Display device and driving method thereof

Abstract

A display device and a driving method thereof are provided. The display device includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels, a first flexible printed circuit board attached to the display panel and electrically connected to the display panel, a first printed circuit board attached to the first flexible printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board, a data driver applying a data voltage to the plurality of pixels, receiving a voltage flowing to the plurality of pixels, and generating mobility sensing information based on the voltage flowing to the plurality of pixels, and a timing controller detecting a first misalignment between the first printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board and a second misalignment between the display panel and the first flexible printed circuit board based on the mobility sensing information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the invention relate to a display device and a driving method thereof. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a display device and a driving method thereof for detecting manufacturing defects therein. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, display devices such as liquid crystal displays (“LCDs”) and light-emitting display devices are widely used in various fields. LCDs may include a backlight unit and display images by transmitting or blocking light emitted from the backlight unit. Because light-emitting display devices have self-emission characteristics, they do not use a separate light source.

[0003] Each of the multiple pixels included in the light-emitting display device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a driving transistor connected to the LED. The driving transistor transmits a current corresponding to the applied data voltage to the LED, causing the LED to emit light with a brightness corresponding to the data voltage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the manufacturing process of a display device, processes can be performed to attach a flexible printed circuit board, including a data driver, to a display panel, and to attach a printed circuit board, also known as a source-printed board assembly (“S-PBA”), to a flexible printed circuit board.

[0005] When misalignment occurs during such a process, the data driver and display panel may burn out due to overcurrent.

[0006] According to embodiments of the invention, there is a display device and a driving method thereof for detecting misalignment in a process in which a display panel, a flexible printed circuit board, and printed circuit boards are attached to each other.

[0007] An embodiment of the display device according to the invention includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; a first flexible printed circuit board attached to and electrically connected to the display panel; a first printed circuit board attached to and electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board; a data driver that applies data voltage to the plurality of pixels, receives voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels, and generates mobility sensing information based on the voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels; and a timing controller that detects a first misalignment between the first printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board and a second misalignment between the display panel and the first flexible printed circuit board based on the mobility sensing information.

[0008] In an embodiment, when one of the first misalignment and the second misalignment is detected, the timing controller can output an error detection signal indicating that an error has occurred, and the timing controller can stop outputting scan signals applied to multiple pixels in response to the error detection signal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the display device further includes a power supply that supplies power to the display device and shuts off the power in response to an error detection signal.

[0010] In an embodiment, the timing controller may include: a frame memory for storing mobility sensing information for blocks of the display panel corresponding to the data driver; a sensing analysis unit for analyzing the mobility distribution per block based on the mobility sensing information; and a defect line analysis unit for analyzing the mobility distribution per line for each data line connected to the data driver.

[0011] In an embodiment, when the mobility distribution of each block is higher than a predetermined sensing allowable value, the sensing analysis unit can determine that a first misalignment has occurred in the block.

[0012] In an embodiment, when the situation where the mobility distribution of each line is higher than the predetermined sensing allowable value only occurs in a specific line, the defect line analysis unit can determine that a second misalignment has occurred.

[0013] In an embodiment, the timing controller may further include a line remeasurement unit that re-performs mobility measurements for a specific line.

[0014] In an embodiment, the timing controller may further include a monitoring unit that outputs misalignment information including location information of the data driver where the misalignment occurred and misalignment information regarding the first misalignment.

[0015] In an embodiment, the monitoring unit can output misalignment information, including the location information of the misaligned data line and information about a second misalignment.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, a driving method for a display device is provided. The display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; a first flexible printed circuit board attached to and electrically connected to the display panel; a first printed circuit board attached to and electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board; and a data driver that applies data voltages to the plurality of pixels, receives voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels, and generates mobility sensing information based on the voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels. In such an embodiment, the driving method includes: analyzing the mobility distribution of each block of the display panel corresponding to the data driver; determining that a first misalignment occurs between the first printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board when the mobility distribution of each block is higher than a predetermined sensing allowable value; and analyzing the mobility distribution of each line connected to the data driver corresponding to the block where the first misalignment occurs, and determining whether a second misalignment occurs between the display panel and the first flexible printed circuit board.

[0017] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: determining that no misalignment has occurred in the block when the mobility distribution of each block is lower than a sensing allowable value, and performing normal driving for displaying an image.

[0018] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: when it is determined that a first misalignment has occurred, generating block defect information including block position information or position information of a data driver corresponding to the block.

[0019] In an embodiment, a first misalignment can be determined when the mobility distribution of each line is higher than the sensing allowable value occurs in all data lines in the block.

[0020] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: outputting alignment defect information to the outside, the alignment defect information including the location information of the block in which the first misalignment occurs or the location information of the data driver corresponding to the block and information about the first misalignment.

[0021] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: estimating a second misalignment and generating first line defect information when the condition that the mobility distribution of each line is higher than the sensing allowable value occurs only in a specific data line in the block in which the first misalignment occurs.

[0022] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include generating second line defect information by retesting the mobility of pixels connected to a specific data line where the second misalignment occurs.

[0023] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: comparing the first line defect information and the second line defect information, and outputting the first line defect information when the first line defect information and the second line defect information are equal to each other.

[0024] In an embodiment, it can be determined that a second misalignment occurs in response to the output of first-line defect information.

[0025] In an embodiment, the driving method of the display device may further include: when one of a first misalignment and a second misalignment is detected, outputting an error detection signal indicating that an error has occurred, and stopping the output of a scan signal applied to a plurality of pixels based on the error detection signal.

[0026] In an embodiment, the driving method for the display device may further include: shutting off the power supplied to the display device in response to an error detection signal.

[0027] In embodiments of the invention, as described herein, misalignment is detected during the process of attaching the display panel, flexible printed circuit board, and printed circuit boards to each other, effectively preventing the data driver and display panel from burning out due to overcurrent. In such embodiments, misalignment is detected during the manufacturing process of the display device, thereby improving the manufacturing efficiency of the display device. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A display device according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a data driver according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a timing controller according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a driving method for a display device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 6 It is a view used to describe connection failures between flexible printed circuits and data drivers.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a view used to describe connection failures between the display panel and the data drive. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are illustrated. However, the invention may be embodied in many 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 invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals throughout denote the same elements.

[0036] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, the element may be directly on the other element, or an intermediary element may be present therein. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there is no intermediary element.

[0037] It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another. Therefore, without departing from the teachings herein, the “first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer,” or “part” discussed below may be designated as a second element, component, region, layer, or part.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, “a,” “an,” “the,” and “at least one of…” do not indicate a limitation of quantity and are intended to include both the singular and the plural. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, “element” has the same meaning as “at least one element.” “At least one of…” should not be construed as limited to “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and / or.” As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will also be understood that when the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or variations thereof are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the stated features, regions, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0039] Furthermore, relative terms such as “below” or “bottom” and “above” or “top” may be used here to describe the relationship between one element and another, as shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that these relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if a device in one of the drawings is flipped, an element described as being “below” the other element will subsequently be positioned “above” the other element. Thus, the term “below” can include both “below” and “above” orientations depending on the specific orientation in the drawing. Similarly, if a device in one of the drawings is flipped, an element described as being “below” or “under” the other element will subsequently be positioned “above” the other element. Thus, the terms “below” or “under” can include both above and below orientations.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in a general dictionary) shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the relevant field and in the context of this disclosure, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized sense unless clearly defined herein.

[0041] The embodiments described herein should not be construed as being limited to the specific shapes of the regions shown herein, but will include deviations in shape caused, for example, by manufacturing processes. For instance, regions shown or described as flat may generally have rough and / or non-linear characteristics. Furthermore, the sharp corners shown may be rounded (rounded). Therefore, the regions shown in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to show the precise shapes of the regions, nor are they intended to limit the scope of the given claims.

[0042] Figure 1 A display device according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 Embodiments of the display device according to the invention may include a display panel 100, flexible printed circuit boards 110, 130 and 150, printed circuit boards 120 and 140, a data driver 115, and a timing controller. Figure 1 The “T-CON” in the text refers to 1000. In such an embodiment, the display device may include a motherboard 200 and a power supply 300, the motherboard 200 including a microcontroller unit (MCU) that controls the overall functions of the display device. Figure 1 The MCU ("MCU") 210 and power supply 300 supply power to the display device. The power supply 300 may be a modular switch-mode power supply ("SMPS") that converts AC voltage to voltages suitable for various devices or components of the display device.

[0044] The display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels (PX). The display panel 100 may be a liquid crystal display panel including liquid crystal or a light-emitting display panel including light-emitting elements. In an embodiment, Figure 1 The display panel 100 shown can be a medium or large display panel.

[0045] The multiple pixels PX included in the display panel 100 are controlled based on various control signals including scan signals and data voltages, and can receive power voltages with constant voltage levels.

[0046] For ease of description, the display panel 100 will be described in detail below as an embodiment of a light-emitting display panel. In the light-emitting display panel, a plurality of pixels PX can receive a data voltage and at least one scan signal, and can also receive a drive voltage and a drive low voltage as electrical voltages. In the light-emitting display panel, the output current of the drive transistor is determined based on the data voltage, and light is emitted when the output current flows through the light-emitting diode. The brightness of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode is determined based on the intensity of the current flowing through the light-emitting diode.

[0047] In one embodiment, the display panel 100 includes a scan driver (not shown) for generating scan signals. In another embodiment, the scan driver is included in the display panel 100 by being mounted in some areas of the display panel 100. In yet another embodiment, the scan driver can be formed together with the multiple pixels PX using a process for forming multiple pixels PX.

[0048] In an embodiment, a data driver 115 that applies data voltage is disposed on or formed on a first flexible printed circuit board 110, and a timing controller 1000 is disposed on or formed on a second printed circuit board 140. The second printed circuit board 140 may be referred to as a control printed circuit board assembly (“control PBA”). The timing controller 1000 generates image data signals and control signals based on externally input image signals, and the data driver 115 receives the image data signals from the timing controller 1000 and controls the received signals to apply data voltages to a plurality of pixels PX.

[0049] In an embodiment, the control signal (i.e., data control signal) for the data driver 115 and the image data signal from the control signals output from the timing controller 1000 are transmitted to the data driver 115 on the first flexible printed circuit board 110 via the second printed circuit board 140, the second flexible printed circuit board 130 and the first printed circuit board 120.

[0050] In such an embodiment, the control signal for the scan driver (i.e., the scan control signal) SC among the control signals output from the timing controller 1000 is transmitted to the scan driver on the display panel 100 via the second printed circuit board 140, the second flexible printed circuit board 130, the first printed circuit board 120 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110.

[0051] In an embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, four first printed circuit boards 120 are provided, and for example, the four first printed circuit boards 120 are positioned in pairs. The pairs of first printed circuit boards 120 are electrically connected via a third flexible printed circuit board 150. Therefore, a signal output from the timing controller 1000 is applied to two of the first printed circuit boards 120 after passing through the second printed circuit board 140 and the second flexible printed circuit board 130, and then transmitted to the other two first printed circuit boards 120 via the third flexible printed circuit board 150.

[0052] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, a total of 16 first flexible printed circuit boards 110 and a total of 16 data drivers 115 are included. The 16 data drivers 115 may be mounted on the 16 first flexible printed circuit boards 110 in the form of integrated circuit (“IC”) chips, and the data drivers 115 in IC chip form are referred to as “D-IC”. In such an embodiment, the timing controller 1000 may be mounted on a second printed circuit board 140 in the form of an IC chip.

[0053] Display panel 100, flexible printed circuit boards 110, 130 and 150, and printed circuit boards 120 and 140 can be attached to each other through anisotropic conductive film (“ACF”) and thus can be electrically connected to each other.

[0054] In an alternative embodiment, the display device may comprise only a single flexible printed circuit board and a single printed circuit board. In such an embodiment, the timing controller 1000 is formed on the printed circuit board, and the data driver 115 may be formed by attaching it to the flexible printed circuit board or to an area on one side of the display panel 100.

[0055] In an embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the display panel 100 is divided into multiple blocks. In such an embodiment, these blocks are not physically divided blocks, but rather conceptually categorized based on multiple pixels PX driven by the data driver 115 and the timing controller 1000. Each block corresponds to a single data driver 115, and the display panel 100 can be configured as follows: Figure 1 The diagram shows a total of 16 blocks in the row direction. Figure 1In this embodiment, the number of blocks is the same as the number of data drivers 115 and the number of first flexible printed circuit boards 110. The number of blocks can be modified in various ways. Hereinafter, for ease of description, an embodiment in which the total number of blocks is 16 will be described.

[0056] Each of the multiple pixels PX includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a driving transistor connected to the LED. The timing controller 1000 can measure the mobility of the driving transistors included in each pixel PX to compensate for degradation of the driving transistors and threshold voltage deviations between them. Compensating the data voltage based on the measured mobility effectively prevents image quality degradation due to driving transistor degradation and threshold voltage deviations between them. This method is called external compensation.

[0057] In an embodiment, the timing controller 1000 can measure the mobility of multiple pixels PX after the display device is powered on until an image is output from the display device using the same method as external compensation; this is referred to as on-sensing. In on-sensing, each data driver 115 applies a predetermined voltage to a pixel PX included in the corresponding block and receives the voltage flowing through the pixel PX over time. The data driver 115 converts the change in voltage flowing through the pixel PX over time into a digital signal to generate mobility sensing information SI. The mobility sensing information SI is transmitted to the timing controller 1000 on the second printed circuit board 140 after passing through the first flexible printed circuit board 110, the first printed circuit board 120, and the second flexible printed circuit board 130. That is, the mobility sensing information SI for each block can be transmitted to the timing controller 1000.

[0058] In an embodiment, the timing controller 1000 can detect misalignment between the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110, and misalignment between the first printed circuit board 120 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110, based on the measured mobility sensing information SI.

[0059] In the following text, the misalignment between the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110 will be referred to as the second misalignment, and the misalignment between the first printed circuit board 120 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110 will be referred to as the first misalignment.

[0060] When either the first misalignment or the second misalignment is detected, the timing controller 1000 outputs an error detection signal ED indicating the occurrence of the error. In response to the error detection signal ED, the timing controller 1000 stops outputting the scan signal SC to prevent the image from being displayed. The timing controller 1000 outputs the error detection signal ED to the MCU 210 of the motherboard 200, and the MCU 210, in response to the error detection signal ED, outputs a power-off command signal PE to the power supply 300. The power supply 300, in response to the power-off command signal PE, shuts off the power supply to the display device.

[0061] In such an embodiment, as described, when the first misalignment or the second misalignment occurs, the output of the scan signal SC is stopped and the display device is powered off.

[0062] When the display device is driven to display an image in a first misaligned or second misaligned state, the data driver 115 and the display panel 100 may burn out due to overcurrent and may malfunction.

[0063] However, in embodiments of the invention, burn-out failures can be effectively prevented primarily by detecting misalignment in the continuity sensing and stopping the output of the scan signal SC to prevent image display. In such embodiments, secondary burn-out failures can be further prevented by powering off the display device, but this requires time to discharge.

[0064] In the following text, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The pixel PX that performs conduction sensing and the data driver 115 that performs conduction sensing will be described.

[0065] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel according to an embodiment of the invention. In such an embodiment, multiple pixels PX may have substantially the same structure as each other. For ease of illustration and description, Figure 2 It shows that it includes Figure 1 The pixel PX located in the nth pixel row and mth pixel column among a plurality of pixels PX in the display device will be omitted from the detailed description of any other pixels PX.

[0066] Reference Figure 2 An embodiment of the pixel PX includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a pixel circuit 10.

[0067] The pixel circuit 10 is configured to control the current flowing from a first power voltage ELVDD to a light-emitting diode (LED). The pixel circuit 10 may include a driving transistor TR1, a switching transistor TR2, a sensing transistor TR3, and a storage capacitor Cst.

[0068] The driving transistor TR1 includes a gate electrode connected to a first node N1, a first electrode to which a first power voltage ELVDD is applied, and a second electrode connected to a second node N2. The driving transistor TR1 is connected between the first power voltage ELVDD and the light-emitting diode LED, and controls the current flowing from the first power voltage ELVDD to the light-emitting diode LED based on the voltage of the first node N1.

[0069] The switching transistor TR2 includes a gate electrode connected to the scan line SCLn, a first electrode connected to the data line DLm, and a second electrode connected to the first node N1. The switching transistor TR2 is connected between the data line DLm and the driving transistor TR1, and when the switching transistor TR2 is turned on by a scan signal that applies a gate on voltage to the scan line SCLn, it transmits the data voltage Vdat applied to the data line DLm to the first node N1.

[0070] Sensing transistor TR3 includes a gate electrode connected to sensing line SSLn, a first electrode connected to the second node N2, and a second electrode connected to receiving line RLm. Sensing transistor TR3 is connected between the second electrode of driving transistor TR1 and receiving line RLm, and is turned on by a sensing signal applied to the gate on-state voltage of sensing line SSLn, transferring the current flowing to the light-emitting diode (LED) through driving transistor TR1 to receiving line RLm. In such an embodiment, receiving line RLm may be a wiring that transmits an initialization voltage to the second node N2. When the initialization voltage is applied to the second node N2 through receiving line RLm, the anode voltage of the LED can be initialized.

[0071] In this embodiment, the driving transistor TR1, the switching transistor TR2, and the sensing transistor TR3 may be n-channel field-effect transistors (FETs). The gate on-state voltage that turns the n-channel FET on is a high-level voltage, and the gate off-state voltage that turns it off is a low-level voltage. Optionally, at least one of the driving transistor TR1, the switching transistor TR2, and the sensing transistor TR3 may be a p-channel FET. The gate on-state voltage that turns the p-channel FET on is a low-level voltage, and the gate off-state voltage that turns it off is a high-level voltage.

[0072] The storage capacitor Cst includes a first electrode connected to a first node N1 and a second electrode connected to a second node N2. The data voltage Vdat is transmitted to the first node N1, and the storage capacitor Cst is used to maintain the voltage of the first node N1.

[0073] The light-emitting diode (LED) includes an anode electrode connected to the second node N2 and a cathode electrode to which a second electrical voltage ELVSS is applied. The LED can emit light with a brightness corresponding to the current supplied to it from the pixel circuit 10. The LED can emit light of one of the primary colors or white light. In one embodiment, for example, the primary colors are the three primary colors: red, green, and blue. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the primary colors are yellow, cyan, and magenta. The LED can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) comprising an emissive layer of an organic compound. Alternatively, the LED can be an inorganic light-emitting diode comprising an emissive layer of an inorganic compound.

[0074] During conduction sensing, a scan signal of the gate conduction voltage is applied to scan line SCLn, and a predetermined level (i.e., high-level voltage) data voltage Vdat is applied to data line DLm. The predetermined level data voltage Vdat is applied to the gate electrode of drive transistor TR1, and current flows from the first power voltage ELVDD through drive transistor TR1 to the light-emitting diode (LED). In such an embodiment, a sensing signal of the gate conduction voltage is applied to sensing line SSLn, so the voltage flowing to the LED is transmitted to data driver 115 through sensing transistor TR3.

[0075] Figure 3 This is a block diagram of a data driver according to an embodiment of the invention. For ease of description, detailed description will be included. Figure 1 The data driver 115 in the display device is connected to the i-th data line DL1 to the i+k-th data line DL(i+k).

[0076] Reference Figure 3 The data driver 115 includes a data voltage generator 15 and a sensing unit 17.

[0077] Data voltage generator 15 is connected to multiple data lines DL1 to DL(i+k), which are connected to multiple pixels PX included in a block corresponding to data driver 115. Data voltage generator 15 includes a digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) 16 that receives an image data signal DAT from timing controller 1000, converts the image data signal DAT into a data voltage Vdat as an analog signal using DAC 16, and applies the converted data voltage Vdat to the multiple data lines DL1 to DL(i+k).

[0078] Sensing unit 17 is connected to multiple receiving lines RLi to RL(i+k), which are connected to multiple pixels PX included in a block corresponding to data driver 115. Sensing unit 17 includes an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) 18 that receives voltages flowing to the multiple pixels PX via the multiple receiving lines RLi to RL(i+k) and generates mobility sensing information SI by converting the voltages of the pixels PX into digital signals using the ADC 18. Mobility sensing information SI may include mobility information for each of the multiple pixels PX included in the block corresponding to data driver 115. Sensing unit 17 transmits mobility sensing information SI to timing controller 1000.

[0079] In this embodiment, as described above, each data driver 115 generates mobility sensing information SI, so the timing controller 1000 can determine the mobility sensing information SI for each data driver 115 or for each block. In such an embodiment, since the mobility sensing information SI contains mobility information for each of the plurality of pixels PX included in each block, the timing controller 1000 can determine the mobility of each of the plurality of pixels PX and analyze the distribution of mobility for each of the plurality of receiver lines RLi to RL(i+k).

[0080] In the following text, refer to Figure 4 The structure of a timing controller 1000 that detects first and second misalignment based on mobility sensing information SI will be described.

[0081] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a timing controller according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0082] Reference Figure 4 An embodiment of the timing controller 1000 includes a frame memory 1100, a sensing analysis unit 1200, a defect line analysis unit 1300, a monitoring unit 1400, and a line retesting unit 1500.

[0083] The frame memory 1100 stores mobility sensing information SI for a single frame and includes specific block frame memories 1101. Multiple specific block frame memories 1101 are configured to correspond to multiple data drivers 115 respectively, and each specific block frame memory 1101 receives and stores mobility sensing information SI from the corresponding data driver 115 among the multiple data drivers 115. The specific block frame memories 1101 can transmit the stored specific block mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16 to the sensing analysis unit 1200.

[0084] The sensing analysis unit 1200 analyzes the specific block mobility distribution in each of the specific block mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16, and compares each specific block mobility distribution with a sensing allowable value SLV. The specific block mobility distribution is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​in the specific block mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16. The sensing allowable value SLV is predetermined by the manufacturer or the user.

[0085] When the mobility distribution of a specific block is lower than the sensing allowable value SLV, the sensing analysis unit 1200 determines that no misalignment has occurred in the corresponding block and outputs a first error detection signal ED(OK) indicating a normal state. The timing controller 1000 responds to the first error detection signal ED(OK) to drive the display device to control the display of an image that can be displayed normally.

[0086] When the mobility distribution of a specific block exceeds the sensing allowable value SLV, the sensing analysis unit 1200 determines that a first misalignment has occurred in the corresponding block and generates block defect information NGB for the corresponding block. The block defect information NGB may include the location information of the corresponding block or the location information of the data driver 115 of the corresponding block.

[0087] When the block defect information NGB is received from the sensing analysis unit 1200, the defect line analysis unit 1300 compares the specific line mobility distribution in the block where misalignment has occurred with the sensing allowable value SLV. The specific line mobility distribution is the difference between the maximum and minimum mobility values ​​for each data line or each receive line. The defect line analysis unit 1300 analyzes whether the situation where the specific line mobility distribution is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV occurs only in the specific line or in all lines within the block. When the mobility distribution per line in all lines of the block is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV, the defect line analysis unit 1300 determines that a first misalignment has occurred. When the mobility distribution per line in the block, which is only for the specific line, is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV, the defect line analysis unit 1300 determines that a second misalignment has occurred.

[0088] The defect line analysis unit 1300 generates first line defect information NGL, indicating a first misalignment or a second misalignment, based on the determined results. The first line defect information NGL may include the location information of a specific line whose mobility distribution is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV. The first line defect information NGL is transmitted to the monitoring unit 1400 and the line retesting unit 1500.

[0089] The monitoring unit 1400 is connected to an external test personal computer (“PC”) 2000 via an interface (I2C I / F) such as an internal integrated circuit (“I2C”). It receives block defect information NGB from the sensing and analysis unit 1200, receives first line defect information NGL from the defect line analysis unit 1300, generates misalignment information NGI, and outputs the misalignment information NGI to the test PC 2000. The misalignment information NGI may include location information of the block in which misalignment has occurred, or location information of the data driver 115 corresponding to the block, and information about the first misalignment. Optionally, the misalignment information NGI may include information about a second misalignment and location information of the data line or receive line in which misalignment has occurred.

[0090] The monitoring unit 1400 can output a second error detection signal ED(NG) indicating misalignment corresponding to the misalignment information NGI. The second error detection signal ED(NG) is a signal indicating the occurrence of an error, and based on the second error detection signal ED(NG), the output of the scan signal SC is stopped, and the power signal PE (such as...) is... Figure 1 (As shown in the diagram) outputs power to power supply 300 to shut off power to the display device.

[0091] When the first line defect information NGL is received from the defect line analysis unit 1300, the line remeasurement unit 1500 remeasures the mobility of the pixel PX connected to the misaligned data line or receiver line. In response to the first line defect information NGL, the line remeasurement unit 1500 transmits the position information of the misaligned data line or receiver line to the sensing analysis unit 1200, and the sensing analysis unit 1200 provides the defect line analysis unit 1300 with the second line defect information NGL' remeasured based on the mobility distribution of the corresponding line. The defect line analysis unit 1300 compares the remeasured second line defect information NGL' with the previously generated first line defect information NGL, and finally determines the first line defect information NGL when the two sets of information are equal. The finally determined first line defect information NGL is transmitted to the monitoring unit 1400.

[0092] When the remeasured second line defect information NGL' differs from the previously generated first line defect information NGL, it is identified as the first misalignment, not the second misalignment. That is, when the measured lines are misaligned, irregular and different lines may have line defects due to misalignment between the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110.

[0093] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 5 to 7 A detailed description of embodiments of a method for detecting misalignment is provided. This can be performed using the timing controller 1000 described above. Figures 5 to 7 The misalignment detection method.

[0094] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a driving method for a display device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 It is a view used to describe connection failures between flexible printed circuits and data drivers. Figure 7 This is a view used to describe connection failures between the display panel and the data drive.

[0095] Reference Figures 5 to 7 When the display device is powered on (S110), conduction sensing is performed until an image is displayed. During conduction sensing, mobility sensing information SI for one frame can be obtained. The mobility sensing information SI may include block-specific mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16 for each block.

[0096] Analyze the mobility distribution for each block in the specific block mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16, and determine whether the mobility distribution for each block is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV (S120). The specific block mobility distribution is the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​in the specific block mobility sensing information SI-1, SI-2, SI-3, ..., SI-14, SI-15, and SI-16.

[0097] When the mobility distribution of a specific block is lower than the sensing allowable value SLV, it is determined that no misalignment has occurred in the corresponding block. When it is determined that no misalignment has occurred in all blocks, a first error detection signal ED(OK) indicating a normal state is output (S122).

[0098] Based on the first error detection signal ED(OK), the display device is driven normally to display the image (S124).

[0099] When the mobility distribution of a specific block exceeds the sensing allowable value SLV, it is determined that a first misalignment has occurred in the corresponding block, and block defect information NGB is generated for the corresponding block (S130). That is, it is determined that a first misalignment has occurred in the region NG1 between the first printed circuit board 120 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110. The block defect information NGB may include the location information of the corresponding block or the location information of the data driver 115 corresponding to that block. Figure 6 As shown, when the fourth, seventh, and twelfth blocks are determined to be defective NG blocks with mobility distributions significantly higher than the sensing allowable value SLV, the block defect information NGB includes the location information of the fourth, seventh, and twelfth blocks or the location information of the fourth data driver 115, the seventh data driver 115, and the twelfth data driver 115.

[0100] Analyze whether the situation where the mobility distribution of each line is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV occurs only in specific lines or in all lines within a block where the first misalignment has already occurred (S140). The mobility distribution of a specific line is the difference between the maximum mobility value and the minimum mobility value for each data line or each receive line.

[0101] When the mobility distribution of each line in all lines within a block is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV, it is determined that the first printed circuit board 120 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110 are misaligned (first misalignment) (S142). When the first misalignment is determined, misalignment information NGI, including the location information of the block in which the first misalignment has occurred or the location information of the data driver 115 corresponding to the block, and information about the first misalignment, can be output to an external test PC 2000.

[0102] When the mobility distribution of each line within a block is higher than the sensing allowable value SLV for a specific line, the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110 are estimated to be misaligned (second misalignment), and first line defect information NGL is generated.

[0103] The mobility of pixels PX connected to the estimated second misaligned data line or receive line is remeasured (S144). Second line defect information NGL' is generated by analyzing and remeasuring the mobility distribution for the corresponding line, and the previously generated first line defect information NGL' is compared with the remeasured second line defect information NGL' to finally determine the first line defect information NGL when the compared information is equal (S146). That is, it is determined that a second misalignment has occurred in the region NG2 between the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110. Figure 7 As shown, when the mobility distribution of each line in a specific line in the fourth, seventh, and twelfth blocks is significantly higher than the sensing allowable value SLV and thus the specific line is determined to be a defective line NGLine, the first line defect information NGL contains the position information of the corresponding line in the fourth data driver 115, the seventh data driver 115, and the twelfth data driver 115.

[0104] Based on the determined first-line defect information NGL, it is determined that the display panel 100 and the first flexible printed circuit board 110 are misaligned (second misalignment) (S148). When the second misalignment is determined, misalignment information NGI, including the position information of the data line or receive line in which the second misalignment has occurred and information about the second misalignment, can be output to the external test PC 2000.

[0105] When a first misalignment or a second misalignment is determined, a second error detection signal ED(NG) indicating misalignment is output (S150).

[0106] The second error detection signal ED(NG) is a signal indicating that an error has occurred, and the output of the scan signal SC(S160) is stopped in response to the second error detection signal ED(NG).

[0107] In such an embodiment, a power signal PE from the MCU 210 is output to the power supply 300 to shut off the power supply to the display device (S170).

[0108] The invention 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 inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0109] Although the invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel including a plurality of pixels; a first flexible printed circuit board attached to the display panel and electrically connected to the display panel; a first printed circuit board attached to the first flexible printed circuit board and electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board; a plurality of data drivers to apply a data voltage to the plurality of pixels, to receive a voltage flowing to the plurality of pixels, and to generate mobility sensing information based on the voltage flowing to the plurality of pixels; and a timing controller to detect a first misalignment between the first printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board based on the mobility sensing information, and to detect a second misalignment between the display panel and the first flexible printed circuit board, wherein the display panel includes a plurality of blocks respectively corresponding to the plurality of data drivers, wherein the timing controller includes a sense analysis section to analyze each block mobility distribution in each of the mobility sensing information of the plurality of blocks to determine whether the first misalignment occurs, and a defective line analysis section to analyze each line mobility distribution for each data line connected to a data driver corresponding to a defective block in which the first misalignment occurs, and to determine whether the second misalignment occurs based on whether the each line mobility distribution of all data lines or only partial data lines located in the defective block is higher than a predetermined sense allowance value. 2.The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein when one of the first misalignment and the second misalignment is detected, the timing controller outputs an error detection signal indicating that an error occurs, and the timing controller stops outputting a scan signal applied to the plurality of pixels in response to the error detection signal. 3.The display apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a power supply to supply power to the display apparatus and to turn off the power in response to the error detection signal. The timing controller further comprises:

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein, a frame memory to store mobility sensing information for the plurality of blocks of the display panel corresponding to the plurality of data drivers. The sense analysis section determines that the first misalignment occurs in a corresponding block when the each block mobility distribution for the corresponding block is higher than the predetermined sense allowance value.

5. The display device of claim 4, wherein, The defective line analysis section determines that the second misalignment occurs when the each line mobility distribution is higher than the predetermined sense allowance value only in the partial data lines.

6. The display device of claim 4, wherein, The timing controller further comprises a line re-measurement section to re-perform mobility measurement for the partial data lines.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein, The timing controller further comprises a monitoring section to output misalignment information including position information of a data driver in which a misalignment occurs and information about the first misalignment.

8. The display device of claim 4, wherein, The monitoring section outputs misalignment information including position information of a data line in which a misalignment occurs and information about the second misalignment.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein, a display panel including a plurality of pixels; 10. A method for driving a display device, the display device comprising: a first flexible printed circuit board attached to the display panel and electrically connected to the display panel; ​ a first printed circuit board attached to and electrically connected to the first flexible printed circuit board; and a plurality of data drivers applying data voltages to the plurality of pixels, receiving voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels, and generating mobility sensing information based on the voltages flowing to the plurality of pixels, the method comprising the steps of: analyzing each block mobility distribution for a plurality of blocks of the display panel corresponding to the plurality of data drivers; determining that a first misalignment between the first printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board occurs in a corresponding block when the each block mobility distribution of the corresponding block is higher than a predetermined sensing allowance; and analyzing each line mobility distribution for each data line connected to a data driver corresponding to the corresponding block in which the first misalignment occurs, and determining whether a second misalignment between the display panel and the first flexible printed circuit board occurs based on whether the each line mobility distribution of all data lines or only a part of data lines located in the corresponding block is higher than the predetermined sensing allowance.

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