420, electrical defects in the data driver 400, e.g., defects in the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm to be described below, may be accurately detected.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may control transmission of data signals output from the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm to the data lines D1 to Dm that are respectively connected to the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm. For example, the switching component 420 may transmit a data signal output from a non-defective source amplifier to a data line connected to the non-defective source amplifier.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may control transmission of data signals output from the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm to data lines adjacent to the data lines D1 to Dm that are respectively connected to the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm. For example, when inspecting for electrical defects in the data driver 400, the switching component 420 may transmit a data signal output from a defective source amplifier to a data line adjacent to a data line connected to the defective source amplifier. Furthermore, when inspecting for electrical defects in the data driver 400, the switching component 420 may transmit a data signal output from a non-defective source amplifier to a data line adjacent to a data line connected to the non-defective source amplifier.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may control transmission of dummy data signals output from the dummy source amplifiers DSA1 and DSA2 to the data lines D1 and Dm. For example, the switching component 420 may transmit a dummy data signal output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the switching component 420 may transmit a dummy data signal output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 to the m-th data line Dm.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may include m switches SW1 to SWm that are respectively formed on the data lines D1 to Dm. For example, the first switch SW1 may be formed on the first data line D1. The switches SW1 to SWm may control whether to supply data signals output from the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm to the data lines D1 to Dm. For example, the first switch SW1 may control whether to supply a data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 to the first data line D1. If the first switch SW1 is turned on, the data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 may be output to the first data line D1. On the other hand, if the first switch SW1 is turned off, the data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 may not be supplied to the first data line D1.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may include m−1 forward switches FSW1 to FSWm−1 that are formed between the data lines D1 to Dm adjacent to each other. For example, the first forward switch FSW1 may be formed between the first data line D1 and the second data line D2 adjacent to the first data line D1. The forward switches FSW1 to FSWm−1 may control whether to supply data signals output from the source amplifiers SA1 to SAm−1 to the adjacent data lines D2 to Dm. For example, the first forward switch FSW1 may control whether to supply a data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 to the second data line D2. If the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, the data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 may be supplied to the second data line D2. On the other hand, if the first forward switch FSW1 is turned off, the data signal output from the first source amplifier SA1 may not be supplied to the second data line D2.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may include m−1 reverse switches RSW1 to RSWm−1 that are formed between the data lines D1 to Dm adjacent to each other. For example, the first reverse switch RSW1 may be formed between the first data line D1 and the second data line D2 adjacent to the first data line D1. The reverse switches RSW1 to RSWm−1 may control whether to supply data signals output from the source amplifiers SA2 to SAm to the adjacent data lines D1 to Dm−1. For example, the first reverse switch RSW1 may control whether to supply a data signal output from the second source amplifier SA2 to the first data line D1. If the first reverse switch RSW1 is turned on, the data signal output from the second source amplifier SA2 may be output to the first data line D1. On the other hand, if the first reverse switch RSW1 is turned off, the data signal output from the second source amplifier SA2 may not be supplied to the first data line D1. As such, the reverse switches RSW1 to RSWm−1 may supply data signals in a direction opposite to that of the forward switches FSW1 to FSWm−1.

In an embodiment, the switching component 420 may include dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 that are respectively formed on the dummy data lines DD1 and DD2.

The first dummy switch DSW1 may be formed on the first dummy data line DD1. The first dummy switch DSW1 may control whether to supply a dummy data signal output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 to the first data line D1. If the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, the dummy data signal output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 may be supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. On the other hand, if the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned off, the dummy data signal output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 may not be supplied to the first data line D1.

The second dummy switch DSW2 may be formed on the first dummy data line DD2. The second dummy switch DSW2 may control whether to supply a dummy data signal output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 to the m-th data line Dm. If the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, the dummy data signal output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 may be supplied to the m-th data line Dm via the second dummy data line DD2. On the other hand, if the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned off, the dummy data signal output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 may not be supplied to the m-th data line Dm.

FIGS. 4 to 12 are diagrams for schematically describing a method of inspecting for a defect in a single source amplifier. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that in FIGS. 4 to 12, m is 3 (refer to FIG. 3).

FIGS. 4 to 9 schematically illustrate a method of inspecting the source amplifier for a defect in a case in which the defect occurs in a source amplifier connected to any one data line other than the m-th data line Dm (refer to FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 4, the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the second switch SW2 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the second data line D2. The second data signal DS2 may be a green data signal GDS that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the third switch SW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the third data line D3. The third data signal DS3 may be a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3.

As a result, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the first switch SW1 is turned on, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from a defect in the first source amplifier SA1 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 5, the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2 and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. The first dummy data signal DDS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the second forward switch FSW2 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the third data line D3. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Here, even when the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, a data signal may not be supplied to the second data line D2 due to a defect in the first source amplifier SA1.

As a result, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may normally emit light. Here, since the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, although the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 4), the second pixels PX2 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the first forward switch FSW1 and the turning off of the second switch SW2. Consequently, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the first source amplifier SA1.

Referring to FIG. 6, the first dummy switch DSW1 and the switches SW2 and SW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The first switch SW1, the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the second switch SW2 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the second data line D2. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the third switch SW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the third data line D3.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 all emit light normally. In other words, even if a defect occurs in one source amplifier SA1, the display panel 100 may be normally driven without the need for module replacement.

Referring to FIG. 7, the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first switch SW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the first data line D1. The first data signal DS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the third switch SW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the third data line D3. The third data signal DS3 may be a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the second switch SW2 is turned on, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from a defect in the second source amplifier SA2 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 8, the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2 and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. The first dummy data signal DDS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. The first data signal DS1 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Here, even when the second forward switch FSW2 is turned on, a data signal may not be supplied to the third data line D3 due to a defect in the second source amplifier SA2.

As a result, the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may normally emit light. Here, since the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, although the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 7), the third pixels PX3 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the second forward switch FSW2 and the turning off of the third switch SW3. Therefore, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the second source amplifier SA2.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first dummy switch DSW1, the forward switch FSW1, and the third switch SW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the second forward switch FSW2, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the third switch SW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the third data line D3.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 all emit light normally. In other words, even if a defect occurs in one source amplifier SA2, the display panel 100 may be normally driven without the need for module replacement.

FIGS. 10 to 12 schematically illustrate a method of inspecting the source amplifier for a defect in a case in which the defect occurs in the source amplifier connected to the m-th data line Dm (refer to FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 10, the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first switch SW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the first data line D1. The first data signal DS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the second switch SW2 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the second data line D2. The second data signal DS2 may be a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1, and the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the third switch SW3 is turned on, the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from a defect in the third source amplifier SA3 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 11, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2 and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3, the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned off. For example, the first reverse switch RSW1 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the first data line D1. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, so that a second dummy data signal DDS2 output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 is supplied to the third data line D3 via the second dummy data line DD2. The second dummy data signal DDS2 may be a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Here, even when the second reverse switch RSW2 is turned on, a data signal may not be supplied to the second data line D2 due to a defect in the third source amplifier SA3.

As a result, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may normally emit light. Here, since the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, although the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 10), the second pixels PX2 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the second reverse switch RSW2 and the turning off of the second switch SW2. Therefore, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the third source amplifier SA3.

Referring to FIG. 12, the first dummy switch DSW1 and the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, and D3. The switches SW1, SW2, and SW3, the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. The first data signal DS1 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the second forward switch FSW2 is turned on so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 can be supplied to the third data line D3. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 all emit light normally. In other words, even if a defect occurs in one source amplifier SA3, the display panel 100 may be normally driven without the need for module replacement.

FIGS. 13 to 24 are diagrams for schematically describing a method of inspecting for defects in two source amplifiers. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that in FIGS. 13 to 24, m is 4 (refer to FIG. 3).

FIGS. 13 to 15 schematically illustrate a method of inspecting the source amplifiers for defects in a case in which the defects occur in source amplifiers that are connected to the first data line D1 and any one data line other than the m-th data line Dm (refer to FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 13, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3, the reverse switches RSW1 RSW2, and RSW3, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the third switch SW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the third data line D3. The third data signal DS3 may be a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Furthermore, the fourth switch SW4 is turned on, so that a fourth data signal DS4 output from the fourth source amplifier SA4 is supplied to the fourth data line D4. The fourth data signal DS4 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4.

As a result, the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 and the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 are turned on, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from defects in the first source amplifier SA1 and the second source amplifier SA2 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 14, the forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3 and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the reverse switches RSW1, RSW2, and RSW3, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. The first dummy data signal DDS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the third forward switch FSW3 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the fourth data line D4. The third data signal DS3 may be changed to a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4. Here, even if the first forward switch FSW1 and the second forward switch FSW2 are turned on, data signals are not supplied to the second data line D2 and the third data line D3 due to defects in the first source amplifier SA1 and the second source amplifier SA2.

As a result, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D1 and the fourth data line D4 may normally emit light. Here, since the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, because the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the first forward switch FSW1 even when the second switch SW2 is turned off, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the first source amplifier SA1. Furthermore, although the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 13), the third pixels PX3 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the second forward switch FSW2 and the turning off of the third switch SW3, and it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the second source amplifier SA2.

Referring to FIG. 15, the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 and the reverse switches RSW2 and RSW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3, and the first reverse switch RSW1 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the second reverse switch RSW2 is turned on, so that a third data signal DS3 output from the third source amplifier SA3 is supplied to the second data line D2. The third data signal DS3 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the third reverse switch RSW3 is turned on, so that a fourth data signal DS4 output from the fourth source amplifier SA4 is supplied to the third data line D3. The fourth data signal DS4 may be changed to a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Furthermore, the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, so that a second dummy data signal DDS2 output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 is supplied to the fourth data line D4 via the second dummy data line DD2. The second dummy data signal DDS2 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D1 and the fourth data line D4, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 all emit light normally. In other words, even if defects occur in two source amplifiers SA1 and SA2, the display panel 100 may be normally driven without the need for module replacement.

FIGS. 16 to 18 schematically illustrate a method of inspecting the source amplifiers for defects in a case in which the defects occur in source amplifiers that are connected to the m-th data line Dm (refer to FIG. 3) and any one data line other than the first data line D1.

Referring to FIG. 16, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3, the reverse switches RSW1 RSW2, and RSW3, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first switch SW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the first data line D1. The first data signal DS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the second switch SW2 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the second data line D2. The second data signal DS2 may be a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 are turned on, the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 and the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from defects in the third source amplifier SA3 or the fourth source amplifier SA4 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 17, the reverse switches RSW1, RSW2, and RSW3 and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3, and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned off. For example, the first reverse switch RSW1 is turned on, so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 is supplied to the first data line D1. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, so that a second dummy data signal DDS2 output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 is supplied to the fourth data line D4 via the second dummy data line DD2. The second dummy data signal DDS2 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4. Here, even if the second reverse switch RSW2 and the third reverse switch RSW3 are turned on, data signals are not supplied to the second data line D2 and the third data line D3 due to defects in the third source amplifier SA3 and the fourth source amplifier SA4.

As a result, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D1 and the fourth data line D4 may normally emit light. Here, since the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, although the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 16), the second pixels PX2 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the second reverse switch RSW2 and the turning off of the second switch SW2. Consequently, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the third source amplifier SA3. Furthermore, because the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the third reverse switch RSW3 even when the third switch SW3 is turned off, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the fourth source amplifier SA4.

Referring to FIG. 18, the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 and the forward switches RSW1 and RSW2 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the reverse switches RSW1, RSW2, and RSW3, and the third forward switch FSW3 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. The first data signal DS1 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the second forward switch FSW2 is turned on so that a second data signal DS2 output from the second source amplifier SA2 can be supplied to the third data line D3. The second data signal DS2 may be changed to a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Furthermore, the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, so that a second dummy data signal DDS2 output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 is supplied to the fourth data line D4 via the second dummy data line DD2.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D1 and the fourth data line D4, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2, and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 all emit light normally. In other words, even if defects occur in two source amplifiers SA3 and SA4, the display panel 100 may be normally driven without the need for module replacement.

FIGS. 19 to 21 schematically illustrate a method of inspecting the source amplifiers for defects in a case in which the defects occur in source amplifiers that are respectively connected to any two data lines other than the first data line D1 and the m-th data line Dm (refer to FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 19, the switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3, the reverse switches RSW1 RSW2, and RSW3, and the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first switch SW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the first data line D1. The first data signal DS1 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1. Furthermore, the fourth switch SW4 is turned on, so that a fourth data signal DS4 output from the fourth source amplifier SA4 is supplied to the fourth data line D4. The fourth data signal DS4 may be a red data signal RDS that is supplied to the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D1 and the fourth data line D4 may normally emit light. In contrast, even if the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 are turned on, the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 and the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 may not normally emit light. However, at this point it is unclear whether the aforementioned abnormal operation results from defects in the second source amplifier SA2 or the third source amplifier SA3 or other defects such as, for example, bonding defects in the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board.

Referring to FIG. 20, the forward switches FSW1, FSW2, and FSW3 and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the reverse switches RSW1, RSW2, and RSW3, and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. The first data signal DS1 may be changed to a green data signal GD2 that is supplied to the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2. Here, even if the second forward switch FSW2 and the third forward switch FSW3 are turned on, data signals are not supplied to the third data line D3 and the fourth data line D4 due to defects in the second source amplifier SA2 and the third source amplifier SA3. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned example. The reverse switches RSW1, RSW2, and RSW3 and the second dummy switch DSW2 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the forward switches FSW1, FSW2 and FSW3, and the first dummy switch DSW1 may be turned on.

As a result, the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 and the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4 may not normally emit light, while the first pixels PX1 connected to the first data line D1 and the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 may normally emit light. Here, since the second pixels PX2 connected to the second data line D2 normally emit light, it can be determined that there are no other defects such as, for example, bonding defects of the data driver 400 and the flexible circuit board. Furthermore, because the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the second forward switch FSW2 even when the third switch SW3 is turned off, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the second source amplifier SA2. Furthermore, although the first pixels PX1 connected to the fourth data line D4 have normally emitted light at a preceding stage (refer to FIG. 19), the first pixels PX1 do not normally emit light due to the turning on of the third forward switch FSW3 and the turning off of the fourth switch SW4, it can be determined that a defect has occurred in the third source amplifier SA3.

Referring to FIG. 21, the dummy switches DSW1 and DSW2, the first forward switch FSW1, and the third reverse switch RSW3 may be turned on to supply data signals to the data lines D1, D2, D3, and D4. The switches SW1, SW2, SW3, and SW4, the forward switches FSW1 and FSW2, and the reverse switches RSW1 and RSW2 may be turned off. For example, the first dummy switch DSW1 is turned on, so that a first dummy data signal DDS1 output from the first dummy source amplifier DSA1 is supplied to the first data line D1 via the first dummy data line DD1. Furthermore, the first forward switch FSW1 is turned on, so that a first data signal DS1 output from the first source amplifier SA1 is supplied to the second data line D2. Furthermore, the third reverse switch RSW3 is turned on, so that a fourth data signal DS4 output from the fourth source amplifier SA4 is supplied to the third data line D3. The fourth data signal DS4 may be changed to a blue data signal BDS that is supplied to the third pixels PX3 connected to the third data line D3. Furthermore, the second dummy switch DSW2 is turned on, so that a second dummy data signal DDS2 output from the second dummy source amplifier DSA2 is supplied to the fourth data line D4 via the second dummy data line DD2.

As a result, the first pixels PX1 connected to each of the first data line D