Micro-LED Display Sub-Pixel Luminance Compensation

Solution Overview

Problem

Micro-LED display apparatuses face issues with dark spots due to unsuccessful transfer and damage of Micro-LEDs during the manufacturing process, leading to dead pixels that affect the display quality.

Innovation Solution

A control method that calculates compensation data signals for sub-pixels adjacent to dead pixels, using nearby sub-pixels of the same emission color to compensate for luminance loss, thereby improving display quality without the need for repairing dead pixels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple times transfer of Micro-LEDs is performed to match the size difference between donor substrate and circuit substrate, then the display area can be increased, but the occurrence of dead pixels and transfer failures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidtransfer success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-detecting and recording the positions of dead pixels before the display apparatus is assembled and used. The detection device scans the Micro-LED array on the circuit substrate and stores the coordinates of non-emitting pixels in advance, so that compensation can be performed during the image display process without needing to physically repair the dead pixels later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dead pixels into a beneficial compensation mechanism. Instead of treating dead pixels as defects that must be eliminated, the system uses adjacent healthy pixels to compensate for the luminance loss caused by dead pixels. The compensation algorithm calculates the luminance contribution of neighboring pixels and adjusts their driving signals to make up for the missing pixels, thereby converting a manufacturing defect into a manageable parameter through software compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If manual repair of dead pixels is attempted, then display quality can be improved, but the complexity and time required for repair increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoidrepair process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical repair process with an electronic/software-based compensation system. Instead of physically manipulating and repositioning Micro-LEDs (which would require complex mechanical equipment and precise positioning systems), the invention uses a detection device to identify dead pixels and a compensation algorithm to adjust the driving signals of adjacent pixels. This substitution of mechanical repair with electronic compensation dramatically simplifies the process while maintaining display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the display apparatus to automatically detect and compensate for its own defects without external intervention. The detection device integrated into the system can autonomously scan for dead pixels, and the control system automatically calculates and applies compensation signals to adjacent pixels, eliminating the need for manual inspection and repair operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If dead pixels are left unrepaired, then production time and cost are reduced, but display quality deteriorates due to visible dark spots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddisplay quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-detecting and recording the positions of dead pixels before the display apparatus is assembled and used. The detection device scans the Micro-LED array on the circuit substrate and stores the coordinates of non-emitting pixels in advance, so that compensation can be performed during the image display process without needing to physically repair the dead pixels later.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dead pixels into a beneficial compensation mechanism. Instead of treating dead pixels as defects that must be eliminated, the system uses adjacent healthy pixels to compensate for the luminance loss caused by dead pixels. The compensation algorithm calculates the luminance contribution of neighboring pixels and adjusts their driving signals to make up for the missing pixels, thereby converting a manufacturing defect into a manageable parameter through software compensation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11250746B2Display apparatus and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The display apparatus includes a plurality of sub-pixels. The control method includes: calculating a compensation data signal of each compensation sub-pixel according to a position of at least one dead sub-pixel adjacent to the compensation sub-pixel in the display apparatus, a data signal of each dead sub-pixel adjacent to the compensation sub-pixel in a current frame image, and a number of compensation sub-pixels in all sub-pixels that have a same emission color as and are adjacent to each dead sub-pixel; calculating a total data signal for the compensation sub-pixel according to a data signal of the compensation sub-pixel in the current frame image and the calculated compensation data signal of the compensation sub-pixel; and inputting the total data signal to the compensation sub-pixel when the current frame image is displayed.