Pixel Circuit Light Emission Control Signal for OLED Dimming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light-emitting display devices face limitations in operating at various driving frequencies and efficiently managing light emission control signals for dimming modes, leading to inconsistencies in luminance and potential image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A pixel circuit design that includes specific transistors and capacitors to generate current for a light-emitting diode based on scan signals and light emission control signals, with a light emission control signal structure comprising active and inactive sections that adjust according to a dimming mode, allowing for flexible driving frequencies and improved luminance control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional light emission control signal is used in organic light-emitting display devices, then the device can operate at a fixed driving frequency, but the device cannot efficiently manage light emission control for dimming modes and operates only at limited driving frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving frequency adaptabilityVSAvoidlight emission control signal structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light emission control signal is divided into multiple distinct sections: a first section with a first duration, a second section with a second duration, and a third section with a third duration. Each section serves a specific function in controlling the light-emitting diode, allowing independent optimization of each segment's timing and characteristics to achieve versatile driving frequency operation while maintaining manageable signal structure complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The durations of the first, second, and third sections are configured to be adjustable parameters that can be dynamically modified based on driving frequency requirements and dimming mode settings. This dynamic configuration enables the pixel circuit to adapt to various driving frequencies (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz) without requiring complete redesign of the control signal structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If the light emission control signal duration is increased to improve luminance control, then better luminance adjustment is achieved, but image quality degradation due to hysteresis characteristics increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance control precisionVSAvoidimage quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first section of the light emission control signal is configured to activate the light-emitting diode in advance before the main light emission period (second section). This preliminary activation ensures that the organic light-emitting diode reaches its optimal emission state before full brightness is required, improving luminance control precision while minimizing hysteresis effects by establishing a stable operating point beforehand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The light emission control signal employs periodic pulsing with distinct sections (first, second, and third sections) that repeat at each frame cycle. By structuring the signal as periodic pulses with optimized duration ratios between sections, the invention achieves precise luminance control through duty cycle adjustment while maintaining image quality consistency through regular, predictable timing patterns that prevent hysteresis accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

Enables the pixel to operate effectively at various driving frequencies and adjust luminance by varying the light emission control signal sections, minimizing image quality degradation due to hysteresis characteristics and improving display performance.

Implementation Method 1

an organic light-emitting diode that emits light by recombination of electrons and holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11676535B2Pixel and display device
Publication Date: 2023.06.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US11676535B2 patent drawing
  • US11676535B2 patent drawing
  • US11676535B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A pixel of a display device includes a light-emitting diode and a pixel circuit that provides a current corresponding to a data signal to the light-emitting diode in response to a plurality of scan signals and a light emission control signal. The light emission control signal includes a first section and a second section, the second section includes a light-emission-on section and a light-emission-off section, the light emission control signal has an active level in the light-emission-on section and has an inactive level in each of the first section and the light-emission-off section, and the light-emission-on section and the light-emission-off section of the light emission control signal may vary depending on a light emission ratio of a dimming mode.