System and method for loading image correction data for displays

Abstract

Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) displays exhibit differences in luminance on a pixel to pixel basis, primarily as a result of process or construction inequalities, or from aging caused by operational use over time. To facilitate image correction, the initial non-uniformity correction data is obtained using methods, such as electrical measurement or a combination of electrical and optical measurement. Typically, the correction data is then stored on a non-volatile-memory chip on the display module itself. The proposed invention offers an alternate method for storing and loading the image correction data, thereby eliminating the need for memory chip in the display module.

1 . A method of image correction for a display system included in a final product, the method comprising:
 requesting by the display system for correction data from a memory store on the final product remote from the display system; and
 receiving in the display system the correction data from the memory store and storing the correction data in a data store in the display system for correcting images displayed by the display system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of according to  claim 1 , wherein the correction data comprise correction data determined to correct for non-uniformity of said display system and wherein the memory store comprises a non-volatile memory store and the data store comprises a volatile memory store. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the final product includes a video source;
 wherein the display system includes a digital data processor configured for receiving luminance data from the video source over a video interface; and   wherein the step of transmitting the correction data to the display system comprises transmitting the correction data over the video interface to a compensation processor in the digital data processor.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the display system includes the digital data processor and a data driver IC configured for receiving the luminance data from the video source over the video interface;
 wherein the digital data processor includes a central processing unit and a graphics unit;   wherein the compensation processor corrects the luminance data in digital form in the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit; and   wherein transmitting the correction data to the display system comprises transmitting the correction data over the video interface to the compensation processor in the data driver IC.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the compensation processor corrects the luminance data in digital, voltage or current form in the data driver IC. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the correction data is determined to correct for non-uniformity of said display system and includes an integer value corresponding to each pixel in the display system, which are added by the compensation processor to the luminance data from the video source in the final product to compensate for the non-uniformity. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 downloading to the final product said correction data from a remote memory separate from the final product and storing the correction data in said memory store;   determining degradation correction data for the display system to correct for degradation effects during use in the final product;
 storing the degradation correction data in the memory store in the final product; and 
 transmitting the degradation correction data from the memory store to the display system over the video interface for correcting the display system. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the step of determining the degradation correction data comprises determining a degradation of a thin film transistor in each pixel of the di splay system. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the step of determining the degradation correction data comprises determining degradation of an organic light emitting diode in each pixel of the display system. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the degradation correction data comprises an integer value corresponding to each pixel in the display system, which are added to the luminance data by the compensation processor to compensate for the degradation effects. 
     
     
         11 . A display system including a plurality of pixels for use in a video displaying product, which includes a video source and a memory store, the display system comprising:
 a plurality of pixel circuits for converting luminance data received from the video source into visible light; and   a compensation processor configured for requesting correction data from the memory store in the video display product remote from the display system, receiving the correction data from the memory store; storing the correction data in a data store in the display system; and adjusting the luminance data using the correction data to correct images displayed by the display system.   
     
     
         12 . The display system according to  claim 11 , wherein the display system comprises a digital data processor for receiving the luminance data in digital form from the video source over a video interface, the digital data processor including a central processing unit and a graphics processing unit; and
 wherein the compensation processor is configured to correct the luminance data in digital form in the central processing unit or the graphics processing unit.   
     
     
         13 . The display system according to  claim 11 , wherein the compensation processor is comprised in a data driver IC for converting luminance data received from the video source from digital form to voltage or current form, and wherein the memory store comprises a non-volatile memory store and the data store comprises a volatile memory store. 
     
     
         14 . The display system according to  claim 13 , wherein the compensation processor corrects the luminance data in voltage or current form in the data driver IC. 
     
     
         15 . The display system according to  claim 11 , wherein the correction data comprises an integer value corresponding to each pixel in the display system, which are added to the luminance data by the compensation processor to correct images displayed by the display system. 
     
     
         16 . The display system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a compensation functions processor configured for:
 determining degradation correction data for the display system to correct for degradation effects during use in the video displaying product;   storing the degradation correction data in the memory store in the video displaying product; and   receiving the degradation correction data from the memory store for correcting images displayed by the display system.   
     
     
         17 . The display system according to  claim 16 , wherein the compensation functions processor is also configured for determining degradation of a thin film transistor in each pixel of the display system. 
     
     
         18 . The display system according to  claim 16 , wherein the compensation functions processor is also configured for determining degradation of an organic light emitting diode in each pixel of the display system. 
     
     
         19 . The display system according to  claim 16 , wherein the degradation correction data comprises an integer value corresponding to each pixel in the display system, which are added to the luminance data by the compensation processor to compensate for the degradation effects. 
     
     
         20 . A video display product, comprising:
 a display system including a plurality of pixel circuits;   
       a video source for transmitting luminance data to the display system; and 
       a control processor for controlling interaction between the video source and the display system; 
       wherein the display system comprises:
 the plurality of pixel circuits for converting the luminance data received from the video source into visible light; and 
 a compensation processor configured for requesting correction data from a memory store in the video display product remote from the display system; receiving the correction data from the memory store; storing the correction data in a data store in the display system; and adjusting the luminance data using the correction data to correct images displayed by the display system.