Display device and method for driving display panel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device and a method for driving a display panel. The display device includes a window, a display panel and a display panel driver. The display panel includes an active area and a spare area around the active area. The active area includes pixels. The spare area includes spare pixels that are selectively activated to compensate for the amount of tilt of the active area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a method for driving a display panel using the display device. More specifically, embodiments herein relate to a display device including a display panel, the display panel including a spare area, in which spare pixels are arranged to compensate for misalignment between a window of the display device and the display panel. Background Art

[0002] The display device may include a display panel and a display panel driver. The display panel may include gate lines, data lines and pixels. The display panel driver may include a gate driver, a data driver and a drive controller. The gate driver may output a gate signal to the gate line. The data driver may output a data voltage to the data line. The drive controller may control the gate driver and the data driver. The display device may include a window disposed on the display panel, and the window may define a viewing area.

[0003] During the method of manufacturing the display device, a misalignment, i.e., a tilt defect, may occur between the window and the display panel when the window and the display panel may not be precisely aligned. The tilt defect may be considered as a situation in which the center of the viewing area of ​​the window may not overlap or face the center of the active area of ​​the display panel. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device including a display panel including a spare area in which spare pixels are disposed to compensate for a misalignment or tilt defect between a window and the display panel.

[0005] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of driving a display panel using the above-mentioned display device.

[0006] In an embodiment, a display device may include a window, a display panel, and a display panel driver. The display panel may be disposed under the window and may include an active area and a spare area around the active area. The active area may include pixels. The spare area may include spare pixels that may be selectively activated. The display panel driver may drive the display panel.

[0007] The number of spare pixels that are selectively activated may correspond to the amount of tilt between the respective centers of the active areas and the viewing area of ​​the display panel defined by the window.

[0008] The display device may include a light shielding portion disposed along the window, and the light shielding portion may define a viewing area of ​​the display panel.

[0009] The activated portions of the active area and the standby area may form a compensated active area. The compensated active area may be disposed in a viewing area of ​​the display panel.

[0010] A portion of the spare area may be disposed outside the viewing area of ​​the display panel.

[0011] In response to the display panel being driven, the compensated active area may be defined. The compensated active area may be generated by activating an activated portion of the spare area forming the compensated active area to shift the active area in the horizontal direction and shift the active area in the vertical direction.

[0012] The viewing area may have a circular shape. The active area may have a circular shape. An area of ​​the display panel that may be a sum of the active area and the standby area may have a circular shape.

[0013] The viewing area may have a polygonal shape. The effective area may have a polygonal shape. An area of ​​the display panel that may be the sum of the effective area and the spare area may have a polygonal shape.

[0014] The display panel driver may be disposed outside the spare area. The display panel driver may include: a gate driver configured to output a gate signal to the display panel; and a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel.

[0015] A compensated spare area defining an area around the compensated active area may be formed in response to the forming of the compensated active area, and may be configured to display a black image.

[0016] The gate driver may be configured to output a gate signal to the post-compensation active area and the post-compensation spare area. The data driver may be configured to output a target data voltage to the post-compensation active area and a black data voltage to the post-compensation spare area.

[0017] The compensated spare area defining the area around the compensated effective area may include: a vertical compensated spare area corresponding to the upper and lower parts of the compensated spare area; and a horizontal compensated spare area corresponding to the area of ​​the compensated spare area except the vertical compensated spare area. The spare pixels in the vertical compensated spare area may be turned off. The spare pixels in the horizontal compensated spare area may be turned on to display a black image.

[0018] The gate driver may be configured to output the gate signal from an uppermost portion of the compensated active area to a lowermost portion of the compensated active area.

[0019] In an embodiment, a method of driving a display panel may include: displaying an image in an active area; determining an amount of tilt of the active area based on a distance between a viewing area and the active area; and selectively activating a plurality of spare pixels in a spare area disposed around the active area based on the amount of tilt of the active area. The active area may include pixels. The viewing area may be defined by a light shielding portion disposed along a window around the viewing area.

[0020] The activated parts of the active area and the spare area may form a compensated active area. The compensated active area may be set in the viewing area.

[0021] A portion of the standby area may be disposed outside the viewing area.

[0022] Determining the amount of tilt of the active area may include: determining the amount of horizontal tilt of the active area in the horizontal direction; and determining the amount of vertical tilt of the active area in the vertical direction. The compensated active area may be generated by activating an activated portion of the spare area that forms the compensated active area to offset the active area in the horizontal direction and to offset the active area in the vertical direction.

[0023] A compensated spare area defining an area around the compensated active area may be formed in response to the forming of the compensated active area and configured to display a black image.

[0024] The gate driver may be configured to output a gate signal to the post-compensation active area and the post-compensation spare area. The data driver may be configured to output a target data voltage to the post-compensation active area and a black data voltage to the post-compensation spare area.

[0025] The compensated spare area defining the area around the compensated effective area may include: a vertical compensated spare area corresponding to the upper and lower parts of the compensated spare area; and a horizontal compensated spare area corresponding to the area of ​​the compensated spare area except the vertical compensated spare area. The spare pixels in the vertical compensated spare area may be turned off. The spare pixels in the horizontal compensated spare area may be turned on to display a black image.

[0026] The gate driver may be configured to output a gate signal from an uppermost portion of the compensated active area to a lowermost portion of the compensated active area.

[0027] According to a display device and a method of driving a display panel using the display device, the display panel may include a spare area around an active area and spare pixels that can be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window and the active area may not be precisely aligned, the spare pixels of the spare area may be used to obtain a margin or amount for compensating for the misalignment between the window and the active area.

[0028] Therefore, the misalignment (or tilt defect) between the window and the active area can be compensated, so that the reliability of the display device can be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment can be minimized, so that the overall cost of the display device can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 shows a top view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 A top view of the illustrated portion A is shown;

[0032] Figure 3 The diagram shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a display device;

[0033] Figure 4 The diagram shows Figure 1 A block diagram of a display device;

[0034] Figure 5 The diagram shows Figure 4 A conceptual diagram of the pixel structure of a display panel;

[0035] Figure 6 The diagram shows Figure 1 A conceptual diagram of a viewing area and an active area of ​​a display device;

[0036] Fig. 7A A diagram showing a case where a tilt defect in a display device is present Figure 1 A conceptual diagram of a viewing area and an active area of ​​a display device;

[0037] Figure 7B The diagram shows Fig. 7A Conceptual diagram of the horizontal offset of the effective area;

[0038] Figure 7C The diagram shows Figure 7B Conceptual diagram of the vertical offset of the effective area;

[0039] Fig. 8A A diagram showing a case where a tilt defect in a display device is present Figure 1 A conceptual diagram of a viewing area and an active area of ​​a display device;

[0040] Figure 8B The diagram shows Fig. 8AA conceptual diagram of a viewing area and an active area of ​​a display device in which a tilt defect can be compensated;

[0041] Fig.9A shows a conceptual diagram illustrating a viewing area and an effective area of ​​a display device according to an embodiment in the case of a tilt defect in the display device;

[0042] Fig. 9B The diagram shows Fig.9A A conceptual diagram of a viewing area and an active area of ​​a display device in which a tilt defect can be compensated;

[0043] Fig.10 shows a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment;

[0044] Fig.11 shows a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment; and

[0045] Fig.12 A block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Parts that are not related to the description will be omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure, and the same reference numerals designate the same elements throughout the description.

[0048] In addition, in the drawings, for ease of description, the size and thickness of each element may be arbitrarily illustrated, but the present disclosure may not necessarily be limited to those embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, panels, regions, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0049] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, zone, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or there may be an intermediate element. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly" "on" another element, there may be no intermediate element. The words "above" or "on" mean placement on or below an object portion, and do not necessarily mean placement on the upper side of the object portion based on the direction of gravity.

[0050] Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "include" and variations such as "comprises" will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. When an expression such as "at least one of..." follows a list of elements, it modifies the entire list of elements and does not modify the individual elements of the list. .

[0051] In the case where a certain embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process order can be performed differently from the described order. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed substantially simultaneously, or can be performed in the reverse order of the described order.

[0052] As used herein, "about" or "approximately" includes the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation of the particular value determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurement in question 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, for example, within ±30%, 20%, or 5% of the stated value.

[0053] It will be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various components, and these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used only to distinguish one component from another component.

[0054] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0055] In the embodiments below, it will be understood that when an element, region or layer is referred to as being connected to another element, region or layer, the element, region or layer may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element, region or layer. For example, it will be understood that in this description, when an element, region or layer is referred to as being in contact with or electrically connected to another element, region or layer, the element, region or layer may be directly or indirectly in contact with or electrically connected to another element, region or layer.

[0056] In addition, the phrase "in a top view" means when the object portion is observed from above, and the phrase "in a cross-sectional view" means when the section intercepted by vertically cutting the element portion is observed from the side. In addition, the term "overlap" means that the first object can be above or below or on the side of the second object, and vice versa. In addition, the term "overlap" can include layers, stacks, facing, extending above, covering or partially covering, or any other appropriate terms that a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand. The term "facing" means that the first element can be directly or indirectly opposite to the second element. In the case where the third element is between the first element and the second element, the first element and the second element, although still facing each other, can be understood as being indirectly opposite to each other. When an element is described as "non-overlapping" with another element, this can include elements spaced apart from each other, offset from each other, or separated from each other, or any other appropriate terms that a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand. When a layer, a zone, a substrate or a region is referred to as being "on" another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region, the layer, a zone, a substrate or a region may be directly on another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region, or an intermediate layer, a zone, a substrate or a region may exist between the layer, a zone, a substrate or a region and another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region. On the contrary, when a layer, a zone, a substrate or a region is referred to as being "directly" "on" another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region, there may not be an intermediate layer, a zone, a substrate or a region between the layer, a zone, a substrate or a region and another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region. Further, when a layer, a zone, a substrate or a region is referred to as being "below" another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region, the layer, a zone, a substrate or a region may be directly below another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region, or an intermediate layer, a zone, a substrate or a region may exist between the layer, a zone, a substrate or a region and another layer, a zone, a substrate or a region. In contrast, when a layer, region, substrate, or area is referred to as being "directly" "below" another layer, region, substrate, or area, there may be no intervening layers, regions, substrates, or areas between the layer, region, substrate, or area and the other layer, region, substrate, or area. In addition, "above" or "on" may include placement on or below an object and does not necessarily imply a direction based on gravity.

[0057] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "under," "below," "above," "above," etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component as shown in the drawings. It will be understood that in addition to the orientations depicted in the drawings, spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, where the device illustrated in the drawings is flipped, a device placed "below" or "below" another device may be placed "above" the other device. Thus, the illustrative term "below" may include both below and above positions. The device may also be positioned in other orientations, and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreted differently depending on the orientation.

[0058] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the description.

[0059] Figure 1 A top view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 2 A top view of the illustrated portion A is shown. Figure 3 Shown in figure Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a display device.

[0060] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The display device may include a circular display panel. For example, the display device may be a smart watch.

[0061] The display device may include a window WD and a display panel disposed under the window WD. The display device may further include a light shielding portion BM disposed along the inner circumference of the window WD. The viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD or the light shielding portion BM. That is, the viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD and / or the light shielding portion BM.

[0062] The display panel includes a pixel area PA. The pixel area PA may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing a periphery of the active area AA. The active area AA may include pixels.

[0063] The standby area SA may include standby pixels. The standby pixels may be selectively activated. A portion of the standby area SA may be disposed outside the viewing area VA.

[0064] The light blocking portion BM may block images displayed on the active area AA and the standby area SA of the display panel so that the images may not be displayed to the user.

[0065] The viewing area VA may include a circular shape. The active area AA may include a circular shape. The pixel area PA, which may represent the sum of the active area AA and the spare area SA, may include a circular shape. For example, the outermost lines of the active area AA and the spare area SA may each be circular.

[0066] exist Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA of the display panel can be precisely aligned.

[0067] In the case where the viewing area VA of the window WD can be precisely aligned with the active area AA of the display panel, the standby area SA can surround or enclose the periphery of the active area AA. The light shielding portion BM can surround or enclose the periphery of a portion of the standby area SA. The window WD can surround or enclose the periphery of the light shielding portion BM.

[0068] In the case where the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA of the display panel can be accurately aligned, the light shielding portion BM may be disposed between the window WD and the standby area SA in a plan view.

[0069] The display panel may include a display substrate SS. A display panel driver driving the display panel may be provided on a printed circuit board PCB. The display panel driver may be provided outside the standby area SA. The printed circuit board PCB may be connected to the display substrate SS through a flexible printed circuit FPC. A central portion of the display substrate SS may include an active area AA, and an outer portion of the display substrate SS may include a standby area SA.

[0070] The light shielding portion BM may include a light shielding material disposed on the outer portion of the display substrate SS. The light shielding portion BM may surround or enclose the periphery of the outer portion of the standby area SA. The light shielding portion BM may overlap or face the outer portion of the standby area SA.

[0071] The window WD may be provided on the light shielding portion BM. The window WD may surround or enclose the periphery of the outer portion of the light shielding portion BM. The window WD may overlap with or face the outer portion of the light shielding portion BM.

[0072] Figure 4 Shown in figure Figure 1 A block diagram of a display device.

[0073] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The display device may include a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver may include a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, and a data driver 500.

[0074] The display panel 100 may include a display portion and a peripheral area disposed adjacent to the display portion.

[0075] The display portion of the display panel 100 may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding the active area AA.

[0076] For example, the display panel 100 may be an organic light emitting diode display panel including organic light emitting diodes. As another example, the display panel 100 may be a liquid crystal display panel including liquid crystal molecules.

[0077] The display panel 100 may include gate lines GL, data lines DL, and sub-pixels electrically connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The gate lines GL may extend in a first direction, and the data lines DL may extend in a second direction crossing the first direction.

[0078] The driving controller 200 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from an external device (not shown). The input image data IMG may include red image data, green image data, and blue image data. The input image data IMG may include white image data. The input image data IMG may include magenta image data, yellow image data, and cyan image data. The input control signal CONT may include a main clock signal and a data enable signal. The input control signal CONT may further include a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal.

[0079] The driving controller 200 may generate a first control signal CONT1 , a second control signal CONT2 , a third control signal CONT3 , and a data signal DATA based on input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT.

[0080] The driving controller 200 may generate a first control signal CONT1 for controlling the operation of the gate driver 300 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the first control signal CONT1 to the gate driver 300. The first control signal CONT1 may include a vertical start signal and a gate clock signal.

[0081] The driving controller 200 may generate a second control signal CONT2 for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the second control signal CONT2 to the data driver 500. The second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal and a load signal.

[0082] The driving controller 200 may generate a data signal DATA based on the input image data IMG. The driving controller 200 may output the data signal DATA to the data driver 500.

[0083] The driving controller 200 may generate a third control signal CONT3 for controlling the operation of the gamma reference voltage generator 400 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the third control signal CONT3 to the gamma reference voltage generator 400 .

[0084] The gate driver 300 may generate a gate signal for driving the gate line GL in response to the first control signal CONT1 received from the driving controller 200. The gate driver 300 may output the gate signal to the gate line GL. For example, the gate driver 300 may sequentially output the gate signal to the gate line GL, may be integrated on the display panel 100, and may be mounted on the display panel 100.

[0085] The gamma reference voltage generator 400 may generate a gamma reference voltage VGREF in response to the third control signal CONT3 received from the driving controller 200. The gamma reference voltage generator 400 may provide the gamma reference voltage VGREF to the data driver 500. The gamma reference voltage VGREF may have a value corresponding to a level of the data signal DATA.

[0086] The gamma reference voltage generator 400 may be provided in the driving controller 200 or in the data driver 500 .

[0087] The data driver 500 may receive the second control signal CONT2 and the data signal DATA from the driving controller 200, and may receive the gamma reference voltage VGREF from the gamma reference voltage generator 400. The data driver 500 may convert the data signal DATA into a data voltage of an analog type using the gamma reference voltage VGREF. The data driver 500 may output the data voltage to the data line DL.

[0088] Figure 5 Shown in figure Figure 4 A conceptual diagram of a pixel structure of a display panel 100 is shown.

[0089] refer to Figures 1 to 5 , the pixel PX may be disposed in the active area AA. The pixel PX may include sub-pixels. For example, the pixel PX may include a first color sub-pixel R, a second color sub-pixel G, and a third color sub-pixel B. The first color sub-pixel R may be a red sub-pixel. The second color sub-pixel G may be a green sub-pixel. The third color sub-pixel B may be a blue sub-pixel.

[0090] In the pixel region PX, the second color subpixel G may be disposed below the first color subpixel R. In the pixel region PX, the third color subpixel B may be disposed on the right side of the first color subpixel R and the second color subpixel G. The third color subpixel B may be vertically longer than the first color subpixel R. The third color subpixel B may be vertically longer than the second color subpixel G.

[0091] The spare pixel SPX may be disposed in the spare area SA. The spare pixel SPX may include a sub-pixel. The pixel structure of the spare pixel SPX may be the same as that of the pixel PX.

[0092] For example, the spare area SA may include three types of sub-pixels of the spare pixel SPX in a row direction (ie, a horizontal direction).For example, the spare area SA may include three types of sub-pixels of the spare pixel SPX in a column direction (ie, a vertical direction).

[0093] The active area AA may have a circular shape. For example, the pixels PX may be continuously formed at the outermost portion of the active area AA so that the outermost line of the active area AA may form a circular shape substantially including a curved shape.

[0094] The spare area SA may have a circular shape. For example, the spare pixels SPX may be continuously formed at the outermost portion of the spare area SA so that the outermost line of the spare area SA may form a circular shape substantially including a curved shape.

[0095] Figure 6 The diagram shows Figure 1 Conceptual diagram of the viewing area VA and active area AA of a display device. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA of the display panel 100 may not be precisely aligned.

[0096] refer to Figure 6 , the active area AA may be tilted in the horizontal direction relative to the viewing area VA defined by the window WD. Therefore, the center VAC of the viewing area VA may not be aligned with the center AAC of the active area AA.

[0097] The alignment between the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA of the display panel 100 may be checked by visual inspection.

[0098] A microscope may be used to accurately measure the amount of inclination between the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA of the display panel 100. The amount of inclination of the active area AA may be determined based on the distance between the viewing area VA and the active area AA in which an image may be displayed. For example, the amount of horizontal inclination of the active area AA in the horizontal direction and the amount of vertical inclination of the active area AA in the vertical direction may be determined separately.

[0099] The amount of horizontal tilt can be determined by using a first distance between the viewing area VA and the effective area AA of the window WD on the right side of the window WD (e.g., the three o'clock position) and a second distance between the viewing area VA and the effective area AA of the window WD on the left side of the window WD (e.g., the nine o'clock position). The amount of horizontal tilt can be determined using the maximum of the first distance and the second distance.

[0100] The amount of vertical tilt can be determined by using a third distance between the viewing area VA and the effective area AA of the window WD at the upper side of the window WD (e.g., the twelve o'clock position) and a fourth distance between the viewing area VA and the effective area AA of the window WD at the lower side of the window WD (e.g., the six o'clock position). The amount of vertical tilt can be determined by using the maximum value of the third distance and the fourth distance.

[0101] Fig. 7A A diagram showing a case where a tilt defect may occur in a display device Figure 1 Conceptual diagram of a viewing area VA and an active area AA1 of a display device. Figure 7B The diagram shows Fig. 7A A conceptual diagram of the horizontal offset of the effective area AA1. Figure 7C The diagram shows Figure 7B Conceptual diagram of the offset of the effective area AA1' in the vertical direction.

[0102] refer to Fig. 7A , the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may not be precisely aligned, so that the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may be tilted in an upper right direction with respect to the viewing area VA of the window WD.

[0103] The active area AA1 may be disposed at a central portion of the pixel area PA of the display panel 100. In the case where the active area AA1 may display an image, the amount of inclination (including horizontal and vertical amounts of inclination) of the active area AA1 relative to the viewing area VA may be determined.

[0104] exist Figure 7BIn the example, the active area AA1 may be offset in the horizontal direction based on the amount of horizontal tilt of the active area AA1. The horizontal tilt may be compensated, as indicated by the offset active area AA1'. However, the offset active area AA1' may still have a vertical tilt.

[0105] Therefore, the center of the active area AA1 may be shifted from AAC1 to AAC2.

[0106] exist Figure 7C In the embodiment, the shifted active area AA1' may be shifted in the vertical direction based on the amount of vertical tilt of the active area AA1. The vertical tilt may be compensated, as indicated by the shifted active area AA1", so that the shifted active area AA1" may be disposed in the viewing area VA.

[0107] Therefore, the center of the active area AA1 ′ may be shifted from AAC2 to AAC3 , so that the center AAC3 of the active area AA1 ″ may be aligned with the center VAC of the viewing area VA.

[0108] Fig. 8A A diagram showing a case where a tilt defect may occur in a display device Figure 1 Conceptual diagram of a viewing area VA and an active area AA1 of a display device. Figure 8B The diagram shows Fig. 8A A conceptual diagram of a viewing area VA and a post-compensation active area AA2 of a display device in which a tilt defect can be compensated.

[0109] like Fig. 8A As shown, the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may not be precisely aligned, so that the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may be tilted in a left direction with respect to the viewing area VA of the window WD.

[0110] The pixel area PA1 of the display panel 100 may include an active area AA1 and a spare area SA1 surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA1. The active area AA1 may display a test image, and the spare area SA1 may display a black image to determine the amount of tilt of the active area AA1.

[0111] like Figure 8B As shown, the active area AA1 may be shifted in the right direction in the viewing area VA, so that the tilt of the active area AA1 may be compensated. Figure 8B The pixel area PA2 in Fig. 8A The pixel area PA1 in FIG. Figure 8B The effective area AA2 after compensation in the figure may be different from the effective area AA1 before compensation occurs. Fig. 8AThe effective area AA1 in Figure 8B The post-compensation spare area SA2 in the figure may be different from the spare area SA1 representing the spare area before compensation occurs. Fig. 8A The compensated spare area SA2 may be defined as an area surrounding the compensated active area AA2 and may be formed in response to the formation of the compensated active area AA2. In other words, one or more portions of the spare area SA1 may be selectively activated to facilitate the shifting of the active area AA1, as represented by the compensated active area AA2 and the compensated spare area SA2. In this way, the shifting of the active area AA1 from the compensated active area AA2 to the compensated spare area SA2 may be achieved. Fig. 8A The position of the effective area AA1 shown is as follows Figure 8B The position of the active area AA2 after compensation is shown.

[0112] Fig. 8A A portion of the active area AA1 can be contributed to or added to Figure 8B In order to realize the post-compensation spare area SA2, the portion may be a portion of the effective area AA1 before compensation occurs. Fig. 8A A portion of the spare area SA1 in can be contributed to or added to Figure 8B In order to realize the compensated active area AA2, the portion may be a portion of the spare area SA1 before compensation occurs. In view of the above, the amount of the selectively activated spare pixels SPX of the spare area SA1 may correspond to the amount of tilt between the active area AA1 and the viewing area VA, thereby compensating for the amount of tilt and obtaining the compensated spare area SA2 and the compensated active area AA2.

[0113] The compensated spare area SA2 may be defined as an area surrounding the compensated active area AA2 and may display a black image. For example, the black image displayed on the compensated spare area SA2 may be Figure 1 Therefore, in the case where the light shielding portion BM includes a dark gray color, the light shielding portion BM may display a dark gray image.

[0114] To display a black image, the gate driver 300 may output gate signals to the compensated active area AA2 and the compensated spare area SA2, and the data driver 500 may output a target data voltage to the compensated active area AA2 and a black data voltage to the compensated spare area SA2.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the display panel 100 may include a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA, and the spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX that may be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window WD and the active area AA may not be precisely aligned, the spare pixels SPX may be used to obtain a margin or amount that may compensate for the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA.

[0116] Therefore, the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA may be compensated so that the reliability of the display device may be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment may be minimized so that the overall cost of manufacturing the display device may be reduced.

[0117] Fig.9A A conceptual diagram illustrating a viewing area VA and an active area AA1 of a display device according to an embodiment in a case where a tilt defect occurs in the display device is shown. Fig. 9B The diagram shows Fig.9A A conceptual diagram of a viewing area VA and a compensated active area AA2 of a display device in which a tilt defect can be compensated.

[0118] The display device and the method of driving the display panel according to this embodiment can be compared with the reference Figures 1 to 8B The display device and the method of driving the display panel of the previously explained embodiments are substantially the same except that a method of deactivating the compensated spare area SA2 may be provided.

[0119] refer to Figures 1 to 7C , Fig.9A and Fig. 9B , the display device may include a circular display panel 100. For example, the display device may be a smart watch.

[0120] The display device may include a window WD and a display panel 100. A viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD.

[0121] The display panel 100 may include a pixel area PA. The pixel area PA may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA. The active area AA may include pixels PX. The spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX.

[0122] The display device may include a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver may include a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, and a data driver 500.

[0123] like Fig.9AAs shown, the viewing area VA of the window WD and the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may not be precisely aligned, so that the active area AA1 of the display panel 100 may be tilted in a left direction with respect to the viewing area VA of the window WD.

[0124] The pixel area PA1 of the display panel 100 may include an active area AA1 and a spare area SA1 surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA1. The active area AA1 may display a test image and the spare area SA1 may display a black image to determine the amount of tilt of the active area AA1.

[0125] like Fig.9A and 9B As shown, the active area AA1 may be shifted in the right direction in the viewing area VA, so that the amount of inclination of the active area AA1 may be compensated. Fig. 9B The pixel area PA2 in Fig.9A The pixel area PA1 in FIG. Fig. 9B The compensated active area AA2, which may represent the active area AA1 after compensation, may be different from the inclination active area AA1. Fig.9A The effective area AA1 in. Fig. 9B The compensated spare area SA2 which may represent the spare area SA1 after compensation may be different from the spare area SA1 which may represent the tilt. Fig.9A The compensated spare area SA2 may be defined as an area surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the compensated active area AA2.

[0126] The compensated spare area SA2 may include vertical compensated spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 corresponding to upper and lower portions of the compensated spare area SA2 and a horizontal compensated spare area SAH corresponding to an area of ​​the compensated spare area SA2 excluding the vertical compensated spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 .

[0127] In order to deactivate the spare pixels SPX in the vertical compensation back spare areas SAV1 and SAV2, the spare pixels SPX in the vertical compensation back spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 may be turned off. Conversely, in order to activate the spare pixels SPX in the horizontal compensation back spare area SAH, the spare pixels SPX in the horizontal compensation back spare area SAH may be turned on, and thus a black image is displayed.

[0128] In a case where a gate signal is not supplied to a gate line connected to the spare pixels SPX in the after vertical compensation spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 , the spare pixels SPX in the after vertical compensation spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 may be turned off.

[0129] In order to deactivate the spare pixels SPX in the spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 after vertical compensation, the gate driver 300 may output a gate signal from the uppermost portion VP2 of the compensated active area AA2 to the lowermost portion VP3 of the compensated active area AA2. For example, the gate signal from the uppermost portion VP1 of the pixel area PA2 to the uppermost portion VP2 of the compensated active area AA2 may be shielded, and the gate signal from the lowermost portion VP3 of the compensated active area AA2 to the lowermost portion VP4 of the pixel area PA2 may be shielded. As another example, the vertical start signal of the gate driver 300 may be output to the stage of the gate driver 300 corresponding to the uppermost portion VP2 of the compensated active area AA2 to set the starting point of the scanning of the gate signal to the uppermost portion VP2 of the compensated active area AA2.

[0130] The spare pixel SPX in the horizontal compensation spare area SAH may be disposed adjacent to the compensated active area AA2 in the horizontal direction, so that in the case where the gate signal may be applied to the pixel of the compensated active area AA2, the gate signal may be applied to the spare pixel SPX in the horizontal compensation spare area SAH. Therefore, the spare pixel SPX in the horizontal compensation spare area SAH may be turned on instead of being turned off to display a black image.

[0131] The display panel 100 may include a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA, and the spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX that may be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window WD and the active area AA may not be precisely aligned, a margin or amount that may compensate for the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA may be obtained by using the spare pixels SPX of the spare area SA.

[0132] Therefore, the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA may be compensated so that the reliability of the display device may be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment may be minimized, so the overall manufacturing cost of the display device may be reduced.

[0133] Regarding the operation efficiency of the display device, the spare pixels SPX in the spare areas SAV1 and SAV2 after the vertical compensation may be turned off instead of displaying a black image, so that the power consumption of the display device may be further reduced.

[0134] Fig.10 A block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0135] The display device and the method of driving the display panel according to the embodiment can be used Figures 1 to 8BThe display device and the method of driving the display panel of the embodiments are substantially the same except for the shape of the display panel.

[0136] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 8B as well as Fig.10 , the display device may include a rectangular display panel 100A.

[0137] The display device may include a window WD and a display panel 100A. A viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD.

[0138] The display panel 100A may include a pixel area PA. The pixel area PA may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA. The active area AA may include pixels PX. The spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX.

[0139] The display device may include a display panel 100A and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, and a data driver 500.

[0140] The viewing area VA may include a rectangular shape. The active area AA may include a rectangular shape. The pixel area PA, which may represent the sum of the active area AA and the spare area SA, may include a rectangular shape. For example, the outermost line of each of the active area AA and the spare area SA may include a rectangular shaped line.

[0141] The active area AA including the pixel PX may display an image. The amount of inclination of the active area AA may be determined based on the distance between the viewing area VA defined by the window WD and the active area AA in which the image may be displayed. Based on the amount of inclination of the active area AA, the spare pixel SPX disposed in the spare area SA may be selectively activated.

[0142] Therefore, the active area AA and the activated spare area SA may form a compensated active area ( Figure 8B The compensated effective area AA2 in the figure).

[0143] The display panel 100A may include a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA, and may include spare pixels SPX that may be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window WD and the active area AA may not be precisely aligned, the spare pixels SPX of the spare area SA may be used to obtain a margin or amount for compensating for the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA.

[0144] Therefore, the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA can be compensated, so that the reliability of the display device can be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment can be minimized, so the overall cost of manufacturing the display device can be reduced.

[0145] Fig.11 A block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0146] The display device and the method of driving the display panel according to the embodiment can be used Figures 1 to 8B The display device and the method of driving the display panel are substantially the same except for the shape of the display panel.

[0147] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 8B as well as Fig.11 , the display device may include a polygonal display panel 100B.

[0148] The display device may include a window WD and a display panel 100B. A viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD.

[0149] The display panel 100B may include a pixel area PA. The pixel area PA may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA. The active area AA may include pixels PX. The spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX.

[0150] The display device may include a display panel 100B and a display panel driver. The display panel driver may include a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400, and a data driver 500.

[0151] The viewing area VA may include a polygonal shape. The active area AA may include a polygonal shape. The pixel area PA, which may be the sum of the active area AA and the spare area SA, may include a polygonal shape. For example, the outermost lines of the active area AA and the spare area SA may each be a line of a polygon.

[0152] Although the polygonal shape of the display panel 100B is Fig.11 The display panel 100B may be an octagon, but the embodiment may not be limited thereto. For example, the display panel 100B may have a polygonal shape such as a square, a hexagon, a dodecagon, a chamfered square, or the like.

[0153] The active area AA including the pixel PX may display an image. The amount of inclination of the active area AA may be determined based on the distance between the viewing area VA defined by the window WD and the active area AA in which the image may be displayed. Based on the amount of inclination of the active area AA, the spare pixel SPX disposed in the spare area SA may be selectively activated.

[0154] Therefore, the active area AA and the activated spare area SA may form a compensated active area ( Figure 8B The compensated effective area AA2 in the figure).

[0155] According to an embodiment, the display panel 100B may include a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA, and may include spare pixels SPX that may be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window WD and the active area AA may not be precisely aligned, the spare pixels SPX of the spare area SA may be used to obtain a margin or amount for compensating for the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA.

[0156] Therefore, the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA can be compensated, so that the reliability of the display device can be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment can be minimized, so the overall cost of manufacturing the display device can be reduced.

[0157] Fig.12 A block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment is shown.

[0158] The display device and the method of driving the display panel according to the embodiment can be used Figures 1 to 8B The display device and the method of driving the display panel of the embodiments are substantially the same, except for the structure of the display panel driver.

[0159] refer to Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 8B as well as Fig.12 , the display device may include a circular display panel 100 .

[0160] The display device may include a window WD and a display panel 100. A viewing area VA may be defined by the window WD.

[0161] The display panel 100 may include a pixel area PA. The pixel area PA may include an active area AA and a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA. The active area AA may include pixels PX. The spare area SA may include spare pixels SPX.

[0162] The display device may include a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver may include a driving controller 620, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 640, and a data driver 660.

[0163] The driving controller 620 may generate a first control signal CONT1 for controlling the operation of the gate driver 300 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the first control signal CONT1 to the gate driver 300 .

[0164] The driving controller 620 may generate a second control signal CONT2 for controlling the operation of the data driver 660 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the second control signal CONT2 to the data driver 660. The driving controller 620 may generate a data signal DATA based on the input image data IMG. The driving controller 620 may output the data signal DATA to the data driver 660.

[0165] The driving controller 620 may generate a third control signal CONT3 for controlling the operation of the gamma reference voltage generator 640 based on the input control signal CONT, and may output the third control signal CONT3 to the gamma reference voltage generator 640 .

[0166] The gate driver 300 may generate a gate signal driving the gate line GL in response to the first control signal CONT1 received from the driving controller 620. The gate driver 300 may output the gate signal to the gate line GL. For example, the gate driver 300 may sequentially output the gate signal to the gate line GL.

[0167] The gamma reference voltage generator 640 may generate the gamma reference voltage VGREF in response to the third control signal CONT3 received from the driving controller 620. The gamma reference voltage generator 640 may provide the gamma reference voltage VGREF to the data driver 660.

[0168] The data driver 660 may receive the second control signal CONT2 and the data signal DATA from the driving controller 620, and may receive the gamma reference voltage VGREF from the gamma reference voltage generator 640. The data driver 660 may convert the data signal DATA into a data voltage of an analog type using the gamma reference voltage VGREF. The data driver 660 may output the data voltage to the data line DL.

[0169] The driving controller 620, the gamma reference voltage generator 640, and the data driver 660 may form an integrated driver 600. The integrated driver 600 may be an integrated circuit chip. The integrated driver 600 may be referred to as a timing controller embedded data driver.

[0170] As another example, the driving controller 620 and the data driver 660 may be integrally formed, and the gamma reference voltage generator 640 may be formed independently of the driving controller 620 and the data driver 660 .

[0171] The active area AA including the pixel PX may display an image. The amount of inclination of the active area AA may be determined based on the distance between the viewing area VA defined by the window WD and the active area AA in which the image may be displayed. Based on the amount of inclination of the active area AA, the spare pixel SPX disposed in the spare area SA may be selectively activated.

[0172] Therefore, the active area AA and the activated spare area SA may form a compensated active area ( Figure 8B The compensated effective area AA2 in the figure).

[0173] The display panel 100 may include a spare area SA surrounding or enclosing the periphery of the active area AA, and may include spare pixels SPX that may be selectively activated. Therefore, in the case where the window WD and the active area AA may not be precisely aligned, a margin or amount for compensating for the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA may be obtained by using the spare pixels SPX of the spare area SA.

[0174] Therefore, the misalignment between the window WD and the active area AA can be compensated, so that the reliability of the display device can be enhanced, and the number of discarded display devices excessively affected by the misalignment can be minimized, so the overall cost of manufacturing the display device can be reduced.

[0175] According to the display device and the method of driving the display panel, a tilt defect between the window WD and the display panel 100 , 100A, or 100B may be compensated, so that the reliability of the display device may be enhanced and the manufacturing cost of the display device may be reduced.

[0176] The foregoing is an illustration of embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure. Although embodiments have been described herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided by the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures described herein as performing the recited functions, and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: window; a display panel disposed under the window and comprising an active area and a spare area around the active area, the active area comprising pixels, and the spare area comprising spare pixels configured to be selectively activated; as well as A display panel driver is configured to drive the display panel. wherein the selectively activated spare pixels are selected based on an amount of tilt of the active area, the amount of tilt of the active area being determined based on a distance between a viewing area of ​​the display panel defined by the window and the active area, and The amount of the inclination of the active area includes an amount of the horizontal inclination of the active area in a horizontal direction and an amount of the vertical inclination of the active area in a vertical direction.

2. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: The light shielding portion is arranged along the window and defines a viewing area of ​​the display panel.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The active area and the activated portion of the spare area form a compensated active area, and Wherein, the compensated effective area is arranged in the viewing area of ​​the display panel.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: A portion of the spare area is disposed outside the viewing area of ​​the display panel.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: In response to the display panel being driven, the post-compensation active area is defined, and The compensated active area is generated by activating the activated portion of the spare area that forms the compensated active area to shift the active area in the horizontal direction and to shift the active area in the vertical direction.

6. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The viewing area has a circular shape, the active area has a circular shape, and an area of ​​the display panel including a sum of the active area and the standby area has a circular shape.

7. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The viewing area has a polygonal shape, the effective area has a polygonal shape, and an area of ​​the display panel including a sum of the effective area and the spare area has a polygonal shape.

8. The display device according to claim 3, wherein: The display panel driver is disposed outside the standby area, and includes: a gate driver configured to output a gate signal to the display panel; and a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: A compensated spare area defining an area around the compensated active area is formed in response to the forming of the compensated active area and is configured to display a black image.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The gate driver is configured to output the gate signal to the post-compensation active area and the post-compensation spare area, and the data driver is configured to output a target data voltage to the post-compensation active area and a black data voltage to the post-compensation spare area.

11. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: The compensated spare area defining the area surrounding the compensated effective area includes: a vertically compensated spare area corresponding to an upper portion and a lower portion of the compensated spare area; and a horizontally compensated spare area corresponding to an area of ​​the compensated spare area excluding the vertically compensated spare area, in, The spare pixels in the spare area after the vertical compensation are turned off, and The spare pixels in the spare area after the horizontal compensation are turned on to display a black image.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein: The gate driver is configured to output the gate signal from an uppermost portion of the compensated active area to a lowermost portion of the compensated active area.

13. A method for driving a display panel, comprising: Displaying an image in an active area, the active area including pixels; determining an amount of tilt of the active area based on a distance between a viewing area and the active area, the viewing area being defined by a light shielding portion disposed along a window around the viewing area; and selectively activating a plurality of spare pixels in a spare area disposed around the active area based on the amount of the tilt of the active area, Determining the amount of the tilt of the active area includes: determining the amount of the horizontal tilt of the active area in the horizontal direction; and determining the amount of the vertical tilt of the active area in the vertical direction.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The active area and the activated portion of the spare area form a compensated active area, and Wherein, the compensated effective area is set in the viewing area.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: A portion of the spare area is disposed outside the viewing area.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The compensated active area is generated by activating the activated portion of the spare area forming the compensated active area to shift the active area in the horizontal direction and to shift the active area in the vertical direction.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein: A compensated spare area defining an area around the compensated active area is formed in response to the forming of the compensated active area and is configured to display a black image.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The gate driver is configured to output a gate signal to the post-compensation active area and the post-compensation spare area, and the data driver is configured to output a target data voltage to the post-compensation active area and a black data voltage to the post-compensation spare area.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The compensated spare area defining the area surrounding the compensated effective area includes: a vertically compensated spare area corresponding to an upper portion and a lower portion of the compensated spare area; and a horizontally compensated spare area corresponding to an area of ​​the compensated spare area other than the vertically compensated spare area, in, The spare pixels in the spare area after the vertical compensation are turned off, and The spare pixels in the spare area after the horizontal compensation are turned on to display a black image.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The gate driver is configured to output a gate signal from an uppermost portion of the compensated active area to a lowermost portion of the compensated active area.

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