OLED Display Pixel Sensing via Selective Region Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OLED display technologies require excessive time and memory capacity to sense changes in device characteristics of pixels, leading to inefficient image quality compensation and reduced lifespan.

Innovation Solution

An OLED display system that includes a sensing unit, image analyzer, and timing controller to selectively sense pixel device characteristics based on image complexity, gray level distribution, and motion analysis, reducing the need for frequent sensing across all pixels and optimizing memory usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If periodic sensing of all pixels is performed to detect device characteristic changes, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pixel array into multiple regions and performs sensing operations on selected regions rather than all pixels. The sensing unit selectively senses device characteristics of pixels in specific regions based on predetermined sensing patterns, dividing the sensing task into manageable segments that reduce overall sensing time while maintaining measurement precision through strategic region selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by sensing device characteristics of only a subset of pixels rather than all pixels. By selecting specific sensing regions and using sensing patterns that cover representative areas, the system achieves sufficient measurement precision for compensation purposes without performing exhaustive sensing on every pixel, thereby reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If periodic sensing of all pixels is performed to detect device characteristic changes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel device characteristic sensing accuracyVSAvoidmemory capacity requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces memory capacity requirements by segmenting the sensing approach - storing device characteristic data only for selected sensing regions rather than all pixels. The memory unit is designed to hold compensation data for a subset of pixels based on predetermined sensing patterns, significantly reducing the total storage capacity needed while maintaining the ability to perform accurate compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and stores only the essential device characteristic data from sensed pixels - specifically the threshold voltage and mobility parameters that are most critical for compensation. By extracting only these key parameters from the sensed data and storing them in the memory unit, the system reduces memory capacity requirements while preserving measurement precision for the most important compensation calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If frequent sensing is performed to compensate for pixel degradation, then image quality is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsensing and compensation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic sensing action with predetermined intervals and patterns. Instead of continuous or overly frequent sensing, the system performs sensing operations at optimized periodic intervals based on the degradation characteristics of OLED pixels. This periodic approach maintains image quality compensation effectiveness while reducing the total time spent on sensing operations compared to frequent continuous sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by performing sensing and compensation operations only on selected pixels that are most representative of overall display degradation. By focusing compensation efforts on key sensing regions rather than all pixels, the system maintains effective image quality compensation while reducing the time required for each compensation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces the time and memory required to sense pixel changes, enhances image quality compensation, and extends the lifespan of the OLED display by selectively focusing sensing efforts on areas of high degradation.

Implementation Method 1

the OLED of the pixel emits light when electrons and holes are combined in an organic layer through a current flowing in a fluorescence or phosphorescence organic thin film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

the OLED of the pixel emits light when electrons and holes are combined in an organic layer through a current flowing in a fluorescence or phosphorescence organic thin film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3038091B1Organic light emitting diode display and method for sensing characteristic thereof
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3038091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3038091B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3038091B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a method for sensing device characteristics of the OLED display are disclosed. The OLED display includes a display panel including data lines, scan lines, and pixels, a data driver configured to supply a data signal to the data lines, a gate driver configured to supply a scan signal to the scan lines, a sensing unit configured to sense changes in device characteristics of the pixels, an image analyzer configured to analyze an input image and select a sensing location and a sensing interval, and a timing controller configured to control the data driver and the gate driver. Pixels of the sensing location among the pixels are directly sensed by the sensing unit, and changes in device characteristics of remaining pixels are calculated based on sensing values from the sensing unit.