OLED Display Power Reduction via Coordinated Voltage Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting display devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining brightness and color coordinates, as previous methods for dimming operations have limitations in efficiently controlling the voltage levels and gamma values to achieve optimal performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an organic light emitting display device with a pixel unit divided into blocks, each with multiple pixels that compensate for the threshold voltage of driving transistors, and a control system that adjusts the first and second power supply voltages, reference power, and gamma voltages in proportion to the dimming level, allowing for reduced power consumption while maintaining brightness and color coordinates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If dimming operation is performed to limit maximum brightness, then power consumption is reduced, but brightness and color coordinates cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbrightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the first power supply voltage (ELVDD) in proportion to the dimming level while simultaneously adjusting the reference power voltage (Vref) and gamma voltages (Vdata) to compensate for the voltage reduction. This coordinated parameter adjustment maintains the brightness and color coordinates even at reduced power consumption levels. Specifically, when ELVDD is reduced by a certain voltage value, Vref and Vdata are adjusted by corresponding voltage values to ensure the pixel unit maintains its display characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If voltage levels are reduced for power saving, then power consumption decreases, but threshold voltage compensation becomes unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidthreshold voltage compensation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through the control system that continuously monitors and adjusts the reference power voltage (Vref) and gamma voltages (Vdata) based on the dimming level. When the first power supply voltage (ELVDD) is reduced, the control system automatically compensates by adjusting Vref and Vdata to maintain stable threshold voltage compensation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the pixel unit's display characteristics remain stable across different dimming levels, preventing degradation of image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If gamma values are not adjusted with voltage changes, then control complexity is reduced, but color coordinates drift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system complexityVSAvoidcolor coordinates
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the gamma voltages (Vdata) and reference power voltage (Vref) adjustable according to the dimming level. Instead of using fixed gamma values, the system dynamically changes these voltages in proportion to the voltage reduction of ELVDD. This dynamic adjustment ensures that color coordinates remain accurate across different brightness levels, from full brightness to dimmed states, maintaining color fidelity throughout the operating range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively reduces power consumption by adjusting voltage levels and gamma values, ensuring stable threshold voltage compensation and maintaining image brightness and color coordinates across different dimming levels, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the display device.

Implementation Method 1

Each organic light emitting diode emits light based on a recombination of electrons and holes in an active layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3168834B1Organic light emitting display device and driving method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3168834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3168834B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3168834B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An organic light emitting display device includes a data driver, a pixel unit, a timing controller, and a power generator. The data driver generates data signals to be supplied to data lines based on gamma voltages. The pixel unit controls the amount of current flowing from a first power supply to a second power supply in each of a plurality of pixels based on the data signals and a reference power voltage. The timing controller limits the maximum brightness of the pixel unit corresponding to a plurality of dimming levels. The first power generator changes the voltage of the first power supply corresponding to the dimming levels.