Display device and method for compensating for deterioration of display device

Abstract

A display device and a method of compensating for deterioration of the display device are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel, a first memory, and a deterioration compensator. The first memory device stores stress data, and the stress data includes deterioration values representing the degree of deterioration of each block in the blocks in the display panel. The deterioration compensator loads the stress data from the first memory device, updates the stress data based on the current input data and the maximum deterioration value, updates the maximum deterioration value based on the deterioration values included in the updated stress data, and generates compensated data by compensating the current input data based on the updated stress data. The deterioration compensator determines whether the first deterioration value is normal by comparing the first deterioration value included in the stress data with the maximum deterioration value, and when the first deterioration value is abnormal, updates the first deterioration value based on at least one adjacent deterioration value adjacent to the first deterioration value.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0004920, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 14, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a display device and a method for compensating for deterioration of the display device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a display device capable of preventing incorrect deterioration compensation and a method for compensating for deterioration of the display device. Background Art

[0003] A display device displays an image by using pixels each including a light-emitting device. When the light-emitting device is implemented as an organic light-emitting diode, the light-emitting device deteriorates as it is used. For the same gray value, a deteriorated light-emitting device may emit light at a lower brightness than that of a non-deteriorated light-emitting device.

[0004] A conventional display device may calculate the age (also referred to as the used time) (or the amount of deterioration) of a pixel by calculating the total amount of light emitted from the pixel, etc., and compensate for the gray value based on the calculated age. The pixel (or the light-emitting device) may emit light at a desired brightness based on the compensated gray value.

[0005] As the resolution of the display device increases, the age data (i.e., data including the age calculated for each pixel) may increase. Thus, the display device may store the age data by using a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and load and update the age data partially and / or sequentially.

[0006] When an error occurs in a part of the age data during the DRAM interface process, an error may also occur in an operation of compensating for the deterioration (or the gray value) of the pixel based on the age data (and the entire deterioration compensation operation). Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments provide a display device capable of preventing incorrect deterioration compensation and a method for compensating for deterioration of a display device.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of blocks, each block including at least one pixel; a first memory device configured to store stress data, the stress data including a degradation value representing the degradation degree of each of the plurality of blocks; a degradation compensator configured to load the stress data from the first memory device, update the stress data based on current input data and a maximum degradation value, update the maximum degradation value based on the degradation value included in the updated stress data, and generate compensated data by compensating the current input data based on the updated stress data; and a data driver configured to generate a data voltage based on the compensated data and supply the data voltage to the display panel. Wherein, the degradation compensator determines whether the first degradation value is normal by comparing the first degradation value included in the stress data with the maximum degradation value, and when the first degradation value is abnormal, updates the first degradation value based on at least one adjacent degradation value adjacent to the first degradation value.

[0009] The degradation compensator may include: a second memory circuit configured to store the stress data; and an error detection circuit configured to determine whether the first degradation value is normal and update the first degradation value.

[0010] The second memory circuit may include: a first buffer configured to store a row of data among the stress data; a second buffer configured to repeatedly load and store the first degradation value from the first memory device when the first degradation value is abnormal; and a third buffer configured to store at least one adjacent degradation value.

[0011] The error detection circuit may include: a determiner configured to determine that the first degradation value is abnormal when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value; and an updater configured to update the first degradation value based on at least one adjacent degradation value and the maximum degradation value when the first degradation value is abnormal.

[0012] When the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, the determiner may determine whether the first degradation value is abnormal by repeatedly comparing the first degradation value stored in the second buffer with the maximum degradation value.

[0013] The updater may calculate an average value by averaging at least one adjacent degradation value stored in the third buffer, and update the first degradation value by performing a weighted calculation on the average value and the maximum degradation value.

[0014] The number of at least one adjacent degradation value may vary according to the position information of the first degradation value stored in the stress data.

[0015] The degradation compensator may further include a scaling circuit configured to generate scaled data by scaling the grayscale values included in the current input data based on a maximum degradation value; an age calculation circuit configured to update the stress data by accumulating the scaled data stored in the stress data; and a compensation circuit configured to generate compensated data by compensating the scaled data based on the updated stress data.

[0016] The degradation compensator may sequentially determine whether the degradation values included in the stress data are normal during a frame period and update the maximum degradation value based on the maximum value among the degradation values included in the updated stress data during a blank period. A data voltage may be applied to the display panel during the frame period. The blank period may not overlap with the frame period.

[0017] When the maximum value among the degradation values included in the updated stress data is greater than the sum of the maximum degradation value and a reference value, the degradation compensator may not update the maximum degradation value.

[0018] The first memory device may include: a first sub-memory configured to store the stress data as first stress data; and a second sub-memory configured to store the stress data as second stress data. The degradation compensator may load the first stress data and the second stress data from the first sub-memory and the second sub-memory, respectively, determine whether a first degradation value included in the first stress data and a second degradation value included in the second stress data and corresponding to the first degradation value are equal to each other, and determine that the first degradation value is normal when the first degradation value and the second degradation value are equal to each other.

[0019] When the first degradation value and the second degradation value are different from each other, the degradation compensator may update the first degradation value based on at least one adjacent degradation value.

[0020] The display device may further include a second memory device configured to store the stress data. The first memory device may be implemented as a volatile memory device, and the second memory device may be implemented as a non-volatile memory device. When power is applied, the first memory device may subsequently load the stress data from the second memory device.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for compensating for deterioration of a display device is provided. The method includes the following steps: recording stress data in a first memory device; reading a first deterioration value included in the stress data from the first memory device; determining whether the first deterioration value is normal by comparing the first deterioration value with a maximum deterioration value; when the first deterioration value is abnormal, updating the first deterioration value based on at least one adjacent deterioration value adjacent to the first deterioration value; when the first deterioration value is normal, updating the stress data based on current input data and the maximum deterioration value; and generating compensated data by compensating the current input data based on the updated stress data, wherein the stress data includes deterioration values representing the degree of deterioration of each of a plurality of blocks of a display panel, and wherein each of the plurality of blocks includes at least one pixel.

[0022] The method may further include the following steps: generating a data voltage based on the compensated data; and supplying the data voltage to the display panel.

[0023] The step of determining whether the first deterioration value is normal may be implemented by the following steps: determining whether the first deterioration value is less than or equal to the maximum deterioration value; and when the first deterioration value is greater than the maximum deterioration value, rereading the first deterioration value.

[0024] The step of rereading the first deterioration value may be implemented by repeating the steps of reading the first deterioration value N times (N is a positive integer) and determining whether the first deterioration value is less than or equal to the maximum deterioration value.

[0025] The step of updating the first deterioration value may be completed by calculating an average value of at least one adjacent deterioration value and updating the first deterioration value by weighted calculation of the average value and the maximum deterioration value.

[0026] The first memory device may include a first sub-memory configured to store the stress data as first stress data and a second sub-memory configured to store the stress data as second stress data. The step of determining whether the first deterioration value is normal may also be implemented by the following steps: determining whether a first deterioration value included in the first stress data and a second deterioration value included in the second stress data and corresponding to the first deterioration value are equal to each other; and when the first deterioration value and the second deterioration value are equal to each other, comparing the first deterioration value with the maximum deterioration value.

[0027] The method may further include a step of updating the maximum deterioration value based on the maximum value among the deterioration values included in the updated stress data. When the maximum value among the deterioration values included in the updated stress data is greater than the sum of the maximum deterioration value and a reference value, the maximum deterioration value may not be updated.

[0028] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for compensating for degradation of a display device. The display device includes a display panel, a memory device, and a degradation compensator. The display panel includes pixels. The memory device is configured to store stress data representing the degree of degradation of the pixels. The degradation compensator is configured to compensate for the image data of the pixels based on the stress data. The method includes the following steps: transmitting a first degradation value included in the stress data from the memory device to the degradation compensator; comparing, by the degradation compensator, the first degradation value with a predetermined maximum degradation value; when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, determining, by the degradation compensator, that the first degradation value is abnormal; when the first degradation value is abnormal, transmitting at least one adjacent degradation value adjacent to the first degradation value from the memory device to the degradation compensator; and updating, by the degradation compensator, the first degradation value based on the at least one adjacent degradation value.

[0029] The step of determining that the first degradation value is abnormal can be implemented in the following manner: when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, re-transmitting the first degradation value from the memory device to the degradation compensator; comparing, by the degradation compensator, the re-transmitted first degradation value with the maximum degradation value; and when the re-transmitted first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, determining, by the degradation compensator, that the first degradation value is abnormal.

[0030] The updating step of the first degradation value can be implemented in the following manner: calculating, by the degradation compensator, an average degradation value by performing a weighted average of the at least one adjacent degradation value and the maximum degradation value; and updating, by the degradation compensator, the average degradation value as the first degradation value.

[0031] The method may further include the following steps: generating, by the degradation compensator, a second degradation value by updating the updated first degradation value based on the gray value included in the image data; transmitting the second degradation value from the degradation compensator to the memory device; and updating, by the memory device, the stress data based on the second degradation value.

[0032] The method may further include the following steps: updating, by the degradation compensator, the maximum degradation value based on the second degradation value; and transmitting the updated maximum degradation value from the degradation compensator to the memory device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the example embodiments may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as 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 example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0034] In the drawings, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, the element may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intermediate elements may also be present. The same reference numerals always denote the same elements.

[0035] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 2 is shown as including Figure 1 an example of a deterioration compensator in the display device of.

[0037] Figure 3 is shown as including Figure 2 an example of a third memory and an error detector in the deterioration compensator of.

[0038] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of stress data used in the deterioration compensator of Figure 2 ..

[0039] Figure 5 is shown as Figure 2 a waveform diagram of the operation of the deterioration compensator of.

[0040] Figure 6 is shown as Figure 1 an example of a display device of.

[0041] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method for compensating for deterioration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8 is shown as Figure 7 an example of the method of.

[0043] Figure 9 is shown as Figure 7 another example of the method of. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0044] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the example embodiments described in this specification.

[0045] To clearly describe the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same or similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Accordingly, the same reference numerals may be used in different drawings to identify the same or similar elements.

[0046] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 , the display device 100 may include a display 110 (or a display panel), a scan driver 120 (or a gate driver), a data driver 130 (or a source driver), and a timing controller 140. In addition, the display device 100 may further include a first memory 150 (or a first memory device) and a second memory 160 (or a second memory device).

[0048] The display 110 may include scan lines SL1 to SLn (n is a positive integer), data lines DL1 to DLm (m is a positive integer), and pixels PX. The pixels PX may be disposed in an area (e.g., a pixel area) defined by the scan lines SL1 to SLn and the data lines DL1 to DLm.

[0049] The pixel PX may be coupled to one of the scan lines SL1 to SLn and one of the data lines DL1 to DLm. For example, the pixel PX disposed in an area where the first scan line SL1 and the first data line DL1 cross each other may be coupled to the first scan line SL1 and the first data line DL1.

[0050] The pixel PX may include a light-emitting device and at least one transistor. The at least one transistor may transfer a current (or an amount of current) corresponding to a data signal through the data line to the light-emitting device in response to a scan signal provided through the scan line. The light-emitting device may emit light with a brightness corresponding to the current (i.e., a brightness corresponding to the data signal). The light-emitting device may include an organic light-emitting diode.

[0051] In an embodiment, the display 110 may include a block BLK (or an area), and each of the blocks BLK may include at least one pixel PX. The block BLK may serve as a reference for calculating stress data DATA_A (age data or cumulative data) to be described later. For example, the stress data DATA_A may include a degradation value AGE, and one of the degradation values AGE may represent the degradation degree of the corresponding block among the blocks BLK, or the average degradation degree or average age of at least one pixel PX included in the corresponding block. For example, the degradation value may be a value obtained by accumulating the gray-scale values of at least one pixel PX included in the corresponding block over time, or a value proportional to the accumulated value.

[0052] For example, each of the blocks BLK may include 8×8 pixels and have a size of 8 [rows] × 8 [columns] with respect to the pixels PX. That is, the display 110 may be divided into blocks BLK having a size of 8×8. For example, when the display 110 includes n×m pixels, the display 110 may be divided into (n×m) / 64 blocks BLK.

[0053] The scan driver 120 may generate scan signals based on the scan control signal SCS and sequentially supply the scan signals to the scan lines SL1 to SLn. The scan control signal SCS may include a start signal, a clock signal, etc., and the scan control signal SCS is supplied from the timing controller 140. For example, the scan driver 120 may include a shift register that sequentially generates and outputs scan signals in the form of pulses corresponding to the start signal in the form of pulses by using the clock signal.

[0054] The data driver 130 may generate data signals based on the image data DATA2 and the data control signal DCS supplied from the timing controller 140 and supply the data signals to the display 110 (or the pixels PX). The data control signal DCS is a signal for controlling the operation of the data driver 130 and may include a load signal (or a data enable signal) indicating the output of a valid data signal, etc.

[0055] The first memory 150 may be coupled to the timing controller 140, the second memory 160 may be coupled to the first memory 150, and each of the first memory 150 and the second memory 160 may store stress data DATA_A.

[0056] For example, the first memory 150 may be implemented as a volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), and the second memory 160 may be implemented as a non-volatile memory device such as an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a nano floating gate memory (NFGM), a polymer random access memory (PoRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), or a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM). For example, the first memory 150 may be coupled to the timing controller 140 through a memory interface.

[0057] When the display device 100 is powered on, the first memory 150 may load stress data DATA_A stored in the second memory 160. The first memory 150 may provide the degradation value AGE included in the stress data DATA_A to the timing controller 140 in response to a request from the timing controller 140. The stress data DATA_A in the second memory 160 may be periodically updated based on the stress data DATA_A in the first memory 150 and / or updated before the display device 100 is powered off.

[0058] The timing controller 140 may receive input image data DATA1 (or current input data) and a control signal from an external source (e.g., a graphics processor), generate a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS based on the control signal, and generate image data DATA2 by converting the input image data DATA1.

[0059] In some embodiments, the timing controller 140 may include a degradation compensator 141.

[0060] The degradation compensator 141 may load the degradation value AGE included in the stress data DATA_A from the first memory 150, update the degradation value AGE based on the gray value and the maximum degradation value included in the input image data DATA1, and generate image data DATA2 (or compensated data) by compensating the input image data DATA1 based on the updated degradation value. The stress data DATA_A stored in the first memory 150 may be updated in real time or periodically based on the updated degradation value.

[0061] In addition, the degradation compensator 141 may determine whether each of the degradation values AGE provided from the first memory 150 is normal. For example, the degradation compensator 141 may determine whether the first degradation value is normal by comparing the first degradation value included in the stress data DATA_A with the maximum degradation value, and when the first degradation value is abnormal, update the first degradation value based on at least one adjacent degradation value (hereinafter also simply referred to as an adjacent degradation value) adjacent to the first degradation value. When the first degradation value includes an error bit, the degradation compensator 141 may determine that the first degradation value is abnormal.

[0062] Reference will be made to Figure 2 describe the detailed configuration of the degradation compensator 141.

[0063] Meanwhile, at least one of the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, and the timing controller 140 may be formed in the display 110 or mounted on a flexible circuit board in the form of an IC to be coupled to the display 110. Additionally, at least two of the scan driver 120, the data driver 130, and the timing controller 140 may be implemented as one IC.

[0064] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a degradation compensator included in a display device including Figure 1 .

[0065] Referring to Figure 2 , the degradation compensator 141 may include a third memory 210 (or a third memory circuit), an error detector 220 (or an error detection circuit), a scaler (also referred to as a scalercircuit) 230 (or a scaling circuit), an age calculator 240 (or an age calculation circuit), and a compensator 250 (or a compensation circuit).

[0066] The third memory 210 may be implemented as a volatile memory device such as a static random access memory (SRAM). The third memory 210 may be coupled to the first memory 150 through a memory interface. The third memory 210 may sequentially load stress data DATA_A (i.e., see Figure 1 ) and the degradation value AGE (i.e., see Figure 1 ) from the first memory 150. For example, the stress data DATA_A may include row data (i.e., degradation values divided by row) corresponding to scan lines SL1 to SLn (or pixel rows) respectively, and the third memory 210 may sequentially load and store the row data. The stress data DATA_A may include a first degradation value AGE_N-1, and the first degradation value AGE_N-1 (N is a positive integer) may be the degradation value at the previous (also referred to as the prior) moment. In addition, the stress data DATA_A may include a maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. The maximum degradation value MAX_AGE may be equal to or correspond to the maximum value among the first degradation values AGE_N-1, and is calculated or determined by the age calculator 240.

[0067] The first degradation value AGE_N-1 stored in the third memory 210 may be updated to a second degradation value AGE_N through the operation of the age calculator 240 or the like, and the second degradation value AGE_N may be the degradation value at the current moment. For example, the interval between the current moment and the previous moment may be one frame, the second degradation value AGE_N may be the degradation value for the current frame, and the first degradation value AGE_N-1 may be the degradation value for the previous frame before the current frame. However, the interval between the current moment and the previous moment is not limited. The third memory 210 may periodically and / or when an event occurs provide the second degradation value AGE_N to the first memory 150.

[0068] The error detector 220 can determine whether each of the first deterioration values AGE_N-1 is normal based on the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE. For example, when a first deterioration value (i.e., a specific deterioration value) among the first deterioration values AGE_N-1 is greater than the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, the error detector 220 can determine that the first deterioration value is abnormal.

[0069] In addition, the error detector 220 can update an abnormal deterioration value (i.e., a deterioration value determined to be abnormal) among the first deterioration values AGE_N-1 based on at least one adjacent deterioration value. The at least one adjacent deterioration value is adjacent to the abnormal deterioration value and can be a deterioration value corresponding to a block adjacent to the block corresponding to the abnormal deterioration value (i.e., the block described with reference to Figure 1 the described block).

[0070] During the process of transmitting the first deterioration values AGE_N-1 between the first memory 150 and the third memory 210, errors may occur in the first deterioration values AGE_N-1. As will be described later, when a specific deterioration value included in the stress data DATA_A has a relatively large value due to a transmission error, the specific deterioration value may affect the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE (e.g., the specific deterioration value with an error is determined as the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE), and errors may occur in the entire stress data DATA_A (i.e., the stress data generated and updated based on the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE). The stress data DATA_A is updated in a manner of accumulating the deterioration amount at the current moment in the previous stress data. Therefore, incorrect deterioration compensation may occur continuously. That is, errors may occur in the entire stress data DATA_A due to one deterioration value error (e.g., one data bit error), and continuous errors (and incorrect deterioration compensation) may occur instead of temporary errors.

[0071] The error detector 220 determines whether each of the first deterioration values AGE_N-1 is normal based on the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, thereby preventing abnormal deterioration values from affecting the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE and the entire stress data DATA_A.

[0072] The scaler 230 can generate scaled data DATA_S by scaling (also known as calibration) the grayscale values included in the input image data DATA1 (or the current input data) based on the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE.

[0073] In an embodiment, the scaler 230 can include a scaling ratio calculator 231 (or a micro control unit (MCU)) and a first calculator 232.

[0074] The scaling ratio calculator 231 can calculate a scaling ratio SR_ISC based on the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE. For example, a look-up table may include the scaling ratio SR_ISC according to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, and the scaling ratio calculator 231 can obtain the scaling ratio SR_ISC corresponding to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE by using the look-up table. For example, the scaling ratio SR_ISC may have a value less than or equal to 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the scaling ratio SR_ISC may have a value greater than 1.

[0075] The first calculator 232 can generate scaled data DATA_S by scaling the input image data DATA1 based on the scaling ratio SR_ISC. For example, the first calculator 232 can generate the scaled data DATA_S by multiplying each of the gray values included in the input image data DATA1 by the scaling ratio SR_ISC. For example, when the scaling ratio SR_ISC has a value less than 1, the input image data DATA1 can be reduced. Thus, a margin for deterioration compensation (i.e., deterioration compensation using a data compensation method) can be ensured.

[0076] The age calculator 240 can update the first deterioration value AGE_N-1 to a second deterioration value AGE_N by respectively accumulating the gray values included in the scaled data DATA_S in the first deterioration value AGE_N-1. That is, the scaled data DATA_S is accumulated in the stress data DATA_A including the first deterioration value AGE_N-1, so that the stress data DATA_A can be updated. The first deterioration value AGE_N-1 can be provided from the third memory 210. The age calculator 240 can generate the second deterioration value AGE_N (i.e., the deterioration value at the current moment) by accumulating the gray values (or the corresponding third deterioration value AGE_C) included in the scaled data DATA_S in the first deterioration value AGE_N-1. The second deterioration value AGE_N can be stored in the third memory 210.

[0077] In an embodiment, the age calculator 240 may include a second calculator 241 and an age generator 242.

[0078] The second calculator 241 can generate an accumulated value AGE_P based on the scaled data DATA_S. For example, the second calculator 241 can generate an accumulated value AGE_P proportional to the gray values included in the scaled data DATA_S. For example, the second calculator 241 can be with reference to Figure 1The described block BLK is used as a unit to calculate the average grayscale value, and a cumulative value AGE_P proportional to the average grayscale value is calculated. For example, the second calculator 241 can calculate the average grayscale value for the corresponding block by averaging the grayscale values corresponding to the block (i.e., the grayscale values included in the scaled data DATA_S), and calculate the cumulative value for the corresponding block based on the average grayscale value.

[0079] The age generator 242 can generate a third deterioration value AGE_C (or the final cumulative value) by compensating the cumulative value AGE_P based on the driving frequency (or regeneration factor) of the display device 100, the driving conditions (e.g., ambient temperature), and the position of the corresponding block. For example, the age generator 242 can multiply the cumulative value AGE_P by a first factor corresponding to the driving frequency. For example, the age generator 242 can determine a second factor for the driving conditions and a third factor for the position based on a predetermined look-up table (e.g., a look-up table including a second factor predetermined for each temperature and a third factor predetermined for each position), and multiply the cumulative value AGE_P by the second factor and the third factor.

[0080] In addition, the age generator 242 can generate a second deterioration value AGE_N by accumulating (or adding) the third deterioration value AGE_C in the first deterioration value AGE_N-1 (i.e., the deterioration value at the previous moment). The second deterioration value AGE_N can be stored in the third memory 210, and the stress data DATA_A stored in the first memory 150 can be updated based on the second deterioration value AGE_N transmitted from the third memory 210.

[0081] The age generator 242 can update the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE based on the second deterioration value AGE_N. For example, the age generator 242 can set the maximum deterioration value among the second deterioration values AGE_N as the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE. That is, the stress data DATA_A and the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE can be periodically updated.

[0082] In an embodiment, the age generator 242 may determine whether the difference between a first maximum degradation value and a second maximum degradation value is greater than a reference value. When the difference is greater than the reference value, the age generator 242 may not update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. The first maximum degradation value may be the maximum degradation value calculated at the current moment, and the second maximum degradation value may be the maximum degradation value calculated at the previous moment (i.e., the maximum degradation value before it was updated). The reference value is the maximum cumulative value that the third degradation value AGE_C may have, and may represent the amount of degradation by which a specific block may be maximally degraded during the update period of the maximum degradation value (e.g., during one frame). That is, when the difference between the first maximum degradation value and the second maximum degradation value is greater than the reference value, the age generator 242 may determine that an error has occurred in the first maximum degradation value and may not update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. Additionally, since the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE is not updated, an abnormal degradation value among the first degradation values AGE_N-1 (i.e., a degradation value that contributed to the first maximum degradation value in which an error occurred) may subsequently be corrected by the error detector 220.

[0083] The compensator 250 may generate image data DATA2 (i.e., compensated data) by compensating the scaled data DATA_S based on the second degradation value AGE_N (i.e., the updated stress data DATA_A). For example, the compensator 250 may generate the image data DATA2 by using a predetermined look-up table LUC_C. The look-up table LUC_C may include compensated gray values (or compensated gray levels) according to the degradation values, and the compensator 250 may determine the compensated gray value corresponding to the gray value included in the scaled data DATA_S.

[0084] As Figure 2 depicted, the third memory 210 may be coupled to the first memory 150 through a memory interface and transmit / receive the degradation values included in the stress data DATA_A. The error detector 220 may determine whether each of the degradation values included in the stress data DATA_A is normal by comparing each of the degradation values with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, and update (or reset) the abnormal degradation values based on at least one adjacent degradation value. Accordingly, an erroneous degradation compensation operation of the display device 100 caused by abnormal degradation values can be prevented.

[0085] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a third memory and an error detector included in Figure 2 the degradation compensator.

[0086] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3, the third memory 210 may include a first buffer 211 (or referred to as a memory device), a second buffer 212 (or referred to as a memory device), and a third buffer 213 (or referred to as a memory device).

[0087] The first buffer 211 may store one row of data AGE_H transferred from the first memory 150 among the stress data (e.g., the degradation value corresponding to one horizontal row among the degradation values included in the stress data). In addition, when the first degradation value (or the xy degradation value AGE_xy) (each of x and y is a positive integer) included in the row data AGE_H is abnormal, the first buffer 211 may repeatedly load and store the first degradation value from the first memory 150 until the first degradation value is found to be normal.

[0088] Similarly, the second buffer 212 may store another row of data transferred from the first memory 150 among the stress data. In addition, when the degradation value included in the other row of data is abnormal, the second buffer 212 may repeatedly load and store the corresponding degradation value (e.g., the xy degradation value AGE_xy) from the first memory 150.

[0089] Two rows of data may be loaded from the first memory 150 to be respectively stored in the first buffer 211 and the second buffer 212, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the row data may be sequentially loaded from the first memory 150 and alternately stored in the first buffer 211 and the second buffer 212.

[0090] The third buffer 213 may store at least one adjacent degradation value AGE_ADJ.

[0091] The error detector 220 may include a determiner 221 and an updater 222.

[0092] The determiner 221 may compare the first degradation value (e.g., the xy degradation value AGE_xy) included in the row data AGE_H with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, and determine that the first degradation value is abnormal when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE.

[0093] In an embodiment, when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, the first degradation value stored in the first memory 150 may be repeatedly reloaded (or read) a predetermined number of retry times to be stored in the second buffer 212. The determiner 221 may determine whether the first degradation value is normal (or abnormal) by sequentially and repeatedly comparing the reloaded first degradation value (i.e., the degradation value stored in the second buffer 212) with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. For example, when the situation where the reloaded first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE occurs three or more times, the determiner 221 may determine that the first degradation value is abnormal. Accordingly, at least one adjacent degradation value AGE_ADJ may be read from the first memory 150 to be stored in the third buffer 213.

[0094] When the first degradation value is abnormal, the updater 222 may recalculate or update the first degradation value based on at least one adjacent degradation value AGE_ADJ and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE.

[0095] In an embodiment, the updater 222 may update the first degradation value by performing a weighted average on at least one adjacent degradation value AGE_ADJ stored in the third buffer 213 and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. For example, the updater 222 may calculate an average value by averaging at least one adjacent degradation value AGE_ADJ stored in the third buffer 213, and update the first degradation value by performing a weighted average on the average value and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE.

[0096] For example, the updater 222 may recalculate the first degradation value based on Equation 1 below.

[0097] Equation 1

[0098]

[0099] AGE_xy is the xy-th degradation value, as the (x - 1)(y - 1)-th degradation value to the (x + 1)(y + 1)-th degradation value, AGE_(x - 1)(y - 1) to AGE_(x + 1)(y + 1) are adjacent degradation values adjacent to the xy-th degradation value, r is the number of reference degradation values among the adjacent degradation values (i.e., the reference number), and each of a and b is a weight constant. The sum of a and b may be less than or equal to 1.

[0100] Reference will be made to Figure 4 describe the operation of the updater 222 using Equation 1.

[0101] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of stress data used in the Figure 2 degradation compensator.

[0102] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the stress data DATA_A may include a deterioration value corresponding to the block BLK described with reference to Figure 1 .

[0103] One row data in the row direction among the stress data DATA_A may be sequentially loaded from the first memory 150 and stored in the first buffer 211. For example, at a specific moment, the x-row data AGE_x may be read and stored in the first buffer 211.

[0104] When the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy included in the x-row data AGE_x is abnormal, the adjacent deterioration values AGE_(x-1)(y-1), AGE_x(y-1), AGE_(x+1)(y-1), AGE_(x-1)y, AGE_(x+1)y, AGE_(x-1)(y+1), AGE_x(y+1), and AGE_(x+1)(y+1) adjacent to the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy may be stored in the third buffer 213. That is, the deterioration values of the first adjacent block BLK_ADJ1 adjacent to the first block BLK1 corresponding to the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy may be stored in the third buffer 213.

[0105] Pixels located adjacent to each other may have similar characteristics and emit light with substantially similar brightness. Therefore, the updater 222 may update the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy by using the adjacent deterioration values AGE_(x-1)(y-1), AGE_x(y-1), AGE_(x+1)(y-1), AGE_(x-1)y, AGE_(x+1)y, AGE_(x-1)(y+1), AGE_x(y+1), and AGE_(x+1)(y+1).

[0106] Optionally, the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy may be a value similar to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE. Therefore, the updater 222 may set the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy to be equal to or similar to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE. The weight constants a and b may be set by considering these cases, and the updater 222 may update the xy-th deterioration value AGE_xy based on the adjacent deterioration values AGE_(x-1)(y-1), AGE_x(y-1), AGE_(x+1)(y-1), AGE_(x-1)y, AGE_(x+1)y, AGE_(x-1)(y+1), AGE_x(y+1), AGE_(x+1)(y+1), and the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE.

[0107] In an embodiment, the number of adjacent degradation values may vary according to the position information of the first degradation value in the stress data DATA_A.

[0108] For example, the number of first adjacent degradation values corresponding to the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy located in the central part of the stress data DATA_A may be eight. For example, the number of second adjacent degradation values corresponding to the xj-th degradation value AGE_xj located on one side of the stress data DATA_A may be five. That is, the number of second adjacent blocks BLK_ADJ2 adjacent to the second block BLK2 corresponding to the xj-th degradation value AGE_xj (j is a positive integer) may be five, and the reference number r in Equation 1 may be five. For example, the number of third adjacent degradation values corresponding to the ij-th degradation value AGE_ij (i is a positive integer) located at a corner of the stress data DATA_A (i.e., the number of third adjacent blocks BLK_ADJ3 adjacent to the third block BLK3) may be three, and the reference number r in Equation 1 may be 3.

[0109] Meanwhile, although the case of the number of adjacent degradation values adjacent to the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy is shown in Equation 1 (and Figure 4 ), this is merely illustrative, and the number of adjacent degradation values may be set differently.

[0110] In addition, although the case where the adjacent degradation values adjacent to the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy include the degradation values included in a row different from the row of the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy is shown in Figure 4 , this is merely illustrative, and the adjacent degradation values adjacent to the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy may include only the degradation values included in the same row as the xy-th degradation value AGE_xy (e.g., AGE_x(y - 1) and AGE_x(y + 1)).

[0111] That is, it is sufficient when the updater 222 updates the first degradation value based on the adjacent degradation values adjacent to the first degradation value (and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE), and the number and position of the adjacent degradation values are not specifically limited.

[0112] Figure 5 Is a waveform diagram showing the operation of the Figure 2 degradation compensator.

[0113] Referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the current input data DATA_F (or frame data) is referred to Figure 1The described input image data DATA1, and can be, for example, the input image data DATA1 of the Nth frame FRAME_N. The current input data DATA_F can include a reference Figure 1 The row input data LINE0 to LINE8 corresponding to the scan lines SL1 to SLn (or pixel rows) described.

[0114] The first deterioration value AGE_N-1 represents the deterioration value loaded from the first memory 150, and can be, for example, the deterioration value included in the stress data of the (N - 1)th frame.

[0115] The second deterioration value AGE_N represents the deterioration value stored (re-stored or updated) in the first memory 150, and can be, for example, the deterioration value included in the stress data of the Nth frame FRAME_N.

[0116] At the first moment T1, the zero-line data AGE_Y0 (i.e., the deterioration value corresponding to the zero line of the previous stress data) can be loaded from the first memory 150. The first moment T1 is the previous moment of the Nth frame FRAME_N, and can be the moment between the Nth frame FRAME_N and the (N - 1)th frame (e.g., a moment in the blank period V_BLANK). Subsequently, the zero-line data AGE_Y0 can be stored (or recorded) in the first buffer 211.

[0117] The error detector 220 can determine whether each of the deterioration values included in the zero-line data AGE_Y0 is normal. When storing the zero-line data AGE_Y0, the operation of the error detector 220 (or the determiner 221 (i.e., see Figure 3 )) can be performed simultaneously.

[0118] At the second moment T2, the first-line data AGE_Y1 (i.e., the first-line data AGE_Y1 of the previous stress data) can be loaded from the first memory 150. The second moment T2 is the moment immediately after the first moment T1, and can be the moment between the first moment T1 and the Nth frame FRAME_N. The first-line data AGE_Y1 can be stored (or recorded) in the second buffer 212.

[0119] The error detector 220 can determine whether each of the deterioration values included in the first-line data AGE_Y1 is normal.

[0120] The case where the first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 (e.g., the Xth deterioration value in the first-line data AGE_Y1) in the first-line data AGE_Y1 is abnormal will be assumed and described below.

[0121] The error detector 220 may determine a case where the first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 is greater than the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE_N. The first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 (ERROR_RETRY) may be repeatedly reloaded from the first memory 150 a predetermined number of retry times, and the error detector 220 may sequentially and repeatedly compare the reloaded first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 with the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE_N. When the reloaded first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 is greater than the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE_N, the error detector 220 may finally determine that the first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 is abnormal.

[0122] At the third time T3, an adjacent deterioration value AGE_Y2_temp adjacent to the first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 may be loaded from the first memory 150 and stored in the third buffer 213.

[0123] The error detector 220 may update the first deterioration value AGE_X_Y1 based on the adjacent deterioration value AGE_Y2_temp and the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE_N.

[0124] During the Nth frame FRAME_N after the fourth time T4, the deterioration compensator 141 may update the first deterioration value AGE_N−1 (i.e., the previous stress data) based on the line input data LINE0 to LINE8, and compensate the line input data LINE0 to LINE8 based on the second deterioration value AGE_N. Meanwhile, during the Nth frame FRAME_N, data voltages corresponding to the compensated line input data LINE0 to LINE8 may be provided from the data driver 130 (see Figure 1 ) to the display 110 (i.e., see Figure 1 ).

[0125] For example, in a period between the fourth time T4 and the fifth time T5, the deterioration compensator 141 may update the zero - th row data AGE_Y0 stored in the first buffer 211 based on the zero - th line input data LINE0 to the seventh line input data LINE7. Additionally, the updated zero - th row data AGE_Y0 may be stored in the first memory 150 as the second deterioration value AGE_N (i.e., the zero - th row data AGE_Y0 of the stress data). For example, after the fifth time T5 when the seventh line input data LINE7 is provided, the zero - th row data AGE_Y0 among the second deterioration values AGE_N may be stored in the first memory 150.

[0126] Meanwhile, before the fifth time T5 (e.g., at the time of providing the sixth line of input data LINE6), the second line of data AGE_Y2 among the first degradation values AGE_N-1 (or previous stress data) can be loaded from the first memory 150. After the fifth time T5, the second line of data AGE_Y2 can be stored in the first buffer 211. Additionally, the error detector 220 can determine whether each of the degradation values included in the second line of data AGE_Y2 is normal.

[0127] When the eighth line of input data LINE8 is provided, the degradation compensator 141 can update the first line of data AGE_Y1 stored in the second buffer 212 based on the eighth line of input data LINE8.

[0128] That is, for every eight lines of input data, the degradation compensator 141 can sequentially load the degradation values included in the previous stress data (i.e., line data) in units of lines, and alternately store the line data in the first buffer 211 and the second buffer 212. In addition, the degradation compensator 14 can sequentially determine whether the degradation values in the line data are normal, and update the abnormal degradation values based on adjacent degradation values.

[0129] During the blank period V_BLANK (i.e., the period between the Nth frame FRAME_N and the (n + 1)th frame FRAME_N+1), the degradation compensator 141 can update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N in the second degradation value AGE_N (or stress data). For example, the degradation compensator 141 can determine the maximum degradation value among the second degradation values AGE_N as the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N of the stress data, and update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N of the stress data.

[0130] As referred to Figure 2 As described above, when the difference between the maximum degradation value (i.e., the degradation value updated to the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N of the stress data) among the degradation values of the stress data (i.e., the second degradation value AGE_N) and the maximum degradation value of the previous stress data is greater than the reference value, the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N of the stress data is not updated and can be equal to the maximum degradation value of the previous stress data (or the first degradation value AGE_N-1).

[0131] After the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE_N of the stress data is updated, the degradation compensator 141 may perform the operation again in the period between the first time T1 and the fourth time T4. In addition, the operation of the degradation compensator 141 in the (n+1)th frame FRAME_N+1 may be substantially the same as the operation of the degradation compensator 141 in the Nth frame FRAME_N. That is, the degradation compensator 141 may operate with one frame as a cycle.

[0132] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of a display device.

[0133] Reference Figure 6 , a display device 100_1 is briefly shown based on a first memory 150_1 and a timing controller 140_1. The display device 100_1 may include a reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Other components described (eg, data driver 130, sealer 230, etc.).

[0134] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the first memory 150_1 may include a first sub-memory 610 (or a first sub-memory device) and a second sub-memory 620 (or a second sub-memory device).

[0135] From the second memory 160 (ie, see Figure 1 ) loaded stress data DATA_A (i.e., see Figure 1 ) may be stored in both the first sub-memory 610 and the second sub-memory 620. For example, the first sub-memory 610 may store the stress data DATA_A as the first stress data (or the first previous stress data), and the second sub-memory 620 may store the stress data DATA_A as the second stress data (or the second previous stress data).

[0136] The timing controller 140_1 (or degradation compensator) may include a third memory 210 and an error detector 220_1 , and the error detector 220_1 may include a determiner 221_1 and an updater 222 .

[0137] The third memory 210 may store a first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 and a second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1, the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 being provided from the first sub-memory 610 and being included in the first stress data, and the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 being provided from the second sub-memory 620 and being included in the second stress data.

[0138] The determiner 221_1 can compare the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data and the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data with each other, and determine whether the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data and / or the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data is normal (i.e., whether the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data and / or the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data does not include any errors). For example, the determiner 221_1 can compare the first deterioration value among the first previous deterioration values AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data with the second deterioration value among the second previous deterioration values AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data, and determine whether the first deterioration value and / or the second deterioration value is normal. The second deterioration value can correspond to the first deterioration value. That is to say, the first deterioration value and the second deterioration value can correspond to one deterioration value in the stress data DATA_A stored in the second memory 160.

[0139] For example, when the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data is equal to the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data, the determiner 221_1 can determine that the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 and the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data (i.e., the deterioration value of the loaded stress data) are normal. That is to say, it can be determined that no error occurs during the data transmission between the first memory 150_1 and the third memory 210. The determiner 221_1 can compare the deterioration value AGE_xy included in the deterioration value (i.e., the second previous deterioration value AGE2_N-1 or the first previous deterioration value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data) with the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, and determine whether the deterioration value AGE_xy is normal. When the deterioration value AGE_xy is abnormal, the updater 222 can update the deterioration value AGE_xy based on the adjacent deterioration value and the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE.

[0140] For example, when the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 is different from the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data, the determiner 221_1 may determine that the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 and the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data (i.e., the loading degradation value of the stress data) are abnormal. For example, when the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 and the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data are different from each other, the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 and the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data may be reloaded from the first memory 150_1, and the determiner 221_1 may finally determine whether the reloaded degradation value (i.e., the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 or the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data) is normal based on the reloaded second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1 and the reloaded first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data.

[0141] For example, when the first degradation value among the first previous degradation values AGE1_N-1 of the first stress data is different from the second degradation value among the second previous degradation values AGE2_N-1 of the second stress data, the updater 222 may update the degradation value AGE_xy (i.e., the first degradation value and / or the second degradation value) based on the adjacent degradation value and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. That is, the determiner 221_1 may not perform the operation of comparing the degradation value AGE_xy with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, and the updater 222 may update the degradation value AGE_xy.

[0142] As referred to Figure 6 As described above, the first memory 150_1 includes a first sub-memory 610 and a second sub-memory 620, and stores the stress data as the first stress data and the second stress data (i.e., the first memory 150_1 has a structure of two memory devices). The determiner 221_1 compares the degradation values (i.e., the first previous degradation value AGE1_N-1 and the second previous degradation value AGE2_N-1) in the first stress data and the second stress data with each other, determines whether an error has occurred during the data transmission between the first memory 150_1 and the third memory 210, and updates the degradation value with an error. Therefore, an incorrect compensation operation of the display device caused by an abnormal degradation value can be prevented.

[0143] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method for compensating for degradation of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 7 , Figure 7The method can be executed in Figure 1 the display device 100 (or Figure 2 the deterioration compensator 141 in

[0145] In Figure 7 the method, when the display device 100 is powered on, the display device 100 can load the stress data DATA_A of the second memory 160 (S710), and store (or record) the stress data DATA_A in the first memory 150 (S720).

[0146] As described with reference to Figure 1 the first memory 150 can be implemented as a volatile memory device, and the second memory 160 can be implemented as a non-volatile memory device.

[0147] Subsequently, in Figure 7 the method, the display device 100 can read the deterioration value AGE (i.e., the deterioration value AGE included in the stress data DATA_A) from the first memory 150 (S730). The read deterioration value AGE can be stored in the third memory 210.

[0148] In Figure 7 the method, the display device 100 can compare the deterioration value AGE with the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, and determine whether each of the deterioration values AGE is normal. For example, in Figure 7 the method, the display device 100 can determine whether the deterioration value AGE_xy is less than or equal to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE (S740).

[0149] In Figure 7 the method, when the deterioration value AGE_xy is greater than the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE, the display device 100 can reload the deterioration value AGE_xy from the first memory 150, and determine again whether the reloaded deterioration value AGE_xy is less than or equal to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE.

[0150] For example, in Figure 7 the method, the display device 100 can determine whether the number of retries is greater than a reference number (e.g., N) (S742), and repeatedly execute step S730 of reading the deterioration value AGE included in the stress data DATA_A and step S740 of determining whether the deterioration value AGE_xy is less than or equal to the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE until the number of retries is greater than the reference number.

[0151] In Figure 7In the method, when the degradation value AGE_xy is greater than the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE and the number of retry attempts is greater than the reference number, the display device 100 can finally determine that the degradation value AGE_xy is abnormal.

[0152] In Figure 7 In the method, the display device 100 can update the degradation value AGE_xy (S744) based on the adjacent degradation value adjacent to the degradation value AGE_xy and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE. The adjacent degradation value can be the degradation value corresponding to an adjacent block corresponding to the block corresponding to the degradation value AGE_xy (i.e., one of the blocks BLK of the display 110).

[0153] In an embodiment, in Figure 7 In the method, the display device 100 can update the degradation value AGE_xy by using the above equation 1.

[0154] In Figure 7 In the method, when the degradation value AGE_xy is less than or equal to the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE (i.e., when the degradation value AGE_xy is normal), or when the update of the degradation value AGE_xy is completed, the display device 100 can update the degradation value (S750) based on the current input data.

[0155] As referred to Figure 2 As described above, in Figure 7 In the method, the display device 100 can update the degradation value through the scaler 230 and the age calculator 240.

[0156] In Figure 7 In the method, the display device 100 can update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE (S760) based on the updated degradation value. As referred to Figure 5 As described above, in the blank period V_BLANK, the display device 100 can update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE based on the maximum value among the updated degradation values.

[0157] Subsequently, in Figure 7 In the method, the display device 100 can generate compensated data by compensating the input image data DATA1 (or the current input data) based on the updated stress data, and provide a data voltage corresponding to the compensated data to the display 110.

[0158] As referred to Figure 7As described above, in this method, the display device 100 determines whether each of the degradation values is normal by comparing the degradation values (i.e., the degradation values included in the stress data) loaded from the first memory with the maximum degradation value, and updates (or resets) the abnormal degradation values based on at least one degradation value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an incorrect compensation operation of the display device caused by abnormal degradation values.

[0159] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing Figure 7 an example of the method.

[0160] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 8 the method can be executed in the Figure 6 display device 100_1. Figure 8 The method of Figure 7 is similar to the method of

[0161] In Figure 8 the method, when the display device 100_1 is powered on, the display device 100_1 can load the stress data DATA_A of the second memory 160 (S810), and store (or record) the stress data DATA_A in the first memory 150 (S820).

[0162] As Figure 6 depicted in Figure 8 the method, the display device 100_1 can store the stress data DATA_A as the first stress data in the first sub-memory 610, and store the stress data DATA_A as the second stress data in the second sub-memory 620.

[0163] Subsequently, in Figure 8 the method, the display device 100_1 can read (or load) the first degradation value (i.e., the first degradation value included in the first stress data) from the first sub-memory 610, and read (or load) the second degradation value (i.e., the second degradation value included in the second stress data and corresponding to the first degradation value) from the second sub-memory 620 (S832).

[0164] In Figure 8 the method, the display device 100_1 can compare the first degradation value and the second degradation value, and determine whether the first degradation value (and / or the second degradation value) is normal. For example, in Figure 8In the method, the display device 100_1 can determine whether the first degradation value and the second degradation value are the same (S834), and when the first degradation value and the second degradation value are the same, determine that the first degradation value is normal. In Figure 8 In the method, the display device 100_1 can compare the degradation value AGE_xy (i.e., the first degradation value or the second degradation value) with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE (S840), and determine whether the degradation value AGE_xy is normal. The step S840 of comparing the degradation value AGE_xy with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE is basically the same as the step S740 of comparing the degradation value AGE_xy with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE described with reference to Figure 7 Therefore, the repeated description will be omitted.

[0165] Meanwhile, when the first degradation value and the second degradation value are different from each other, the display device 100_1 can reread the first degradation value and the second degradation value, and determine again whether the first degradation value and the second degradation value are the same. For example, in Figure 8 In the method, the display device 100_1 can determine whether the number of retries (or the first number of retries) is greater than the first reference number (e.g., M, where M is an integer greater than 0) (S836), and repeatedly execute the step S832 of reading the first degradation value and the second degradation value and the step S834 of comparing the first degradation value and the second degradation value until the number of retries is greater than the first reference number. For example, in Figure 8 In the method, when the first reference number is 0, the display device 100_1 can not repeatedly execute the step S832 of reading the first degradation value and the second degradation value and the step S834 of comparing the first degradation value and the second degradation value.

[0166] In Figure 8 In the method, when the number of retries (i.e., the first number of retries) is greater than the first reference number, the display device 100_1 can finally determine that the degradation value AGE_xy (i.e., the first degradation value or the second degradation value) is abnormal.

[0167] In Figure 8 In the method, the display device 100_1 can update the degradation value AGE_xy (S844) based on the adjacent degradation value adjacent to the degradation value AGE_xy and the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE.

[0168] In Figure 8In the method, when the update of the degradation value AGE_xy is completed, or when the degradation value AGE_xy is less than or equal to the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE (i.e., when the degradation value AGE_xy is normal), the display device 100_1 can update the degradation value based on the input image data DATA1 (or the current input data) (S850) and update the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE (S860) based on the updated degradation value. The step S840 of comparing the degradation value AGE_xy with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, the step S842 of determining whether the retry count is greater than the reference count (e.g., N), the step S850 of updating the degradation value, and the step S860 of updating the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE can be substantially the same as the step S740 of comparing the degradation value AGE_xy with the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE, the step S742 of determining whether the retry count is greater than the reference count (e.g., N), the step S750 of updating the degradation value, and the step S760 of updating the maximum degradation value MAX_AGE.

[0169] As referred to Figure 8 As described above, in this method, the display device 100_1 compares the first degradation value and the second degradation value (or the first stress data and the second stress data) with each other, detects whether an error has occurred during the data transmission through the memory interface (i.e., between the first memory 150_1 and the third memory 210), and updates the degradation value with the error. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an incorrect compensation operation of the display device caused by an abnormal degradation value.

[0170] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing Figure 7 another example of the method.

[0171] Referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 7 and Figure 9 , Figure 9 the method of Figure 1 can be executed in the display device 100 (or Figure 6 the display device 100_1) of

[0172] The step S910 of loading the stress data, the step S920 of recording the stress data, the step S930 of reading the degradation value, the step S940 of comparing the degradation value with the maximum degradation value, the step S942 of determining whether the retry count is greater than the reference count, the step S944 of updating the degradation value, and the step S950 of updating the degradation value are respectively substantially the same as or similar to those referring to Figure 7Steps S710 for loading stress data, step S720 for recording stress data, step S730 for reading the deterioration value, step S740 for comparing the deterioration value with the maximum deterioration value, step S742 for determining whether the number of retries is greater than the reference number, step S744 for updating the deterioration value, and step S750 for updating the deterioration value are described. Therefore, repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0173] In Figure 9 the method shown in, the display device may calculate a second maximum deterioration value based on the updated deterioration value (S960). For example, in Figure 9 the method of, the display device may set the maximum deterioration value among the updated deterioration values as the maximum deterioration value.

[0174] Subsequently, in Figure 9 the method of, the display device may determine whether the difference between the second maximum deterioration value and the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE (or the first maximum deterioration value) is less than a reference value (S970), and when the difference is less than the reference value, update the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE based on the second maximum deterioration value (S980). As described above, the reference value may represent the amount of deterioration by which a specific block can be maximally deteriorated during an update period (i.e., during one frame).

[0175] In Figure 9 the method of, when the difference is greater than the reference value, the display device may determine that an error has occurred in the second maximum deterioration value and may not update the maximum deterioration value MAX_AGE.

[0176] In the display device and the method for compensating for deterioration of the display device according to the present disclosure, each deterioration value among the deterioration values loaded from the first memory (i.e., the deterioration values included in the stress data and representing the degree of deterioration or age of each pixel in the pixel) is compared with the maximum deterioration value to determine whether each deterioration value among the indicated deterioration values is normal, and the abnormal deterioration value is updated (or reset) based on at least one adjacent deterioration value. Therefore, an incorrect compensation operation of the display device caused by an abnormal deterioration value can be prevented.

[0177] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein. Although specific terms are employed, they are used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some instances, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, unless otherwise specifically noted, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with other embodiments since the filing of the present application. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth by the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising: A display panel including a plurality of blocks, each block including at least one pixel; A first memory device configured to store stress data, the stress data including a degradation value representing the degradation degree of each of the plurality of blocks; A degradation compensator configured to load the stress data from the first memory device, configured to update the stress data based on current input data and a maximum degradation value, configured to update the maximum degradation value based on the degradation value included in the updated stress data, and configured to generate compensated data by compensating the current input data based on the updated stress data; And A data driver configured to generate a data voltage based on the compensated data and configured to supply the data voltage to the display panel, Wherein, the degradation compensator determines whether the first degradation value is normal by comparing the first degradation value included in the stress data with the maximum degradation value. When the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, it is determined that the first degradation value is abnormal and the first degradation value is updated based on the adjacent degradation values of the blocks adjacent to the block corresponding to the abnormal first degradation value. And when the first degradation value is less than or equal to the maximum degradation value, it is determined that the first degradation value is normal and the first degradation value is updated based on the current input data.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein, The degradation compensator includes: A second memory circuit configured to store stress data; and An error detection circuit configured to determine whether the first degradation value is normal and configured to update the first degradation value.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein, The second memory circuit includes: A first buffer configured to store a row of data among the stress data; A second buffer configured to repeatedly load and store the first degradation value from the first memory device when the first degradation value is abnormal; and A third buffer configured to store the adjacent degradation values.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein, The error detection circuit includes: A determiner configured to determine that the first degradation value is abnormal when the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value; and An updater configured to update the first degradation value based on the adjacent degradation values and the maximum degradation value when the first degradation value is abnormal.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein, When the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, the determiner determines whether the first degradation value is abnormal by repeatedly comparing the first degradation value stored in the second buffer with the maximum degradation value.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein, The updater calculates an average value by averaging the adjacent degradation values stored in the third buffer, and updates the first degradation value by performing a weighted calculation on the average value and the maximum degradation value.

7. A method for compensating for the degradation of a display device, the display device including a display panel, a memory device, and a degradation compensator, the display panel including pixels, the memory device for storing stress data representing the degradation degree of the pixels, the degradation compensator for compensating the image data of the pixels based on the stress data, the method comprising the following steps: Transmitting a first degradation value included in the stress data from the memory device to the degradation compensator; Comparing, by the degradation compensator, the first degradation value with a predetermined maximum degradation value; When the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, the degradation compensator determines that the first degradation value is abnormal, transfers the adjacent degradation values of the blocks adjacent to the block corresponding to the abnormal first degradation value from the memory device to the degradation compensator, and the degradation compensator updates the first degradation value based on the adjacent degradation values; When the first degradation value is less than or equal to the maximum degradation value, the degradation compensator determines that the first degradation value is normal, and the degradation compensator updates the first degradation value based on the image data.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The step of determining that the first degradation value is abnormal is implemented as follows: When the first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, the first degradation value is re-transferred from the memory device to the degradation compensator; The degradation compensator compares the re-transferred first degradation value with the maximum degradation value; And When the re-transferred first degradation value is greater than the maximum degradation value, the degradation compensator determines that the first degradation value is abnormal.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein The updating step of the first degradation value is implemented as follows: The degradation compensator calculates an average degradation value by performing a weighted average of the adjacent degradation values and the maximum degradation value; and The degradation compensator updates the average degradation value to the first degradation value.

10. The method according to claim 7, the method further comprising the following steps: The degradation compensator generates a second degradation value by updating the updated first degradation value based on the gray values included in the image data; Transfers the second degradation value from the degradation compensator to the memory device; And The memory device updates the stress data based on the second degradation value.

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