Display Device Fixed-Image Detection for Outermost Burn-In

Solution Overview

Problem

Organic light emitting display devices are prone to afterimages (mura) in the outermost regions due to burn-in of organic light emitting diodes, particularly when displaying fixed images like task bars or menus.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a panel driver that determines the presence of fixed images in outermost regions and adjusts luminance by decreasing the luminance of these regions, using a block luminance decider, luminance difference calculators, and a luminance controller to implement global and outermost region-specific luminance control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the organic light emitting display device displays a fixed image in the outermost region for a long time, then the image display function is maintained, but afterimages occur due to burn-in of organic light emitting diodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveafterimage preventionVSAvoiddisplay device life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the presence of fixed images in the outermost region and proactively adjusting luminance before burn-in damage occurs. The panel driver continuously monitors image data to identify static content in susceptible regions and preemptively reduces luminance to prevent afterimage formation, rather than waiting for damage to manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different luminance control strategies to different regions of the display panel. Specifically, the outermost region (lines 0 and N-1) receives targeted luminance reduction when fixed images are detected, while the inner regions maintain normal luminance levels. This localized approach prevents afterimages in vulnerable areas without compromising overall display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the luminance of the outermost region is decreased to prevent afterimages, then afterimage occurrence is delayed, but the brightness uniformity across the display panel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveafterimage preventionVSAvoidluminance uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the luminance control adaptive and conditional rather than static. The panel driver dynamically adjusts the luminance of the outermost region based on real-time detection of fixed image content. When no fixed image is present, normal luminance is maintained for uniformity; when fixed images are detected, luminance is reduced to prevent afterimages. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between afterimage prevention and luminance uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by applying different luminance control strategies to different regions of the display panel. Specifically, the outermost region (lines 0 and N-1) receives targeted luminance reduction when fixed images are detected, while the inner regions maintain normal luminance levels. This localized approach prevents afterimages in vulnerable areas without compromising overall display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12417748B2Display device, method of controlling luminance of display device and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels, and a panel driver configured to drive the display panel based on input image data. The panel driver determines whether a fixed image is displayed in an outermost region of the display panel based on the input image data, and decreases a luminance of the outermost region when that the fixed image is displayed in the outermost region is determined.