KR20140130017A - Organic light emitting diode display and method for degradation compensation - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an organic light emitting display device. The organic light emitting display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a panel assembly including a plurality of pixels; a plurality of brightness measuring units which are arranged around the panel assembly and measure the brightness of light emitted from the pixels; and a processing unit which detects the degraded pixel among the pixels by comparing the bright data measured in the brightness measuring units and compensates the degraded pixel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device and a method of compensating deterioration thereof.

The present invention relates to an organic light emitting display and a deterioration compensation method.

The organic light emitting diode is a self light emitting type device having a wide viewing angle, excellent contrast, fast response time, excellent luminance, driving voltage and response speed characteristics, and multi-coloring. In an organic light emitting display panel including such an organic light emitting device, deterioration occurs in some pixels.

Conventionally, a method of compensating a degraded pixel of an OLED display panel is as follows. The lifetime measurement data is obtained from a dummy pixel of the organic light emitting display panel. Then, the total light emission time of each pixel is calculated with this data, and the degree of deterioration is calculated to adjust the scale of the image data.

In order to measure the accurate data of the deterioration of the dummy pixel, a dummy pixel is driven under the same condition as the pixel of the active area, and the change of the data value for maintaining the constant luminance is measured This is used to compensate for the degradation.

However, when process scattering occurs between the organic light emitting display panels or inside the panel, there is a problem that the durability of the dummy pixel varies depending on the degradation degree when the lifetime characteristics of the pixels in the active area are different. In addition, when the condition applied to the dummy pixel for deterioration differs from the condition applied to the organic light emitting display panel, there is a problem that the degree of deterioration compensation becomes insufficient or increases.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide an organic light emitting display and a deterioration compensation method which can improve the compensation of deteriorated pixels.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an organic light emitting display including a panel assembly including a plurality of pixels, a plurality of luminance measurement units disposed along the circumferential surface of the panel assembly and measuring luminance of light generated from the pixels, And a processor for comparing the luminance data measured by the plurality of luminance measuring units and detecting and compensating for degraded pixels among the plurality of pixels.

In one embodiment, the brightness measuring unit may be a photosensor.

In one embodiment, the brightness measuring units may be arranged at regular intervals.

In one embodiment, the processing unit includes a current measuring unit for measuring a current applied to the panel assembly, a comparator for comparing the current measured by the current measuring unit and the luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit, A deterioration determining unit for determining whether the pixel is degraded, and a controller for causing the deteriorated pixel to emit light as a normal pixel.

In one embodiment, the processing unit may further include a brightness measuring unit for measuring luminance data of a relatively low value from the luminance data among the plurality of luminance measuring units in a state where the same current is applied to the panel assembly, And a pixel position calculation unit for calculating a position of the pixel deteriorated from the position.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an OLED display device including a panel assembly including a display region in which a plurality of pixels are formed, and a non-display region in which the plurality of pixels are not formed, A plurality of luminance measurement units disposed on a lower surface of the panel assembly for measuring luminance of light diffusedly reflected by the diffused reflection unit, and a plurality of luminance measurement units for measuring the luminance data measured by the luminance measurement unit, And a processor for detecting and compensating for degraded pixels among the plurality of pixels with an operation current value for driving the assembly.

In one embodiment, the irregular reflection portion may be formed on the upper surface of the panel assembly.

In one embodiment, the display device may further include a refracting portion interposed between the diffusive reflection portion and the panel assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the upper surface of the panel assembly may be formed to be drawn in, and the diffusive reflection portion may be formed to be received in the drawn portion.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the irregular reflection portion may be the same as the depth of the panel assembly.

In one embodiment, the irregular reflection portion may be in the form of a line.

In an exemplary embodiment, the irregular reflection units may be unit irregular reflection units arranged at regular intervals.

In one embodiment, the brightness measuring unit may be a photosensor.

In one embodiment, the brightness measuring units may be arranged at regular intervals.

In one embodiment, the brightness measuring unit may be disposed to face the diffusive reflection unit.

In one embodiment, the processing unit includes a current measuring unit for measuring a current applied to the panel assembly, a comparator for comparing the current measured by the current measuring unit and the luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit, A deterioration determining unit for determining whether the pixel is degraded, and a controller for causing the deteriorated pixel to emit light as a normal pixel.

In one embodiment, the processing unit may be configured such that, in a state where the same current is applied to the panel assembly, luminance data of a relatively low value from the luminance data among the plurality of luminance measuring units is deteriorated And a pixel position calculation unit for calculating a position of the pixel.

In one embodiment, the display device may further include a light shielding part formed on the diffusive reflection part and formed in a non-display area of the panel assembly.

In one embodiment, the light blocking portion may be a black polarizing film.

The deterioration compensation method according to an aspect of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring luminance data from the panel assembly, determining whether the pixel of the panel assembly is deteriorated from the obtained luminance data, And compensating for the deteriorated pixel.

In one embodiment, the step of acquiring the brightness data from the panel assembly may acquire the brightness data by measuring the brightness of light emitted from each pixel of the panel assembly by the plurality of brightness measuring units .

In one embodiment, the step of determining whether the pixel of the panel assembly is deteriorated may include determining whether brightness data having a relatively low value exists among the brightness data.

In one embodiment, the method may further include calculating a position of a pixel deteriorated from the obtained luminance data before determining whether the pixel is deteriorated and then compensating the deteriorated pixel.

In one embodiment, in the step of calculating the position of the pixel deteriorated by the obtained luminance data, in the state where the same current is applied to each pixel of the panel assembly, a relatively low value It is possible to calculate the position of the pixel deteriorated from the position of the luminance measurement unit where the luminance data is measured.

In one embodiment, the step of compensating for the deteriorated pixel may adjust the current of the deteriorated pixel so that the deteriorated pixel is emitted as a normal pixel.

In one embodiment, the step of compensating for the deteriorated pixel may adjust the total driving voltage ELVDD supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly.

In one embodiment, the step of compensating for the deteriorated pixel may adjust the red driving voltage, the green driving voltage, and the blue driving voltage supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly, respectively.

The OLED display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention performs a method of compensating a deteriorated pixel by measuring a degree of luminance degradation with light generated from a pixel located in a display area. In this manner, compensation errors can be prevented from occurring by directly reflecting and compensating the actual active pixels without using dummy pixels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a plan view of the organic light emitting display according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
5 is a plan view of an OLED display according to a third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the diffused reflection part in the organic light emitting diode display according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of an organic light emitting diode display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart of a degradation compensation method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
11 is a flowchart of a deterioration compensation method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

In addition, in the various embodiments, elements having the same configuration are denoted by the same reference symbols only in the first exemplary embodiment, and in the other embodiments, only the configurations different from those of the first embodiment will be described .

In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being "connected" to another part, it includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another part in between . Also, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting display according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a part of the organic light emitting display according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Fig.

1 and 2, the organic light emitting diode display 100 includes a panel assembly 110, a brightness measuring unit 120, and a processing unit 130.

The panel assembly 110 outputs an image. The panel assembly 110 may include an upper substrate 112 and a lower substrate 111. The panel assembly 110 includes a plurality of pixels not shown. A plurality of pixels may be formed on the lower substrate 111, and the upper substrate 112 may be configured to seal the plurality of pixels. Here, one pixel may be one organic light emitting device. Alternatively, one pixel may comprise a plurality of organic light emitting devices. The organic light emitting device may be patterned in the panel assembly 110.

The panel assembly 110 may include a scan driver (not shown) and a data driver (not shown) for driving the plurality of pixels. The panel assembly 110 may include pad electrodes (not shown) for transmitting electrical signals to the scan driver and the data driver.

1, the light emitted from the organic light emitting device is irradiated to the upper side of the panel assembly 110 in the embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Alternatively, light emitted from the organic light emitting device may be irradiated to the lower side of the panel assembly 110.

The luminance measuring unit 120 is disposed along the circumferential surface of the panel assembly 110 to measure the luminance of the light L generated from the pixels. When the panel assembly 110 is formed in a rectangular shape, the brightness measuring unit 120 may be disposed at each of the four corners.

The brightness measuring unit 120 may be disposed in close contact with the peripheral surface of the panel assembly 110. Alternatively, the brightness measuring unit 120 may be spaced apart from the peripheral surface of the panel assembly 110 by a predetermined distance. However, the brightness measuring unit 120 is closely attached to the peripheral surface of the panel assembly 110, which is more advantageous in accurately measuring the brightness of the light L generated from the pixels of the panel assembly 110. An example of the luminance measuring unit 120 may be a photo sensor.

The plurality of luminance measurement units 120 may be arranged at regular intervals. Alternatively, the plurality of luminance measurement units 120 may be arranged with irregular intervals. However, the arrangement of the plurality of luminance measurement units 120 at regular intervals can be more advantageous in accurately measuring the luminance of the light L generated from the pixels of the panel assembly 110.

The processing unit 130 may compare the luminance data measured by the plurality of luminance measuring units 120 to determine whether the pixel is deteriorated and compensate for the deteriorated pixel. At this time, the processing unit 130 may detect a specific pixel deteriorated among a plurality of pixels, or may determine the position of a specific pixel which is deteriorated. Here, the luminance data represents the luminance value of light generated from the pixel measured by the luminance measurement unit 120. [

As an example of the detailed structure of the processing unit 130, the current measuring unit 134, the deterioration determining unit 132, the pixel position calculating unit, and the control unit 133 may be included.

The current measuring unit 134 measures a current applied to the panel assembly 110. That is, the current measuring unit 134 measures a current flowing to each pixel of the panel assembly 110. Any of the current measuring unit 134 may be used as long as it can measure the current flowing through the circuit.

The deterioration determiner 132 compares the luminance data and determines whether or not deteriorated pixels exist in the plurality of pixels of the panel assembly 110. [ At this time, the deterioration determination unit 132 compares and analyzes the current value measured by the current measuring unit 134 with the luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit 120 to determine whether or not the current is deteriorated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the deterioration determination unit 132 may be a micro control unit (MCU). At this time, the deterioration determination unit 132 may determine whether brightness data of a relatively low value exists among the brightness data measured by the brightness measuring unit 120. [

On the other hand, the deterioration determination unit 132 may determine whether the deterioration is caused by considering the current value measured by the current measurement unit 134. Even if the same current is supplied to the panel assembly 110, if luminance data having a relatively low value exists among the luminance data, it can be determined that the luminance data is degraded. At this time, it can be confirmed that the same current is supplied to the panel assembly 110 by the current measuring unit 134.

If it is determined that deterioration has occurred in the pixel, the deterioration determination unit 132 generates a control signal capable of compensating deterioration through the luminance data and the current value. For example, the control signal may be generated in the form of a frame scale factor as compensation data (data). At this time, the generated frame scale factor is transmitted to the control unit 133, which will be described later.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 133 compensates the pixel deteriorated so that the deteriorated pixel emits light at a normalization area, based on the signal received from the deterioration determiner 132. [ At this time, the control unit 133 may be an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).

On the other hand, the control unit 133 can compensate the deteriorated pixel by adjusting the current supplied to the deteriorated specific pixel. That is, the current supplied to the deteriorated pixel can be increased by compensating for the deteriorated pixel to emit as a normal pixel.

However, in addition to the method of compensating for the deteriorated specific pixel, the control unit 133 can adjust the driving voltage ELVDD supplied to all the pixels in the panel assembly 110. [ More specifically, the deterioration phenomenon can occur with respect to all the pixels of the panel assembly 110, and in this case, unlike the case described above, the driving voltage ELVDD supplied to all the pixels can be adjusted to compensate the entire pixels.

On the other hand, when the driving voltage ELVDD is different for each of the red, green, and blue pixels, the controller 133 may adjust the red driving voltage, the green driving voltage, and the blue driving voltage supplied to each pixel differently.

However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is described that the deterioration determination unit 132 generates a control signal and transmits the control signal to the control unit 133. However, when the driving voltage ELVDD is controlled, It is possible to immediately compensate the signal without passing through the control unit 133 in the step 132.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit 130 may further include a pixel position calculation unit capable of calculating the position of the deteriorated pixel. An example of a method of calculating the position of a pixel deteriorated by the pixel position calculation unit will be described. First, the same current is applied to the panel assembly 110, that is, all the pixels are applied with the same current. In this state, the position of the pixel deteriorated from the position of the luminance measurement unit 120 where the luminance data of a relatively low value is measured from the luminance data among the plurality of luminance measurement units 120 is calculated.

On the other hand, an example of a method of calculating the position of the pixel deteriorated from the position of the luminance measurement unit 120 where the relatively low value luminance data is measured will be described.

The values obtained by any one of the luminance measuring units 120b disposed at the edges of the panel assembly 110 in the horizontal direction and the values obtained from any one of the luminance measuring units 120a disposed at the corners in the vertical direction are different from each other Is relatively lower than the value obtained by the luminance measuring units 120c and 120d. It is determined that the pixel (not shown) located in the area where the two luminance measuring units 120a and 120b intersect is a deteriorated pixel, and the position of the deteriorated pixel can be indirectly measured. However, the method of calculating the position of the pixel deteriorated from the positions of the luminance measurement units 120a and 120b in which relatively low luminance data is measured is not limited to the above method.

On the other hand, the processing unit 130 is not limited to calculating the position as described above and determining the degree of deterioration for each position to compensate the pixel. Another method in which pixels are compensated by the processing unit 130 is to detect luminance by the luminance measuring unit 120 in a state in which a certain pattern is displayed in the center or the entirety of the panel assembly 110 Thereby detecting the deterioration degree of the pixel. And generates compensation data that can compensate for such deterioration in the form of a frame scale factor.

It is also possible to compensate the degraded pixel by multiplying the compensation data (data) input to the panel assembly 110 by a scale factor for each of the red, green and blue pixels . This method is a method generally used for compensating a pixel, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the organic light emitting diode display 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

3, the OLED display 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a panel assembly 210, a diffusive reflection unit 240, a luminance measurement unit 220, and a processing unit 130 . Here, the processing unit 130 is the same as the processing unit 130 (refer to FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The panel assembly 210 includes a display area AA and a non-display area PA. The display area AA is an area in which an image is displayed. The non-display area PA is an area where no image is displayed. A plurality of pixels are formed in the display area AA.

The diffusive reflection part 240 is formed in the non-display area PA to diffuse the light L generated from the display area AA irregularly. The diffusive reflection part 240 may be formed on the upper side of the non-display area PA of the panel assembly 210. This is for the diffusive reflection unit 240 to diffuse the light L downward of the panel assembly 210. The light L reflected by the diffusive reflection unit 240 is irradiated to the luminance measurement unit 220. [

The plurality of luminance measurement units 220 are disposed on the lower surface of the panel assembly 210 to measure the luminance of the light L that is irregularly reflected by the diffusive reflection unit 240. The plurality of luminance measurement units 220 may be disposed closely to the lower surface of the panel assembly 210. Accordingly, most of the light L that is irregularly reflected by the diffusive reflection unit 240 is incident on the luminance measurement unit 220, so that the luminance measurement reliability can be improved.

2) of the OLED display 100 (see FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment is disposed on the peripheral surface of the panel assembly 110 (see FIG. 2) In the OLED display 200 according to an exemplary embodiment, the brightness measuring unit 220 is disposed adjacent to a lower surface of the panel assembly 210.

The brightness measuring unit 220 may be disposed to face the diffusive reflection unit 240. That is, the brightness measuring unit 220 and the diffusive reflection unit 240 may be arranged to face each other in the vertical direction with respect to the panel assembly 210. With this structure, most of the light L that is irregularly reflected by the irregular reflection unit 240 can be reflected to the luminance measurement unit 220, so that more accurate luminance measurement can be performed.

1) is disposed on the circumferential surface of the panel assembly 210 (see FIG. 1) in the OLED display 100 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment, In the OLED display 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the brightness measuring unit 220 is disposed below the panel assembly 210. With this structure, the space around the panel assembly 210 can be utilized more efficiently than the OLED display 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).

The structure of the panel assembly 210 in the OLED display 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. A part of the top surface of the panel assembly 210 is drawn in. The irregularly reflecting portion 240 may be formed to be received in the drawn-in portion. That is, the diffusive reflection part 240 may be accommodated in the non-display area PA of the panel assembly 210.

As an example of the manufacturing method of the diffusive reflection part 240, it can be manufactured by a chemical method such as corrosion. Also, the diffusive reflection part 240 can be manufactured using a mechanical polishing tool such as a grinder. In addition, the diffuse reflection part 240 can be manufactured by forming a fine pattern on the panel assembly 210 by photolithography.

Here, the thickness of the irregular reflection portion 240 may be the same as the depth of the panel assembly 210. This structure is a structure in which the diffusely reflecting portion 240 does not protrude from the upper surface of the panel assembly 210. Therefore, the total thickness of the OLED display 100 can be prevented from increasing.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of an OLED display according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

4, the OLED display 300 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention differs from the OLED display 200 according to the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. May be formed on the upper surface of the panel assembly 110. An example of the diffusive reflection part 240 may be a diffuse reflection film.

Here, the diffusely reflecting film 240 may be adhered by an adhesive not shown. The refractive index of the adhesive may be made to have the same refractive index as that of the upper substrate 112. For example, when the upper substrate 112 is made of glass, the refractive index of the adhesive may be made to have the same refractive index as the glass.

In the above structure, the irregular reflection portion 240 may be disposed on the upper surface of the panel assembly 110 to complete the manufacture of the organic light emitting display 300 without separately fabricating the panel assembly 110. In other words, in manufacturing the organic light emitting diode display 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the panel assembly 110 is not processed separately, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the irregularly reflecting portion 240 may be a line. More specifically, the diffusive reflection unit 240 may have a closed curve shape formed along the non-display area PA of the panel assembly 210.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, a variation of the diffusive reflection unit 240 (see FIG. 5) may include unit diffusive reflection units 340 arranged at predetermined intervals. That is, the unit irregular reflection unit 340 according to the modified example may be formed only at a position corresponding to the luminance measurement unit 120, and may not be formed at a position where the luminance measurement unit 120 does not correspond.

Also, although not shown, a line-shaped diffuse reflection part may be formed in a part of the non-display area PA, and the remaining part may be made of the unit diffusive reflection parts 340.

Here, the shape of the diffusive reflection part 240 is not limited to the above, and any shape may be used as long as the light L emitted from the display area AA can be irradiated to the brightness measuring part 220 .

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of an OLED display according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of an OLED display according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. to be.

7, the organic light emitting diode display 400 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a light shielding part 460. Referring to FIG. The light shielding part 460 is formed on the non-display area of the panel assembly 210, and is formed on the diffusive reflection part 240. The OLED display 400 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the OLED display 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. Non-display region of the display region 210.

The light-shielding portion 460 minimizes the reflection of the diffused light L from the diffusive reflection portion 240 to the display region AA again. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the luminance of the display area AA adjacent to the diffusive reflection part 240 from being changed by mixing the reflected light L.

8, an OLED display 500 according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an OLED display 300 (FIG. 4) according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, The light shielding portion 560 may be further included in the structure of FIG.

As an example of the shape of the light-shielding portion 560, a portion contacting the diffusive reflection portion 240 may be formed to be drawn to a certain depth. The diffused portion 240 may be received in a portion of the bottom surface of the light shielding portion 560 where the light shielding portion 560 is inserted. Since the description of the light-shielding portion 560 has been described above, it is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of an organic light emitting diode display according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the organic light emitting diode display 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention may further include a refraction unit 650.

The refracting portion 650 is interposed between the diffusive reflecting portion 240 and the panel assembly 210. The refraction portion 650 may be a material having the same refractive index as the glass constituting the panel assembly 210.

The organic light emitting diode display 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes the refracting unit 650 so that the OLED display 500 and the organic light emitting diode display 500 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8, the amount of light L may be diffusely reflected by the brightness measuring unit 220. Accordingly, in measuring the luminance in the luminance measuring unit 220, the luminance measurement reliability can be further improved.

As described above, in the case of a method of compensating a pixel deteriorated in a conventional organic light emitting display, when a process dispersion occurs between panels or inside a panel, the degree of deterioration read from a dummy pixel and the actual pixel ), And a compensation error occurred.

However, in the organic light emitting diode display according to various embodiments of the present invention having the above structure, a method of compensating a deteriorated pixel by measuring a degree of brightness reduction using light generated from a pixel located in a display area Conduct. In this manner, compensation errors can be prevented from occurring by directly reflecting and compensating the actual active pixels without using dummy pixels.

A degradation compensation method for compensating a degraded pixel in an organic light emitting display having the above structure will be described.

The deterioration compensation method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include obtaining brightness data from the panel assembly (S100), determining whether deterioration of a pixel of the panel assembly is obtained from the obtained brightness data (S300) And compensating for the degraded pixel if degraded pixels are present.

Meanwhile, in the step of obtaining the brightness data from the panel assembly (S100), the plurality of brightness measuring units may measure brightness of light emitted from each pixel of the panel assembly to obtain the brightness data.

In this step, the luminance measurement unit may be disposed on the side of the panel assembly as in the organic light emitting display 100 shown in FIG. 1, or the luminance measurement unit may be mounted on the panel assembly, such as the organic light emitting display 200 shown in FIG. The luminance data can be obtained.

Meanwhile, in step S300 of determining whether the pixel of the panel assembly deteriorates from the obtained brightness data, it is determined whether or not the pixel is deteriorated by the presence of relatively low brightness data among the brightness data .

The detection of low value luminance data among a plurality of pixel data measured by the pixel measuring unit 120 indicates that a deterioration phenomenon occurs in a specific pixel. Therefore, by analyzing a plurality of pixel data measured in this way, it is possible to determine whether deterioration has occurred in the pixels of the panel assembly.

Next, in the step of compensating the deteriorated pixel, when it is determined that a deteriorated pixel exists, the driving voltage ELVDD supplied to the pixel of the panel assembly is adjusted (S500). At this time, the driving voltage (ELVDD) supplied to the pixel can be increased so that the pixel of the panel assembly emits as a normal pixel.

When one driving voltage ELVDD is supplied to the red, green, and blue pixels regardless of the driving voltage ELVDD supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly, the driving voltage ELVDD is adjusted to compensate for the deteriorated pixel do.

On the other hand, when different driving voltages ELVDD_R, ELVDD_G, and ELVDD_B are supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly depending on the red, green, and blue pixels, the driving voltages ELVDD_R, ELVDD_G, and ELVDD_B are controlled Thereby compensating for the deteriorated pixels.

The deterioration compensation method according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring luminance data from the panel assembly (S100), determining whether deterioration of a pixel of the panel assembly is obtained from the obtained luminance data (S300) Calculating a position of a deteriorated pixel from the obtained brightness data (S400), and compensating the deteriorated pixel.

The step S100 of obtaining the brightness data and the step S300 of determining whether the pixel is deteriorated are the same as the steps of the degradation compensation method according to the embodiment of the present invention, .

In the step S20 of calculating the position of the pixel deteriorated by the obtained luminance data, luminance data having a relatively low value among the luminance data is applied to each pixel of the panel assembly The position of the deteriorated pixel can be calculated from the position of the measured luminance measurement unit. At this stage, the position of the current measurement unit 134 and the pixel deteriorated by the pixel position calculation unit in the processing unit 130 shown in FIG. 2 can be calculated.

Meanwhile, unlike the above, before the step S20 of obtaining the luminance data from the panel assembly, gray data (0 Gray data) is inputted to the panel assembly. When such gray data is outputted to the panel assembly, It may also be possible to indirectly calculate the current value of the panel assembly in a manner that assumes that the value has an approximate specific value. This method is a general method of measuring the current of the panel assembly, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The method of measuring or calculating the current value applied to the panel assembly is not limited to the method described above. Any method may be used as long as the current of the panel assembly is measured to measure the position of the deteriorated pixel .

On the other hand, in the step of compensating the deteriorated pixel, the current of the deteriorated pixel is adjusted so that the deteriorated pixel emits as a normal pixel. That is, only the deteriorated specific pixels are individually compensated. Here, the current of the pixel means the current supplied to the light emitting layer of each pixel.

In the deterioration compensation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, when deterioration occurs, the deterioration is compensated by adjusting the driving voltage (ELVDD) supplied to the plurality of pixels of the panel assembly, while in another embodiment There is a difference in that deterioration is compensated by adjusting only the current of a specific pixel in which deterioration has occurred.

Since the degradation compensation method according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the organic light emitting display devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 according to the present invention, It is omitted.

As described above, the deterioration compensation method according to an embodiment of the present invention differs from the conventional deterioration compensation method in that the luminance degradation degree is measured by light generated from a pixel (Active pixel) To be compensated for. In this manner, luminance data is measured from actual active pixels without using a dummy pixel, and these are directly reflected to compensate for degraded pixels, thereby remarkably preventing compensation errors from occurring .

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are illustrative and explanatory only and are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is not. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

L: Light
AA: display area
PA: non-display area
100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600:
110, 210: Panel assembly
111: Lower substrate
112: upper substrate
120, 220:
130:
131: Deterioration determination unit
134: current measuring unit
240,340: diffuse reflection
460, 560:
650: refraction part

Claims (27)

A panel assembly comprising a plurality of pixels,
A plurality of luminance measurement units disposed along the circumferential surface of the panel assembly for measuring luminance of light generated from the pixels,
And a processing unit for comparing the luminance data measured by the plurality of luminance measuring units and detecting and compensating for degraded pixels among the plurality of pixels. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the luminance measuring unit is a photosensor. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the luminance measuring unit is disposed at predetermined intervals. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein,
A current measuring unit for measuring a current applied to the panel assembly,
A deterioration determining unit for comparing the current measured by the current measuring unit and the luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit to determine whether the pixel is degraded;
And a controller for causing the deteriorated pixel to emit light as a normal pixel. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein,
Deterioration of Pixel In a state where the same current is applied to the panel assembly, the position of the pixel deteriorated from the position of the luminance measurement unit where relatively low luminance data is measured from the luminance data among the plurality of luminance measurement units is calculated And a pixel position calculation unit. A panel assembly including a display region in which a plurality of pixels are formed, and a non-display region in which the plurality of pixels are not formed,
A diffusive reflection part formed on the non-display area of the panel assembly for diffusely reflecting light generated from the display area,
A plurality of luminance measurement units arranged on a lower surface of the panel assembly for measuring luminance of the diffused reflection light from the diffused reflection unit,
And a processing unit for detecting and compensating for degraded pixels among the plurality of pixels with luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit and an operation current value for driving the panel assembly. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the irregular reflection portion is formed on an upper surface of the panel assembly. The method according to claim 6,
And a refraction portion interposed between the diffusive reflection portion and the panel assembly. The method according to claim 6,
A portion of the upper surface of the panel assembly is formed to be drawn in, and the irregular reflection portion is formed to be received in the drawn portion. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the thickness of the irregular reflection portion is the same as the depth of the panel assembly. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the irregular reflection portion has a line shape. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the irregular reflection portions comprise unit irregular reflection portions arranged at regular intervals. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the luminance measuring unit is a photosensor. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the luminance measuring unit is disposed at predetermined intervals. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the luminance measuring unit is arranged to face the diffusive reflection unit. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein,
A current measuring unit for measuring a current applied to the panel assembly,
A deterioration determining unit for comparing the current measured by the current measuring unit and the luminance data measured by the luminance measuring unit to determine whether the pixel is degraded;
And a controller for causing the deteriorated pixel to emit light as a normal pixel. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein,
Calculating a pixel position for calculating a position of a pixel deteriorated from a position of the luminance measurement unit where luminance data of a relatively low value is measured from the luminance data among the plurality of luminance measurement units in a state in which the same current is applied to the panel assembly; Further comprising: an organic light emitting diode (OLED). 8. The method of claim 7,
And a light blocking part formed on the non-display area of the panel assembly. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the light-shielding portion is a black polarizing film. A degradation compensation method for compensating a degraded pixel in an organic light emitting display according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Obtaining the luminance data from the panel assembly;
Determining whether the pixel of the panel assembly deteriorates from the obtained brightness data;
And compensating for the degraded pixel if degraded pixels are present. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein the obtaining of the luminance data from the panel assembly comprises:
Wherein the plurality of brightness measuring units measure brightness of light emitted from each pixel of the panel assembly to obtain the brightness data. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein the step of determining whether the pixel of the panel assembly is degraded comprises:
And determining whether luminance data of a relatively low value exists among the luminance data. 21. The method of claim 20,
Before compensating the deteriorated pixel after determining whether the pixel is deteriorated,
And calculating a position of a pixel deteriorated from the obtained luminance data. 24. The method of claim 23,
In the step of calculating the position of the pixel deteriorated by the obtained brightness data,
Wherein a position of a pixel deteriorated from a position of a luminance measurement unit in which luminance data of a relatively low value among the luminance data is measured while the same current is applied to each pixel of the panel assembly is calculated. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein compensating the degraded pixel comprises:
And adjusting the current of the deteriorated pixel so that the deteriorated pixel is emitted as a normal pixel. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein compensating the degraded pixel comprises:
Wherein the total driving voltage (ELVDD) supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly is adjusted. 21. The method of claim 20,
Wherein compensating the degraded pixel comprises:
And a red driving voltage, a green driving voltage, and a blue driving voltage supplied to the pixels of the panel assembly, respectively.

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