Display Sub-Pixel Segmentation for Deterioration Compensation

The display panel is segmented into two types of sub-pixels: normal sub-pixels (first sub-pixels) that are connected only to data lines for displaying images, and compensation sub-pixels (second sub-pixels) that are connected to both data lines and sensing lines for detecting deterioration. This segmentation allows the sensing function to be separated from the display function, enabling precise deterioration detection without requiring all sub-pixels to have sensing capabilities, thus limiting the increase in device complexity to only specific compensation sub-pixels.

The compensation sub-pixels serve dual functions: they can display image data like normal sub-pixels, and simultaneously detect deterioration through the sensing line connection. This multi-functionality allows the same sub-pixel structure to fulfill both display and sensing roles, improving measurement precision while avoiding the need for entirely separate sensing structures that would increase device complexity further.

Instead of making all sub-pixels have compensation capabilities (which would uniformly reduce aperture ratio across the entire display), the patent applies compensation sub-pixels only at specific locations where deterioration detection is most critical. The aperture ratio of normal sub-pixels remains optimized for display, while compensation sub-pixels are strategically placed to provide necessary sensing coverage, thus locally optimizing quality rather than uniformly compromising the entire display area.

The compensation sub-pixels are designed with the same basic structure as normal sub-pixels (including identical or similar pixel electrodes, transistors, and organic light emitting diodes), differing only in the additional sensing line connection. This copying approach allows the compensation sub-pixels to be integrated into the existing display panel structure with minimal impact on overall aperture ratio, as they share the same fundamental design and can be arranged to minimize area overhead.

Both normal sub-pixels and compensation sub-pixels use the same fundamental components and structures: pixel electrodes, transistors (switching transistor, driving transistor, capacitor), and organic light emitting diodes. The only difference is the additional sensing line connection in compensation sub-pixels. This homogeneity in basic structure allows both types of sub-pixels to be manufactured using the same fabrication processes, minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity while still enabling differentiated functionality.

The patent merges the display function and compensation function into a single integrated display panel structure, where normal sub-pixels handle display and compensation sub-pixels handle both display and sensing. This merging avoids the need for separate sensing panels or additional manufacturing steps for separate compensation structures, allowing heterogeneous sub-pixels to be co-manufactured in the same panel using compatible processes, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.