Display Pixel Sensing via Segmented Interpolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices face challenges in accurately representing pixel characteristics across a large display area due to process deviations and variations in pixel elements, which are exacerbated by usage frequency and ambient temperature, making it time-consuming to sense characteristics of all pixels effectively.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method that incorporate a sensing controller to interpolate data from a subset of pixels, using sensors to generate and provide interpolated data for grayscale value generation, thereby reducing the time required to sense pixel characteristics and improving accuracy across the display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If characteristics of all pixels are sensed to minimize process deviations, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel characteristic sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display area is divided into multiple blocks, and pixels are segmented into different groups (first pixels and second pixels). Sensors sense characteristics of only some pixels in each block during different periods, rather than sensing all pixels simultaneously. This segmentation approach reduces the total sensing time while maintaining measurement precision through multiple sampling passes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing process is divided into multiple periods: a first sensing period where sensors sense characteristics of first pixels, and a second sensing period where sensors sense characteristics of second pixels. This periodic action allows comprehensive pixel characterization to be completed over time without requiring all pixels to be sensed simultaneously, thus reducing time loss while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of time

If characteristics of a subset of pixels are sensed to reduce sensing time, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing timeVSAvoidpixel characteristic sensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Pixels are segmented into multiple groups that are sensed at different times. By dividing the pixel population into first pixels and second pixels, and sensing them in separate periods, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring simultaneous sensing of all pixels, thus maintaining precision while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic sensing actions where different pixel groups are sensed in alternating periods. This ensures that over multiple periods, all pixels are characterized with high precision, while any single period requires sensing only a subset of pixels, reducing the time loss associated with comprehensive sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If sensors sense characteristics of pixels across a large display area to minimize process deviations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel characteristic sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing system is segmented such that sensors sense characteristics of different pixel groups in different periods rather than all pixels simultaneously. This reduces the complexity of the sensing system at any given moment while still achieving comprehensive pixel characterization across the large display area through multiple sampling passes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sensing operation is structured as periodic action with distinct first and second sensing periods. This temporal separation simplifies the device complexity by ensuring that not all pixels require simultaneous sensing capability, while still achieving high measurement precision through repeated sampling of different pixel groups over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3822960B1Display device and method of driving the same
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3822960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3822960B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3822960B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes first pixels partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each of the plurality of blocks being categorized as a first block or a second block, a sensor configured to generate first sensing data for at least two of the first pixels in each of the plurality of blocks during a first period, and a sensing controller configured to generate interpolated data for the first pixels that are not sensed by the sensor by interpolating the first sensing data, for the first block, and configured to forgo interpolation of the first sensing data, for the second block. The sensor generates second sensing data for the first pixels that are not sensed by the sensor, for the second block, during a second period after the first period.