Pixel Failure Detection in LED Displays via Video Data Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image display apparatuses face challenges in efficiently determining pixel failure, particularly in LED displays, due to environmental damage and LED lifespan issues, which can lead to incorrect image output and require cumbersome full white screen output for failure determination.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine pixel failure by analyzing video data, comparing sub-pixel values with reference values, and generating detection data to identify defective pixels, allowing for real-time failure detection and adjustment of neighboring pixel values without the need for a separate full white screen output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate full white screen output task is used to determine pixel failure, then the failure detection can be performed, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel failure detection accuracyVSAvoidfailure determination time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining valid data from video data before it is applied to the display panel. The controller identifies valid pixels and their corresponding video data in advance, so that when pixel failure occurs, the system can immediately compare the expected valid data with actual display output without needing to perform a separate full white screen test. This pre-processing of data validation information enables rapid failure detection during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If real-time pixel failure detection is implemented during normal video display, then detection efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the detection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by making the controller perform multiple functions: it controls the display panel to output video data, determines valid data from the same video data, and detects pixel failures by comparing valid data with actual output. Instead of requiring separate dedicated detection hardware, the controller integrates all these functions, using its existing processing capabilities to handle both normal display operations and failure detection simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces valid data as an intermediary element that mediates between the video data input and the failure detection process. The controller determines which pixels represent valid data that should be displayed, then uses this valid data as a reference to compare against actual display output. This intermediary valid data structure enables the detection mechanism without requiring complex additional hardware, as the comparison can be performed using existing controller resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If pixel failure is detected by comparing video data with display output, then accurate failure identification is achieved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the video data into individual pixel units and determining validity for each pixel separately. The controller processes video data pixel-by-pixel, identifying which pixels contain valid data that should be displayed. This segmentation approach allows for precise failure detection at the individual pixel level while using efficient bit-level operations to manage the processing complexity, rather than treating the entire video frame as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3174036B1Image display apparatus, driving method thereof, and computer-readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3174036B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3174036B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3174036B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An image display apparatus, a driving method thereof, a computer-readable recording medium and controller are provided. The method includes receiving video data, determining valid data used to determine pixel failure of a display panel by determining a pixel value of each sub pixel in the received video data, generating detection data based on an applied pixel value of the sub pixel in response to the video data being applied to the display panel, and determining the pixel failure by determining a state of the generated detection data corresponding to the determined valid data.