OLED Sensing Circuit Leakage Current Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensing circuits in display devices face challenges in accurately sensing pixel currents due to leakage currents, requiring high-resolution analog-to-digital converters and occupying large areas, while also being limited by wide bias voltage ranges and flow direction changes.

Innovation Solution

A sensing circuit design that includes a current receiving unit, current source unit, current sinking unit, current detection unit, and detection signal output unit to isolate and remove leakage currents, allowing for accurate pixel current sensing across a wide bias voltage range and varying flow directions, implemented with a compact layout to reduce manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the driver reads out the pixel current during the external compensation method, then the pixel current can be sensed, but the leakage current is also read out which contaminates the sensing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel current sensing accuracyVSAvoidleakage current
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the leakage current from the sensing path by introducing a separate leakage current path through the current receiving unit. The leakage current is diverted through a dedicated route that includes a leakage current sensing transistor, allowing it to be measured and compensated separately from the pixel current, thereby eliminating its contaminating effect on the pixel current sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary leakage current sensing transistor and dedicated leakage current path that acts as a mediator between the input terminal and the sensing circuit. This intermediary structure allows the leakage current to be separately identified, measured, and compensated without directly interfering with the pixel current sensing process, thus maintaining high sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensing circuits are designed to cover different bias voltage ranges, then the bias voltage can be sensed across a wide range, but the sensing circuits occupy a large area in the driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebias voltage sensing rangeVSAvoidsensing circuit area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal sensing circuit that can handle both positive and negative bias voltage ranges through a single integrated structure. The current receiving unit and sensing circuit are designed with multi-functionality to accommodate different bias voltage polarities by selectively activating appropriate transistors and adjusting current flow directions, eliminating the need for separate sensing circuits for each voltage range and thereby reducing the overall circuit area.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow the sensing circuit to adapt its configuration based on the bias voltage range. By dynamically controlling the activation of different transistor paths and adjusting the sensing direction, the circuit maintains versatility across wide bias voltage ranges while using a compact, unified structure rather than multiple static circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the common mode voltage is fixed to a high level by the sensing current, then the sensing operation can be performed, but the sensing range is clamped and limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing operationVSAvoidsensing range
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic common mode voltage adjustment by controlling the sensing current direction and magnitude based on the bias voltage range. The sensing circuit can dynamically shift the common mode voltage level to accommodate both positive and negative pixel currents, preventing clamping effects and expanding the usable sensing range while maintaining stable sensing operation through adaptive current control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10657902B2Sensing circuit of display device for sensing pixel current
Publication Date: 2020.05.19 SILICON WORKS CO LTD
  • US10657902B2 patent drawing
  • US10657902B2 patent drawing
  • US10657902B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a sensing circuit of a display device for external compensation of an OLED. The sensing circuit includes a current receiving unit configured to receive a pixel current containing a leakage current, convert the pixel current at a preset current ratio, and output the converted pixel current; a current source unit; a current sinking unit; a current detection unit; and a detection signal output unit configured to sample an offset voltage corresponding to the leakage current using the detected current.