Display device including degradation compensation device

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device includes a display unit, a degradation compensator, and a data driver. The display unit includes a first pixel and a second pixel respectively arranged in a first area and a second area. The degradation compensator generates a first compensated gray value by compensating a first gray value for the first pixel based on a first degradation curve and generates a second compensated gray value by compensating a second gray value for the second pixel based on a second degradation curve, wherein the first degradation curve and the second degradation curve respectively define a brightness reduction rate of the first pixel and the second pixel according to the accumulated use time. The data driver generates a first data signal and a second data signal respectively based on the first compensated gray value and the second compensated gray value and supplies the first data signal and the second data signal to the first pixel and the second pixel respectively. The transmittance of the second area is greater than the transmittance of the first area.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and all benefits derived therefrom from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0019840, filed on Feb. 20, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate to a degradation compensation device and a display device including the degradation compensation device. Background Art

[0003] The organic light emitting diode display includes an organic light emitting diode for controlling brightness by current or voltage and a thin film transistor for driving the organic light emitting diode.

[0004] In such an organic light emitting diode display, pixels degrade due to degradation of the organic light emitting diode and the thin film transistor. Even if the same voltage is applied to the pixel, the current flowing through the pixel decreases due to degradation of the organic light emitting diode and the thin film transistor, thereby degrading the brightness of the pixel.

[0005] The display device may update the cumulative use time of the pixel and compensate for degradation of the pixel by compensating a grayscale value corresponding to the pixel based on the cumulative use time. Summary of the invention

[0006] Recently, a display device includes an optical sensor to sense light penetrating through a display panel, and the display panel may have locally different resolutions to improve sensitivity of the optical sensor.

[0007] In such a display device, a relatively high current can be supplied to pixels in a relatively low-resolution area to compensate for the brightness difference caused by the difference in resolution. However, the degradation of pixels in the relatively low-resolution area is accelerated, and degradation compensation may not be properly performed.

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a degradation compensation device and a display device including the same, which effectively compensate for degradation of pixels in a display panel having locally different resolutions.

[0009] An exemplary embodiment of a display device according to the invention includes: a display unit including a first pixel arranged in a first area and a second pixel arranged in a second area different from the first area; a degradation compensator generating a first compensated grayscale value by compensating a first grayscale value for the first pixel based on a first degradation curve, and generating a second compensated grayscale value by compensating a second grayscale value for the second pixel based on a second degradation curve, wherein the first degradation curve defines a luminance reduction rate of the first pixel according to a first cumulative usage time, and the second degradation curve defines a luminance reduction rate of the second pixel according to a second cumulative usage time; and a data driver generating a first data signal based on the first compensated grayscale value so as to supply the first data signal to the first pixel, and generating a second data signal based on the second compensated grayscale value so as to supply the second data signal to the second pixel, wherein a light transmittance of the second area is greater than a light transmittance of the first area.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display unit may include a transmissive region located between the second pixel and an adjacent pixel in the second area, the transmissive region may transmit at least a portion of the incident light, the adjacent pixel may be arranged adjacent to the second pixel in the second area, and the resolution of the second area may be lower than the resolution of the first area.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the display device may further include an optical sensor disposed to overlap the second area of ​​the display unit, wherein the optical sensor senses light transmitted to the second area.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the first grayscale value is the same as the second grayscale value, the voltage level of the first data signal may be different from the voltage level of the second data signal, and when the first cumulative usage time and the second cumulative usage time are equal to each other, the difference between the voltage level of the first data signal and the voltage level of the second data signal increases as the first cumulative usage time or the second cumulative usage time increases.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the first pixel and the second pixel may include a transistor and a light emitting element, the light emitting element is connected to the transistor to receive a driving current through the transistor, and when the first grayscale value and the second grayscale value are equal to each other, a second driving current corresponding to the second data signal flowing in the second pixel may be greater than a first driving current corresponding to the first data signal flowing in the first pixel.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degradation compensator may use a first lookup table to compensate for a first grayscale value, and may use a second lookup table to compensate for a second grayscale value, the first lookup table may include a first grayscale compensation value corresponding to a first cumulative usage time based on a first degradation curve, and the second lookup table may include a second grayscale compensation value corresponding to a second cumulative usage time based on a second degradation curve.

[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second degradation acceleration factor indicating a slope of a tangent line relative to the second degradation curve may be greater than the first degradation acceleration factor indicating a slope of a tangent line relative to the first degradation curve.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a degradation compensator may include: an accumulator, which calculates a first cumulative usage time by accumulating a first compensated grayscale value, and calculates a second cumulative usage time by accumulating a second compensated grayscale value; a memory, which stores the first cumulative usage time and the second cumulative usage time as well as a first lookup table and a second lookup table; and a compensator, which obtains a first grayscale compensation value based on the first cumulative usage time and the first lookup table to compensate for the first grayscale value, and obtains a second grayscale compensation value based on the second cumulative usage time and the second lookup table to compensate for the second grayscale value.

[0017] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the first grayscale value and the second grayscale value are equal to each other during the reference time, a change in the second accumulated use time may be greater than a change in the first accumulated use time during the reference time.

[0018] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first grayscale value and the second grayscale value may be included in the image data, and the compensator may include: a selector that selects a first lookup table based on position information of the first grayscale value in the image data, and selects a second lookup table based on position information of the second grayscale value in the image data; and a calculator that calculates a first compensated grayscale value by adding a first grayscale compensation value obtained from the first lookup table to the first grayscale value, and calculates a second compensated grayscale value by adding a second grayscale compensation value obtained from the second lookup table to the second grayscale value.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second pixel may include a plurality of sub-pixels emitting light of different colors from each other, and the second lookup table includes sub-lookup tables respectively corresponding to degradation curves of the plurality of sub-pixels.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second lookup table can be set for a representative grayscale value, which is a grayscale value within the grayscale range of the second grayscale value, and the degradation compensator can compensate the second grayscale value based on a grayscale factor, which can be a degradation compensation ratio set based on the representative grayscale value.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degradation compensator may further include a first factor lookup table including grayscale factors set for each grayscale value.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second lookup table may include multiple sub-lookup tables for multiple representative grayscale values, and the degradation compensator may select a first sub-lookup table and a second sub-lookup table corresponding to a first representative grayscale value and a second representative grayscale value adjacent to a second grayscale value among the representative grayscale values ​​from the multiple sub-lookup tables from the multiple sub-lookup tables, and may obtain a grayscale compensation value from each of the first sub-lookup table and the second sub-lookup table based on a second accumulated usage time, and may calculate a second grayscale compensation value by interpolating the grayscale compensation value obtained from the first sub-lookup table and the grayscale compensation value obtained from the second sub-lookup table.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degradation compensator may determine a temperature factor based on temperature information received from the outside, and may compensate the second grayscale value based on the temperature factor.

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degradation compensator may further include a second factor lookup table including a temperature factor set according to a temperature.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the second lookup table may include multiple sub-lookup tables set according to temperature, and the degradation compensator may select one of the multiple sub-lookup tables based on temperature information received from the outside, and may obtain a second grayscale compensation value from the selected one of the multiple sub-lookup tables based on the second accumulated usage time.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first pixel and the second pixel may have the same pixel structure as each other, and the second region may have the same brightness as that of the first region.

[0027] An exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensation device according to the invention includes: an accumulator, which calculates a first cumulative grayscale value by accumulating first grayscale values ​​for pixels in a first area of ​​image data, and calculates a second cumulative grayscale value by accumulating second grayscale values ​​for pixels in a second area of ​​image data; a storage unit, which stores a first lookup table and a second lookup table, the first lookup table including a first grayscale compensation value corresponding to the first cumulative grayscale value, and the second lookup table including a second grayscale compensation value corresponding to the second cumulative grayscale value; and a compensator, which compensates the first grayscale value based on the first lookup table, and compensates the second grayscale value based on the second lookup table, wherein the first grayscale value and the second grayscale value correspond to the same color as each other.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the first grayscale value and the second grayscale value are equal to each other during a reference time, a change in the second cumulative grayscale value may be greater than a change in the first cumulative grayscale value during the reference time.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, a degradation compensation apparatus and a display apparatus including the same may more accurately compensate for degradation of pixels by performing degradation compensation on pixels disposed in regions having relatively different resolutions by using independent degradation curves whose degradation acceleration factors are different from each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above and other features of exemplary embodiments of the invention will become readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a display device. Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II';

[0033] Figure 3 is used to show that the Figure 2 A block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display panel in a display device of FIG. 1 ;

[0034] Figure 4 is used to show the settings Figure 3 A diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pixel in a sensing area and a non-sensing area of ​​;

[0035] Figure 5 is used to show the Figure 4 A waveform diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a data signal of a pixel of FIG. 1 ;

[0036] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 4A graph showing degradation characteristics of a pixel;

[0037] Figure 7 It is used to show Figure 4 A circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pixel of;

[0038] Figure 8 is used to show that the Figure 3 A block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG. 1 ;

[0039] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B It is shown Figure 4 A graph of degradation characteristics of each pixel;

[0040] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B is used to show that the Figure 3 A block diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG. 1 ;

[0041] Fig.11 It is shown in Fig. 10A A graph of an exemplary embodiment of a grayscale factor used in a degradation compensator of FIG.

[0042] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is used to show that the Figure 3 A block diagram of another alternative exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG.

[0043] Fig.13 It is shown in Fig. 12A A graph of an exemplary embodiment of a temperature factor used in a degradation compensator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. However, the invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout.

[0045] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, the element can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0046] It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings herein, the "first element", "first component", "first region", "first layer" or "first part" discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0047] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be limited. As used herein, unless the content clearly indicates otherwise, the singular "one (kind / person)" and "the / said" (including "at least one (kind / person)") are intended to include plural forms. "Or (or)" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. It will also be understood that the term "include" and / or its variations or "include" and / or its variations are used in this specification to indicate the presence of stated features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups.

[0048] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used here to describe the relationship of one element to another element as shown in the figure. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in one of the figures in the accompanying drawings is turned over, the element described as being on the "lower" side of the other elements will then be positioned on the "upper" side of the other elements. Therefore, depending on the specific orientation of the drawings, the exemplary term "lower" can include both "lower" and "upper" orientations. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures in the accompanying drawings is turned over, the element described as being "below" or "below" the other elements will then be positioned "above" the other elements. Therefore, the exemplary terms "below..." or "below..." can include both upper and lower orientations.

[0049] As used herein, "about" or "approximately" is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurements being discussed and the errors associated with the measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, ±20%, ±10%, ±5% of the stated value.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in common dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0051] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views as schematic diagrams of idealized embodiments. As such, variations in the shapes of the diagrams, such as those caused by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are contemplated. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as being limited to the specific shapes of the regions as shown herein, but will include shape deviations, such as those caused by manufacturing. For example, a region shown or described as being flat may typically have rough features and / or nonlinear features. In addition, the sharp corners shown may be rounded. Therefore, the regions shown in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shapes of the regions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0052] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the display device DD includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The display area DA and the non-display area NDA may be defined on a surface (or display surface) of the display device DD. The display area DA may be an area where an image is displayed, and the non-display area NDA may be provided along a boundary of the display area DA, but is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the non-display area NDA may be provided at one side of the display area DA.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may include a sensing area SA and a non-sensing area NSA. The display device DD may not only display an image but also detect light incident from the outside (eg, the front) through the sensing area SA. The non-sensing area NSA may surround the sensing area SA, but is not limited thereto. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the sensing area SA has a circular planar shape and is disposed near one side in the display area DA, but is not limited thereto. The shape, size, and position of the sensing area SA may be variously modified according to a sensor described later.

[0056] Figure 2 is used to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a display device along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II'.

[0057] Hereinafter, in the display device DD, a direction perpendicular to a display surface on which an image is displayed is defined as an upper direction, and a direction opposite to the upper direction is defined as a lower direction. Exemplary embodiments of the display device DD will be described in more detail below.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a display device DD may include a display panel DP, a polarizer POL, a black matrix BM, a window WD, and an optical sensor OS.

[0059] The display panel DP may display an image based on image data supplied from the outside. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the display panel DP may be an organic light emitting diode display panel including organic light emitting diodes, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] The polarizer POL may be disposed on the display panel DP and may suppress light incident thereto from the outside from being reflected to the outside by polarizing the light incident from the outside. In such an embodiment, the polarizer POL may perform an anti-reflection function and may effectively prevent the visibility of the display panel DP from being degraded by light incident from the outside.

[0061] The window WD may be disposed above the polarizer POL and may protect a structure thereunder (eg, the display panel DP) from external impact. The window WD may be attached to the polarizer POL by an optically clear adhesive OCA.

[0062] The black matrix BM may be disposed between the window WD and the display panel DP in the non-display area NDA. The black matrix BM may absorb light incident from the outside and may prevent a structure (eg, the display panel DP) disposed under the black matrix BM in the non-display area NDA from being viewed from the outside.

[0063] The optical sensor OS may be disposed below the display panel DP in the sensing area SA. The optical sensor OS may sense the light RAY transmitted through the sensing area SA of the display panel DP. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor OS may be implemented as an infrared sensor and may sense infrared light (i.e., light in an infrared band) transmitted through the sensing area SA of the display panel DP. The light sensed by the optical sensor OS may be used to authenticate the user's biometric information (e.g., iris, fingerprint, etc.).

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transmittance (i.e., light transmittance or light transmittance) in the sensing area SA of the display panel DP may be greater than the transmittance in the non-sensing area NSA. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the sensing area SA of the display panel DP may include a transmissive area (or a transparent area) for transmitting light, and thus the resolution (or pixel density) in the sensing area of ​​the display panel DP may be lower than the resolution in the non-sensing area NSA. This will be referred to later. Figure 4 The resolution of the sensing area SA is described in more detail.

[0065] In such an embodiment, when the resolution of the sensing area SA is lower than the resolution of the non-sensing area NSA, in order to display an image with uniform brightness, the current flowing through the pixels in the sensing area SA will be larger than the current flowing through the pixels in the non-sensing area NSA, so that the pixels in the sensing area SA will degrade faster than the pixels in the non-sensing area NSA, and the degradation characteristics of the pixels in the sensing area SA will be different from the degradation characteristics of the pixels in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0066] Therefore, an exemplary embodiment of the display device DD (or display panel DP) according to the invention may perform degradation compensation on pixels in the sensing area SA and pixels in the non-sensing area NSA, respectively, based on different degradation curves (or degradation compensation curves).

[0067] Figure 3 is used to show that the Figure 2 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display panel in a display device of FIG. 1 .

[0068] Reference Figure 3 , the display panel DP may include a display unit 100 , a scan driver 200 , a light emitting driver 300 , a data driver 400 , a timing controller 500 , and a degradation compensator 600 .

[0069] The display unit 100 may include scan lines SL1 to SLn (here, n is a positive integer greater than 2), emission lines EL1 to ELn, data lines DL1 to DLm (here, m is a positive integer greater than 2), and pixels PX. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the pixels PX may be disposed in a region (e.g., a pixel region) divided by the scan lines SL1 to SLn, the emission lines EL1 to ELn, and the data lines DL1 to DLm.

[0070] The pixel PX may be connected to a corresponding one of the scan lines SL1 to SLn, a corresponding one of the emission lines EL1 to ELn, and a corresponding one of the data lines DL1 to DLm. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the pixel PX may be connected to the i-th scan line SLi, the i-th emission line ELi, and the j-th data line DLj (here, i and j are positive integers).

[0071] The pixel PX may emit light corresponding to a data signal supplied through the jth data line DLj in response to a scan signal supplied through the i-th scan line SLi and a light emission signal supplied through the i-th light emission line ELi. Figure 7 The configuration and operation of the pixel PX are described in more detail.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, as described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As described above, the resolution in the sensing area SA may be lower than the resolution in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0073] The scan driver 200 may generate a scan signal based on a scan control signal SCS, and sequentially supply the scan signal to the scan lines SL1 to SLn. Here, the scan control signal SCS may include a start signal (or a scan start signal), a clock signal (or a scan clock signal), etc., and may be supplied from the timing controller 500. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the scan driver 200 may include a shift register that sequentially generates and outputs a scan signal in response to the start signal based on the clock signal. The scan driver 200 may be disposed or formed in the display unit 100, or may be implemented as an integrated circuit ("IC") and connected to the display unit 100 in the form of a tape carrier package.

[0074] The light emitting driver 300 may generate a light emitting signal based on the light emitting control signal ECS, and supply the light emitting signal to the light emitting lines EL1 to ELn. In an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting control signal ECS may include a light emitting start signal, a light emitting clock signal, etc. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting driver 300 may sequentially generate and output the light emitting signal in response to the light emitting start signal based on the light emitting clock signal. The light emitting driver 300 may be provided or formed in the display unit 100, or may be implemented as an IC and connected to the display unit 100 in the form of a tape carrier package. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting driver 300 and the scan driver 200 may be implemented as a single IC.

[0075] The data driver 400 may generate a data signal based on the compensated data DATA3 supplied from the degradation compensator 600, and supply the data signal to the display unit 100 or the pixel PX. The data driver 400 may be connected to the display unit 100 in the form of a tape carrier package. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the data driver 400 and the scan driver 200 may be implemented as a single IC.

[0076] The timing controller 500 may receive input image data DATA1 and a control signal CS from an external device or an external device (e.g., a graphics processor or a graphics processing unit), generate a scan control signal SCS and a light emission control signal ECS, and generate image data DATA2 by converting the input image data DATA1. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the timing controller 500 may convert the input image data DATA1 in an RGB format into image data DATA2 in an RGBG format conforming to a pixel array in the display unit 100.

[0077] The degradation compensator 600 may calculate the degree of degradation of the pixel PX based on the image data DATA2 , and may generate compensated data DATA3 (or degradation compensation data) based on the degree of degradation of the pixel PX, thereby compensating the image data DATA2 .

[0078] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the degradation compensator 600 may calculate the degradation degree (or accumulated use time, stress) of the pixel PX by accumulating the grayscale values ​​(i.e., the grayscale values ​​corresponding to the pixel PX) included in the image data DATA2, and may calculate the compensated grayscale value by compensating the grayscale value based on a predetermined degradation curve and the degradation degree of the pixel PX. Here, the degradation curve may represent a luminance reduction rate according to the degradation degree, and the compensated grayscale value may be included in the compensated data DATA3.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the degradation compensator 600 may compensate for a first grayscale value corresponding to a pixel PX in the non-sensing area NSA and a second grayscale value corresponding to a pixel PX in the sensing area SA by using degradation curves different from each other.

[0080] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the degradation compensator 600 may compensate for a first grayscale value corresponding to a pixel PX in the non-sensing area NSA based on a first degradation curve (or using a degradation compensation equation or a lookup table corresponding to the first degradation curve), and may compensate for a second grayscale value corresponding to a pixel PX in the sensing area SA based on a second degradation curve (or using a degradation compensation equation or a lookup table corresponding to the second degradation curve).

[0081] Will refer to later Figure 8 The construction and operation of the degradation compensator 600 are described in more detail.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, a first power supply voltage VDD and a second power supply voltage VSS may be supplied to the display unit 100. The power supply voltages VDD and VSS are voltages for operation of the pixel PX. The voltage level of the first power supply voltage VDD may be higher than the voltage level of the second power supply voltage VSS. In an exemplary embodiment, although Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, an initialization voltage may be applied to the display unit 100, and the initialization voltage may be used to initialize a previous data signal stored in the pixel PX.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment, the timing controller 500 and the degradation compensator 600 may be configured as follows. Figure 3 . Alternatively, since the timing controller 500 and the degradation compensator 600 are conceptually separated according to functions, the timing controller 500 and the degradation compensator 600 may be implemented as a single IC. Alternatively, the timing controller 500 may include the data driver 400 and the like.

[0084] Figure 4 is used to show the settings in Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of pixels in a sensing area and a non-sensing area. Figure 4 Shown is a reference Figure 3 2 and 3. The arrangement of pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 (or sub-pixels) in the display unit 100 of the sensing area SA and the non-sensing area NSA is shown in FIG.

[0085] Reference Figure 4 , the display unit 100 may include a first pixel PX1 , a second pixel PX2 , and a third pixel PX3 .

[0086] The first pixel PX1 , the second pixel PX2 , and the third pixel PX3 may be arranged in a matrix form in the display unit 100 and emit light of different colors.

[0087] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the first pixel PX1 may emit light of a first color (eg, red), the second pixel PX2 may emit light of a second color (eg, green), and the third pixel PX3 may emit light of a third color (eg, blue).

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the first pixel PX1, the second pixel PX2, and the third pixel PX3 may be arranged in a pentile form. Figure 4 As shown in , the first pixel PX1, the second pixel PX2, the third pixel PX3 and the second pixel PX2 may be sequentially and repeatedly arranged in one direction. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first pixel PX1, the second pixel PX2 and the third pixel PX3 may be arranged in the form of RGB stripes.

[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing area SA of the display unit 100 may include a transmissive area TPA (or a transparent area). Here, the transmissive area TPA is an area for transmitting light and may include a transparent material instead of the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the transparent material may be a resin such as polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), polyacrylate, polyimide ("PI"), polycarbonate ("PC"), etc.

[0090] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, Figure 4 As shown in the figure, pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3 can be arranged in each of the first row to the fifth row of the non-sensing area NSA, pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3 can be arranged in the first row, the third row and the fifth row (for example, odd-numbered rows) of the sensing area SA, and the transmission area TPA can be arranged in the second row and the fourth row (for example, even-numbered rows) of the sensing area SA to replace the pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3. Figure 4 The positions of the transmission areas TPA shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary and are not limited thereto. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the transmission areas TPA may correspond to the kth data line DLk and the k+2th data line DLk+2 (where k is an integer greater than 4), or may be arranged in a grid form in the sensing area SA. In such an embodiment, the arrangement of the transmission areas TPA may be modified in various ways.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the transmissive area TPA may include a color filter material that transmits or blocks only a specific wavelength of light. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the transmissive area TPA may include a color filter material that blocks visible light (i.e., light in the visible band) and transmits only infrared light (i.e., light in the infrared band).

[0092] Since the sensing area SA includes the transmissive area TPA, the transmittance of the sensing area SA is higher than the transmittance of the non-sensing area NSA, and the resolution of the sensing area SA is lower than the resolution of the non-sensing area NSA.

[0093] If the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 emit light having the same brightness as each other, the brightness of the sensing area SA may be lower than that of the non-sensing area NSA according to the resolution. In this case, the sensing area SA having relatively low brightness may be viewed by the user.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The described data driver 400 may apply a relatively high or relatively low data voltage to the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 of the sensing area SA, thereby improving brightness uniformity. Therefore, a driving current (or a second driving current) greater than a driving current (or a first driving current) flowing in the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 of the non-sensing area NSA may flow in the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 of the sensing area SA, and the brightness of the sensing area SA may be the same as that of the non-sensing area NSA.

[0095] Figure 5 is used to show the Figure 4 1 is a waveform diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a data signal of a pixel. Figure 5 shows the period of one frame 1FRAME applied to Figure 4 1 and 2. An exemplary embodiment of a data signal VDATA of one data line (e.g., the kth data line DLk) connected to pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in a sensing area SA shown in FIG. Assume that the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 include P-type transistors, and the grayscale values ​​corresponding to the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 are the same as each other.

[0096] Reference Figures 3 to 5, the data signal VDATA (or the first data signal) may have a first voltage level V1 in a period between a reference time and a first time point t1 when the data signal VDATA is applied (or written) to the non-sensing area NSA, and in a period between a second time point t2 and a third time point t3. The data signal VDATA (or the second data signal) may have a second voltage level V2 in a period between a first time point t1 and a second time point t2 when the data signal VDATA is applied to the sensing area SA. The second voltage level V2 may be different from the first voltage level V1, for example, may be lower than the first voltage level V1 by a specific level (ΔV). Therefore, each of the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in the sensing area SA may emit light at a brightness higher than that of each of the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0097] In such an embodiment, since a relatively high driving current is continuously applied, the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in the sensing area SA are accelerated (see Figure 4 ) degradation, and the brightness in the sensing area SA will decrease faster over time than the brightness in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0098] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 4 A graph showing degradation characteristics of pixels. Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 1 and 2. A first degradation curve CURVE1 of a pixel PX in a non-sensing area NSA and a second degradation curve CURVE2 of a pixel PX in a sensing area SA are shown in FIG. Each of the first degradation curve CURVE1 and the second degradation curve CURVE2 represents a luminance change (or luminance reduction rate) of the pixel PX according to accumulated usage time (or stress).

[0099] Reference Figure 6 During the first accumulated use time ST1 , the brightness of the pixels PX in the sensing area SA is lower than the brightness of the pixels PX in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0100] In an exemplary embodiment, at the first accumulated use time ST1, the second slope GRAD2 of the second tangent of the second degradation curve CURVE2 may be greater than the first slope GRAD1 of the first tangent of the first degradation curve CURVE1. The second slope GRAD2 may be defined as a second degradation acceleration factor representing the degree of degradation acceleration of the pixel PX in the sensing area SA at the corresponding time. Similarly, the first slope GRAD1 may be defined as a first degradation acceleration factor representing the degree of degradation acceleration of the pixel PX in the non-sensing area NSA at the corresponding time.

[0101] That is, even if the brightness of the entire display device DD (or display unit 100) becomes uniform by providing relatively high driving current to the pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3 of the sensing area SA, image retention may occur in the sensing area SA because the pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3 of the sensing area SA deteriorate faster.

[0102] like Figure 6 As shown in , the brightness of the pixels PX in the non-sensing area NSA at the second accumulated use time ST2 may be higher than the brightness of the pixels PX in the sensing area SA at the first accumulated use time ST1. Here, the second accumulated use time ST2 may be about twice the first accumulated use time ST1.

[0103] That is, since the degradation of the pixels PX in the sensing area SA is accelerated, the degradation characteristics of the pixels PX in the sensing area SA may be worse than the degradation characteristics of the pixels PX in the non-sensing area NSA. Therefore, the degradation characteristics of the pixels PX in the sensing area SA and the degradation characteristics of the pixels PX in the non-sensing area NSA may not be effectively defined by a single degradation curve (e.g., the first degradation curve CURVE1).

[0104] Therefore, an exemplary embodiment of the display device DD (or display panel DP) according to the invention can perform degradation compensation by respectively storing a first degradation curve CURVE1 and a second degradation curve CURVE2 (or a lookup table for corresponding degradation compensation), applying the first degradation curve CURVE1 to the pixels PX in the non-sensing area NSA, and applying the second degradation curve CURVE2 to the pixels PX in the sensing area SA.

[0105] Figure 7 It is used to show Figure 4 A circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pixel. Figure 7 Shown for Figure 4 The pixel circuit of one of the pixels PX1, PX2 and PX3 shown in FIG. Figure 4 Pixels PX1 , PX2 , and PX3 shown in EMBODIMENT 1 are substantially identical to one another, so the pixels PX1 , PX2 , and PX3 will be described with reference to the pixel PX.

[0106] Reference Figure 7 , an exemplary embodiment of the pixel PX may include first to seventh transistors T1 to T7 , a storage capacitor CST, and a light emitting diode LD.

[0107] The first transistor T1 to the seventh transistor T7 may be a P-type transistor, for example, a P-type metal oxide semiconductor ("PMOS") transistor, but is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first transistor T1 to the seventh transistor T7 may be implemented as an N-type transistor, for example, an N-type metal oxide semiconductor ("NMOS") transistor.

[0108] The first transistor T1 (or driving transistor) may include a first electrode electrically connected to the first node N1, a second electrode electrically connected to the second node N2, and a gate electrode electrically connected to the third node N3.

[0109] The second transistor T2 may include a first electrode connected to a data line (i.e., a line transmitting a data signal VDATA), a second electrode connected to a first node N1, and a gate electrode connected to a first scan line (i.e., a line transmitting a first scan signal GW). The second transistor T2 may be turned on in response to a first scan signal GW supplied through the first scan line, and transmit the data signal VDATA supplied through the data line to the first node N1. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the scan signal may be a pulse signal having a turn-on voltage level (or a logic low level) that turns on the transistor.

[0110] The third transistor T3 may include a first electrode connected to the second node N2, a second electrode connected to the third node N3, and a gate electrode connected to the first scan line. The third transistor T3 may be turned on in response to the first scan signal GW and may transmit the data signal VDATA transmitted from the first node N1 through the first transistor T1 to the third node N3.

[0111] The storage capacitor CST may be connected between the first power line and the third node N3. Here, the first power supply voltage VDD may be applied to the first power line. The storage capacitor CST may store the data signal VDATA transmitted to the third node N3.

[0112] The fourth transistor T4 may include a first electrode connected to the third node N3, a second electrode connected to the initialization voltage line, and a gate electrode connected to the second scan line (i.e., a line transmitting the second scan signal GI). Here, the second scan line is a scan line adjacent to the first scan line, and the second scan signal GI may be a previous scan signal supplied before the first scan signal GW. The fourth transistor T4 may be turned on in response to the previous scan signal or the second scan signal GI supplied through the second scan line, and the third node N3 may be initialized by using the initialization voltage VINT supplied through the initialization voltage line. That is, the node voltage of the third node N3 (or the data signal VDATA stored in the storage capacitor CST in the previous frame) may be initialized to the initialization voltage VINT.

[0113] The fifth transistor T5 may include a first electrode connected to the first power line (or the first power line to which the first power supply voltage VDD is applied), a second electrode connected to the first node N1, and a gate electrode connected to the light emitting line (i.e., a line transmitting the light emitting signal EM). In such an embodiment, the sixth transistor T6 may include a first electrode connected to the second node N2, a second electrode connected to the fourth node N4, and a gate electrode connected to the light emitting line.

[0114] The fifth and sixth transistors T5 and T6 may be turned on in response to the emission signal EM supplied through the emission line, and a path of the driving current Ids may be formed between the first power line and the fourth node N4 (or the second power line to which the second power voltage VSS is applied).

[0115] The light emitting diode LD may include an anode connected to the fourth node N4 and a cathode connected to the second power line. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the light emitting diode LD may be an organic light emitting diode or an inorganic light emitting diode. The light emitting diode LD may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the driving current Ids (or the current amount of the driving current Ids).

[0116] The seventh transistor T7 may include a first electrode connected to the fourth node N4, a second electrode connected to the initialization voltage line, and a gate electrode connected to the third scan line (i.e., a line transmitting the third scan signal GB). The seventh transistor T7 may initialize the fourth node N4 (or the parasitic capacitor of the light emitting diode LD) in response to the third scan signal GB. Here, the third scan signal GB may be the same as the second scan signal GI, or may be supplied after the first scan signal GW.

[0117] exist Figure 7 , the pixel PX is shown to include the first transistor T1 to the seventh transistor T7, but this is only exemplary, and the pixel PX is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the pixel PX may include a driving transistor connected between the first power line and the second power line and a switching transistor connected between the data line and the gate electrode of the driving transistor. That is, various known pixel circuits may be applied to the pixel PX.

[0118] Figure 8 is used to show that the Figure 3 A block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG.

[0119] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 8 , an exemplary embodiment of the degradation compensator 600 may include an accumulator 810 , a storage unit 820 , and a compensator 830 .

[0120] The accumulator 810 (or stress calculator, usage time calculator) may calculate the accumulated usage time (or stress) of each pixel based on the compensated data DATA3.

[0121] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the accumulator 810 may accumulate the first compensated gray value GRAY1' (or the first converted gray value) included in the compensated data DATA3 to calculate the first accumulated use time of the pixel in the non-sensing area NSA (hereinafter referred to as the "first pixel"), and may accumulate the second compensated gray value GRAY2' (or the second converted gray value) included in the compensated data DATA3 to calculate the second accumulated use time of the pixel in the sensing area SA (hereinafter referred to as the "second pixel"). Here, the first compensated gray value GRAY1' may be a gray value obtained by converting the first gray value GRAY1 corresponding to the first pixel through degradation compensation, and the second compensated gray value GRAY2' may be a gray value obtained by converting the second gray value GRAY2 corresponding to the second pixel through degradation compensation.

[0122] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the accumulator 810 may accumulate the first compensated gray value GRAY1' for each frame or may average and reduce the first compensated gray value GRAY1' output for a specific period to calculate the first cumulative use time of the first pixel. The accumulator 810 may add the first cumulative use time to the first cumulative gray value GRAY_AC1, or update the first cumulative gray value GRAY_AC1 based on the first cumulative use time. Here, the first cumulative gray value GRAY_AC1 may be included in the accumulated data DATA_AC (or use time data), and the accumulated data DATA_AC may be stored and updated in the storage unit 820 described later.

[0123] In such an embodiment, the accumulator 810 may calculate the second accumulated use time of the second pixel to update the second accumulated gray value GRAY_AC2 , which may be included in the accumulated data DATA_AC and may be stored and updated in the storage unit 820 .

[0124] The storage unit 820 (or memory device) may store the accumulated data DATA_AC, supply the accumulated data DATA_AC to the accumulator 810 in response to a request from the accumulator 810 (ie, a request to supply the accumulated data DATA_AC), and update the accumulated data DATA_AC in real time or periodically.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit 820 may store the lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 (or degradation compensation lookup tables). As shown in Table 1 below, the first lookup table LUT1 may include the first pixel according to the degradation characteristics of the first pixel (eg, reference Figure 6 The first degradation curve CURVE1) described herein represents the compensated grayscale value or degradation compensation ratio for each accumulated usage time.

[0126] (Table 1)

[0127]

[0128] Table 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the first lookup table LUT1.

[0129] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first lookup table LUT1 may correspond to the first input gray value GRAY1_L1 and may include compensated gray values ​​GRAY1_L1 ′ and GRAY1_L1 ″ corresponding to each of the accumulated use times T1 and T2 .

[0130] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first lookup table LUT1 may include gray compensation values ​​GRAY1_D1 and GRAY1_D2 (or compensated gray values) instead of compensated gray values ​​GRAY1_L1′ and GRAY1_L1″. Here, the gray compensation values ​​GRAY1_D1 and GRAY1_D2 may be differences between compensated gray values ​​GRAY1_L1′ and GRAY1_L1″ according to the accumulated use times T1 and T2 and the first input gray value GRAY1_L1.

[0131] In such an embodiment, the second lookup table LUT2 may include a table responsive to the degradation characteristic of the second pixel (e.g., referring to Figure 6 The second degradation curve CURVE2 described above and the compensated grayscale value or degradation compensation ratio corresponding to the accumulated usage time of the second pixel. According to the degradation characteristics of the second pixel (i.e., the second degradation curve CURVE2), for the same accumulated usage time, the compensated grayscale value of the second pixel can be greater than the compensated grayscale value of the first pixel.

[0132] The storage unit 820 may supply the lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 to the compensator 830 in response to a request from the compensator 830. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit 820 may supply the accumulated data DATA_AC to the compensator 830 in response to a request from the compensator 830.

[0133] The compensator 830 may generate compensated data DATA3 by compensating the image data DATA2 based on the accumulated data DATA_AC and the lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 .

[0134] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the compensator 830 may calculate a first compensated gray value GRAY1' from a first gray value GRAY1 (i.e., a gray value corresponding to a first pixel) based on the first accumulated gray value GRAY_AC1 and the first lookup table LUT1. In such an embodiment, the compensator 830 calculates a second compensated gray value GRAY2' from a second gray value GRAY2 (i.e., a gray value corresponding to a second pixel) based on the second accumulated gray value GRAY_AC2 and the second lookup table LUT2.

[0135] In an exemplary embodiment, the compensator 830 may include a selector 831 and a calculator 832 .

[0136] The selector 831 may generate compensation data DATA_C corresponding to the image data DATA2 based on the accumulated data DATA_AC and the lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 .

[0137] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the selector 831 may select the first lookup table LUT1 based on the position information of the first gray value GRAY1 (i.e., the coordinates in the image data DATA2, which are the coordinates of the corresponding pixel in the display unit 100), and may obtain the first gray compensation value from the first lookup table LUT1 based on the first cumulative use time of the first gray value GRAY1 (or the first cumulative gray value GRAY_AC1). In such an embodiment, the selector 831 may select the second lookup table LUT2 based on the position information of the second gray value GRAY2, and may obtain the second gray compensation value from the second lookup table LUT2 based on the second cumulative use time of the second gray value GRAY2 (or the second cumulative gray value GRAY_AC2). That is, the selector 831 may determine whether the position information of the gray value corresponds to the predetermined sensing area SA, and may select one of the lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 based on the determination result.

[0138] The selector 831 may generate compensation data DATA_C including a first gray compensation value and a second gray compensation value.

[0139] The calculator 832 may generate compensated data DATA3 by adding the compensation data DATA_C to the image data DATA2. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the calculator 832 may calculate a first compensated gray value GRAY1' by adding a first gray compensation value to a first gray value GRAY1, and calculate a second compensated gray value GRAY2' by adding a second gray compensation value to a second gray value GRAY2.

[0140] As reference Figure 8As described, the degradation compensator 600 may compensate for a first gray value GRAY1 corresponding to a first pixel in the non-sensing area NSA by using a first lookup table LUT1, and may compensate for a second gray value GRAY2 corresponding to a second pixel in the sensing area SA by using a second lookup table LUT2.

[0141] In an exemplary embodiment, when Figure 3 The display panel DP (or the display unit 100) includes pixels that emit colors different from each other (eg, refer to Figure 4 When the first pixel PX1, the second pixel PX2, and the third pixel PX3 are described, the degradation compensator 600 may compensate the pixels by using different degradation curves (or degradation compensation equations, lookup tables).

[0142] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B It is shown Figure 4 A graph showing degradation characteristics of each pixel. Fig. 9A Shows Figure 4 Sub-degradation curves CURVE_S1, CURVE_S2, and CURVE_S3 of the pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in the non-sensing area NSA shown in FIG. Fig. 9B Sub-degradation curves CURVE_S4, CURVE_S5, and CURVE_S6 of pixels PX1, PX2, and PX3 in the sensing area SA are shown. Figure 4 As described above, the pixels PX1 , PX2 , and PX3 may emit colors different from each other.

[0143] Each of the sub-degradation curves CURVE_S1 to CURVE_S6 represents a luminance change (or luminance reduction rate) according to the accumulated use time (or stress) of the pixels PX1 , PX2 , and PX3 .

[0144] First, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9A The first sub-degradation curve CURVE_S1 represents the degradation characteristics of the first pixel PX1 in the non-sensing area NSA, the second sub-degradation curve CURVE_S2 represents the degradation characteristics of the second pixel PX2 in the non-sensing area NSA, and the third sub-degradation curve CURVE_S3 represents the degradation characteristics of the third pixel PX3 in the non-sensing area NSA.

[0145] According to the first sub-degradation curve CURVE_S1 to the third sub-degradation curve CURVE_S3, based on the accumulated usage time, the second pixel PX2 can exhibit a degradation acceleration greater than the degradation acceleration of the first pixel PX1 (i.e., have a relatively large degradation acceleration factor), and based on the accumulated usage time, the third pixel PX3 can exhibit a degradation acceleration greater than the degradation acceleration of the second pixel PX2.

[0146] Therefore, refer to Figure 8 The described storage unit 820 can store lookup tables corresponding to the first sub-degradation curve CURVE_S1 to the third sub-degradation curve CURVE_S3, respectively, and the compensator 830 (or selector 831) can select one of the lookup tables based on the color or arrangement position of the pixel corresponding to the grayscale value included in the image data DATA2, and can compensate the grayscale value based on the selected one lookup table.

[0147] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9B , the fourth sub-degradation curve CURVE_S4 represents the degradation characteristics of the first pixel PX1 in the sensing area SA, the fifth sub-degradation curve CURVE_S5 represents the degradation characteristics of the second pixel PX2 in the sensing area SA, and the sixth sub-degradation curve CURVE_S6 represents the degradation characteristics of the third pixel PX3 in the sensing area SA.

[0148] According to the fourth to sixth sub-degradation curves CURVE_S4 to CURVE_S6, based on the accumulated use time, the second pixel PX2 may exhibit a degradation acceleration greater than that of the first pixel PX1 (i.e., have a relatively large degradation acceleration factor), and based on the accumulated use time, the third pixel PX3 may exhibit a degradation acceleration greater than that of the second pixel PX2. In addition, the fourth to sixth sub-degradation curves CURVE_S4 to CURVE_S6 may be related to Fig. 9A The first to third sub degradation curves CURVE_S1 to CURVE_S3 shown in FIG. 1 are different.

[0149] Therefore, the above reference Figure 8 The described storage unit 820 can further store lookup tables corresponding to the fourth sub-degradation curve CURVE_S4 to the sixth sub-degradation curve CURVE_S6, and the compensator 830 (or selector 831) can select one of the lookup tables based on the color or arrangement position of the pixel corresponding to the grayscale value included in the image data DATA2, and can compensate for the grayscale value based on the selected one in the lookup table.

[0150] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10Bis used to show that the Figure 3 A block diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG. Fig.11 It is shown in Fig. 10A Graph of an exemplary embodiment of a grayscale factor used in a degradation compensator.

[0151] First, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 10A , except for the factor determiner 1040 (or the first factor determiner), Fig. 10A The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same or similar. Therefore, for convenience of description, any repeated detailed description of the same or similar elements will be omitted.

[0152] Each of the first lookup table LUT1 and the second lookup table LUT2 may include only the compensated grayscale value or grayscale compensation value for the first representative grayscale value. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the first representative grayscale value may be the 255 grayscale value among the 255 grayscale values, and the first lookup table LUT1 may include only the compensated grayscale value or grayscale compensation value for the 255 grayscale value. In such an embodiment, the size of the lookup table may be smaller than the size of the lookup table for all grayscale values.

[0153] In such an embodiment, the compensated gray value or gray compensation value of the first representative gray value (eg, gray value 255) may be different from the compensated gray values ​​or gray compensation values ​​of other gray values ​​(eg, gray value 100).

[0154] therefore, Fig. 10A The degradation compensator 600 may compensate other compensated gray values ​​by using a gray factor (or a degradation acceleration factor for each gray) representing a degradation compensation ratio (or a weight value) of other compensated gray values ​​with reference to the first representative gray value.

[0155] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage unit 820 may further include a first factor lookup table. Here, the first factor lookup table may be based on Fig.11 The grayscale factor curves CURVE_AF1 and CURVE_AF2 shown in FIG. 1 are set, and may include grayscale factors set for each grayscale.

[0156] Reference Fig.11The first grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF1 represents the degradation acceleration factor set for each grayscale at the first cumulative use time (for example, the time when the cumulative use time is 0), and the second grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF2 represents the degradation acceleration factor set for each grayscale at the second cumulative use time. Here, the second cumulative use time can be greater than the first cumulative use time.

[0157] According to the first grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF1 and the second grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF2, the first grayscale factor increases as the grayscale value increases in a low grayscale region with a low grayscale value, and the first grayscale factor decreases as the grayscale value increases in a high grayscale region with a high grayscale value. In addition, as the accumulated usage time increases, the first grayscale factor can be reduced as a whole.

[0158] Return to reference Fig. 10A The factor determiner 1040 may generate degraded acceleration data DATA_F based on the compensated data DATA3 and the first factor lookup table. The degraded acceleration data DATA_F may include a first grayscale factor AF1 for a first pixel (ie, a pixel in the non-sensing area NSA) and a second grayscale factor AF2 for a second pixel (ie, a pixel in the sensing area SA).

[0159] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the factor determiner 1040 may calculate the first grayscale factor AF1 of the first compensated grayscale value GRAY1' based on the first factor lookup table (e.g., the first grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF1). In such an embodiment, the factor determiner 1040 may obtain the first cumulative use time from the accumulator 810 (or the storage unit 820) for the first pixel, and may select one of the plurality of factor lookup tables (e.g., one of the lookup tables corresponding to the first grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF1 and the second grayscale factor curve CURVE_AF2) based on the first cumulative use time, thereby calculating the first grayscale factor AF1. In such an embodiment, the factor determiner 1040 may calculate the second grayscale factor AF2 of the second compensated grayscale value GRAY2' based on the first factor lookup table.

[0160] According to an exemplary embodiment, the compensator 830 may generate compensated data DATA3 by compensating the image data DATA2 based on the first lookup table LUT1, the second lookup table LUT2, the accumulated data DATA_AC, and the degraded acceleration data DATA_F.

[0161] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the selector 831 may compensate the first gray compensation value GRAY1_D1 by multiplying the first gray factor AF1 with the first gray compensation value GRAY1_D1 (see Table 1) obtained based on the first lookup table LUT1 and the first accumulated gray value GRAY_AC1. In such an embodiment, the selector 831 may compensate the second gray compensation value by multiplying the second gray factor AF2 with the second gray compensation value obtained based on the second lookup table LUT2 and the second accumulated gray value GRAY_AC2.

[0162] As mentioned above Fig. 10A and Fig.11 As described above, the degradation compensator 600 can perform degradation compensation on the first pixel and the second pixel by using the first and second lookup tables LUT1 and LUT2 and the first factor lookup table for representative grayscale values ​​(or grayscale factor curves CURVE_AF1 and CURVE_AF2). Therefore, the storage capacity (or cost) of the degradation compensator 600 can be reduced.

[0163] In an exemplary embodiment, the factor determiner 1040 may be as follows: Fig. 10A 830 , but is not limited thereto. For example, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, the factor determiner 1040 may be included in the compensator 830 or the selector 831 .

[0164] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 10B ,Apart from Fig. 10B In addition to receiving the compensated data DATA3 from the selector 831 (or the compensator 830), the degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Fig. 10B The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same or similar. Therefore, for convenience of description, any repeated detailed description of the same or similar elements will be omitted.

[0165] Each of the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 and the second lookup table set LUT_SET2 may include a sub-lookup table (or lookup table) including a compensated grayscale value or a grayscale compensation value for each representative grayscale value. Each of the sub-lookup tables may be the same as the above referenced Figure 8 The described first lookup table LUT1 or the second lookup table LUT2 are substantially the same or similar.

[0166] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the representative gray value may include a gray value of 1, a gray value of 81, and a gray value of 255 among all 255 gray values, the first sub-lookup table included in the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 may include only the compensated gray value or gray compensation value of the first representative gray value (e.g., gray value of 255), and the second sub-lookup table may include only the compensated gray value or gray compensation value of the gray value of 81. In an optional exemplary embodiment, each of the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 and the second lookup table set LUT_SET2 may include the compensated gray value or gray compensation value for each representative gray value as one lookup table.

[0167] According to an exemplary embodiment, the compensator 830 may generate compensation data DATA_C of the image data DATA2 based on the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 , the second lookup table set LUT_SET2 , the accumulated data DATA_AC, and the compensated data DATA3 .

[0168] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the selector 831 may select a first sub-lookup table and a second sub-lookup table for two representative grayscale values ​​adjacent to the first compensated grayscale value GRAY1' from the first lookup table set LUT_SET1, obtain a grayscale compensation value from each of the first sub-lookup table and the second sub-lookup table based on the first cumulative grayscale value GRAY_AC1 (i.e., the accumulated usage time of the first pixel), and calculate a first grayscale compensation value for the first grayscale value GRAY1 by interpolating the grayscale compensation value of the first sub-lookup table and the grayscale compensation value of the second sub-lookup table based on the first cumulative grayscale value GRAY_AC1.

[0169] In such an embodiment, the selector 831 can select a third sub-lookup table and a fourth sub-lookup table for two representative grayscale values ​​adjacent to the second compensated grayscale value GRAY2' from the second lookup table set LUT_SET2, obtain a grayscale compensation value from each of the third sub-lookup table and the fourth sub-lookup table based on the second cumulative grayscale value GRAY_AC2, and calculate a second grayscale compensation value for the second grayscale value GRAY2 by interpolating the grayscale compensation value of the third sub-lookup table and the grayscale compensation value of the fourth sub-lookup table based on the second cumulative grayscale value GRAY_AC2.

[0170] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. Fig. 10B As described above, the degradation compensator 600 can perform degradation compensation on the first pixel and the second pixel by using the first and second lookup table sets LUT_SET1 and LUT_SET2 and an interpolation technique for representative grayscale values ​​(which are part of the total grayscale values). Therefore, the storage capacity (or cost) of the degradation compensator 600 can be reduced.

[0171] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is used to show that the Figure 3 0026] A block diagram of another alternative exemplary embodiment of a degradation compensator in a display panel of FIG. Fig.13 It is shown in Fig. 12A A graph of an exemplary embodiment of a temperature factor used in a degradation compensator.

[0172] First, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 12A , except for the factor determiner 1240 (or the second factor determiner), Fig. 12A The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same or similar to that in FIG. Therefore, for convenience of description, repeated description will be omitted.

[0173] Fig. 12A The degradation compensator 600 may receive temperature information TEMP from the temperature sensor TEMP SENSOR, and may perform degradation compensation on the first pixel and the second pixel based on the temperature information TEMP. In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature sensor TEMP SENSOR may be provided in the display device DD (or display panel DP), and may generate the temperature information TEMP by measuring the temperature inside the display panel DP or the display device DD.

[0174] The factor determiner 1240 may calculate the temperature factor TF based on the temperature information TEMP. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the factor determiner 1240 may obtain the temperature factor TF corresponding to the temperature information TEMP by using a second factor lookup table. The second factor lookup table may include a temperature factor TF representing an additional degradation rate (or an additional brightness reduction rate) corresponding to a temperature, and may be stored in the storage unit 820. Here, a “lookup table set by temperature” means a lookup table including values ​​corresponding to a predetermined temperature, like the second factor lookup table.

[0175] Reference Fig.13 The third temperature factor curve CURVE_AF3 (or the third degradation acceleration factor curve) represents the degradation acceleration factor according to temperature. According to the third temperature factor curve CURVE_AF, the temperature factor TF may increase as the temperature increases.

[0176] Return to reference Fig. 12A , the compensator 830 may generate compensated data DATA3 by compensating the image data DATA2 based on the first lookup table LUT1, the second lookup table LUT2, the accumulated data DATA_AC, and the temperature factor TF.

[0177] For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the selector 831 may compensate the first gray compensation value GRAY1_D1 by multiplying the temperature factor TF with the first gray compensation value GRAY1_D1 (see Table 1) obtained based on the first lookup table LUT1 and the first accumulated gray value GRAY_AC1. In such an embodiment, the selector 831 may compensate the second gray compensation value by multiplying the temperature factor TF with the second gray compensation value obtained based on the second lookup table LUT2 and the second accumulated gray value GRAY_AC2.

[0178] In an exemplary embodiment, the factor determiner 1240 may be as follows: Fig. 12A 830 , but is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, for example, the factor determiner 1240 may be included in the compensator 830 or the selector 831 .

[0179] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 12B ,Apart from Fig. 12B In addition to receiving temperature information TEMP from the selector 831 (or the compensator 830), the degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Fig. 12B The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The degradation compensator 600 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same or similar. Therefore, for convenience of description, any repeated detailed description of the same or similar elements will be omitted.

[0180] Each of the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 and the second lookup table set LUT_SET2 may include a sub-lookup table (or lookup table). Each of the sub-lookup tables may be the same as the above reference Figure 8 The described first lookup table LUT1 or the second lookup table LUT2 are substantially the same or similar.

[0181] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a first sub-lookup table included in a first lookup table set LUT_SET1 may include compensated grayscale values ​​or grayscale compensation values ​​according to the accumulated usage time at a first temperature, and a second sub-lookup table may include compensated grayscale values ​​or grayscale compensation values ​​according to the accumulated usage time at a second temperature.

[0182] According to an exemplary embodiment, the compensator 830 may generate compensation data DATA_C of the image data DATA2 based on the first lookup table set LUT_SET1 , the second lookup table set LUT_SET2 , the accumulated data DATA_AC, and the temperature information TEMP.

[0183] For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the selector 831 may select a first sub-lookup table corresponding to the temperature information TEMP from the first lookup table set LUT_SET1, and obtain a first grayscale compensation value corresponding to the first compensated grayscale value GRAY1' from the first sub-lookup table. In such an embodiment, the selector 831 may select a second sub-lookup table corresponding to the temperature information TEMP from the second lookup table set LUT_SET2, and obtain a second grayscale compensation value corresponding to the second compensated grayscale value GRAY2' from the second sub-lookup table.

[0184] In an exemplary embodiment, as described above with reference to Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B As described above, the degradation compensator 600 may perform degradation compensation on the first pixel and the second pixel based on the temperature information TEMP of the display panel DP (or the display device DD). Therefore, the degradation of the first pixel and the second pixel may be accurately compensated.

[0185] As described herein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a degradation compensation device and a display device including the degradation compensation device can more accurately compensate for the degradation of pixels by performing degradation compensation on pixels arranged in areas with relatively different resolutions using independent degradation curves whose degradation acceleration factors are different from each other.

[0186] The invention should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0187] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A display unit including a first pixel disposed in a first area and a second pixel disposed in a second area different from the first area, wherein the second area has a brightness that is the same as that of the first area; a degradation compensator that generates a first compensated gray value by compensating a first gray value for the first pixel based on a first degradation curve, and generates a second compensated gray value by compensating a second gray value for the second pixel based on a second degradation curve, wherein the first degradation curve defines a luminance reduction rate of the first pixel according to a first cumulative use time, and the second degradation curve defines a luminance reduction rate of the second pixel according to a second cumulative use time, wherein the first degradation curve is different from the second degradation curve such that when the first cumulative use time of the first pixel and the second cumulative use time of the second pixel are equal to each other, the luminance reduction rate of the second degradation curve is different from the luminance reduction rate of the first degradation curve; and a data driver that generates a first data signal based on the first compensated gray value, supplies the first data signal to the first pixel, generates a second data signal based on the second compensated gray value, and supplies the second data signal to the second pixel, The light transmittance of the second region is greater than the light transmittance of the first region.

2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical sensor, arranged to overlap the second area of ​​the display unit, wherein the optical sensor senses light transmitted to the second area, in, The display unit includes a transmissive region located between the second pixel and an adjacent pixel in the second region, The transmission area transmits at least a portion of the incident light, The adjacent pixel is arranged adjacent to the second pixel in the second area, and The resolution of the second region is lower than the resolution of the first region.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The degradation compensator compensates the first grayscale value using a first lookup table and compensates the second grayscale value using a second lookup table, The first lookup table includes a first grayscale compensation value corresponding to the first accumulated use time based on the first degradation curve, The second lookup table includes a second grayscale compensation value corresponding to the second accumulated use time based on the second degradation curve, and The second degradation acceleration factor is greater than the first degradation acceleration factor, the second degradation acceleration factor indicating a slope of a tangent line with respect to the second degradation curve, and the first degradation acceleration factor indicating a slope of a tangent line with respect to the first degradation curve.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The degradation compensator comprises: an accumulator that calculates the first accumulated use time by accumulating the first compensated grayscale values, and calculates the second accumulated use time by accumulating the second compensated grayscale values; A memory device storing the first accumulated usage time and the second accumulated usage time and the first lookup table and the second lookup table; and A compensator obtains the first grayscale compensation value based on the first accumulated usage time and the first lookup table, compensates the first grayscale value based on the first grayscale compensation value, obtains the second grayscale compensation value based on the second accumulated usage time and the second lookup table, and compensates the second grayscale value based on the second grayscale compensation value.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The first grayscale value and the second grayscale value are included in the image data, and The compensator comprises: a selector that selects the first lookup table based on position information of the first grayscale value in the image data, and selects the second lookup table based on position information of the second grayscale value in the image data; and A calculator calculates the first compensated gray value by adding the first gray compensation value obtained from the first lookup table to the first gray value, and calculates the second compensated gray value by adding the second gray compensation value obtained from the second lookup table to the second gray value.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The second pixel includes sub-pixels that emit light of different colors from each other, and The second lookup table includes sub-lookup tables respectively corresponding to degradation curves of the sub-pixels.

7. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The second lookup table is set for representative grayscale values. The representative grayscale value is a grayscale value within the grayscale range of the second grayscale value, The degradation compensator compensates the second grayscale value based on a grayscale factor, The grayscale factor is a degradation compensation ratio set based on the representative grayscale value, and The degradation compensator further includes a first factor lookup table including the grayscale factors set for each grayscale value.

8. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The second lookup table includes a sub-lookup table for representative gray values, and The degradation compensator selects a first sub-lookup table and a second sub-lookup table corresponding to a first representative grayscale value and a second representative grayscale value adjacent to the second grayscale value among the representative grayscale values ​​from the sub-lookup table from the sub-lookup table, obtains a grayscale compensation value from each of the first sub-lookup table and the second sub-lookup table based on the second accumulated usage time, and calculates the second grayscale compensation value by interpolating the grayscale compensation value obtained from the first sub-lookup table and the grayscale compensation value obtained from the second sub-lookup table.

9. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The degradation compensator determines a temperature factor based on temperature information received from the outside, and compensates the second grayscale value based on the temperature factor, and The degradation compensator further includes a second factor lookup table, and the second factor lookup table includes the temperature factor set according to temperature.

10. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The second lookup table includes sub-lookup tables set according to temperature, and The degradation compensator selects one of the sub-lookup tables based on temperature information received from the outside, and acquires the second grayscale compensation value from the selected one of the sub-lookup tables based on the second accumulated use time.

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