Supply voltage removal detecting circuit, display device and method for removing latent image

A display device for simultaneously removing a latent image displayed on a panel when a battery is disconnected, comprising:

• a panel;
• and
• a driving unit that controls the panel to display an image on the panel,
• wherein the driving unit includes:
• a supply voltage removal detector that generates a detection control signal at a second level when the battery that supplies a supply voltage to the driving unit and the panel is disconnected;
• a voltage booster that stops generating a boost voltage applied to the panel in response to the detection control signal;
• a microprocessor that interrupts control signals received by the driving unit in response to the detection control signal;
• a source driver that makes a voltage at the output node of each of source line of the panel equal to a ground voltage in response to the detection control signal;
• and
• a gate driver that alternately activates gate lines of the panel in a predetermined order in response to the detection control signal,
• wherein the supply voltage removal detector is configured to generate a detection signal by comparing a voltage at a first node of the supply voltage removal detector with a voltage at a second node of the supply voltage removal detector in response to the boost voltage and to output the detection control signal by inverting the generated detection signal in response to an operation enabling signal.

A method of removing a latent image displayed on a panel of a display device when a battery is disconnected from the display device that includes a panel and a driving unit that displays an image on the panel by controlling the panel, the method comprising:

• generating a detection control signal at a second level when the battery is disconnected by generating a detection signal by comparing a voltage at a first node of the supply voltage removal detector with a voltage at a second node of the supply voltage removal detector in response to the boost voltage and inverting the generated detection signal in response to an operation enabling signal;
• stopping generating a boost voltage applied to the panel in response to the detection control signal;
• interrupting control signals received by the driving unit in response to the detection control signal;
• and
• discharging a capacitor of the panel by alternately activating gate lines of the panel in a specific order.