JP2006201629A - Image persistence phenomenon correcting method, self-luminous device, image persistence phenomenon correcting device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which accurate correction of an image persistence phenomenon is difficult, when the utilization time is made longer, due to the fluctuation in the deterioration speed by secular change. <P>SOLUTION: The self-luminous device, in which a plurality of self-luminous elements are arranged on a substrate in a matrix manner, has: (a) a process in which a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and a reference pixel is computed according to the deterioration characteristics to which secular change is reflected; (b) a process in which an accumulated deterioration amount difference is computed for each pixel while accumulating and adding the deterioration amount difference computed for each pixel; (c) a process in which correction amounts used to correct input signals are successively determined according to the accumulated deterioration amount difference; and (d) a process in which the input signal related to the driving condition of the luminous elements are corrected according to the successively determined correction amounts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for correcting a burn-in phenomenon that occurs in a self-luminous device. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a self-luminous device equipped with a burn-in phenomenon correcting device. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer mounted on a self-luminous device to execute a burn-in correction function.

Flat panel displays are widely used in products such as computer displays, portable terminals, and televisions. Currently, liquid crystal display panels are mainly used, but the narrow viewing angle and slow response speed continue to be pointed out.
On the other hand, an organic EL display formed of a self-luminous element can overcome the above-mentioned problems of viewing angle and responsiveness, and can achieve a thin form, high brightness, and high contrast that do not require a backlight. Therefore, it is expected as a next-generation display device that replaces the liquid crystal display.

By the way, it is generally known that organic EL elements and other self-light-emitting elements have a characteristic of deteriorating in proportion to the amount of light emission and time.
On the other hand, the content of the image displayed on the display is not uniform. For this reason, the deterioration of the self-luminous element is likely to proceed partially. For example, the self-light-emitting element in the time display area (fixed display area) progresses more rapidly than the self-light-emitting elements in other display areas (moving image display areas).
The luminance of the self-luminous element that has deteriorated is relatively lowered as compared with the luminance of other display areas. In general, this phenomenon is called “burn-in”. Hereinafter, partial deterioration of the self-luminous element is referred to as “burn-in”.

At present, various methods are being studied for improving the “burn-in” phenomenon. Some of them are listed below.
In this document, input data for each pixel constituting the display panel is integrated for each pixel at a constant period, and the integrated value of each pixel is subtracted from the maximum value of each pixel. A method for setting the correction amount is disclosed. Further, a method is disclosed in which the display characteristics of each pixel are made uniform by emitting each pixel with a constant luminance for a time proportional to the amount of correction in a non-use state.

In this document, display data and display time are stored only when a still image is displayed, and the difference ΔY between the display data and the maximum luminance and the time T when the still image is displayed are integrated. A method of setting the amount ΔY · T as correction data is disclosed. Also, this document discloses a method for correcting a burn-in phenomenon by executing a display for correction only when the lid is closed or not used. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-132139 discloses a method for integrating input data for each pixel and converting the integrated value into a correction value using a correction table. In addition, a method is disclosed in which input data of each pixel is corrected with the obtained correction value to make it difficult to visually recognize the burn-in phenomenon.

JP-A-2001-175221 discloses a method for determining a correction value so as to lower the luminance data of other pixels in accordance with the pixel having the lowest luminance among the pixels. In addition, a method is disclosed in which luminance data of each pixel is converted with the obtained correction value so that the burn-in phenomenon is difficult to visually recognize. In this document, unnecessary charges are accumulated between the electrodes of the light emitting element by suppressing the brightness of the entire panel during still image display or applying a reverse bias to the device in the standby mode. There is disclosed a method for suppressing the occurrence of image sticking by suppressing the deterioration of display characteristics and reducing the deterioration speed of display characteristics.

JP-A-2000-356981 discloses a correction method that accumulates the time during which a panel emits light and suppresses the overall luminance according to the time. In the case of this correction method, the burn-in phenomenon is reduced by suppressing the deterioration rate of the light emission characteristics. This reference discloses a correction method that delays the occurrence of burn-in in a still image area by determining a moving image area and a still image area on a screen and suppressing luminance of only the still image area. Has been. JP-A-2003-274315 discloses a correction method in which the entire screen is shifted in units of pixels in a certain cycle, thereby creating a blurring effect on the outline of the burn-in portion and making the burn-in phenomenon inconspicuous.

By the way, the existing process calculates | requires a correction value based on the assumption that the progress speed of deterioration is the same irrespective of the degree of progress of deterioration.
However, the deterioration rate of the self-luminous element has a characteristic that changes depending on the degree of deterioration. That is, the deterioration of the self-luminous element that has been deteriorated has a characteristic that the traveling speed is lower than the deterioration at the initial stage of light emission.
Accordingly, if the difference in deterioration amount between pixels is calculated while ignoring this difference in speed, there is a possibility that an accurate correction operation cannot be expected due to the cumulative effect of errors.

The inventors pay attention to the above technical problems and propose the following technical methods.
That is, as a method of correcting the burn-in phenomenon of a self-light-emitting device in which a plurality of self-light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix,
(A) processing for calculating a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and a reference pixel based on deterioration characteristics reflecting a change with time;
(B) a process of cumulatively adding the deterioration amount difference calculated for each pixel and calculating a cumulative deterioration amount difference for each pixel;
(C) processing for sequentially determining a correction amount to be used for correcting the input signal based on the accumulated deterioration amount difference;
(D) A method is proposed that includes a process for correcting an input signal related to a driving condition of a self-luminous element based on a correction amount that is sequentially determined.
The self-luminous device includes an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel, a PDP (plasma display panel), a CRT (cathode ray tube), an FED (field emission display) panel, an LED panel, and a projector.

  In the case of the method according to the invention, the deterioration amount difference can be calculated based on the deterioration characteristics reflecting the change with time. That is, the change in the deterioration progress rate can be directly reflected in the correction of the burn-in phenomenon. As a result, the reliability of the correction process can be further improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment example of a burn-in phenomenon correction technique that employs the technical technique according to the invention will be described.
In addition, the well-known or well-known technique of the said technical field is applied to the part which is not illustrated or described in particular in this specification.
The embodiment described below is one embodiment of the present invention and is not limited thereto.

(A) Progression Characteristics of Degradation FIG. 1 shows the progress characteristics of luminance degradation when the self-luminous element continues to emit light under the same driving conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, the luminance degradation is not always constant, and a characteristic that the traveling speed gradually decreases as the luminance degradation progresses is recognized. This can be seen from the fact that the change from the initial value to half is not a straight line but a curve.
Therefore, calculating the deterioration amount difference with the initial characteristics (calculating the accumulated deterioration amount difference) gradually includes errors calculated more than the actual one, and the correct correction operation of the deterioration amount difference is performed. There are problems that cannot be realized.

(B) Form example of burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus (a) Form example 1
FIG. 2 shows an example of a burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus. Hereinafter, the burn-in phenomenon correction device is referred to as a “correction device”. Here, the correction device 1 is arranged for pixels that emit light of the same color. The emission color generally refers to three colors of red, blue, and green. However, white is used when a white light source is used.
The correction apparatus 1 includes a deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3, a deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5, a cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7, a correction amount determination unit 9, a correction effect prediction unit 11, a cumulative deterioration amount difference accumulation unit 13, and a deterioration amount difference correction. The unit 15 is a main component.

Among these, the deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3 corresponds to a processing device that realizes adjustment of deterioration characteristics according to a change with time. In FIG. 3, the example of a form of the deterioration characteristic adjustment part 3 is shown. In the case of this embodiment, the deterioration characteristic adjusting unit 3 includes a cumulative deterioration amount calculating unit 3A, a correction value determining unit 3B, and a correction value holding unit 3C.
The cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 3A is a processing device that calculates the cumulative value of the deterioration amount for the reference pixel used as a reference for calculating the deterioration amount difference. The cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 3A is provided with a storage device that stores the calculated cumulative deterioration amount and a calculation unit that updates the cumulative deterioration amount with the newly calculated deterioration amount.

In the case of this embodiment, the reference pixel is used for specifying the change over time of the self-light-emitting device. This is because the burn-in phenomenon correction processing is performed in a direction in which the difference in deterioration amount between each pixel and the reference pixel becomes zero, so that the cumulative deterioration amount of each pixel is estimated to be almost the same as the cumulative deterioration amount of the reference pixel. It is to be done.
As a result, the monitoring load of the accumulated deterioration amount necessary for specifying the change with time is remarkably reduced. That is, it is not necessary to monitor the cumulative deterioration amount for all the pixels, and the system load such as the memory capacity is reduced.

As the reference pixel, for example, a pixel that has been most deteriorated among all pixels, a pixel that has been delayed most, and an arbitrary actual pixel are assumed. However, for the reference pixel, for example, a virtual pixel that gives an average value of the cumulative deterioration amount can be assumed.
Further, the cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 3A calculates a cumulative deterioration amount corresponding to the reference pixel based on the input signal. The input signal here is a signal related to the driving condition of the self-light emitting element. For example, the gradation value corresponding to each light emitting element (pixel), the accumulated value of the gradation value, the deterioration rate derived from the gradation value, and the drive current value.
All of these data are also used in the existing technology as parameters for giving the light emission luminance and the amount of deterioration of the self-light-emitting element. Examples of specific parameters will be described later.

The correction value determination unit 3B is a processing device that determines a correction value to be used for correction of deterioration characteristics in accordance with the calculated cumulative deterioration amount.
Here, the cumulative deterioration amount-correction value conversion table shown in FIG. 4 is used. FIG. 4 is an example of this type of conversion table. In the case of FIG. 4, the categories of the cumulative deterioration amount are set at equal intervals, and the correction value X is associated with each category. Of course, this correspondence is set based on the actual measurement value of the progress characteristic of the luminance deterioration.
The correction value determination unit 3B searches for a category to which the calculated cumulative deterioration amount belongs, and reads a correction value according to the search result.
The correction value holding unit 3C is a storage device that holds the determined correction value. The correction value is given to the cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 3A, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5, and the correction amount determination unit 9 through the correction value holding unit 3C. When this correction value X (0 ≦ X ≦ 1) is multiplied by the deterioration amount calculated based on the input signal, the deterioration amount reflecting the change with time can be calculated.

The deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 is a processing device that calculates a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and a reference pixel based on an input signal before correction processing. When the deterioration is advanced with respect to the reference pixel, the deterioration amount difference is given as a plus, and when the deterioration is delayed with respect to the reference pixel, the deterioration amount difference is given as a minus.
Any method can be applied to the calculation of the deterioration amount. For example, a method is applied in which the deterioration amount is obtained by accumulating input signals input within a certain period for each pixel. The deterioration amount difference is given as a difference between the deterioration amount of each pixel and the deterioration amount of the reference pixel.
Further, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 reflects a change with time in the calculated deterioration amount difference. For example, the accuracy of the calculated deterioration amount difference is improved by multiplying the deterioration amount difference by a correction value given from the deterioration characteristic adjusting unit 3. The correction value may be multiplied by each deterioration amount before calculating the deterioration amount difference.
The accumulated deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 is given a corrected deterioration amount difference.

The cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 is a processing device that calculates a cumulative deterioration amount difference from the reference pixel for each pixel.
The cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 handles the deterioration amount difference (corrected) calculated based on the input signal as addition information for the cumulative deterioration amount difference.
On the other hand, the cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 handles the deterioration amount difference (correction effect) given from the correction effect prediction unit 11 as subtraction information for the cumulative deterioration amount difference.
The correction effect prediction unit 11 is a processing device that predicts the correction effect of the correction amount determined by the correction amount determination unit 9. The correction effect is predicted as a deterioration amount difference.
The cumulative deterioration amount difference accumulation unit 13 is a storage device that stores the calculated cumulative deterioration amount difference. Note that the content of the accumulated deterioration amount difference to be stored is sequentially updated in the accumulated deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7.

The correction amount determination unit 9 is a processing device that determines a correction amount for an input signal for each pixel. The correction amount determination unit 9 determines the correction amount in such a direction that the existing accumulated deterioration amount difference is eliminated within a certain period. The correction amount determination unit 9 gives the determined correction amount to the correction effect prediction unit 11.
Here, the correction amount is determined according to the correction method employed in the correction apparatus 1. An arbitrary method can be applied to correct the deterioration amount difference.
For example, the correction value may be determined so that the deterioration of other pixels catches up with the reference pixel that has been most deteriorated. In this case, the correction value is determined so as to increase the luminance of pixels other than the reference pixel.
In addition, for example, the correction value may be determined so that the deterioration of other pixels catches up with the reference pixel that is most delayed in deterioration. In this case, the correction value is determined so as to lower the luminance of pixels other than the reference pixel.

The correction amount determination unit 9 multiplies the determined correction amount by the reciprocal 1 / X of the correction value given from the deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3 to calculate a correction amount reflecting a change with time.
This is because if the calculated correction amount is used as it is for correcting the input signal, the actual correction effect appears smaller than the assumed correction effect. Therefore, the correction amount determination unit 9 gives the correction amount reflecting the change with time to the deterioration amount difference correction unit 15 in this way.

The deterioration amount difference correction unit 15 is a processing device that corrects an input signal based on a given correction amount. For example, the input signal is corrected by adding / subtracting a correction amount to / from the input signal. For example, the input signal is amplified or attenuated with a gain adjusted according to the correction amount.
The corrected input signal is output as a drive signal for a display panel in which self-emitting elements are arranged.
By using the correction apparatus 1 having the above configuration, it is possible to accurately monitor and correct the occurrence of the deterioration amount difference even when the usage time is long. In other words, the burn-in phenomenon can be reliably eliminated regardless of the correction time.

(B) Form example 2
FIG. 5 shows another example of the burn-in phenomenon correcting apparatus. FIG. 5 shows the parts corresponding to those in FIG.
The correction device 21 includes a deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3, a deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5, a cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7, a correction amount determination unit 9, a cumulative deterioration amount difference accumulation unit 13, and a deterioration amount difference correction unit 15. It is a component.
The difference between the correction device 21 (FIG. 5) and the correction device 1 (FIG. 2) is the input signal capturing position used for calculating the deterioration amount difference. That is, the correction device 21 is different from the correction device 1 in that an input signal after burn-in correction is input. Incidentally, the correction apparatus 1 inputs the input signal before the burn-in correction to the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5.

As described above, when the deterioration amount difference between pixels is calculated using the input signal after burn-in correction, there is an advantage that the actual light emission state can be directly reflected in the calculated deterioration amount difference. For this reason, it is possible to calculate the deterioration amount difference more accurately than in the first embodiment.
Further, in the case of the correction device 21, since the actual light emission state can be directly reflected in the deterioration amount difference, it is possible to eliminate the process of separately predicting the correction effect and reflecting it in the accumulated deterioration amount difference. That is, unlike the correction apparatus 1, it is not necessary to provide the correction effect prediction unit 11, and the system scale can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

(C) Embodiment 3
Next, an example in which the deterioration rate is used for calculating the deterioration amount will be described. This is a very effective processing technique when the deterioration of the light emission characteristics does not proceed in proportion to the input signal value, and is a calculation technique proposed by the inventors.
Here, the deterioration rate refers to a value obtained by converting a decrease in light emission amount per unit time, and is obtained from an actual measurement value of light emission characteristics. For example, it is given as a value obtained by converting the actually measured amount of decrease in luminance when light emission by individual gradation values continues for a certain period.

The configuration of the burn-in correction device 31 according to this embodiment is basically the same as that of the correction device 1 of the first embodiment and the correction device 21 of the second embodiment. That is, the correction device 31 can be realized as a device that calculates the deterioration amount by taking in the gradation value (input signal) before the burn-in correction, or by calculating the gradation value (input signal) after the burn-in correction. It can also be realized as a device of the method.
.
In the following, in order to omit redundant description, only the characteristic components of this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 6, the example of the deterioration characteristic adjustment part 33 used with the correction apparatus 31 is shown. In the case of this embodiment, the deterioration characteristic adjusting unit 33 includes a cumulative deterioration amount calculating unit 33A, a correction value determining unit 33B, a conversion table rewriting unit 33C, and a gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D.
The cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 33A is a processing device that calculates a cumulative value of deterioration amounts for reference pixels used as a reference for calculating a deterioration amount difference. The cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 33A is provided with a storage device that stores the calculated cumulative deterioration amount and a calculation unit that updates the cumulative deterioration amount with the newly calculated deterioration amount.

Here, when the gradation value for the reference pixel is input, the cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 33A refers to the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D and reads the deterioration rate corresponding to the gradation value. Then, the deterioration amount for the reference pixel is calculated by multiplying the read deterioration rate by the light emission time t.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the conversion table. This conversion table is an example when the gradation value is 8 bits. Of course, the table information is set based on the correspondence relationship between the gradation value and the deterioration rate acquired in the previous experiment.

Incidentally, the deterioration rate of the maximum gradation value (255) is 0.03%, and the deterioration rate of the intermediate gradation value (127) is 0.01%. Further, the degradation amounts when the light emission period is 1 are 300 × 10 ⁻⁴ % and 100 × 10 ⁻⁴ %, respectively.
In the case of the conversion table shown in FIG. 7, the deterioration amount can be directly read from the input gradation value.
In addition, when the number of gradations is large, only the gradation values appropriately sampled may be stored in the conversion table. In this case, the deterioration rate or amount corresponding to the unstored gradation value is calculated by interpolation calculation.

The correction value determination unit 33B is a processing device that determines a correction value for correcting the deterioration characteristic according to the calculated cumulative deterioration amount.
Here, the cumulative deterioration amount-correction value conversion table shown in FIG. 8 is used. FIG. 8 is an example of this type of conversion table. In the case of FIG. 8, the category of the cumulative deterioration amount is set at equal intervals, and the correction value X is associated with each category.
The correction value X is determined based on a change in gradient derived from the cumulative deterioration amount and the luminance reduction characteristic shown in FIG.

That is, it is determined as a relative value to the initial deterioration tendency (deterioration gradient) a. For example, if the deterioration tendency (deterioration gradient) at the time when the deterioration rate is 95% is b, the correction value at this time is given by b / a. Similarly, if the deterioration tendency (deterioration gradient) at the time when the deterioration rate is 90% is c, the correction value at this time is given by c / a. Note that the deterioration tendency (deterioration gradient) at each time point is defined by the tangential gradient of the characteristic curve shown in FIG.
The conversion table shown in FIG. 8 stores correction values determined in this way.

The conversion table rewriting unit 33C is a processing device that rewrites information in the conversion table based on a correction value determined according to the cumulative deterioration amount of the reference pixel. The conversion table rewriting unit 33C has a built-in conversion table 33C ′ in which the deterioration rate corresponding to the initial characteristic value of the self-luminous element is stored for each gradation value. The conversion table 33C ′ has the same configuration as the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D.
The conversion table rewriting unit 33C multiplies each value of the conversion table 33C ′ by the correction value, and updates the content of the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D. That is, the deterioration rate (including the deterioration amount in some cases) corresponding to the gradation value is rewritten to the corrected value.

The processing contents of the deterioration characteristic adjusting unit 33 described above are summarized as shown in FIG.
First, in the cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 33A, the cumulative deterioration amount for the reference pixels integrated up to the present time is confirmed (S1).
Next, in the correction value determination unit 33B, a correction value for the cumulative deterioration amount is determined using the cumulative deterioration amount-correction value conversion table shown in FIG. 8 (S2).
Thereafter, the conversion table rewriting unit 33C uniformly multiplies the initial value of the deterioration rate by the correction value, and writes the multiplication result as the current value of the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D (S3).

When a new gradation value for the reference pixel is determined, the cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit 33A derives a deterioration rate corresponding to the gradation value from the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D (S4).
The cumulative deterioration amount calculating unit 33A calculates a deterioration amount corresponding to the light emission period based on the derived deterioration rate, and updates the cumulative deterioration amount by adding this to the previously calculated cumulative deterioration amount (S5). ).
Thereafter, the deterioration characteristic adjusting unit 33 returns to the process of step S1 and repeats a series of processes.
Through this series of processes, an appropriate deterioration rate is always prepared in accordance with the change over time of the self-luminous element and the difference in gradation value.

Note that the gradation value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D is referred to by the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 and the correction amount determination unit 9 in a timely manner, and the calculation of the accumulated deterioration amount difference between pixels and the correction amount for the input signal (gradation value). Used to calculate
FIG. 11 shows a correction operation for the burn-in phenomenon of the correction device 31 according to this embodiment.
First, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 detects the display gradation value and the light emission period t1 at the gradation value for each of the correction target pixel and the reference pixel (S11).

Next, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 derives a deterioration rate corresponding to the gradation value of each pixel from the deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3 (tone value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D) (S12). Of course, the deterioration rate here is a deterioration rate corrected to reflect a change with time. The deterioration rate corresponding to the correction target pixel is represented by X1, and the deterioration rate corresponding to the reference pixel is represented by X2.
Subsequently, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 calculates the deterioration amount R corresponding to each pixel by multiplying the derived deterioration rate by the light emission period. Here, when the deterioration amount corresponding to the correction target pixel is expressed by R1, and the deterioration amount corresponding to the reference pixel is expressed by R2, each deterioration amount is calculated by the following equation (S13).
R1 = X1 · t1
R2 = X2 · t1

Next, the deterioration amount difference calculation unit 5 calculates a deterioration amount difference ΔR (= R1−R2) between the correction target pixel and the reference pixel (S14).
When the deterioration amount difference ΔR is calculated for each pixel, the cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 adds the deterioration amount difference ΔR to the corresponding cumulative deterioration amount difference, and updates the cumulative deterioration amount difference (S15).
The correction amount determination unit 9 determines whether or not the accumulated deterioration amount difference accumulated in the accumulated deterioration amount difference accumulation unit 13 is zero (S16).
In the case of zero, the correction amount determination unit 9 determines that the correction operation for the burn-in phenomenon is unnecessary. As a result, the correction operation for the pixel returns to step S1.
On the other hand, if it is other than zero, the correction amount determination unit 9 determines a deterioration rate that can reduce the deterioration amount difference between the correction target pixel and the reference pixel. The deterioration rate is calculated, for example, by dividing the accumulated deterioration amount difference to be corrected by the correction period t2.

Next, the correction amount determination unit 9 derives a gradation value corresponding to the deterioration rate calculated from the deterioration characteristic adjustment unit 3 (tone value-deterioration rate conversion table 33D) (S17). This correction value is a value reflecting a change with time.
Thereafter, the deterioration amount difference correction unit 15 inputs the derived gradation value as a correction value, and corrects the gradation value of the target image output to the display device. By this correction processing, the burn-in phenomenon is reliably corrected regardless of changes over time.
In the case of this embodiment, it is necessary to reflect the correction effect on the accumulated deterioration amount difference. Therefore, the correction effect prediction unit 11 predicts the correction effect of the gradation value as the correction value. Specifically, a deterioration amount difference ΔR2 that is reduced during the correction period t2 is calculated and output to the cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7.

The cumulative deterioration amount difference calculation unit 7 subtracts this deterioration amount difference ΔR2 from the corresponding cumulative deterioration amount difference to reflect the correction effect (S18).
When this process ends, the determination process of step S16 by the correction amount determination unit 9 is executed again. By repeating the series of processing operations as described above, the accumulated deterioration amount difference between the target pixels is reliably corrected at any time point.

(D) Mounting Example to Self-Light-Emitting Device FIG. 12 shows a mounting example of the burn-in phenomenon correction device to the self-light-emitting device.
The self-light-emitting device 41 includes a burn-in phenomenon correction device 45 and a display device 47 mounted on a housing 43.
Here, the burn-in phenomenon correction device 45 corresponds to any of the correction devices 1, 21, and 31 described above. The burn-in phenomenon correction device 45 inputs an image signal generated at an external terminal or inside, and executes an input signal correction operation so that a deterioration amount difference does not occur between the correction target pixel and the reference pixel.

The display device 47 is assumed to be composed of a display device and its drive circuit. As the display device, an organic EL (electroluminescence) panel, a PDP (plasma display panel), an FED (field emission display) panel, an LED panel, or a CRT is used.
In the case of FIG. 12, the self-light-emitting device 41 is illustrated as having a burn-in phenomenon correction device 45 that is a processing device dedicated to correcting the burn-in phenomenon. However, when all the functions are executed in software. These functions are realized by a computer mounted on the self-luminous device.

(F) Other Embodiments (a) In the above-described embodiments, the case where the light emission period t1 and the correction period t2 are arbitrary lengths has been described.
However, the light emission period t1 and the correction period t2 may be the same. For example, a unit field or a unit frame may be used. In this case, the deterioration amount can be calculated by each input signal value or its converted value (for example, deterioration rate).

(B) In the above-described third embodiment, the conversion table 33C ′ in which the deterioration rate corresponding to the initial characteristic value of the self-luminous element is stored for each gradation value is prepared, and the correction value calculated by the correction value determining unit 33B is multiplied. Thus, a method for reflecting the change with time in the deterioration rate has been described.
However, there is a method in which a plurality of conversion tables in which deterioration rates reflecting changes with time for all gradation values are associated are prepared for each cumulative deterioration amount category, and one conversion table corresponding to the cumulative deterioration amount category is selected. It may be adopted.

(C) In the above-described third embodiment, the case where the correspondence relationship between the gradation value of the unit frame and the deterioration rate is stored as the conversion table has been described.
However, the correspondence between the integrated value of gradation values corresponding to a plurality of frames and the deterioration rate may be stored. In this case, it is effective when the light emission period t1 and the correction period t2 are each given by a plurality of frames.
(D) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the burn-in phenomenon is corrected in the use state has been described. However, the burn-in phenomenon can be corrected in the non-use state.
(E) Various modifications can be considered for the above-described embodiments within the scope of the gist of the invention. Various modifications and application examples created based on the description of the present specification are also conceivable.

It is a figure which shows the progress characteristic of luminance degradation. It is a figure which shows the example of a form of the burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a form of a deterioration characteristic adjustment part. It is a figure which shows a cumulative deterioration amount-correction value conversion table. It is a figure which shows the other example of a burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other example of a deterioration characteristic adjustment part. It is a figure which shows the example of a conversion table holding the correspondence of a gradation value and a deterioration rate. It is a figure which shows a cumulative deterioration amount-correction value conversion table. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the deterioration amount by a time-dependent change, and a gradation value. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation example of a deterioration characteristic adjustment part. It is a flowchart which shows the burn-in correction operation example of a correction apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a self-light-emitting device.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 31 Burn-in phenomenon correction device 3, 33 Degradation characteristic adjustment unit 3A, 33A Cumulative degradation amount calculation unit 3B, 33B Correction value determination unit 3C Correction value holding unit 5 Degradation amount difference calculation unit 7 Cumulative degradation amount difference calculation unit 9 Correction amount determination unit 11 Correction effect prediction unit 13 Cumulative degradation amount difference accumulation unit 15 Degradation amount difference correction unit 33C Conversion table rewrite unit 33D Tone value-degradation rate conversion table

Claims (17)

A method of correcting a burn-in phenomenon of a self-light-emitting device in which a plurality of self-light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix,
A process of calculating a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and a reference pixel based on a deterioration characteristic reflecting a change over time;
A process of cumulatively adding the deterioration amount difference calculated for each pixel and calculating a cumulative deterioration amount difference for each pixel;
A process of sequentially determining the correction amount to be used for correcting the input signal based on the cumulative deterioration amount difference;
A burn-in phenomenon correction method comprising: correcting an input signal related to a driving condition of the self-light-emitting element based on a correction amount that is sequentially determined. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the deterioration amount difference is calculated based on an input signal before the correction processing by the correction amount. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the deterioration amount difference is calculated based on an input signal after correction processing using the correction amount. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the deterioration characteristic reflecting the change with time is conversion information associated with a cumulative deterioration amount of a reference pixel. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 4,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the conversion information is a correction coefficient multiplied by a deterioration amount difference calculated from an input signal. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 6,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the conversion information is a converted value associated with an input signal. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 4,
The burn-in correction method according to claim 1, wherein the converted value is given as a deterioration rate obtained by converting a decrease in luminance actually measured when light emission by each input signal value continues for a certain period. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the reference pixel is set for each of a plurality of self-light-emitting elements that emit light of the same color. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the reference pixel is a pixel virtually set for calculating a correction amount. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the input signal is a gradation value for designating luminance. In the burn-in phenomenon correction method according to claim 1,
The burn-in phenomenon correction method, wherein the input signal is a drive current value applied to a self-luminous element. A self-light-emitting device in which a plurality of self-light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix on a substrate,
A deterioration amount difference calculating unit that calculates a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and the reference pixel based on deterioration characteristics reflecting changes with time;
A cumulative deterioration amount difference calculating unit that cumulatively adds the deterioration amount difference calculated for each pixel and calculates a cumulative deterioration amount difference for each pixel;
A correction amount determination unit that sequentially determines the correction amount used for correcting the input signal based on the accumulated deterioration amount difference;
A self-light-emitting device, comprising: an input signal correction unit that corrects an input signal related to a driving condition of the self-light-emitting element based on a correction amount sequentially determined. A self-light-emitting device burn-in phenomenon correcting device in which a plurality of self-light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix on a substrate,
A deterioration amount difference calculating unit that calculates a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and the reference pixel based on deterioration characteristics reflecting changes with time;
A cumulative deterioration amount difference calculating unit that cumulatively adds the deterioration amount difference calculated for each pixel and calculates a cumulative deterioration amount difference for each pixel;
A correction amount determination unit that sequentially determines the correction amount used for correcting the input signal based on the accumulated deterioration amount difference;
An image burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus, comprising: an input signal correction unit that corrects an input signal related to a driving condition of the self-light-emitting element based on a sequentially determined correction amount. The burn-in phenomenon correction device according to claim 13 is provided.
A burn-in phenomenon correcting device, comprising: a deterioration characteristic adjusting unit that adjusts a deterioration characteristic according to a change with time. In the burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus according to claim 14,
The deterioration characteristic adjusting unit is
A cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit for calculating the cumulative deterioration amount of the reference pixel;
A burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus, comprising: a deterioration characteristic selection unit that selects a deterioration characteristic according to the calculated cumulative deterioration amount. In the burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus according to claim 14,
The deterioration characteristic adjusting unit is
A cumulative deterioration amount calculation unit for calculating the cumulative deterioration amount of the reference pixel;
A burn-in phenomenon correction apparatus comprising: a deterioration characteristic correction unit that corrects deterioration characteristics according to the calculated cumulative deterioration amount. In a computer mounted on a self-luminous device in which a plurality of self-luminous elements are arranged in a matrix,
A process of calculating a deterioration amount difference between each pixel and a reference pixel based on a deterioration characteristic reflecting a change over time;
A process of cumulatively adding the deterioration amount difference calculated for each pixel and calculating a cumulative deterioration amount difference for each pixel;
A process of sequentially determining the correction amount to be used for correcting the input signal based on the cumulative deterioration amount difference;
A program for correcting an input signal related to a driving condition of the self-light-emitting element based on a correction amount sequentially determined.

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