Pixel Circuit Initialization for OLED Hysteresis Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting display devices face challenges in maintaining consistent brightness and efficiency across varying driving frequencies, particularly due to hysteresis effects in transistors, leading to perceptible flicker and brightness changes.

Innovation Solution

A pixel circuit design incorporating multiple transistors and capacitors, including a novel initialization and compensation mechanism, allows for operation at various driving frequencies by minimizing hysteresis effects through controlled voltage levels and bypassing currents during specific periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pixel circuits are used, then the display device can operate at standard driving frequencies, but brightness instability and flicker occur when operating at varying driving frequencies due to transistor hysteresis effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving frequency adaptabilityVSAvoidbrightness stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel circuit performs preliminary initialization of the first transistor's gate electrode to a reference voltage level before data writing, and pre-charges the light emitting diode's first electrode to a predetermined voltage level. These preliminary actions ensure that regardless of the driving frequency or previous state, the circuit starts from a known stable state, preventing hysteresis-induced brightness variations when operating at varying frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel circuit dynamically adjusts voltage parameters including initializing the gate electrode voltage to a reference level, adjusting the source electrode voltage based on compensation transistor characteristics, and controlling the light emitting diode's first electrode voltage to maintain stable current flow. These parameter changes compensate for transistor hysteresis effects and ensure consistent brightness across different driving frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If transistor hysteresis effects are not compensated, then the circuit design remains simple, but perceptible flicker and brightness changes occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit complexityVSAvoidflicker and brightness changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel circuit employs a compensation transistor connected in parallel with the first transistor, where the compensation transistor's characteristics are used to sense and compensate for hysteresis effects. The gate electrode voltage is adjusted based on compensation signals that feedback from the transistor's actual operating state, thereby eliminating flicker and brightness changes while maintaining reasonable circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A compensation transistor is introduced as an intermediary element that mediates between the data writing transistor and the light emitting diode. This intermediary component allows the circuit to compensate for hysteresis effects without requiring complete redesign of the entire pixel circuit, balancing complexity reduction with harmful factor elimination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If initialization voltage is continuously applied, then the gate electrode voltage remains stable, but power consumption increases and the circuit cannot respond to dynamic display requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegate voltage stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The initialization voltage is applied periodically rather than continuously - specifically during initialization periods and before data writing operations. The circuit uses control signals to enable the initialization transistor only when needed, thereby maintaining gate electrode voltage stability when required while minimizing power consumption during normal operation and dynamic display updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4120232B1Pixel and display device
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP4120232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4120232B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A pixel (PX) includes: a light emitting diode (ED); a first transistor (T1); a first capacitor (Cst) connected between a first node (N1) and a gate electrode of the first transistor (T1); a second transistor (T4) including a first electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor (T1), a second electrode and a gate electrode which receives a first scan signal (GCj); and a third transistor (T8) including a first electrode electrically connected to the second electrode of the second transistor (T4), a second electrode electrically connected to a third voltage line (VL3), and a gate electrode which receives a second scan signal (EBj). During an initialization period, an initialization voltage (VINT1) provided from the third voltage line (VL3) is provided to the gate electrode of the first transistor (T1) through the third transistor (T8) and second transistor (T4), and, when the initialization period is terminated, at least one of the second transistor (T4) and the third transistor (T3) is turned off.