Patent Application
20240363063
The present application claims priority to Patent Applications No. 10-2023-0054298, filed on Apr. 25, 2023 in Korea, and No. 10-2023-0063114, filed on Apr. 16, 2023 in Korea the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a display device and control method.
The content described in this section simply provides background information for the present disclosure and does not constitute related art.
A display may be configured using an organic light emitting diode (OLED). The OLED has a panel issue called burn-in phenomenon. Here, the burn-in phenomenon occurs when some pixels on a display panel continuously display the same image. Brightness of each pixel in the OLED decreases when an image is continuously displayed. Therefore, in the related art, luminance of the display panel is adjusted and a lifespan of the display panel is managed on the basis of a temperature of the display panel and a driving ratio of the pixels. Here, the driving ratio refers to a ratio of areas divided according to an active state of pixels on the display panel or an inactive state of the pixels on the display panel.
In a rollable display and/or a slidable display, a size of a screen on which a display panel is exposed is adjusted when the display is used. When the size of the screen on which the display panel is exposed is adjusted, a partial area of the display panel is rolled down in a housing. The rolled-down area of the display panel has residual heat that has been generated at the time of exposure even though pixels are not driven. The rolled-down area of the display panel changes an internal temperature of the housing. In the rolled-down area, heat is not effectively dissipated as the internal temperature of the housing increases. Therefore, burn-in may rapidly occur in the rolled-down area. Further, in the rolled-down area, a border area adjacent to the exposed area on the display panel requires accurate lifespan management because the border area is affected by a temperature of the exposed area.
A flexible display has a problem that the flexible display is easily damaged by an external force. The flexible display is exposed to a user by being unrolled or slid from inside of a housing. For example, when there is an object within an exposure range of the flexible display, the flexible display may be damaged due to contact with the object while moving.
When the flexible display malfunctions, it is difficult to determine whether the malfunction is due to an internal defect of the display device or due to an external force transferred from the outside of the display device.
A display device and a control method according to an embodiment can manage lifespans of the plurality of pixels by sensing a temperature at each position on a display panel.
A display device and a control method according to an embodiment can calibrate luminance and color of a display panel on the basis of a position value of an inactive area and a temperature of the inactive area on the display panel.
A display device and a control method according to an embodiment can calibrate luminance and color of a display panel on the basis of an internal temperature of a housing.
A display device and a control method according to an embodiment can calibrate a lifespan of a display panel on the basis of an area with a largest function decline on the display panel or one pixel with a largest function decline among a plurality of pixels on the display panel.
A display device according to another embodiment can determine whether there is an internal defect of a display panel or an external force and send a corresponding warning message to a user.
A display device according to another embodiment can protect a display panel from a damage risk and maintain repairability.
The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.
According to an embodiment, the display device and the control method have an effect that it is possible to manage lifespans of the plurality of pixels by sensing a temperature at each position on a display panel.
According to an embodiment, the display device and the control method have an effect that it is possible to calibrate luminance and color of a display panel on the basis of a position value of an inactive area and a temperature of the inactive area on the display panel.
According to an embodiment, the display device and the control method have an effect that it is possible to calibrate luminance and color of a display panel on the basis of an internal temperature of a housing.
According to an embodiment, the display device and the control method have an effect that it is possible to calibrate a lifespan of a display panel on the basis of an area with a largest function decline on the display panel or one pixel with a largest function decline among a plurality of pixels on the display panel.
According to another embodiment, the display device has an effect that it is possible to determine whether there is an internal defect of a display panel or an external force and send a corresponding warning message to a user.
According to another embodiment, the display device has an effect that it is possible to protect a display panel from a damage risk and maintain repairability.
Referring to
The housing 120 includes a housing opening 310 through which the display panel 110 enters or exits. The housing opening 310 is open in a z-axis direction with a top surface of the housing 120 as a reference.
The display panel 110 may cause only pixels in a portion exposed to the outside of the housing 120 to emit light. Here, the exposed portion of the display panel 110 provides a display image to a user. A non-exposed portion of the display panel 110 enters the housing 120 through a scheme such as rolling. The display panel 110 includes a plurality of pixels (not illustrated). Each of the plurality of pixels operates independently.
There may be a plurality of first sensor units 220. The first sensor unit 220 may be disposed on both sides of the display panel 110. The first sensor unit 220 may be a temperature sensor that measures a front surface temperature of an inactive area 412 on the display panel 110. Accordingly, after the display panel 110 enters the housing 120, the first sensor unit 220 measures a temperature of the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110, that is, an area of pixels that does not emit light. The first sensor unit 220 may be disposed adjacent to the housing opening 310. Specifically, the first sensor unit 220 may be disposed adjacent to the housing opening 310 to measure a temperature of a front surface of the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110 entering the housing 120, in an active area 410 on the display panel 110, that is, in an area in which a display is being performed.
The second sensor unit 230 may be a temperature sensor that measures an internal temperature of the housing 120. Here, the internal temperature is a temperature of the air inside the housing 120. The second sensor unit 230 may be disposed at any one place inside the housing 120. In
The second sensor unit 230 may include a plurality of temperature sensors. The second sensor unit 230 may be disposed at a plurality of positions inside the housing 120 to measure an internal temperature of the housing 120. The display control unit 240 may estimate an average internal temperature value of the housing 120 using the second sensor unit 230.
When the active area 410 of the display panel 110 is, for example, 100%, the display panel 110 is in a full screen mode. When the display panel 110 is in the full screen mode, all pixels on the display panel 110 are in the active state. When the active area 410 of the display panel 110 is changed from 100% to 70%, for example, 30% of the display panel 110 becomes the inactive area 412. Here, the inactive area 412 enters the housing 120. After the inactive area 412 enters the housing 120, the internal temperature of the housing 120 increases because of residual heat generated in the active state. Accordingly, the first sensor unit 220 is preferably disposed at a position at which a transition from the active area 410 to the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110 occurs.
The display control unit 240 includes some or all of a functional status calculation unit 241, a weight calculation unit 242, and a pixel calibration unit 243, which. individually or together, may be implemented by a processor.
The display control unit 240 may receive the front surface temperature value of the display panel 110 from the first sensor unit 220. The display control unit 240 may receive the internal temperature value of the housing 120 from the second sensor unit 230.
The display control unit 240 may determine lifespans of the plurality of pixels on the basis of display information received from the first sensor unit 220 and the second sensor unit 230. Here, the display information includes pixel position information, first temperature information, and second temperature information. The position information of the pixel includes a position value of the inactive area 412. The first temperature information includes a temperature value of the inactive area 412 in the plurality of pixels. The second temperature information includes the internal temperature value of the housing 120.
The display control unit 240 may calculate the lifespans of the plurality of pixels and then calibrate the lifespans of all pixels formed on the display panel 110 on the basis of the lifespan of at least one pixel with a shortest lifespan among the plurality of pixels. The display control unit 240 may calibrate the lifespans of all the pixels formed on the display panel 110 on the basis of a lifespan of an area with a shortest lifespan on the display panel 110.
A pixel sensing unit 210, implemented by, for example, a circuit, may sense an active sate and an inactive state of each of the plurality of pixels. In other words, the pixel sensing unit 210 may distinguish between the active area 410 and the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110. The pixel sensing unit 210 may sense a position value of an area on the display panel 110 entering or exiting the housing opening 310. For example, the pixel sensing unit 210 may measure a current supplied to each pixel and determine whether each pixel is active or inactive on the basis of a current value. Accordingly, the pixel sensing unit 210 may estimate the position value of the pixel in the active state or the pixel in the inactive state among the plurality of pixels.
The functional status calculation unit 241 may calculate a functional status of each of the plurality of pixels on the basis of the display information received from the pixel sensing unit 210, the first sensor unit 220, and the second sensor unit 230.
The weight calculation unit 242 may assign a function weight to the inactive area 412 on the display using at least one of pixel position information, first temperature information, and second temperature information. Here, the function weight is a weight for the lifespans of the plurality of pixels.
The weight calculation unit 242 may distinguish the function weight between the plurality of pixels or assign the function weight to each pixel. For example, the weight calculation unit 242 may assign a function weight in proportion to a distance of the inactive areas 412 adjacent to the active area 410. For example, a temperature of the active area 410 on the display panel 110 is higher than that of the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110 because the plurality of pixels emit heat. Accordingly, an area of the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110 close to the active area 410 is affected by the heat emitted from the active area 410. Accordingly, the weight calculation unit 242 may assign a larger function weight to the area of the inactive area 412 close to the active area 410.
The weight calculation unit 242 may assign a function weight to the inactive area 412 of the plurality of pixels on the basis of the first temperature information. This is because, as the first temperature information is higher, the temperature of the inactive area 412 whose temperature is measured by the first sensor unit 220 is higher.
The weight calculation unit 242 may assign a function weight proportional to the second temperature information to the inactive area 412, in which the temperature is measured by the first sensor unit 220. For example, this is because, as the internal temperature of the housing 120 increases, the temperature of the inactive area 412 on the display panel 110 increases. When the temperature of the inactive area 412 increases, the lifespan of the pixel disposed in the inactive area 412 may decrease.
The pixel calibration unit 243 may calibrate luminance of the plurality of pixels with one pixel with a largest function decline among the plurality of pixels or an area with a largest function decline on the display panel 110 as a reference on the basis of the lifespans of the plurality of pixels calculated by the functional status calculation unit 241. The pixel calibration unit 243 may calibrate colors of the plurality of pixels.
When the pixel calibration unit 243 calibrates the luminance of the entire display panel 110, the pixel calibration unit 243 may remove an afterimage of the inactive area 412 of the plurality of pixels and calibrate life uniformity of the display panel 110.
Referring to
After a portion of the display panel 110 enters the housing 120, the pixel sensing unit 210 senses an operation time of the inactive area 412 of the plurality of pixels (S520). The pixel sensing unit 210 may measure the position values of the active area 410 and the inactive area 412 of the plurality of pixels on the display panel 110 and sense the operation time.
Display information of the inactive area 412 of the plurality of pixels is sensed (S530). The display control unit 240 may receive the display information of the inactive area 412. The display control unit 240 may receive the display information from the pixel sensing unit 210, the first sensor unit 220, and the second sensor unit 230.
The functional status of the inactive area 412 is determined on the basis of the display information (S540). The functional status calculation unit 241 may calculate the functional status of the inactive area 412.
A function weight is assigned to the inactive area 412 on the basis of the functional status of the plurality of pixels (S550). The weight calculation unit 242 assigns a function weight on the basis of the functional status of the inactive area 412.
After the function weights are assigned to the plurality of pixels, the lifespan of the inactive area 412 is calculated (S560). After the function weights are assigned to the plurality of pixels, the display control unit 240 may calculate the lifespan of the inactive area 412.
The luminance and color of the plurality of pixels are calibrated (S570). When the pixel calibration unit 243 calibrates the luminance and color of the plurality of pixels, the pixel calibration unit 243 calibrates the luminance and color of the plurality of pixels on the basis of the pixel with a largest lifespan decline among the plurality of pixels or an area with a largest lifespan decline on the display panel 110.
Referring to
The display panel 610 may include a rollable display or a slidable display. The display panel 610 is rolled around a cylindrical member 625 disposed inside the housing 612. The cylindrical member 625 rotates on the basis of a rotational force of a motor 127. The motor 127 generates the rotational force to rotate the cylindrical member 625, and the cylindrical member 625 rotates so that the display panel 610 can move. Here, the movement includes horizontal or vertical movement and rolling or unrolling operations. The rolling operation is an operation in which the display panel 610 is rolled around the cylindrical member 625 and is moved into the housing 612. The unrolling operation is an operation in which the display panel 610 moves to the outside of the housing 612. A guide member 626 may be disposed near the cylindrical member 625. The guide member 626 may move the display panel 610 without interference with the display panel 610 when the display panel 610 is rolled or when the display panel 610 is exposed to the outside of the housing 612.
The third sensor units 621 and 622 are disposed on a rear surface of the display panel 610. The third sensor units 621 and 622 include a third sensor 621 and a fourth sensor 622. The third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may be photo sensors.
The third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may be disposed at the same height on the rear surface of the display panel 610. The third sensor 621 is disposed on one side of the display panel 610, and the fourth sensor 622 is disposed on the other side of the display panel 610. The third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may sense a plurality of grooves 700 formed on the rear surface of the display panel 610. Here, the plurality of grooves 700 are formed at regular intervals with a movement direction of the display panel 610 as a reference. When the display panel 610 moves, the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may measure some or all of the plurality of grooves 700. Accordingly, the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may obtain information on the movement direction and current position of the display panel 610.
For the third sensor units 621 and 622 according to another embodiment of the present invention, hall sensors may be used. The display panel 610 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of magnets disposed at regular intervals on the rear side in the movement direction of the display panel 610. The hall sensor may measure the number of magnets and the movement directions of the magnets.
The fourth sensor unit 623 measures a rotation value of the cylindrical member 625. The fourth sensor unit 623 is disposed adjacent to the cylindrical member 625. Specifically, a slot disk 624 is coupled to one side of the cylindrical member 625. The slot disk 624 includes slots formed at regular intervals on an outer peripheral surface. When the slot disk 624 rotates, the fourth sensor unit 623 may measure the rotation value of the cylindrical member 625 by counting the slots. The fourth sensor unit 623 may be a photo interrupter.
The fifth sensor unit 630 is disposed at an upper end of the display panel 610. The fifth sensor unit 630 may be a proximity sensor module. The fifth sensor unit 630 may determine the presence or absence of an object at the top of the display panel 610. The fifth sensor unit 630 may determine the presence or absence of an external force at the top of the display panel 610. For example, when the display panel 610 moves and is exposed and an object is within an exposure range of the display panel 610, the display panel 610 may be damaged. Accordingly, the fifth sensor unit 630 may determine the presence or absence of an object or external force within the exposure range of the display panel 610.
The display device 600 further includes a control unit (not illustrated). The control unit may be disposed on the PCB 628 inside the display device 600. The control unit may be an electronic control unit. The control unit may determine whether or not the balance of the display panel 610 is maintained on the basis of information on the movement direction of the display panel 610 and the current position of the display panel 610 measured by the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622. For example, the control unit may determine whether or not the balance of the display panel 610 is maintained by comparing the number of grooves measured by the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622. When the number of grooves measured by the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 are different, the control unit may determine that the balance of the display panel 610 is not maintained.
The control unit may compare the movement value of the display panel 610 measured by the third sensor units 621 and 622 with the rotation value of the cylindrical member 625 measured by the fourth sensor unit 623. This is because the movement value of the display panel 610 is the same as the rotation value of the cylindrical member 625. Accordingly, the control unit may determine whether the display panel 610 is malfunctioning using the third sensor units 621 and 622 and the fourth sensor unit 623.
The display panel 610 is operated by being unrolled to the outside of the housing 612 or rolled into the housing 612 (S800). The display panel 610 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 612. In the display device 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 610 may be rolled and exposed to the outside of the housing 612. Here, the display panel 610 may be exposed upward with the upper case 611 as a reference.
The current position and the balance of the display panel 610 are sensed (S810). When the display panel 610 moves, the third sensor units 621 and 622 may use the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 to sense the current position of the display panel 610 and the balance of the display panel 610. Here, the current position of the display panel 610 means moving toward the outside of the housing 612 (rolling out) or moving toward the inside of the housing 612 (rolling in). The third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 may sense the balance of the display panel 610 by sensing the plurality of grooves 700 formed on the rear side of the display panel 610. The fourth sensor unit 623 may measure a rotation value of the slot disk 624.
A determination is made as to whether there is an error in an operation of the display panel 610 (S820). The control unit may determine whether there is an error in the operation of the display panel 610 on the basis of the movement value of the display panel 610 and the rotation value of the slot disk 624. For example, when the movement values of the display panel 610 measured by the third sensor 621 and the fourth sensor 622 are different from each other, a determination may be made that the display panel 610 is tilted to one side and moved. When the movement value of the display panel 610 measured by the third sensor units 621 and 622 is different from the rotation value of the slot disk 624 measured by the fourth sensor unit 623, a determination may be made that there is an error in the operation of the display panel 610.
When a determination is made in step S820 that there is no error in the operation of the display panel 610, the operation of the display panel 610 is maintained (S830).
When a determination is made in step S820 that there is an error in the operation of the display panel 610, the motor 127 is stopped and a warning signal is sent (S840). The motor 127 may be disposed on one side of the cylindrical member 625. The motor 127 may be disposed on the other side of the cylindrical member 625 at which the slot disk 624 is disposed, with the cylindrical member 625 as a reference. The motor 127 may rotate the cylindrical member 625 using gears, belt, or the like. When a determination is made that there is an error in the operation of the display panel 610, the control unit may stop driving the motor 127 to prevent damage to the display panel 610.
A cause of the error in an operation of the display panel 610 is determined (S850). The control unit may determine whether a cause of the error in the operation of the display panel 610 is an operation error caused by a defect inside the display device 600 or an operation error caused by an external force from the outside of the display device 600. Step S850 will be described in detail with reference to
Referring to
When a determination is made in step S910 that no external force is sensed, a determination is made that the operation error has occurred due to the internal defect of the display device 600 (S920). When the fifth sensor unit 630 measures that there is no external force or object from the upward direction of the display device 600, the control unit determines that the malfunction is not caused by the external force or object. That is, a determination may be made that the malfunction has occurred due to the internal defect of the display device 600.
A warning message due to the internal defect is sent (S930). When the control unit determines in step S920 that the malfunction has occurred due to the internal defect of the display device 600, the control unit sends the warning message due to the internal defect. Here, the warning message may be sent to the user using an audio output device or the like included inside the vehicle.
When a determination is made in step S910 that an external force has been sensed, a warning message for an external force is sent (S940). When the fifth sensor unit 630 measures the external force and the control unit determines that the external force from the upward direction of the display device 600 is sensed, the warning message for an external force is sent. Here, for the warning message for an external force, for example, a guidance message such as “There is concern about damage to the display” and “Please remove objects around the display” may be sent using the audio output device or the like included inside the vehicle.
A determination is made as to whether an external force is continuously sensed (S950). The control unit may continuously receive information on whether an external force is sensed from the fifth sensor unit 630.
In step S950, when a determination is made that an external force is continuously sensed, a warning message for an external force is continuously sent. When a determination is made that an external force is continuously sensed in the display device 600, the same warning message as in step S940 may be continuously sent.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0054298 | Apr 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2023-0063114 | May 2023 | KR | national |
