Display device and method of operating a display device

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a display device and a method for operating a display device including a display panel, the display device comprising: a display panel, a scan driver, a data driver, and a timing controller. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths. The scan driver applies a plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines. The data driver applies a plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines and receives a plurality of sensing data from a plurality of sensing lines, the plurality of sensing data representing operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels. The timing controller controls the operation of the scan driver and the data driver, generates output image data taking into account the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels, and supplies the output image data to the data driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example embodiments relate generally to displaying images, and more particularly to a display device and a method of operating a display device. Background Art

[0002] Flat panel displays (FPDs), which are thin and lightweight and can easily achieve large screen sizes, have been widely used as display devices in recent years. FPDs include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), and organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs). Such display devices include a display panel, a data driver, and a scan driver. Multiple pixels are arranged in a matrix on the display panel. The data driver supplies data signals, and the scan driver supplies scan signals.

[0003] Typically, a display device may have a structure in which a scan driver is arranged on one side of a display panel and a data driver is arranged on the other side of the display panel. However, in recent years, display devices used in mobile devices require narrow bezels with minimized non-display areas. To implement narrow bezels, single-sided drive (SSD) has been studied, in which both the scan driver and the data driver are arranged on one side of the display panel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] At least one example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device capable of having improved or enhanced display quality while operating in a single-sided driving scheme.

[0005] At least one example embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of operating a display apparatus.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment, a display device includes a display panel, a scan driver, a data driver, and a timing controller. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths. The scan driver applies a plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines. The data driver applies a plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines and receives a plurality of sensing data from a plurality of sensing lines, the plurality of sensing data representing operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels. The timing controller controls the operation of the scan driver and the data driver, generates output image data taking into account the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels, and supplies the output image data to the data driver.

[0007] In an example embodiment, the plurality of scan lines may include a plurality of main scan lines and a plurality of sub-scan lines. The plurality of main scan lines may extend in a first direction and may be connected to the plurality of pixels. The plurality of sub-scan lines may extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction and may connect the scan driver to the plurality of main scan lines.

[0008] In example embodiments, lengths of the plurality of main scan lines may be equal to one another, and lengths of the plurality of sub scan lines may be different from one another.

[0009] In example embodiments, the plurality of data lines may extend in the second direction and may be connected to the plurality of pixels.The plurality of sub-scan lines and the plurality of data lines may be alternately arranged along the first direction.

[0010] In example embodiments, the scan driver and the data driver may be arranged together on one side of the display panel.

[0011] In an example embodiment, a first main scan line among the plurality of main scan lines and a first sub-scan line among the plurality of sub-scan lines may form a first scan line among the plurality of scan lines. Pixels arranged in a first pixel row among the plurality of pixels may be connected to the first scan line. When the pixels arranged in the first pixel row display the same grayscale, the levels of the plurality of data voltages may be adjusted depending on the positions of the pixels arranged in the first pixel row, and the plurality of data voltages having different levels may be applied to the plurality of data lines.

[0012] In an example embodiment, when a first pixel is located closest to a first connection point where the first main scan line and the first sub scan line are connected to each other, a first data voltage having a first level may be applied to the first data line connected to the first pixel. When a second pixel is spaced apart from the first connection point by a first distance, a second data voltage having a second level different from the first level may be applied to the second data line connected to the second pixel.

[0013] In example embodiments, the second level may be higher than the first level.

[0014] In example embodiments, the second level may increase as the first distance increases.

[0015] In an example embodiment, when a third pixel is spaced apart from the first connection point by a second distance, a third data voltage having a third level different from the first level may be applied to a third data line connected to the third pixel, and when the first distance and the second distance are equal to each other, the second level and the third level are equal to each other.

[0016] In example embodiments, the data driver may include a plurality of sensing circuits connected to the plurality of pixels via the plurality of sensing lines insulated from the plurality of data lines, and may obtain the plurality of sensing data via the plurality of sensing lines.

[0017] In an example embodiment, a first pixel among the plurality of pixels may include a first transistor, a second transistor, an organic light emitting diode, a storage capacitor, and a third transistor. The first transistor may be connected between a first power supply voltage and a first node and may include a gate electrode. The second transistor may include a first electrode, a gate electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode being connected to a first data line, the gate electrode being connected to a first scan line, and the second electrode being connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor. The organic light emitting diode may be connected between the first node and a second power supply voltage. The storage capacitor may be connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor and the first node. The third transistor may be connected between the first node and a first sensing line and may include a gate electrode.

[0018] In an example embodiment, a first sensing circuit among the plurality of sensing circuits may include a first switch, a second switch, and an analog-to-digital converter. The first switch may selectively provide an initialization voltage to the first sensing line. The second switch may obtain a first sensing value from the first sensing line. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the first sensing value into first sensing data for the first pixel.

[0019] In example embodiments, the operating characteristic of the first pixel may be extracted by detecting the first sensing data a plurality of times and by averaging the detected first sensing data.

[0020] In example embodiments, the operating characteristic of the first pixel may include a threshold voltage of the first transistor.

[0021] In an example embodiment, the timing controller may include a lookup table, an operator, and an image processor. The lookup table may store the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels. The operator may extract the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels based on the plurality of sensing data and may store the extracted operating characteristics in the lookup table. The image processor may generate the output image data based on the data stored in the lookup table and input image data.

[0022] In an example embodiment, the timing controller may include a lookup table and an image processor. The lookup table may store the operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels. The image processor may generate the output image data based on the data stored in the lookup table and input image data. An external operator may extract the operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels based on the plurality of sensing data and may store the extracted data in the lookup table.

[0023] According to an example embodiment, in a method of operating a display device including a display panel, a plurality of sensing data representing operational characteristics of a plurality of pixels included in the display panel is obtained. The plurality of pixels are connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths. The operational characteristics of the plurality of pixels extracted based on the plurality of sensing data are stored. Output image data is generated based on input image data and the operational characteristics of the plurality of pixels. An image is displayed on the display panel by generating a plurality of data voltages based on the output image data and applying the plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines, and by generating a plurality of scan signals and applying the plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines.

[0024] In an example embodiment, when pixels arranged in the same pixel row among the plurality of pixels display the same grayscale level, the image can be displayed on the display panel by adjusting the levels of the plurality of data voltages depending on the positions of the pixels arranged in the same pixel row, and by applying the plurality of data voltages having different levels to the plurality of data lines.

[0025] In example embodiments, the plurality of sensing data may be obtained by applying an initialization voltage to a plurality of sensing lines formed separately from the plurality of data lines and connected to the plurality of pixels, by obtaining a plurality of sensing values ​​through the plurality of sensing lines, and by converting the plurality of sensing values ​​into digital data.

[0026] According to an example embodiment, a display device includes a display panel, a scan driver, and a data driver. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines, a plurality of sense lines, and a plurality of scan lines of different lengths. Each of the plurality of pixels includes an organic light-emitting diode and a first transistor for driving the organic light-emitting diode. The scan driver drives the plurality of scan lines. The data driver drives the plurality of data lines based on a plurality of sense data representing operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels and includes a plurality of sense circuits, the plurality of sense circuits obtaining the plurality of sense data via the plurality of sense lines. Each of the plurality of sense circuits includes a first switch and an analog-to-digital converter. The first switch provides an initialization voltage to one of the plurality of sense lines. The analog-to-digital converter performs analog-to-digital conversion on a sensed value obtained from the one of the plurality of sense lines.

[0027] In example embodiments, the scan driver and the data driver may be arranged together on one side of the display panel.

[0028] In example embodiments, the lengths of the plurality of scan lines may become longer as the distance from the scan driver increases.

[0029] In an example embodiment, the plurality of scan lines may include a plurality of main scan lines and a plurality of sub-scan lines. The plurality of main scan lines may extend in a first direction and may be connected to the plurality of pixels. The plurality of sub-scan lines may extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction and may connect the scan driver to the plurality of main scan lines.

[0030] In example embodiments, lengths of the plurality of main scan lines may be equal to one another, and lengths of the plurality of sub scan lines may be different from one another.

[0031] In an example embodiment, the first transistor may be connected between a first power supply voltage and a first node. The organic light emitting diode may be connected between the first node and a second power supply voltage. Each of the plurality of pixels may further include a second transistor, a storage capacitor, and a third transistor. The second transistor may be connected between one of the plurality of data lines and a gate electrode of the first transistor. The storage capacitor may be connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor and the first node. The third transistor may be connected between the first node and one of the plurality of sensing lines.

[0032] In example embodiments, each of the plurality of sensing circuits may further include a second switch connecting the analog-to-digital converter to the one sensing line of the plurality of sensing lines.

[0033] In example embodiments, the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels extracted based on the plurality of sensing data may include a threshold voltage of the first transistor.

[0034] In an example embodiment, the display device may further include a timing controller. The timing controller may control operations of the scan driver and the data driver and store the operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels in a lookup table.

[0035] In an example embodiment, when pixels arranged in the same pixel row among the plurality of pixels display the same grayscale level, an image can be displayed on the display panel by adjusting the levels of a plurality of data voltages depending on the positions of the pixels arranged in the same pixel row, and by applying the plurality of data voltages having different levels to the plurality of data lines.

[0036] According to an example embodiment, a display device includes: a plurality of pixels disposed in a display area through which an image is displayed, the plurality of pixels being connected to a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of sensing lines, each of the plurality of scan lines having a different length and including a main scan line extending along a first direction and a sub-scan line extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the plurality of data lines extending along the second direction, and the plurality of sensing lines extending along the second direction; a scan driver connected to the plurality of scan lines; and a data driver connected to the plurality of data lines. The main scan lines and the sub-scan lines may be connected to each other in the display area.

[0037] In example embodiments, the display device may further include an interlayer insulating layer disposed between the main scanning line and the sub-scanning line. The main scanning line and the sub-scanning line may be connected to each other via a contact hole formed in the interlayer insulating layer.

[0038] In example embodiments, the main scan line may be formed of a conductive layer forming the plurality of scan lines, and the sub-scan line may be formed of a conductive layer forming the plurality of data lines.

[0039] In example embodiments, the plurality of sub-scan lines of the plurality of scan lines may include a first portion in which at least two of the plurality of sub-scan lines are disposed adjacent to each other, and a second portion in which one sub-scan line is disposed between adjacent data lines.

[0040] In a display device and method for operating a display device according to example embodiments, the display device can be implemented using a single-sided drive scheme, in which both a scan driver and a data driver are arranged together on one side of a display panel, and multiple scan lines have different lengths. Furthermore, the display device can include a lookup table that stores the operating characteristics of all multiple pixels to perform a data compensation operation, thereby compensating for coupling caused by multiple sub-scan lines. Furthermore, the display device can include a configuration for obtaining / storing the lookup table and a configuration for performing the data compensation operation using the lookup table. Accordingly, degradation of display quality caused by coupling caused by multiple sub-scan lines can be prevented, and display quality can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Illustrative, non-limiting example embodiments will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

[0043] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a pixel included in a display panel of a display device according to example embodiments.

[0044] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a timing controller included in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0045] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a diagram for describing an operation of displaying an image using a lookup table in a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0046] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a sensing circuit included in a data driver of a display device according to example embodiments.

[0047] Figure 7 is a diagram for describing an operation of sensing operating characteristics of a pixel to obtain a lookup table in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0048] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

[0049] Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a timing controller included in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0050] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

[0051] Figure 11is a block diagram illustrating an electronic system including a display device according to example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Various example embodiments will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout this application, like reference numerals indicate like elements.

[0053] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 The display device 10 includes a display panel 100 , a timing controller 200 , a scan driver 300 , and a data driver 400 . The display device 10 may further include a power supply circuit 500 .

[0055] The display panel 100 may include a display area DA that displays an image and a non-display area NDA that surrounds the display area DA and does not display an image. The display panel 100 operates (e.g., displays an image) based on the output image data DAT. The display panel 100 is connected to the scan driver 300 via a plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN, where N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. The display panel 100 is connected to the data driver 400 via a plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM, where M is a natural number greater than or equal to 2. The display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form (e.g., Figure 2 Each of the plurality of pixels may be electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN and a respective one of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM. Although not shown in detail, the display panel 100 may include a display area including the plurality of pixels and a peripheral area surrounding the display area.

[0056] The display device 10 according to an example embodiment is implemented using a single-sided driving (SSD) scheme in which both the scan driver 300 and the data driver 400 are arranged or disposed on one side of the display panel 100, and thus the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN have different lengths.

[0057] For example, the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN may include a plurality of main scan lines SMAIN and a plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB. The plurality of main scan lines SMAIN may extend in a first direction DR1 and may be connected to a plurality of pixels arranged in a row. The plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB may extend in a second direction DR2 that intersects (e.g., is substantially perpendicular to) the first direction DR1 and may connect the scan driver 300 to the plurality of main scan lines SMAIN.

[0058] The lengths of the plurality of main scanning lines SMAIN may be substantially equal to each other. Since the distances between the plurality of main scanning lines SMAIN and the scanning driver 300 are different from each other, the lengths of the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB may be different from each other. For example, Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB may be formed so that the lengths thereof gradually decrease as the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB go leftward, and thus the plurality of connection points where the plurality of main scanning lines SMAIN and the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB are connected to each other may be arranged from the upper left to the lower right in a diagonal direction. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the wiring structure of the plurality of scanning lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN may be implemented in various schemes. For another example, although not shown in FIG. Figure 1 , but the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB may be formed so that the lengths of the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB gradually decrease as the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB go rightward.

[0059] The plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM may extend in the second direction DR2, and each of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM may be connected to a plurality of pixels in a column. The plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB and the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM may be alternately arranged along the first direction DR1. Each of the plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB may be arranged approximately every other data line among the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM. The lengths of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM may be substantially equal to each other.

[0060] In some example embodiments, the display panel 100 may be a self-luminous display panel that emits light without using a backlight unit. For example, the display panel 100 may be an organic light-emitting display panel. Figure 2As described, each of the plurality of pixels PX may be a pixel for an organic light-emitting display panel, and the pixel (hereinafter also referred to as an OLED pixel) includes an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) EL serving as a light-emitting element and a driving transistor for driving the OLED. For another example, the display panel 100 may be a micro light-emitting diode (LED) display panel, an inorganic light-emitting display panel, or a quantum dot light-emitting display (QLED) panel. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the display panel 100 and the plurality of pixels PX may be implemented in various ways.

[0061] In some example embodiments, a plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) may include a plurality of red pixels that output red light, a plurality of green pixels that output green light, and a plurality of blue pixels that output blue light. In other example embodiments, the plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) may include a plurality of yellow pixels that output yellow light, a plurality of cyan pixels that output cyan light, and a plurality of magenta pixels that output magenta light. In yet other example embodiments, the plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) may also include multiple white pixels that output white light, or may include pixels that output light of other colors.

[0062] The timing controller 200 controls the operation of the display panel 100, the scan driver 300, and the data driver 400. The timing controller 200 receives input image data IDAT and input control signals ICONT from an external device (e.g., a host device or a graphics processor). For example, the input image data IDAT may include a plurality of pixels PX (see FIG. Figure 2 For example, the input control signal ICONT may include a main clock signal, a data enable signal, a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, and the like.

[0063] The timing controller 200 generates output image data DAT based on the input image data IDAT. For example, the timing controller 200 may selectively perform image quality compensation, spot compensation, adaptive color correction (ACC), and / or dynamic capacitance compensation (DCC) on the input image data IDAT to generate the output image data DAT.

[0064] The timing controller 200 generates a first control signal CONT1 for controlling the scan driver 300 and a second control signal CONT2 for controlling the data driver 400 based on the input control signal ICONT. For example, the first control signal CONT1 may include a vertical start signal, a scan clock signal, etc. For example, the second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal, a data clock signal, etc.

[0065] The scan driver 300 is connected to the display panel 100 via a plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN, and generates a plurality of scan signals applied to the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN in response to a first control signal CONT1. The scan driver 300 may sequentially apply or provide the plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN. The plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN may be sequentially enabled or activated in response to the plurality of scan signals.

[0066] The data driver 400 is connected to the display panel 100 via a plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM, and generates a plurality of data voltages (e.g., analog voltages) applied to the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM in response to a second control signal CONT2 and output image data DAT (e.g., digital data). Although not shown in detail, the data driver 400 may include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that converts the output image data DAT in digital form into a plurality of data voltages in analog form. The data driver 400 may sequentially apply or provide the plurality of data voltages to the display panel 100 one row at a time.

[0067] The power supply circuit 500 may provide a first power supply voltage ELVDD and a second power supply voltage ELVSS to the display panel 100. For example, the first power supply voltage ELVDD may be a high power supply voltage, and the second power supply voltage ELVSS may be a low power supply voltage.

[0068] In some example embodiments, the scan driver 300 and / or the data driver 400 may be provided (e.g., directly mounted) on the display panel 100, or may be connected to the display panel 100 in a tape carrier package (TCP) type. Alternatively, the scan driver 300 and / or the data driver 400 may be directly integrated on the display panel 100.

[0069] In some example embodiments, the timing controller 200 may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), and the scan driver 300 and / or the data driver 400 may be mounted on a flexible PCB (FPCB). For example, the FPCB may electrically connect the PCB to the display panel 100. For example, the PCB and the FPCB may be electrically connected via an anisotropic conductive film (ACF), and the FPCB and the display panel 100 may be electrically connected via the ACF.

[0070] In some example embodiments, the timing controller 200, the scan driver 300, the data driver 400, and the power supply circuit 500 may be implemented as separate circuits / modules / chips, respectively. In other example embodiments, the timing controller 200, the scan driver 300, the data driver 400, and the power supply circuit 500 may be combined into one circuit / module / chip, or may be separated into multiple circuits / modules / chips.

[0071] The display device 10 according to an example embodiment is implemented by a single-sided driving scheme, and is implemented to compensate for deterioration or degradation of display quality caused by a coupling phenomenon caused by a plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB.

[0072] For example, the data driver 400 obtains or acquires a plurality of sensing data SDAT, the plurality of sensing data SDAT representing a plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) in each of the plurality of sensing data SDAT. In order to obtain the plurality of sensing data SDAT, the data driver 400 may include a plurality of sensing circuits (SC) 410. The plurality of sensing circuits 410 may be connected to the plurality of pixels PX via a plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM (see FIG. Figure 2 ), and a plurality of sensing data SDAT may be obtained via a plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM. The plurality of sensing circuits 410 may be referred to as external compensation intellectual property (IP). Figure 6 A detailed configuration of each of the plurality of sensing circuits 410 is described.

[0073] The plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM may be formed separately from the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM and may extend in the second direction DR2. Each of the plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM may be connected to a plurality of pixels PX arranged in a column (see Figure 2 . . , SEM may be substantially equal to the number of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, . . . , DM. The plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB, the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, . . . , DM, and the plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, . . . , SEM may be alternately arranged along the first direction DR1.

[0074] In some example embodiments, the number of the plurality of sensing circuits 410 may be substantially equal to the number of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM and the number of the plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM, and pixels arranged in one pixel row may be connected to different sensing circuits. In other example embodiments, the number of the plurality of sensing circuits 410 may be less than the number of the plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, ..., DM and the number of the plurality of sensing lines SE1, SE2, SE3, SE4, ..., SEM, and pixels adjacent to each other and arranged in one pixel row may share one sensing circuit.

[0075] The timing controller 200 includes a lookup table (LUT) 210, and generates output image data DAT for generating a plurality of data voltages using data stored in the lookup table 210, which stores all of the plurality of pixels PX extracted based on the plurality of sensing data SDAT (see FIG. Figure 2 In other words, the timing controller 200 may perform a data compensation operation using the data stored in the lookup table 210 to compensate for the coupling phenomenon caused by the plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB.

[0076] In some example embodiments, a plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) may include a plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) in each of the driving transistors. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, and the plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) may also include the operating characteristics of a plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) in each of which the mobility and / or EL characteristics of the light-emitting element (e.g., OLED) are included.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the operations of obtaining data and storing the data in the lookup table 210 and the operation of generating the output image data DAT may be performed in different operating modes. For example, the operations of obtaining data and storing the data in the lookup table 210 may be performed in a first operating mode, and the operations of generating the output image data DAT may be performed in a second operating mode that is different from the first operating mode. The first operating mode may be referred to as a sensing mode, and the second operating mode may be referred to as a display mode or a normal mode. For example, the first operating mode may be an operating mode in the manufacturing process of the display device 10, and the second operating mode may be an operating mode in the process of actually displaying an image after the display device 10 is manufactured.

[0078] exist Figure 1In the example of , the plurality of sensing data SDAT may be directly provided to the timing controller 200. In this example, the timing controller 200 may extract all the plurality of pixels PX (see Figure 2 ) operating characteristics, and data can be obtained and stored in the lookup table 210. Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The detailed configuration and operation of the timing controller 200 are described.

[0079] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a pixel included in a display panel of a display device according to example embodiments.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 , each pixel PX may be connected to a scan line Sj, a data line Di, and a sensing line SEi, where j is a natural number less than or equal to N, and i is a natural number less than or equal to M. Each pixel PX may include a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, a third transistor T3, a storage capacitor CST, and an organic light emitting diode EL. As shown in FIG. Figure 1 As described, the scan line Sj may include a main scan line SMAIN and a sub-scan line SSUB, and the main scan line SMAIN and the sub-scan line SSUB may be connected to each other at a connection point CP provided in the display area DA. The main scan line SMAIN and the sub-scan line SSUB may be provided on different layers and connected to each other via a contact hole formed to pass through an interlayer insulating layer interposed between the main scan line SMAIN and the sub-scan line SSUB. For example, the main scan line SMAIN may be formed from a conductive layer forming the scan line Sj, and the sub-scan line SSUB may be formed from a conductive layer forming the data line Di. The sub-scan line SSUB may include a first portion and a second portion, with at least two of the sub-scan lines SSUB provided adjacent to each other in the first portion and one of the sub-scan lines SSUB provided between adjacent data lines Di in the second portion.

[0081] The second transistor T2 may include a first electrode connected to the data line Di, a gate electrode connected to the scan line Sj, and a second electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 and the storage capacitor CST. The second transistor T2 may transmit the data voltage VDAT received from the data driver 400 to the storage capacitor CST in response to the scan signal SS1 received from the scan driver 300. The second transistor T2 may be referred to as a switching transistor.

[0082] The storage capacitor CST may be connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 and the first node N1. In other words, the storage capacitor CST may include a first electrode connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 and a second electrode connected to the first node N1 and the organic light emitting diode EL. The storage capacitor CST may store the data voltage VDAT transmitted via the second transistor T2.

[0083] The first transistor T1 may be connected between a first power line ELVDL supplying a first power voltage ELVDD and a first node N1 and may include a gate electrode. In other words, the first transistor T1 may include a first electrode connected to the first power line ELVDL, a gate electrode connected to the second transistor T2 and the storage capacitor CST, and a second electrode connected to the first node N1 and the organic light emitting diode EL. The first transistor T1 may be turned on or off according to the data voltage VDAT stored in the storage capacitor CST. The first transistor T1 may be referred to as a driving transistor.

[0084] The organic light emitting diode EL may be connected between a first node N1 and a second power line ELVSL supplying a second power voltage ELVSS. In other words, the organic light emitting diode EL may include an anode electrode connected to the first node N1 and the first transistor T1, and a cathode electrode connected to the second power line ELVSL. When the first transistor T1 is turned on, the organic light emitting diode EL may emit light based on current flowing from the first power line ELVDL to the second power line ELVSL. The brightness or luminance of the pixel PX may increase as the current flowing through the organic light emitting diode EL increases.

[0085] The third transistor T3 may be connected between the first node N1 and the sensing line SEi and may include a gate electrode. In other words, the third transistor T3 may include a first electrode connected to the first transistor T1 and the first node N1, a gate electrode receiving a signal SS2, and a second electrode connected to the sensing line SEi. The third transistor T3 may transmit an initialization voltage VINIT to the second electrode of the first transistor T1 in response to the signal SS2, or may output an analog sense value ASEN sensed from the second electrode of the first transistor T1 in response to the signal SS2. The third transistor T3 may be referred to as a sensing transistor.

[0086] In some example embodiments, the gate electrode of the third transistor T3 may be connected to the scan line Sj, and the signal SS2 may be substantially the same as the scan signal SS1. In other example embodiments, the gate electrode of the third transistor T3 may be connected to the scan driver 300 via a line formed separately from the scan line Sj.

[0087] Each pixel PX may further include an organic light emitting capacitor CEL and a sensing capacitor CSEN. Unlike the storage capacitor CST, the sensing capacitor CSEN may be a parasitic capacitor formed between the sensing line SEi and the ground, and the organic light emitting capacitor CEL may be a parasitic capacitor formed between the organic light emitting diode EL and the ground. Thus, the organic light emitting capacitor CEL and the sensing capacitor CSEN are shown by dotted lines. As will be seen in FIG. Figure 7 As described, in the sensing mode, the second electrode of the first transistor T1 may be charged by the sensing capacitor CSEN and the initialization voltage VINIT.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the pixel PX can operate with various drive schemes. For example, the drive scheme may include an analog drive scheme and a digital drive scheme. While the analog drive scheme generates grayscale using a variable voltage level corresponding to input data, the digital drive scheme generates grayscale using a variable duration of light emitted by the organic light emitting diode EL. Because the analog drive scheme requires the manufacture of a complex driver integrated circuit (IC) if the display is large and has a high resolution, the analog drive scheme may be difficult to implement. On the other hand, the digital drive scheme can easily achieve the required high resolution via a simpler IC structure.

[0089] although Figure 2 An OLED pixel is shown as an example of each pixel PX that may be included in the display panel 100 , but it will be understood that example embodiments are not limited to OLED pixels and may be applied to any pixels of various types and configurations.

[0090] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a timing controller included in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0091] Reference Figure 3 The timing controller 200 may include a lookup table 210 , an operator 220 , and an image processor 230 . The timing controller 200 may further include a control signal generator 240 .

[0092] The lookup table 210 may store the operating characteristics of all the multiple pixels PX. The lookup table 210 may be stored in a buffer, a register, and / or a memory. For example, the memory may include at least one of various non-volatile memories such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, phase change random access memory (PRAM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), nano-floating gate memory (NFGM), polymer random access memory (PoRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), and / or at least one of various volatile memories such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and static random access memory (SRAM).

[0093] The operator 220 may extract operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels PX based on the plurality of sensing data SDAT, and may store the extracted operating characteristics in the lookup table 210. For example, the operator 220 may perform various modeling, algorithms, etc. based on the plurality of sensing data SDAT to extract the threshold voltage of the driving transistor, the mobility and / or EL characteristics of the light emitting element, etc.

[0094] The image processor 230 may generate output image data DAT based on the input image data IDAT and the data stored in the lookup table 210. The output image data DAT may be provided to the display panel 100 via the data driver 400, and the display panel 100 may display an image in which a coupling phenomenon caused by the plurality of sub-scanning lines SSUB is compensated.

[0095] In some example embodiments, the image processor 230 may selectively perform image quality compensation, speckle compensation, ACC, and / or DCC on the input image data IDAT.

[0096] The control signal generator 240 may generate a first control signal CONT1 and a second control signal CONT2 in response to an input control signal ICONT.

[0097] Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a diagram for describing an operation of displaying an image using data stored in a lookup table in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0098] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5, an operation of applying a data voltage to the display panel 100 using output image data DAT generated based on data stored in the lookup table 210 (e.g., generated by performing a data compensation operation according to example embodiments) is shown. The output image data DAT may be generated in a second operation mode (e.g., in a display mode). For ease of explanation, only the operation of one pixel row connected to one scan line Sj is shown.

[0099] The scan line Sj may include a main scan line SMAIN and a sub-scan line SSUB. The main scan line SMAIN and the sub-scan line SSUB may be connected to each other at a connection point CP. Pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, PX4, PX5, and PX6 may be arranged in the same pixel row, may be connected to the same scan line Sj, and may be connected to different data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6, respectively. The dotted lines extending diagonally in the display panel 100 may be virtual lines representing the arrangement of all connection points CP included in the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN.

[0100] In the display device 10 according to an example embodiment, when pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, PX4, PX5, and PX6 arranged in the same pixel row display the same grayscale level, based on the data stored in the lookup table 210, a plurality of data voltages VD1, VD2, VD3, VD4, VD5, and VD6 having different levels (e.g., voltage levels) may be applied to a plurality of data lines D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6 by adjusting the levels of the plurality of data voltages VD1, VD2, VD3, VD4, VD5, and VD6 depending on the positions of the pixels PX1, PX2, PX3, PX4, PX5, and PX6 arranged in the same pixel row.

[0101] For example, when the pixel PX3 is located closest to the connection point CP where the main scan line SMAIN and the sub scan line SSUB are connected to each other, a data voltage VD3 having a first level V1 (e.g., a first voltage level) may be applied to the data line D3 connected to the pixel PX3. When the pixel PX4 is located a first distance d1 away from the connection point CP, a data voltage VD4 having a second level V1+a different from the first level V1 may be applied to the data line D4 connected to the pixel PX4.

[0102] Similarly, when the pixel PX5 is disposed at a second distance d2 (longer than the first distance d1) from the connection point CP, a data voltage VD5 having a third level V1 + b different from the first level V1 and the second level V1 + a can be applied to the data line D5 connected to the pixel PX5. When the pixel PX6 is disposed at a third distance d3 (longer than the second distance d2) from the connection point CP, a data voltage VD6 having a fourth level V1 + k different from the first level V1, the second level V1 + a, and the third level V1 + b can be applied to the data line D6 connected to the pixel PX6.

[0103] In some exemplary embodiments, the second level V1 + a can be higher than the first level V1, the third level V1 + b can be higher than the second level V1 + a, and the fourth level V1 + k can be higher than the third level V1 + b (e.g., a < b <... < k). In other words, as the distance from the connection point CP to the pixel increases, the level of the data voltage applied to the pixel can increase. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the operation of changing the level of the data voltage can be implemented in various schemes depending on the distance from the connection point CP.

[0104] In some exemplary embodiments, the levels of the data voltages applied to pixels having the same distance from the connection point CP can be substantially equal to each other. For example, when the pixel PX2 is disposed at the first distance d1 from the connection point CP, a data voltage VD2 having the second level V1 + a can be applied to the data line D2 connected to the pixel PX2. The pixel PX2 can be disposed at the first distance d1 to the left of the connection point CP, and the pixel PX4 can be disposed at the first distance d1 to the right of the connection point CP. Thus, both the pixels PX2 and PX4 can be disposed at the same distance (e.g., the first distance d1) from the connection point CP, and the levels of both the data voltages VD2 and VD4 applied to the pixels PX2 and PX4 can be equal to each other (e.g., the same as the second level V1 + a).

[0105] Similarly, when the pixel PX1 is disposed at the second distance d2 from the connection point CP, a data voltage VD1 having the third level V1 + b can be applied to the data line D1 connected to the pixel PX1. The pixel PX1 can be disposed at the second distance d2 to the left of the connection point CP, and the pixel PX5 can be disposed at the second distance d2 to the right of the connection point CP. Thus, both the pixels PX1 and PX5 can be disposed at the same distance (e.g., the second distance d2) from the connection point CP, and the levels of both the data voltages VD1 and VD5 applied to the pixels PX1 and PX5 can be equal to each other (e.g., the same as the third level V1 + b).

[0106] Although Figure 4 and Figure 5Only the operation of one pixel row connected to one scan line Sj is shown, but all the plurality of pixel rows and the plurality of pixels PX connected to the plurality of scan lines S1, S2, S3, S4, ..., SN / 2, ..., SN can be similar to the operation of the reference line Sj. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In other words, when pixels arranged in the same pixel row display the same grayscale, a plurality of data voltages having different levels may be output and applied to a plurality of channels, respectively, and the plurality of data voltages may have levels symmetrical about the connection point CP.

[0107] To implement the above-described operations, the display device 10 according to example embodiments may include a lookup table 210 that stores operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels PX.

[0108] Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a sensing circuit included in a data driver of a display device according to example embodiments. Figure 6 One sensing circuit 410 is shown connected to one pixel PX.

[0109] Reference Figure 6 The sensing circuit 410 may include a first switch SW1, a second switch SW2, and an analog-to-digital converter ADC. The sensing circuit 410 may have a structure for sensing a threshold voltage of a first transistor T1 included in a pixel PX.

[0110] The first switch SW1 can selectively supply an initialization voltage VINIT to the sensing line SEi, and the second switch SW2 can obtain a sensing value ASEN from the sensing line SEi. The initialization voltage VINIT can have a fixed level, and the sensing value ASEN can be an analog value related to or associated with the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1. In other words, the first switch SW1 can control the timing of applying the initialization voltage VINIT, and the second switch SW2 can control the timing of sensing the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1. For example, each of the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can include at least one transistor and can be turned on / off under the control of the data driver 400.

[0111] The analog-to-digital converter ADC may convert the sensing value ASEN into sensing data DSEN (eg, digital data) of the pixel PX. The sensing data DSEN may be one sensing data corresponding to one pixel PX among a plurality of sensing data SDAT.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the sensing circuit 410 may detect the sensing data DSEN once and may use the detected sensing data DSEN to extract the operating characteristics of the pixel PX, for example, the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1. In other example embodiments, the sensing circuit 410 may detect the sensing data DSEN multiple times, may average the detected sensing data DSEN, and may use the averaged sensing data DSEN to extract the operating characteristics of the pixel PX, for example, the threshold voltage of the first transistor T1. As described above, when an average value of data repeatedly sensed several times is used in consideration of a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), more accurate data may be obtained.

[0113] Despite Figure 6 Although not shown in the figure, the sensing circuit 410 may further include at least one additional switch and / or amplifier for controlling the sensing timing. In some example embodiments, the sensing circuit 410 may further include a voltage generator for generating the initialization voltage VINIT, or may be supplied from an external voltage generator (e.g., Figure 1 The power supply circuit 500 in FIG. 1 provides an initialization voltage VINIT.

[0114] Figure 7 is a diagram for describing an operation of sensing operating characteristics of a pixel to obtain data stored in a lookup table in a display device according to example embodiments.

[0115] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 , shows an operation of sensing an operating characteristic of a pixel PX (eg, a threshold voltage of a first transistor T1) using a sensing circuit 410 to obtain data stored in the lookup table 210. The data stored in the lookup table 210 may be obtained in a first operating mode (eg, in a sensing mode). Figure 7 , VG represents a voltage or a voltage level of a gate electrode of the first transistor T1, and VS represents a voltage or a voltage level of a second electrode (eg, a source electrode) of the first transistor T1.

[0116] The data driver 400 may provide a data voltage VDAT to the data line Di. The data voltage VDAT may be transmitted to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 and the storage capacitor CST via the second transistor T2.

[0117] When the first switch SW1 is turned on, the sensing circuit 410 may provide an initialization voltage VINIT to the sensing line SEi. The initialization voltage VINIT may be transmitted to the second electrode (eg, source electrode) of the first transistor T1 via the third transistor T3 and may be transmitted to the sensing capacitor CSEN.

[0118] When the second switch SW2 is turned on, the analog-to-digital converter ADC may obtain the sensing value ASEN, may convert the sensing value ASEN in an analog form into sensing data DSEN in a digital form, and may output the sensing data DSEN.

[0119] When the above operation is performed in the sensing mode, the data voltage VDAT may be applied to the gate electrode of the first transistor T1, and the initialization voltage VINIT may be applied to the second electrode of the first transistor T1. For example, the level of the data voltage VDAT may be higher than the level of the initialization voltage VINIT.

[0120] The threshold voltage VTH of the first transistor T1 can be sensed or detected by sensing that the first transistor T1 is turned off, that is, by sensing that the second electrode of the first transistor T1 is charged and stabilized at a voltage level VDAT-VTH; the voltage level VDAT-VTH is a voltage difference between the voltage of the gate electrode of the first transistor T1 (e.g., the data voltage VDAT) and the threshold voltage VTH.

[0121] In some example embodiments, Figure 7 , the time Δt required for charging and stabilizing the second electrode of the first transistor T1 may be long, and thus the time interval for activating the scan signal SS1 and the signal SS2 in the first operating mode (for example, in the sensing mode) may be longer than one horizontal period, which represents the time interval for activating the scan signal SS1 in the second operating mode (for example, in the display mode).

[0122] Although the reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 While an example of sensing the threshold voltage VTH of the first transistor T1 using the sensing circuit 410 is described, example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the threshold voltage VTH of the first transistor T1 may be sensed by sensing the current flowing through the first transistor T1 and / or using an amplifier. Alternatively, optical imaging and / or simulation tools may be used to sense the characteristics of the first transistor T1.

[0123] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to example embodiments. Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a timing controller included in a display device according to example embodiments. Figure 1 and Figure 3 The repeated description will be omitted.

[0124] Reference Figure 8 The display device 10a includes a display panel 100, a timing controller 200a, a scan driver 300, and a data driver 400. The display device 10a may further include a power supply circuit 500.

[0125] In addition to obtaining the data stored in the lookup table 210 through the external operator 800 and partially changing the configuration of the timing controller 200a, Figure 8 The display device 10a can be used with Figure 1 The display device 10 is basically the same.

[0126] exist Figure 8 In the example of FIG. 2 , the plurality of sensing data SDAT may not be directly provided to the timing controller 200a, but may be directly provided to the external operator 800 provided outside the timing controller 200a. The external operator 800 may extract the operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels PX based on the plurality of sensing data SDAT, and may obtain data to be stored in the lookup table 210. The timing controller 200a may receive the data to be stored in the lookup table 210 obtained by the external operator 800 from the external operator 800, and may store the data in the lookup table 210. The external operator 800 may have a configuration similar to Figure 3 Configuration of the operator 220 included in the timing controller 200.

[0127] Reference Figure 9 The timing controller 200 a may include a lookup table 210 and an image processor 230 . The timing controller 200 a may further include a control signal generator 240 .

[0128] In addition to omitting the operator 220 in the timing controller 200a, Figure 9 The timing controller 200a can be used with Figure 3 The timing controller 200 is basically the same.

[0129] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a display apparatus according to example embodiments.

[0130] Reference Figure 10 The method of operating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment may be performed by a display device implemented in a single-side driving scheme and including a plurality of scan lines having different lengths. The detailed configuration of the display device may be similar to that of FIG. Figures 1 to 9 The detailed configurations of the display devices described are basically the same.

[0131] In a method for operating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sensing data representing operational characteristics of all multiple pixels included in a display panel is obtained (step S100). The multiple pixels are connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths. The operational characteristics of all multiple pixels extracted based on the plurality of sensing data are stored (step S200). Output image data is generated based on input image data and the operational characteristics of all multiple pixels (step S300). An image is displayed on the display panel by generating a plurality of data voltages based on the output image data to apply the plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines, and by generating a plurality of scan signals to apply the plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines (step S400).

[0132] In some example embodiments, in steps S100 and S200, operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels may be obtained and stored in a lookup table. The operations of obtaining data / storing data in the lookup table in steps S100 and S200 may be performed in a first operating mode (e.g., a sensing mode), and the operations of generating output image data in steps S300 and S400 may be performed in a second operating mode (e.g., a display mode). For example, step S100 may be performed by a plurality of sensing circuits 410 included in the data driver 400, steps S200 and S300 may be performed by the timing controller 200, and step S400 may be performed by the scan driver 300 and the data driver 400.

[0133] In some example embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As described, the operation of obtaining a plurality of sensing data in step S100 may be performed by applying an initialization voltage to a plurality of sensing lines formed separately from a plurality of data lines and connected to a plurality of pixels, by obtaining a plurality of sensing values ​​through the plurality of sensing lines, and by converting the plurality of sensing values ​​into digital data.

[0134] In some example embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As described, when pixels arranged in the same pixel row among a plurality of pixels display the same grayscale level, the operation of displaying an image on the display panel in step S400 can be performed by adjusting the levels of a plurality of data voltages depending on the positions of the pixels arranged in the same pixel row, and by applying a plurality of data voltages having different levels to a plurality of data lines.

[0135] Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic system including a display device according to example embodiments.

[0136] Reference Figure 11, the electronic system 1000 includes a processor 1010 , a memory 1020 , a storage device 1030 , a display device 1040 , an input / output (I / O) device 1050 , and a power supply device 1060 .

[0137] The processor 1010 may perform various computing functions such as specific calculations and tasks. For example, the processor 1010 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application processor (AP), or the like.

[0138] The memory 1020 and the storage device 1030 may store data required for operating the electronic system 1000 and / or data processed by the processor 1010. For example, the memory 1020 may include a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), and / or a non-volatile memory such as 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 magnetic random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), a nano-floating gate memory (NFGM), or a polymer random access memory (PoRAM). The storage device 1030 may include a CD-ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), and the like.

[0139] The I / O device 1050 may include at least one input device such as a keypad, buttons, a microphone, a touch screen, etc., and / or at least one output device such as a speaker, a printer, etc. The power supply device 1060 may provide power to the electronic system 1000 .

[0140] The display device 1040 may be a display device according to an example embodiment. Figures 1 to 10 As described above, the display device 1040 can perform a data compensation operation based on the lookup table 210 to compensate for the coupling phenomenon caused by the plurality of sub-scan lines SSUB. Accordingly, the display device 1040 can have relatively improved display quality.

[0141] The present disclosure may be applied to various devices and / or systems including display devices. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to systems such as personal computers (PCs), workstations, mobile phones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), digital cameras, portable game consoles, music players, camcorders, video players, navigation devices, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, e-book readers, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, robotic devices, drones, and the like.

[0142] The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting the example embodiments. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the example embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the example embodiments as defined in the claims. It will therefore be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting the specific example embodiments disclosed, and that modifications of the disclosed example embodiments, as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, wherein: The display device comprises: a display panel comprising a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths; a scan driver configured to apply a plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines; a data driver configured to apply a plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines and receive a plurality of sensing data from the plurality of sensing lines, the plurality of sensing data representing operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels; and a timing controller configured to control operations of the scan driver and the data driver, generate output image data in consideration of the operation characteristics of all the plurality of pixels, and supply the output image data to the data driver, Wherein, the plurality of scan lines include: a plurality of main scanning lines extending in a first direction and connected to the plurality of pixels; and a plurality of sub-scanning lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and configured to connect the scan driver with the plurality of main scanning lines, A first main scanning line among the plurality of main scanning lines and a first sub-scanning line among the plurality of sub-scanning lines are connected to each other at a first connection point, When pixels arranged in a first pixel row among the plurality of pixels display the same grayscale, adjusting the plurality of levels of the plurality of data voltages depending on distances from the pixels arranged in the first pixel row to the first connection point, and applying the plurality of data voltages having different levels to the plurality of data lines, The levels of the data voltages increase as the distance from the pixels arranged in the first pixel row to the first connection point increases.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The lengths of the plurality of main scanning lines are equal to each other, and The lengths of the plurality of sub-scan lines are different from each other.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of data lines extend in the second direction and are connected to the plurality of pixels, and The plurality of sub-scan lines and the plurality of data lines are alternately arranged along the first direction.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein The scan driver and the data driver are arranged together on one side of the display panel.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first main scanning line and the first sub-scanning line form a first scanning line among the plurality of scanning lines. The pixels arranged in the first pixel row are connected to the first scan line.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: When a first pixel is positioned closest to the first connection point, a first data voltage having a first level is applied to a first data line connected to the first pixel, and When the second pixel is spaced apart from the first connection point by a first distance, a second data voltage having a second level different from the first level is applied to a second data line connected to the second pixel.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein The second level is higher than the first level.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein The second level increases as the first distance increases.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: When a third pixel is spaced apart from the first connection point by a second distance, a third data voltage having a third level different from the first level is applied to a third data line connected to the third pixel, and When the first distance and the second distance are equal to each other, the second level and the third level are equal to each other.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The data driver includes: A plurality of sensing circuits are connected to the plurality of pixels via the plurality of sensing lines insulated from the plurality of data lines and configured to obtain the plurality of sensing data via the plurality of sensing lines.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein A first pixel among the plurality of pixels includes: a first transistor connected between a first power supply voltage and a first node and including a gate electrode; a second transistor, the second transistor comprising a first electrode, a gate electrode, and a second electrode, the first electrode being connected to a first data line, the gate electrode being connected to a first scan line, and the second electrode being connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor; an organic light emitting diode, the organic light emitting diode being connected between the first node and a second power supply voltage; a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor and the first node; and A third transistor is connected between the first node and a first sensing line and includes a gate electrode.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein A first sensing circuit among the plurality of sensing circuits comprises: a first switch configured to selectively provide an initialization voltage to the first sensing line; a second switch configured to obtain a first sensing value from the first sensing line; and An analog-to-digital converter is configured to convert the first sensing value into first sensing data for the first pixel.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein The operation characteristic of the first pixel is extracted by detecting the first sensing data a plurality of times and by averaging the detected first sensing data.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein The operating characteristic of the first pixel includes a threshold voltage of the first transistor.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The timing controller includes: a lookup table configured to store the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels; an operator configured to extract the operating characteristics of all the plurality of pixels based on the plurality of sensing data and store the extracted operating characteristics in the lookup table; and An image processor is configured to generate the output image data based on the data stored in the lookup table and input image data.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The timing controller includes: a lookup table configured to store the operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels; and an image processor configured to generate the output image data based on the data stored in the lookup table and input image data, The external operator is configured to extract the operating characteristics of all the pixels based on the plurality of sensing data, and store the extracted operating characteristics in the lookup table.

17. A method of operating a display device comprising a display panel, wherein: The method comprises: obtaining a plurality of sensing data representing operational characteristics of all a plurality of pixels included in the display panel, the plurality of pixels being connected to a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths; storing the operational characteristics of all the plurality of pixels extracted based on the plurality of sensing data; generating output image data based on input image data and the operational characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels; and displaying an image on the display panel by generating a plurality of data voltages based on the output image data to apply the plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines, and by generating a plurality of scan signals to apply the plurality of scan signals to the plurality of scan lines, Wherein, the plurality of scan lines include: a plurality of main scanning lines extending in a first direction and connected to the plurality of pixels; and a plurality of sub-scanning lines, the plurality of sub-scanning lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, each of the plurality of main scanning lines and a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-scanning lines are connected to each other at a corresponding connection point among a plurality of connection points, When pixels arranged in the same pixel row among the plurality of pixels display the same grayscale, the image is displayed on the display panel by adjusting the plurality of levels of the plurality of data voltages depending on distances of the pixels arranged in the same pixel row to corresponding connection points, and by applying the plurality of data voltages having different levels to the plurality of data lines. The plurality of levels of the plurality of data voltages increase as the distance from the pixels arranged in the same pixel row to the corresponding connection points increases.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The plurality of sensing data are obtained by applying an initialization voltage to a plurality of sensing lines formed separately from the plurality of data lines and connected to the plurality of pixels, by obtaining a plurality of sensing values ​​through the plurality of sensing lines, and by converting the plurality of sensing values ​​into digital data.

19. A display device, wherein: The display device comprises: a display panel comprising a plurality of pixels connected to a plurality of data lines, a plurality of sensing lines, and a plurality of scan lines having different lengths, each of the plurality of pixels comprising an organic light emitting diode and a first transistor for driving the organic light emitting diode; a scan driver configured to drive the plurality of scan lines; and a data driver configured to apply a plurality of data voltages to the plurality of data lines and drive the plurality of data lines based on a plurality of sensing data, the plurality of sensing data representing operating characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels, the plurality of sensing circuits configured to obtain the plurality of sensing data via the plurality of sensing lines, Each of the plurality of sensing circuits comprises: a first switch configured to provide an initialization voltage to one sensing line among the plurality of sensing lines; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on a sensing value obtained from the one sensing line among the plurality of sensing lines, Wherein, the plurality of scan lines include: a plurality of main scanning lines extending in a first direction and connected to the plurality of pixels; and a plurality of sub-scanning lines extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and configured to connect the scan driver with the plurality of main scanning lines, each of the plurality of main scanning lines and a corresponding one of the plurality of sub-scanning lines are connected to each other at a corresponding connection point among a plurality of connection points, When pixels arranged in the same pixel row among the plurality of pixels display the same grayscale, an image is displayed on the display panel by adjusting the plurality of levels of the plurality of data voltages depending on distances of the pixels arranged in the same pixel row to corresponding connection points, and by applying the plurality of data voltages having different levels to the plurality of data lines. The plurality of levels of the plurality of data voltages increase as the distance from the pixels arranged in the same pixel row to the corresponding connection points increases.

20. The display device according to claim 19, wherein The scan driver and the data driver are arranged together on one side of the display panel.

21. The display device according to claim 20, wherein As the distance from the scan driver increases, the lengths of the plurality of scan lines become longer.

22. The display device according to claim 19, wherein: The lengths of the plurality of main scanning lines are equal to each other, and The lengths of the plurality of sub-scan lines are different from each other.

23. The display device according to claim 19, wherein: The first transistor is connected between a first power supply voltage and a first node, and The organic light emitting diode is connected between the first node and a second power supply voltage, Wherein, each of the plurality of pixels further comprises: a second transistor connected between one of the plurality of data lines and a gate electrode of the first transistor; a storage capacitor connected between the gate electrode of the first transistor and the first node; and A third transistor is connected between the first node and one of the plurality of sensing lines.

24. The display device according to claim 19, wherein Each of the plurality of sensing circuits further comprises: A second switch connects the analog-to-digital converter to the one sensing line of the plurality of sensing lines.

25. The display device according to claim 19, wherein The operational characteristics of all of the plurality of pixels extracted based on the plurality of sensing data include a threshold voltage of the first transistor.

26. The display device according to claim 19, wherein The display device further includes: A timing controller is configured to control operations of the scan driver and the data driver, and store the operating characteristics of all the pixels in a lookup table.

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