the display panel driver may store a plurality of alignment patterns, and the storage unit may output one of the alignment patterns based on the pattern control signal.

[0070] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include generating alignment image data S180. The timing controller of the display panel driver may generate the alignment image data by combining the fault image data and the alignment pattern, and the timing controller may output the alignment image data to the data driver.

[0071] As described above, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: displaying an alignment mark without a pattern generator by storing an alignment pattern; detecting image data of a timing controller operating in a fault mode based on a power signal provided from a facility driver; and generating alignment image data based on the image data and the alignment pattern. In addition, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: displaying an alignment mark suitable for each display panel by outputting an alignment pattern stored in a display panel driver of each of the display panels without changing the facility.

[0072] Reference Figure 5B During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: receiving an enable signal S200, outputting a pattern control signal S220, and generating alignment image data S240.

[0073] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include receiving an enable signal S200 from a facility driver. The facility driver may not include an additional pattern generator, and may provide the enable signal to the display panel driver. The enable signal may have a reference voltage level (e.g., a predetermined voltage level). The enable signal may activate a function of outputting alignment image data from a timing controller.

[0074] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include outputting a pattern control signal to a storage unit of the display panel driver in response to an enable signal provided from the facility driver S220. The storage unit of the display panel driver may include a plurality of alignment patterns. The storage unit of the display panel driver may output one of the alignment patterns based on the pattern control signal.

[0075] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include generating alignment image data S240. The timing controller of the display panel driver may generate the alignment image data by combining the fault image data with the alignment pattern. The timing controller of the display panel driver may output the alignment image data to the data driver.

[0076] As described above, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: by storing an alignment pattern, displaying an alignment mark on the display panel without a pattern generator (e.g., without using a pattern generator), and generating alignment image data based on an enable signal provided by a facility driver. In addition, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: by outputting an alignment pattern stored in a display panel driver of each of the display panels, displaying an alignment mark suitable for each of the display panels without changing the facility.

[0077] Reference Figure 5C During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: receiving a command signal S300, outputting a pattern control signal S320, and generating alignment image data S340.

[0078] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: receiving a command signal from a facility driver S300. The facility driver may not include an additional pattern generator and may provide the command signal to the display panel driver. The command signal may be a signal that controls a logic block of a timing controller.

[0079] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: in response to the command signal provided from the facility driver, outputting the pattern control signal to the storage unit of the display panel driver S320. The storage unit of the display panel driver may include a plurality of alignment patterns, and the storage unit of the display panel driver may output one of the alignment patterns based on the pattern control signal.

[0080] During the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include generating alignment image data S340. The timing controller of the display panel driver may generate the alignment image data by combining the fault image data and the alignment pattern. The timing controller of the display panel driver may output the alignment image data to the data driver.

[0081] As described above, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: by storing an alignment pattern, displaying an alignment mark on the display panel without a pattern generator (e.g., without using a pattern generator), and generating alignment image data based on a command signal provided by a facility driver. In addition, during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, the driving method of the display device may include: by outputting an alignment pattern stored in a display panel driver of each of the display panels, displaying an alignment mark suitable for each of the display panels without changing the facility.

[0082] The inventive concept can be applied to a display device and an electronic device including the display device. For example, the inventive concept can be applied to a computer display screen, a laptop computer, a digital camera, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a smart tablet, a television, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a navigation system, a game console, a video phone, etc.

[0083] The foregoing is an illustration of exemplary embodiments and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although several exemplary embodiments have been described, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the aspects and features of the inventive concept. Therefore, all of these modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concept as defined in the claims and their equivalents. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing is an illustration of various exemplary embodiments, and the inventive concept should not be construed as being limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. In addition, modifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments and other exemplary embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a display panel configured to display an image; as well as a display panel driver configured to provide image data to the display panel, wherein the display panel driver is configured to be coupled to a facility driver during a mechanism assembly process of the display panel, and configured to output alignment image data including an alignment pattern based on an alignment control signal provided from the facility driver, Wherein, the display panel driver comprises: a storage unit configured to store the alignment pattern, the alignment pattern comprising an alignment mark; and a timing controller configured to output the alignment image data based on the alignment control signal provided from the facility driver during the mechanism assembly process of the display panel, The alignment control signal is a power signal, an enable signal having a reference voltage level, or a command signal provided to the timing controller by using I2C communication.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The timing controller is configured to drive in a fault mode when the power signal is provided to the timing controller.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The timing controller is configured to output malfunction image data for displaying an image on the display panel.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The timing controller is configured to detect image data output from the timing controller, and is configured to output the alignment image data when the image data is the failure image data.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: When the enable signal is provided to the timing controller, the timing controller outputs the alignment image data.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The timing controller is configured to output the alignment image data when the command signal is provided to the timing controller.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The alignment pattern includes the alignment mark arranged at a reference position.

Images