This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0184911, filed on Dec. 22, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a display device.
Among display devices currently being developed, there are self-luminous display devices with a display panel itself emitting light. The display panel of the self-luminous display device may include subpixels each including a light emitting element and a driving transistor for driving the light emitting element to emit light by itself.
The circuit elements, such as driving transistors and light emitting elements, disposed on the display panel of the self-luminous display device each have their own characteristic values. For example, driving transistors have a threshold voltage and mobility, and light emitting elements have a threshold voltage, as their unique characteristic values.
The circuit elements in each subpixel may degrade over driving time so that their unique characteristic values may vary. Each subpixel may have a different driving time so that variations in characteristic value between subpixels may differ. Accordingly, as the driving time elapses, a deviation between the characteristic values of the subpixels may occur, causing a deviation in luminance between the subpixels. The luminance deviation between the subpixels may deteriorate the luminance uniformity of the display panel, with the result of poor image quality.
In the display technology field, various techniques have been developed to sense and compensate for luminance deviations between subpixels. However, the current compensation techniques require a complicated subpixel structure and signal line structure for sensing the luminance deviation between subpixels, the driving method for sensing the characteristic values of the subpixels is complicated, and such issues may be an obstacle to enhancing the aperture ratio and implementing a high resolution.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of grasping the luminance deviation between subpixels through a simple sensing operation by way of a simple subpixel structure and signal line structure to thereby compensate for the luminance deviation and easier to implement a high aperture ratio and a high resolution.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device capable of sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between subpixels even without the need for a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure and complicated sensing driving.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by using a rear sensing structure of a display panel.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by configuring a rear sensing structure of a display panel to be movable.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device having a higher aperture ratio and higher resolution by sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between the subpixels without a complex subpixel structure and a complex signal line structure.
The present disclosure is also to provide a display device comprising a display panel including a plurality of light emitting elements, a moving bar movable on a rear surface of the display panel, and a plurality of sensor modules mounted on the moving bar and configured to sense sensing light emitted from a rear surface of the display panel.
The display device according to various aspects of the present disclosure may further comprise a sensing controller configured to control a movement of the moving bar and receive a sensing value from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules.
In the display device according to various aspects of the present disclosure, the display panel may include a plurality of sensing light emission holes for emitting the sensing light to the rear surface of the display panel.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of sensing light emission holes through which light is emitted to a rear surface opposite to a viewing surface, and a plurality of sensor modules configured to sense light emitted through at least one of the plurality of sensing light emission holes.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further comprise a sensing controller configured to receive a sensing value from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further include a moving bar movable on the rear surface of the display panel.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of sensor modules may be mounted on the moving bar.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes a display panel including a plurality of light emitting elements, a sensor modules configured to sense sensing light emitted from a rear surface of the display panel, which is opposite to a viewing surface of the display panel, and a sensing controller configured to receive a sensing value from the sensor modules, and generate a compensation value for the light emitting element based on the received sensing value.
The display device according to various aspects of the present disclosure may further comprise a moving bar movable on the rear surface of the display panel under the control of the sensing controller, wherein the sensor module is mounted on the moving bar.
The display device according to various aspects of the present disclosure may further comprise a sensing light emission hole for emitting the sensing light to the rear surface of the display panel.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there may be provided a display device capable of sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between subpixels even without the need for a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure and complicated sensing driving.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there may be provided a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by using a rear sensing structure of a display panel.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there may be provided a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by configuring a rear sensing structure of a display panel to be movable.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, there may be provided a display device having a higher aperture ratio and higher resolution by sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between the subpixels without a complex subpixel structure and a complex signal line structure.
The above and other features and advantages of the disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following description of examples or aspects of the disclosure, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which it is shown by way of illustration specific examples or aspects that can be implemented, and in which the same reference numerals and signs can be used to designate the same or like components even when they are shown in different accompanying drawings from one another. Further, in the following description of examples or aspects of the disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and components incorporated herein will be omitted when it is determined that the description may make the subject matter in some aspects of the disclosure rather unclear. The terms such as “including”, “having”, “containing”, “constituting” “make up of”, and “formed of” used herein are generally intended to allow other components to be added unless the terms are used with the term “only”. As used herein, singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Terms, such as “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(A)”, or “(B)” may be used herein to describe elements of the disclosure. Each of these terms is not used to define essence, order, sequence, or number of elements etc., but is used merely to distinguish the corresponding element from other elements.
When it is mentioned that a first element “is connected or coupled to”, “contacts or overlaps” etc. a second element, it should be interpreted that, not only can the first element “be directly connected or coupled to” or “directly contact or overlap” the second element, but a third element can also be “interposed” between the first and second elements, or the first and second elements can “be connected or coupled to”, “contact or overlap”, etc. each other via a fourth element. Here, the second element may be included in at least one of two or more elements that “are connected or coupled to”, “contact or overlap”, etc. each other.
When time relative terms, such as “after,” “subsequent to,” “next,” “before,” and the like, are used to describe processes or operations of elements or configurations, or flows or steps in operating, processing, manufacturing methods, these terms may be used to describe non-consecutive or non-sequential processes or operations unless the term “directly” or “immediately” is used together.
In addition, when any dimensions, relative sizes etc. are mentioned, it should be considered that numerical values for an elements or features, or corresponding information (e.g., level, range, etc.) include a tolerance or error range that may be caused by various factors (e.g., process factors, internal or external impact, noise, etc.) even when a relevant description is not specified. Further, the term “may” fully encompasses all the meanings of the term “can”.
Hereinafter, various aspects of the disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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The display panel 110 may include signal lines, such as a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL, and may include a plurality of subpixels SP connected with the plurality of data lines DL and the plurality of gate lines GL.
The display panel 110 may include a display area DA in which images are displayed and a non-display area NDA in which no image is displayed.
In the display area DA, signal lines, such as a plurality of data lines DL and a plurality of gate lines GL, may be disposed, and a plurality of subpixels SP for displaying an image may be disposed. In the non-display area NDA, the signal lines disposed in the display area DA may be extended and disposed, the data driving circuit 120 and/or the gate driving circuit 130 may be mounted, or pad portions to which the data driving circuit 120, gate driving circuit 130 or a printed circuit is connected may be disposed.
The data driving circuit 120 is a circuit for driving the plurality of data lines DL, and may supply data signals to the plurality of data lines DL.
The gate driving circuit 130 is a circuit for driving the plurality of gate lines GL, and may supply gate signals to the plurality of gate lines GL.
The display controller 140 may supply a data control signal DCS to the data driving circuit 120 to control the operation timing of the data driving circuit 120. The display controller 140 may supply a gate control signal GCS for controlling the operation timing of the gate driving circuit 130 to the gate driving circuit 130.
The display controller 140 may start gate driving (scanning) according to the timing implemented in each frame, convert the input image data (image signal) input from an external host module 150 into image data Data according to the data signal format used in the data driving circuit 120, supply the image data Data to the data driving circuit 120, and control data driving at an appropriate time according to the gate driving.
The display controller 140 receives, from the outside (e.g., a host system), various timing signals including a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, an input data enable signal DE, and a clock signal, along with the input image data (image signal).
To control the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130, the display controller 140 receives timing signals, such as the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, input data enable signal DE, and clock signal CLK, generates various control signals DCS and GCS, and outputs the control signals to the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130.
As an example, to control the gate driving circuit 130, the display controller 140 outputs various gate control signals GCS including a gate start pulse GSP, a gate shift clock GSC, and a gate output enable signal (Gate Output Enable, GOE).
The gate start pulse GSP controls the operation start timing of one or more gate driver integrated circuits constituting each gate driving circuit 130. The gate shift clock GSC is a clock signal commonly input to one or more gate driver integrated circuits and controls the shift timing of the scan signals (gate pulses). The gate output enable signal GOE designates timing information about one or more gate driver integrated circuits.
To control the data driving circuit 120, the display controller 140 outputs various data control signals DCS including, e.g., a source start pulse SSP, a source sampling clock SSC, and a source output enable signal (Source Output Enable, SOE).
The source start pulse SSP controls the data sampling start timing of one or more source driver integrated circuits constituting the data driving circuit 120. The source sampling clock SSC is a clock signal for controlling the sampling timing of data in each source driver integrated circuit. The source output enable signal SOE controls the output timing of the data driving circuit 120.
The display controller 140 may be implemented as a separate component from the data driving circuit 120, or the controller 140, along with the data driving circuit 120, may be implemented as an integrated circuit.
The data driving circuit 120 receives the image data Data from the display controller 140 and supply data voltages to the plurality of data lines DL, thereby driving the plurality of data lines DL. The data driving circuit 120 is also referred to as a ‘source driving circuit.’
The data driving circuit 120 may include one or more source driver integrated circuit (SDICs). Each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may include a shift register, a latch circuit, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and an output buffer. In some cases, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may further include an analog-digital converter ADC.
For example, each source driver integrated circuit (SDIC) may be connected with the display panel 110 by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method or connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 by a chip on glass (COG) or chip on panel (COP) method or may be implemented by a chip on film (COF) method and connected with the display panel 110.
The gate driving circuit 130 may output a gate signal of a turn-on level voltage or a gate signal of a turn-off level voltage according to the control of the display controller 140. The gate driving circuit 130 may sequentially drive the plurality of gate lines GL by sequentially supplying gate signals of the turn-on level voltage to the plurality of gate lines GL.
The gate driving circuit 130 may be connected with the display panel 110 by TAB method or connected to a bonding pad of the display panel 110 by a COG or COP method or may be connected with the display panel 110 according to a COF method. Alternatively, the gate driving circuit 130 may be formed in a gate in panel (GIP) type, in the non-display area NDA of the display panel 110.
When a specific gate line GL is opened by the gate driving circuit 130, the data driving circuit 120 may convert the image data Data received from the display controller 140 into an analog data voltage and supply it to the plurality of data lines DL.
The data driving circuit 120 may be connected to one side (e.g., an upper or lower side) of the display panel 110. Depending on the driving scheme or the panel design scheme, data driving circuits 120 may be connected with both the sides (e.g., both the upper and lower sides) of the display panel 110, or two or more of the four sides of the display panel 110.
The gate driving circuit 130 may be connected to one side (e.g., a left or right side) of the display panel 110. Depending on the driving scheme or the panel design scheme, gate driving circuits 130 may be connected with both the sides (e.g., both the left and right sides) of the display panel 110, or two or more of the four sides of the display panel 110.
The display controller 140 may be a timing controller used in typical display technology, or a control device that may perform other control functions as well as the functions of the timing controller.
The display controller 140 may be implemented as various circuits or electronic components, such as an integrated circuit (IC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a processor.
The display controller 140 may be mounted on a printed circuit board or a flexible printed circuit and may be electrically connected with the data driving circuit 120 and the gate driving circuit 130 through the printed circuit board or the flexible printed circuit.
The display controller 140 may transmit/receive signals to/from the data driving circuit 120 according to one or more predetermined interfaces. The interface may include, e.g., a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface, an EPI interface, and a serial peripheral interface (SPI). The display controller 140 may include storage, such as one or more registers.
The display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may be a self-luminous display, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a quantum dot display, or a micro light emitting diode (LED) display.
When the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure is an OLED display, each subpixel SP may include an organic light emitting diode (OLED), which by itself emits light, as the light emitting element. When the display device 100 is a quantum dot display, each subpixel SP may include a light emitting element formed of a quantum dot, which is a self-luminous semiconductor crystal. When the display device 100 is a micro LED display, each subpixel SP may include a micro LED, which is self-emissive and formed of an inorganic material, as the light emitting element.
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The light emitting element ED may include a pixel electrode PE and a common electrode CE and may further include a light emitting layer EL between the pixel electrode PE and the common electrode CE. The pixel electrode PE may be an anode electrode or a cathode electrode. The common electrode CE may be a cathode electrode or an anode electrode. For example, the light emitting element ED may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED), an inorganic light emitting diode, or a quantum dot light emitting element.
The driving transistor DRT is a transistor for driving the light emitting element ED, and may include a first node N1, a second node N2, and a third node N3.
The first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT may be a gate node of the driving transistor DRT, and may be electrically connected with a source node or a drain node of the scan transistor SCT. The second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT may be a source node or a drain node of the driving transistor DRT, and may be electrically connected to the pixel electrode PE of the light emitting element ED. The third node N3 of the driving transistor DRT may be electrically connected with a driving voltage line DVL supplying a driving voltage EVDD.
The scan transistor SCT may be controlled by the scan signal SCAN and may be connected between the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT and the data line DL. In other words, the scan transistor SCT may be turned on or off according to the scan signal SCAN supplied from the scan signal line SCL, controlling the connection between the data line DL and the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT.
The scan transistor SCT may be turned on by the scan signal SCAN having a turn-on level voltage and transfer the data voltage Vdata supplied from the data line DL to the first node N1 of the driving transistor DRT.
Each of the driving transistor DRT and the scan transistor SCT may be an n-type transistor or a p-type transistor.
The storage capacitor Cst may be electrically connected between the first node N1 and second node N2 of the driving transistor DRT. The storage capacitor Cst is charged with the quantity of electric charge corresponding to the voltage difference between both ends thereof and serves to maintain the voltage difference between both ends for a predetermined frame time. Accordingly, during the predetermined frame time, the corresponding subpixel SP may emit light.
The storage capacitor Cst is not a parasitic capacitor (e.g., Cgs or Cgd) which is an internal capacitor existing between the gate node and the source node (or drain node) of the driving transistor DRT, but may be an external capacitor intentionally designed outside the driving transistor DRT.
The subpixel SP disposed on the display panel 110 may further include one or more transistors and, in some cases, may further include one or more capacitors.
Each of the driving transistor DRT and/or the light emitting element ED included in each of the plurality of subpixels SP disposed on the display panel 110 of the display device 100 according to aspects may have its own intrinsic characteristic value. For example, the unique characteristic values of the driving transistor DRT may include a threshold voltage and mobility. The intrinsic characteristic values of the light emitting element ED may include, e.g., a threshold voltage.
The characteristic values of the driving transistor DRT included in each of the plurality of subpixels SP may vary over the driving time. All of the plurality of subpixels SP do not have the same driving time. In other words, the driving time of some of the plurality of subpixels SP may be different from the driving time of the rest.
Accordingly, the characteristic values of the respective driving transistors DRT of the plurality of subpixels SP are not all the same. In other words, the characteristic values of the driving transistors DRT of some subpixels SP among the plurality of subpixels SP may be different from the characteristic values of the driving transistors DRT of other subpixels SP.
Due to deviations in characteristic values between the plurality of driving transistors DRT disposed on the display panel 110, luminance deviations may occur between the plurality of subpixels SP disposed on the display panel 110. Thus, a luminance non-uniformity may occur in the display panel 110.
Similar to the deviations in characteristic values between the plurality of driving transistors DRT disposed on the display panel 110, deviations in characteristic values between the plurality of light emitting elements ED disposed on the display panel 110 may also exist. Resultantly, luminance deviations may occur between the plurality of subpixels SP disposed on the display panel 110 so that a luminance non-uniformity may occur.
The conventional display device provides a compensation function for reducing the deviation in characteristic value between driving transistors DRT or deviation in characteristic value between light emitting elements ED by performing complicated sensing driving on the subpixels SP of the display panel 110 and sensing the signal lines disposed on the display panel 110 to thereby sense the characteristic values of the driving transistors DRT or light emitting elements ED.
In other words, the conventional display device necessarily needs a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure to sense the deviation in luminance between the subpixels SP, ending up with a complicated driving method for sensing the characteristic values of the subpixels SP having the complicated structure.
However, the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may provide a “new concept, rear sensing-based compensation system” that eliminates the need for a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure and a complicated sensing driving method. Described below is a rear sensing-based compensation system of the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure.
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In the disclosure, the light emitted from the rear surface of the display panel 110 is light for sensing purposes, and may also be referred to below as sensing light.
In the disclosure, the viewing surface of the display panel 110 is the surface that the user views and the surface where the display light is emitted, and the rear surface of the display panel 110 is the surface which is positioned opposite to the viewing surface of the display panel 110 and where the sensing light is emitted.
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The sensing controller 340 may control the movement of the moving bar MVB and may receive a sensing value from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules SM.
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Each of the display light emission path layer 310 and the sensing light emission path layer 320 may include several layers. The display light emission path layer 310 and the sensing light emission path layer 320 may be completely separated layers. Alternatively, the display light emission path layer 310 and the sensing light emission path layer 320 may partially overlap.
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Depending on whether the light emitting structure of the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure is a top-emission structure or a bottom-emission structure, the detailed stack structure of each of the display light emission path layer 310 and the sensing light emission path layer 320 may vary. This is described below in further detail with reference to
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The display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may easily and accurately identify the luminance characteristics of the subpixels SP and deviations in luminance between the subpixels SP using rear sensing elements (the moving bar MVB, the plurality of sensor modules SM, etc.).
Accordingly, the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure does not need a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure and a complicated sensing driving scheme to figure out the luminance characteristics (e.g., the threshold voltage and mobility of the driving transistor DRT and the threshold voltage of the light emitting element ED) of the subpixels SP.
Further, the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may not need various circuit components necessary for sensing driving. For example, the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may not need to include circuit components, such as a sample and hold circuit and an analog-to-digital converter.
Further, since the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure does not require complicated sensing driving for the subpixels SP, the subpixels SP may be designed with a simple structure (e.g., 2T1C of
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At t=t0, the moving bar MVB may be positioned at an initial point P0 corresponding to an upper point (or a lower point) of the rear surface of the display panel 110. In this case, the plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB do not perform a sensing operation.
After t=t0, the sensing operation may start in earnest according to the start of the compensation timing, so that the moving bar MVB may start to move downward (or upward) from the initial point P0, and the plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB may start a sensing operation.
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In this case, the plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB may be in the state of having performed the sensing operation on the light (sensing light) emitted from all or some of the subpixels SP disposed in a partial display area corresponding to ⅓ of the display area DA of the display panel 110, through the sensing light emission holes SLH.
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The plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB may be in the state of having performed the sensing operation on the light (sensing light) emitted from all or some of the subpixels SP disposed in a partial display area corresponding to ⅔ of the display area DA, through the sensing light emission holes SLH.
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The sensing controller 340 may calculate the luminance of each of the plurality of subpixels SP disposed on the display panel 110 based on the sensing values received from the plurality of sensor modules SM, compare the luminance calculated for each of the plurality of subpixels SP with a reference luminance to calculate a luminance variation for each of the plurality of subpixels SP, generate compensation values capable of reducing or removing the luminance deviation of each of the plurality of subpixels SP based on the luminance variation calculated for each of the plurality of subpixels SP, and store the generated compensation values in a lookup table (LUT). The compensation value may include an offset and a gain to be used when changing the original image data (compensation processing). The compensation values are also referred to as aging compensation values of the light emitting elements ED.
The display controller 140 may change the image data by referring to the compensation LUT and supply it to the data driving circuit 120.
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The luminance sensor 500 included in each of the plurality of sensor modules SM may be an image sensor. For example, the luminance sensor 500 may be implemented as a contact image sensor (CIS).
The light control film 510 may be a film positioned between the rear surface of the display panel 110 and the luminance sensor 500 to control the sensing light emitted through at least one of the plurality of sensing light emission holes SLH in the rear surface of the display panel 110 to be incident on the luminance sensor 500. The light control film 510 may transfer high-straightness light (sensing light) to the luminance sensor 500. Accordingly, the luminance sensor 500 may more accurately sense the luminance of the subpixel SP.
The sensing light BF emitted through at least one sensing light emission hole SLH to the rear surface of the display panel 110 is input to the sensor module SM at all angles. The sensing light BF emitted to the rear surface of the display panel 110 passes through the first light control film 511 in the sensor module SM. For example, the sensing light AF1 passing through the first light control film 511 has only a component within an angle of about ±30 degrees in the first direction.
The sensing light AF1 passing through the first light control film 511 passes through the second light control film 512 in the sensor module SM. For example, the sensing light AF2 passing through the second light control film 512 has only a component within an angle of about ±20 degrees in the second direction.
If the sensing light BF emitted from the rear surface of the display panel 110 passes through the first light control film 511 and the second light control film 512, straightness increases. Accordingly, the luminance sensor 500 may more accurately sense the luminance of the subpixel SP.
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The plurality of first slits SLT1 and the plurality of second slits SLT2 may be formed in directions crossing each other. For example, each of the plurality of first slits SLT1 may be formed in a horizontal direction, and each of the plurality of second slits SLT2 may be formed in a vertical direction. Each of the plurality of second slits SLT2 may be formed in a horizontal direction, and each of the plurality of first slits SLT1 may be formed in a vertical direction.
The optical filter 610 may be a slit filter positioned between the rear surface of the display panel 110 and the luminance sensor 500 to filter only high-straightness sensing light among the sensing light emitted through at least one sensing light emission hole SLH to the rear surface of the display panel 110 and input it to the luminance sensor 500 and may transfer high-straightness sensing light to the luminance sensor 500. Accordingly, the luminance sensor 500 may more accurately sense the luminance of the subpixel SP.
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For example, when one pixel PXL includes four subpixels SP, one sensing light emission hole SLH_R may be positioned corresponding to the emission areas of four subpixels SP. The four subpixels SP may include a red subpixel, a blue subpixel, a white subpixel, and a green subpixel.
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When the shape or size of the emission area of the subpixel SP is varied in both the vertical direction and horizontal direction, if the sensing light emission hole SLH_D has a diagonal line shape, the sensing light generated from the subpixel SP may be normally emitted without blockage through the diagonal line-shaped sensing light emission hole SLH_D.
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The display panel 110 may include first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4, first to fourth light emitting layers EL1, EL2, EL3, and EL4 respectively disposed on the first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4, a common electrode CE positioned on the first to fourth light emitting layers EL1, EL2, EL3, and EL4, and an encapsulation layer ENCAP positioned on the common electrode CE.
The display panel 110 may include first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4 respectively connected to the first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4.
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The vertical structure is described below in more detail with reference to
The active layer ACT of each of the first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4 may be disposed on the first substrate SUB1.
A gate insulation film GI may be disposed on the active layer ACT of each of the first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4.
A gate electrode G of each of the first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4 may be disposed on the gate insulation film GI, and an inter-layer insulation film ILD may be disposed thereon.
A source electrode S and a drain electrode D of each of the first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4 may be disposed on the inter-layer insulation film (ILD), and a planarization layer PLN may be disposed thereon.
First to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4 may be disposed on the planarization layer PLN. The first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4 may be electrically connected with the respective source electrodes S of the first to fourth driving transistors DRT1, DRT2, DRT3, and DRT4 by through holes in the planarization layer PLN.
A bank BANK may be disposed to cover a portion of each of the first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4. The bank BANK may include first to fourth openings, and the first to fourth openings may correspond to the emission areas of the first to fourth subpixels SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4.
First to fourth light emitting layers EL1, EL2, EL3, and EL4 may be disposed on the first to fourth pixel electrodes PE1, PE2, PE3, and PE4 exposed through the first to fourth openings, respectively, of the bank BANK.
A common electrode CE may be disposed on the first to fourth light emitting layers EL1, EL2, EL3, and EL4, a passivation layer PAS may be disposed on the common electrode CE, and an encapsulation layer ENCAP may be disposed thereon. The passivation layer PAS may also be a part of the encapsulation layer ENCAP. A second substrate SUB2 may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENCAP, and a polarization plate POL may be disposed on the second substrate SUB2.
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For example, each sensing light emission hole SLH may include only a penetrated portion of the second substrate SUB2 corresponding to the back cover. Accordingly, the sensing light emission path through which the emitted sensing light reaches the sensor module SM may include a portion in which the sensing light emission hole SLH is formed and a portion in which the sensing light emission hole SLH is not formed. For example, in the sensing light emission path, the portion in which the sensing light emission hole SLH is not formed may include one or more of the light emitting layers EL1, EL2, EL3, and EL4, the common electrode CE, and the encapsulation layer ENCAP. For example, in the sensing light emission path, the portion in which the sensing light emission hole SLH is not formed may be formed of a material having high transmittance as compared to other insulation layers or other metals.
As described above, when the sensing light emission hole SLH is formed only in a portion of the sensing light emission path, the intensity of the sensing light may be attenuated in the portion where the sensing light emission hole SLH is not formed. Since the attenuation of the intensity of the sensing light is due to the vertical structure of the panel, when the vertical structure of the panel is determined, the attenuation rate of the sensing light in the portion where the sensing light emission hole SLH is not formed may be determined. The display device 100 may previously store the sensing light attenuation rate at which the intensity of the sensing light is attenuated in the sensing light path. The sensing controller 340 may correct the sensing value or luminance value received from the sensor module SM based on a previously stored sensing light attenuation rate and perform a predetermined subsequent process using the corrected sensing value or luminance value.
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When the rear sensing operation for all subpixel rows is performed, the moving distance of the moving bar MVB may correspond to the inter-center distance L between the sensing light emission holes SLH adjacent in the vertical direction.
When the rear sensing operation for odd-numbered subpixel rows is performed, the moving distance of the moving bar MVB may correspond to twice the inter-center distance L between the sensing light emission holes SLH adjacent in the vertical direction.
Referring to
The plurality of sensor modules SM may be disposed on the moving bar MVB.
The motor 1510 may provide power to move the moving bar MVB.
The sensing controller 340 is a device that overall controls the sensing and compensation functions using the movable rear sensor structure, and may control the sensing operation of each of the plurality of sensor modules SM, control the movement of the moving bar MVB, and may control whether to rotate the motor 1510, the rotation direction, or the rotation speed.
The sensing controller 340 may be disposed on the printed circuit board 110.
For example, when the plurality of sensor modules SM are implemented as contact image sensors CIS, the sensing controller 340 and the plurality of sensor modules SM may communicate with each other through a camera link standard.
The sensing controller 340 and the display controller 140 may communicate through an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) communication interface or a serial-parallel interface (SPI).
The display controller 140 may output a sensing toggling signal indicating a sensing time to the sensing controller 340.
Upon receiving a sensing toggling signal, the sensing controller 340 may control the motor 1510 and the plurality of sensor modules SM so that a sensing operation may proceed and, upon sensing, may control to display a sensing image on the display panel 110.
The sensing controller 340 may control to display the sensing image on the whole or part of the display area DA of the display panel 110 and provide the sensing image to the display controller 140.
When the sensing image is displayed while moving according to the movement of the moving bar MVB, the sensing controller 340 may provide position information about the moving bar MVB or panel position information (e.g., subpixel information) corresponding to the position of the moving bar MVB to the display controller 140.
Accordingly, the display controller 140 may control the gate driving circuit 130 and the data driving circuit 120 so that the sensing image is displayed in the area synchronized with the position of the moving bar MVB.
The sensing controller 340 may control one or more of the rotation speed and rotation direction of the motor 1510 and thereby control one or more of the moving speed and the moving direction of the moving bar MVB.
The moving speed of the moving bar MVB needs to be precisely controlled considering the sensing speed of the plurality of sensor modules SM and layout information about the subpixels SP (e.g., the size and interval of the subpixels SP). Accordingly, the sensing controller 340 may output a movement synchronization signal to the motor 1510.
Whenever a sensing operation of the plurality of sensor modules SM is required, the sensing controller 340 may output a trigger signal for triggering the sensing operation of the plurality of sensor modules SM to the plurality of sensor modules SM.
When each of the plurality of sensor modules SM is a contact image sensor CIS, the time during which the plurality of sensor modules SM are exposed to the sensing light may be adjusted by a trigger signal. In other words, the sensing controller 340 may control the light exposure time of each of the plurality of sensor modules SM through the trigger signal.
The sensing controller 340 may control the moving speed of the moving bar MVB based on the output period of the trigger signal.
Each of the plurality of sensor modules SM may perform the sensing operation by the trigger signal to sense the luminance of the sensing light and transmit the sensing value (sensing data) for the luminance to the sensing controller 340 in a wired or wireless scheme.
The sensing controller 340 may receive the sensing value for luminance from each of the plurality of sensor modules SM, generate a compensation value based on the sensing value received from each of the plurality of sensor modules SM, and store the generated compensation value in a memory or a compensation lookup table (LUT). Specifically, the sensing controller 340 may receive the sensing value (sensing data) for luminance from each of the plurality of sensor modules SM and may generate a luminance map (luminance distribution data) 1610 based on the sensing value received from each of the plurality of sensor modules SM. The sensing controller 340 may compare the luminance map (luminance distribution data) 1610 generated through the sensing results with a pre-stored reference luminance map (reference luminance distribution data) 1620 to grasp a variation in the luminance of each of the plurality of subpixels SP, calculate a compensation value capable of reducing or removing the deviation in luminance between the plurality of subpixels SP, store the calculated compensation value (information) in the compensation LUT or change the information (compensation value) pre-stored in the compensation LUT. The reference luminance map (reference luminance distribution data) 1620 may be data stored in the compensation LUT.
Referring to
In this case, as described above, the display device 100 according to aspects of the disclosure may include a printed circuit board PCB on which the sensing controller 340 is mounted and which is coupled to the housing 310 and a flexible cable FCBL connecting the printed circuit board PCB with the moving bar MVB. For example, the flexible cable FCBL may be, e.g., a flexible printed circuit (FPC) or a flexible flat cable (FFC).
Referring to
Referring to
The first communication module COM1 and the second communication module COM2 may communicate in a short-range wireless scheme, such as Bluetooth, or in a wireless communication scheme using an access point, such as a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) scheme.
When the plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB and the sensing controller 340 communicate in a wireless scheme, the sensing controller 340 may communicate with an external server through an access point. The sensing controller 340 may communicate with an external server to receive reference information (e.g., reference luminance) for calculating a compensation value.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
If the display controller 140 or the sensing controller 340 does not determine that the timing is a timing when compensation is required in step S110, the display controller 140 performs a state change to the standby state and waits for a predetermined time (S100).
If the display controller 140 or the sensing controller 340 determines that the timing is a timing when compensation is required in step S110, the sensing controller 340 may initialize the position of the moving bar MVB to the initial point P0 (S112) and control to display a sensing image on the display panel 110 (S114).
The sensing controller 340 may set sensor module driving parameters (S116). The sensor module driving parameters may include, e.g., movement control information (e.g., moving speed and moving direction) of the moving bar MVB and sensing operation information about the sensor module SM (e.g., trigger time, trigger period, and light exposure time).
Although
Steps S112, S114, and S116 are pre-processing steps before the moving bar MVB actually starts moving so that the sensing operation of the plurality of sensor modules SM is executed.
After steps S112, S114, and S116 are performed, the moving bar MVB moves while luminance sensing is performed by the plurality of sensor modules SM mounted on the moving bar MVB (S118).
If the moving bar MVB moves from the rear upper end to the rear lower end of the display panel 110 so that the plurality of sensor modules SM complete luminance sensing for the entire display area DA of the display panel 110, the sensing controller 340 calculates the luminance for the plurality of subpixels SP using the sensing data (sensing values) received from the plurality of sensor modules SM (S120).
The sensing controller 340 compares the calculated luminance value for the plurality of subpixels SP with the previously stored reference luminance to calculate the variation in luminance for the plurality of subpixels SP (S122).
The sensing controller 340 may calculate compensation values for the plurality of subpixels SP based on the calculated luminance variation for the plurality of subpixels SP and update the compensation LUT (S124).
Referring to
Referring to
The display scheme of the sensing image SEN_IMG may include a full area and fixed display scheme (Case 1) and a partial area and moving display scheme (Case 2).
In the full area and fixed display scheme (Case 1), the sensing image SEN_IMG may be displayed on the entire display area DA of the display panel 110 while the moving bar MVB moves.
In the partial area and moving display scheme (Case 2), while the moving bar MVB moves, the sensing image SEN_IMG may be displayed while moving in the display area DA of the display panel 110, and the area in which the sensing image SEN_IMG is displayed may overlap the moving bar MVB.
The foregoing aspects are briefly described below.
Aspects of the disclosure may provide a display device comprising a display panel including a plurality of light emitting elements, a moving bar movable on a rear surface of the display panel, and a plurality of sensor modules mounted on the moving bar and configured to sense sensing light emitted from a rear surface of the display panel.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further comprise a sensing controller configured to control a movement of the moving bar and receive a sensing value from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the display panel may include a plurality of sensing light emission holes for emitting the sensing light to the rear surface of the display panel.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, each of the plurality of sensing light emission holes may overlap at least three sensor modules.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of sensing light emission holes may be disposed, one for each subpixel or for each pixel. One pixel may include two or more subpixels.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of sensing light emission holes may include a plurality of horizontal line-shaped sensing light emission holes and a plurality of vertical line-shaped sensing light emission holes. The plurality of horizontal line-shaped sensing light emission holes and the plurality of vertical line-shaped sensing light emission holes may be alternately arranged.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, each of the plurality of sensing light emission holes may have a diagonal line shape.
The display panel according to aspects of the disclosure may further comprise a display light emission path layer being a path through which display light is emitted to a viewing surface of the display panel and a sensing light emission path layer being a path through which sensing light is emitted to a rear surface of the display panel, which is opposite to the viewing surface of the display panel, wherein the sensing light emission path layer includes the plurality of sensing light emission holes.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the sensing light emission path layer may include a plurality of sensing light emission holes.
When the display device according to aspects of the disclosure has a top-emission structure, the display panel may include a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of light emitting layers respectively disposed on the plurality of pixel electrodes, a common electrode positioned on the plurality of light emitting layers, an encapsulation layer positioned on the common electrode, and a plurality of transistors positioned under the plurality of pixel electrodes and respectively connected to the plurality of pixel electrodes.
The plurality of pixel electrodes may be formed of a reflective metal, and the common electrode may be formed of a transparent metal.
The plurality of sensing light emission holes may pass through a plurality of insulation layers positioned under the plurality of pixel electrodes. Each of the plurality of sensing light emission holes may be positioned between the plurality of transistors.
When the display device according to aspects of the disclosure has a bottom-emission structure, the display panel may include a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of light emitting layers respectively disposed under the plurality of pixel electrodes, a common electrode positioned under the plurality of light emitting layers, an encapsulation layer positioned under the common electrode, and a plurality of transistors positioned over the plurality of pixel electrodes and respectively connected to the plurality of pixel electrodes.
The plurality of pixel electrodes may be formed of a transparent metal, and the common electrode may be formed of a reflective metal.
The plurality of sensing light emission holes may pass through the common electrode and the encapsulation layer.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, each of the plurality of sensor modules may include a luminance sensor for sensing luminance of sensing light emitted through at least one of the plurality of sensing light emission holes and a light controller positioned between a rear surface of the display panel and the luminance sensor.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, a moving distance of the moving bar may correspond to an integer multiple of an inter-center interval between sensing light emission holes adjacent in a vertical direction.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further comprise a moving guide device including a scanning rail moving together with the moving bar and a motor for rotating a shaft on which the scanning rail is wound or unwound.
In the display device according to the aspect of the disclosure, the sensing controller may control to display a sensing image on the display panel, control one or more of a moving speed and moving direction of the moving bar, and control a sensing operation of each of the plurality of sensor modules and may receive a sensing value for luminance from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules, generate a compensation value based on the received sensing value, and store the generated compensation value.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, while a sensing image different from an image viewed by a user is displayed on the display panel, the moving bar may be moved, and the plurality of sensor modules may be operated.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, while the moving bar moves, the sensing image is displayed on an entire display area of the display panel or displayed on a partial area of the display area, when the sensing image is displayed on the partial area of the display area, the partial area is moved according to the movement of the moving bar and overlaps the movement bar.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, while the moving bar moves, the sensing image may be displayed while moving in a display area of the display panel, and an area where the sensing image is displayed may overlap the moving bar.
Aspects of the disclosure may provide a display device comprising a display panel including a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of sensing light emission holes through which light is emitted to a rear surface opposite to a viewing surface, and a plurality of sensor modules configured to sense light emitted through at least one of the plurality of sensing light emission holes.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further comprise a sensing controller receiving a sensing value from at least one of the plurality of sensor modules.
The display device according to aspects of the disclosure may further include a moving bar movable on the rear surface of the display panel.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, the plurality of sensor modules may be mounted on the moving bar.
In the display device according to aspects of the disclosure, a moving distance of the moving bar may correspond to an integer multiple of an inter-center interval between sensing light emission holes adjacent in a vertical direction.
According to aspects of the disclosure as described above, there may be provided a display device capable of sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between subpixels even without the need for a complicated subpixel structure and complicated signal line structure and complicated sensing driving.
According to aspects of the disclosure, there may be provided a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by using a rear sensing structure of a display panel.
According to aspects of the disclosure, there may be provided a display device capable of performing an accurate compensation function by configuring a rear sensing structure of a display panel to be movable.
According to aspects of the disclosure, there may be provided a display device having a higher aperture ratio and higher resolution by sensing the luminance of subpixels and compensating for the luminance deviation between the subpixels without a complex subpixel structure and a complex signal line structure.
The above description has been presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the technical idea of the disclosure, and has been provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications, additions and substitutions to the described aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The above description and the accompanying drawings provide an example of the technical idea of the disclosure for illustrative purposes only. That is, the disclosed aspects are intended to illustrate the scope of the technical idea of the disclosure. Thus, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the aspects shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims. The scope of protection of the disclosure should be construed based on the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included within the scope of the disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2021-0184911 | Dec 2021 | KR | national |