Display device, display system, driving chip and display control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a display device, a display system, a driving chip and a display control method. The display device comprises a control unit and a communication function unit. The communication function unit is connected with the control unit and is respectively connected with each group of display subareas; the control unit adjusts the packet sending rate of the communication function unit in response to the change of the frame frequency of the input dynamic picture to obtain the adjusted packet sending rate; the communication function unit sequentially sends display data to each group of display partitions by taking a group as a unit through the adjusted group sending rate, so that the refresh rate for finishing refresh of all the group of display partitions is matched with the frame frequency; wherein one group of display subareas comprises one or more display subareas. According to the embodiment of the invention, the refresh rate of the display panel can be matched with the frame frequency while the grouped refresh of each group of display partitions can be realized, so that the VRR is realized, and the transmission pressure of a communication channel is greatly reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of lighting control technology, and in particular to a display device, display system, driver chip, and display control method. Background Technology

[0002] Display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs), and quantum dot light-emitting diode displays (QLEDs) include display driver chips (ICs) used to drive the display of each display section (such as each pixel) on the display panel according to image data.

[0003] Display devices can display a wide variety of image content, each with a varying frame rate. Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a feature of display devices that significantly improves the viewing experience in various applications such as games and movies. VRR technology allows display devices to dynamically adjust their refresh rate based on the frame rate of the input signal.

[0004] Currently, when the frame rate changes, the display driver IC needs to receive a configuration dataset from the processor of an external host system. This dataset is used to set the register settings within the display driver IC for each output pin connected to a light-emitting element (such as an LED). These register settings include the driving timing settings and voltage values ​​for the display driver IC's digital logic circuitry. Each time the frame rate changes, a configuration dataset for all output pins needs to be sent, causing the display device's refresh rate to change adaptively.

[0005] Therefore, when the frame rate changes dynamically, a configuration dataset needs to be transmitted for each frame rate, significantly increasing the amount of communication data between the display driver IC and the external host system's processor. For example, the amount of communication data required to transmit the configuration dataset is generally equivalent to the amount of communication data required to transmit image data. Therefore, the amount of communication data required when the frame rate is fixed (i.e., only image data needs to be transmitted) is more than twice that amount when the frame rate changes dynamically. Consequently, this method of implementing VRR based on the configuration dataset places enormous pressure on the communication channel. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, this application provides a display device, display system, driver chip, and display control method to solve at least one problem existing in the background art.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a display device, the display device including a control unit and a communication function unit; the communication function unit is connected to the control unit and is respectively connected to each group of display partitions; the display device is used to display each frame of a dynamic picture and / or a static picture, the picture including multiple sets of display data corresponding one-to-one with multiple groups of display partitions; The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame frequency of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each group of display partitions in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate for refreshing all group display partitions matches the frame frequency; wherein, a group of display partitions includes one or more display partitions.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, Each display partition consists of one or more full pixel rows and / or one or more incomplete pixel rows.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The communication function unit transmits the display data of each complete pixel row in a predetermined order by adjusting the packet transmission rate.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The communication function unit includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; one set of transmission channel groups is connected to a set of display partitions. Each transmission channel group includes one or more transmission channels; each transmission channel is connected to a display partition.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The transmission channel includes channel identification information; the channel identification information is used to indicate the position of the data segment corresponding to the transmission channel in the complete frame display data.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The communication function unit sequentially sends group display data to each display partition at the adjusted group transmission rate. This group display data is obtained by grouping the complete frame display data using channel identification information.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The set of display partitions includes group number information; The control unit responds to the input of complete frame display data of the dynamic picture, groups the complete frame display data according to each display partition through channel identification information, and associates each group of display data with the group number information.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, The control unit is configured to sequentially send signals containing the group number information of each display partition to the communication function unit within an effective time period. When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, the display partition corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a display system, which includes a main control device, a driver chip cascade circuit, and a display panel; The main control device includes a control unit; The cascaded circuit of the driver chip includes a communication function unit; The display panel includes multiple display zones, and the control unit and the display zones are connected through the communication function unit; a display zone includes one or more display zones. The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate; and controls the output of each group of display data and signals containing group number information from the main control device within an effective period of time. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups according to the group number information and the adjusted group sending rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame frequency.

[0016] In conjunction with the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, The display system also includes a communication device; The communication device is connected between the main control device and the cascaded circuit of the driver chip, and is configured to forward the display data and signals containing group number information output by the main control device in the order of each group.

[0017] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a driver chip, which includes a control unit and a communication function unit; The communication function unit includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; each set of transmission channel groups is used to connect to one set of display zones among all display zones of the display panel; each set of transmission channel groups includes one or more transmission channels; one transmission channel is used to connect to one display zone. The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame frequency.

[0018] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a display control method, the display control method comprising: The packet transmission rate of the communication function unit is adjusted in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image to obtain the adjusted packet transmission rate. The control communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each group display partition in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate for refreshing all group display partitions matches the frame frequency; wherein, a group display partition includes one or more display partitions.

[0019] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in an alternative implementation, The control unit for the communication function sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups, using the adjusted group transmission rate, including: Within the effective period, each group of data packets is sent to the communication function unit in a predetermined order so that the communication function unit can obtain each group of data packets in sequence. When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, a set of display partitions corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit. Each group of data includes a set of display data corresponding to a set of display partitions and a signal containing group number information corresponding to the set of display partitions.

[0020] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in an alternative implementation, The display control method further includes: In response to the input of dynamic images, the complete frame display data is grouped according to each display partition using channel identification information to obtain each group of display data, and / or sorted according to the physical position of each group of display partitions on the display panel to obtain each group of display data in a predetermined order.

[0021] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in an alternative implementation, In response to receiving a connection signal from the display panel, the channel identification information of the display panel's transmission channel is obtained.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this application embodiment include: Through the display device of this application embodiment, the control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate in response to changes in the frame frequency, and the communication function unit sequentially sends display data to each display partition using the adjusted packet transmission rate. This enables simultaneous packet refresh of each display partition and matching of the display panel's refresh rate with the frame frequency. When the frame frequency changes, without needing to transmit configuration datasets including drive timing settings for all driver chip output pins, the display panel's refresh rate can match the frame frequency, achieving VRR (Dynamic Refresh Rate) of the display device. This significantly reduces the transmission pressure on the communication channel and prevents various performance degradation and reliability issues.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the embodiments of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, are provided. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show details of those features. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a specific example of a display device in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of multiple time segments in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a specific example of the display system in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating another specific example of the display system in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a specific example of a driver chip in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the control method shown in the embodiments of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating a specific example of a cascaded group of driver chips in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical solution and beneficial effects of this application more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below by listing specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show the details of the local features; unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those in the technical field to which this application pertains.

[0026] The embodiments described in this application are not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined with each other. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0027] In each embodiment of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0028] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "the", "the", "the", "the", "this", etc., can mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc.

[0030] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one (or at least one, at least one item, at least one),” “one or more,” “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0031] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this application are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, value, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is based on the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, the numerical value of the descriptive object is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the numerical value of "device" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the descriptive object is "device," then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different.

[0032] In some embodiments, the term "and / or" may indicate at least one of the items defined by the term, for example, "A and / or B" may indicate implementation as "A", or implementation as "A", or implementation as "A and B".

[0033] In some embodiments, the term "connection" or "coupled" can refer to the transmission of electrical signals or data between one end being connected and the other end being connected to, and can be understood as "electrical connection" or "electrical coupling," "communication connection" or "communication coupling," etc. "Connection" or "coupled" can be a direct connection between two components, an indirect connection established through other components, a connection within two components, or any other possible form of connection.

[0034] This specification provides method operation steps as shown in the embodiments or flowcharts, but based on conventional or non-inventive labor, more or fewer operation steps may be included. The order of steps listed in the embodiments is merely one possible execution order among many and does not represent the only execution order. In actual devices, systems, or server products, the methods shown in the embodiments or drawings can be executed sequentially or in parallel (e.g., in a parallel processor or multi-threaded processing environment).

[0035] In the process of implementing this application, the inventors discovered the following problems in the implementation of VRR: When the frame rate is fixed, the display driver IC can control the data update of each output pin of the display driver IC connected to the light-emitting element according to the pre-configured register settings.

[0036] However, when the frame rate changes dynamically, the display driver IC needs to receive a configuration dataset from the external host system's processor to adapt to these changes and modify the register settings within the display driver IC. Then, the display driver IC controls the output pin data updates based on the changed register settings to achieve VRR.

[0037] Therefore, this method of implementing VRR based on a configuration dataset places enormous pressure on the communication channel. Furthermore, when the frame rate changes continuously, the communication channel will be under high load for extended periods during these periods of continuous frame rate variation because it needs to frequently occupy communication channel resources to transmit the configuration dataset. In summary, this method of implementing VRR places significant pressure on the communication channel and also causes performance degradation and reliability issues such as increased signal attenuation, reduced signal-to-noise ratio, and other problems.

[0038] Therefore, this application provides a VRR implementation scheme that can reduce the transmission pressure on the communication channel.

[0039] In this embodiment, the display device or display system may include a display panel, on which LEDs are arranged in an array. Exemplarily, the display device or display system may be implemented as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED) display, or a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display, etc.

[0040] The term "LED" can refer to any system capable of receiving a signal and producing a color of light in response to that signal. Therefore, the term "LED" can be understood to include all types of light-emitting diodes, light-emitting polymers, semiconductor dies that produce light in response to current, organic LEDs, electroluminescent strips, light-emitting silicon-based structures, and other such systems. In some examples, "LED" can refer to a single light-emitting diode package having multiple individually controlled semiconductor dies. It should be understood that the term "LED" does not limit the type of LED package. The term "LED" can include packaged LEDs, unpackaged LEDs, surface-mount LEDs, chip-on-a-board LEDs, and all other configurations of LEDs. The term "LED" can also include LEDs packaged with or associated with a phosphor, wherein the phosphor converts energy from the LED into different wavelengths. In some examples, LEDs can be implemented as RGB LEDs, and RGB LEDs can include red LEDs, green LEDs, and blue LEDs. Furthermore, in addition to RGB LEDs, LEDs can also include white LEDs. In some examples, LEDs can be implemented as MiniLEDs; for example, a MiniLED can be an LED using a size of 100 to 200 micrometers. In some examples, LEDs can be implemented as MicroLEDs, employing self-emissive technology.

[0041] The LEDs are connected to the output pins of the driver chip. The driver chip drives the LEDs to display based on the display data of the input image or dynamic picture, so that the display panel can visually reproduce the input image or dynamic picture.

[0042] This application provides a display device that can be used to implement the VRR implementation scheme of this application. Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic block diagram of a specific example of a display device in an embodiment of this application. As shown, the display device includes a control unit 101 and a communication function unit 102. The communication function unit 102 is connected to the control unit 101 and is connected to each group of display partitions. The display device is used to display each frame of a dynamic picture and / or a static picture. The picture includes multiple sets of display data that correspond one-to-one with multiple groups of display partitions. The control unit 101 adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit 102 in response to the change in the frame frequency of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit 102 sends display data to each group display partition in sequence by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate for completing the refresh of all group display partitions matches the frame frequency; wherein, a group display partition includes one or more display partitions.

[0043] Thus, in the display device of this application embodiment, the control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate in response to changes in the frame frequency, and the communication function unit sequentially sends display data to each display partition using the adjusted packet transmission rate. This enables simultaneous packet refresh of each display partition and matching of the display panel's refresh rate with the frame frequency. When the frame frequency changes, the display panel's refresh rate can be matched with the frame frequency without transmitting configuration datasets including drive timing settings for all driver chip output pins, achieving VRR (Dynamic Refresh Rate) of the display device. This significantly reduces the transmission pressure on the communication channel and prevents various performance degradation and reliability issues.

[0044] In this embodiment, the control unit and the communication function unit can be implemented by software and / or hardware.

[0045] Dynamic visuals can include video streams, real-time rendered visuals, etc.

[0046] Frame rate (also known as frame rate or frame frequency) refers to the number of frames displayed per unit of time (e.g., per second). It describes the rate at which dynamic images are updated per unit of time and is determined by the dynamic image generation end (e.g., camera, game engine, etc.).

[0047] The packet transmission rate of the communication function unit can refer to the number of groups of display data transmitted per unit time. Display data (or display data of each group) is sent sequentially to each display partition in groups. This can be done by sending one group of display data to a group of display partitions at a time, and the sending order can be the order obtained after grouping and sorting the complete frame of display data according to the physical lighting order of each group of display partitions on the display panel, but it is not limited to this.

[0048] The packet transmission rate can be calculated and determined based on the frame rate so that the refresh rate of the display device (display panel) when all display partitions have been refreshed matches the frame rate. Therefore, those skilled in the art will know various specific calculation methods for calculating the packet transmission rate, which will not be described in detail in this application. Completing one full refresh of all display partitions constitutes completing one refresh of the display device.

[0049] The acquisition of display data by a display partition corresponds to the completion of one display partition refresh. The time required to complete one refresh of all display partitions (or display panels) can be defined as the period. The reciprocal of the period is the refresh rate.

[0050] Therefore, the embodiments of this application can be implemented as follows: every time the frame frequency of the dynamic picture changes, the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit sending display data is adjusted once, the refresh rate of the display partition is also adjusted once, and thus the refresh rate of the display panel is also adjusted once, so that the refresh rate of the display device can adapt to the change of frame frequency and realize VRR.

[0051] In this embodiment, the change in frame frequency may include changing from a first frame frequency to a second frame frequency, or changing from a second frame frequency to a first frame frequency. The first frame frequency is lower than the second frame frequency. For example, the first frame frequency is 60Hz and the second frame frequency is 120Hz, but it is not limited to this.

[0052] A complete frame of display data (or a single frame of display data) can be divided into multiple groups based on the grouping of display partitions, and can be sent sequentially to each group of display partitions on a group-by-group basis. A group of display data corresponds to a group of display partitions; in other words, a group of display data can be used to drive the display of a group of display partitions. A display partition may include one or more LEDs. For example, the display screen may include a single display device or multiple display devices. The content displayed on the display screen may be each frame of a dynamic scene displayed by multiple groups of display partitions, or it may be a static image displayed by multiple groups of display partitions; or it may be both types of images displayed simultaneously on the display screen. In other words, part of the content displayed on the display screen may be a dynamic scene and may implement VRR (Dynamic View Responsiveness), while another part may be a static image.

[0053] In one alternative implementation, each set of display partitions includes one or more complete pixel rows and / or one or more incomplete pixel rows.

[0054] In some examples, refer to Figure 1 The display panel 103 is divided into multiple physically arranged rows and columns of partitions (or display partitions), forming an m×n partition array, namely partition 11, partition 12, ..., partition 1n, partition 21, partition 22, ..., partition 2n, ..., partition m1, partition m2, ..., partition mn. Each partition can include one or more pixels. Pixels can represent colors using combinations of the three primary colors RGB (red, green, and blue), or may include white, etc. The number of pixels contained in any two partitions can be the same or different. m and n can be natural numbers greater than 0.

[0055] So, Figure 1 There are m display partitions in total, namely display partition 3-1 (group 1), display partition 3-2 (group 2), ..., display partition 3-m (group m). Each display partition includes a complete pixel row. Thus, by sequentially sending display data to each complete pixel row, the display panel can be physically driven (lit up) row by row. For example, when the display panel's row-driven display matches the line scanning sequence of the LCD, the backlight and the corresponding LCD rows can be switched synchronously, improving synchronization and display contrast.

[0056] It should be understood that an incomplete pixel row comprises one or more consecutive pixels from a complete pixel row. Therefore, a complete pixel row can consist of multiple incomplete pixel rows that are physically located in the same row. Any two incomplete pixel rows may contain the same number of pixels or different numbers.

[0057] Any two rows of complete pixels (or incomplete pixels) can be physically adjacent rows, or they can not be adjacent rows.

[0058] In an optional implementation, the communication function unit transmits the display data of each complete pixel row sequentially in a predetermined order by means of an adjusted packet transmission rate.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, the display data of all complete pixel rows constitutes the complete frame display data.

[0060] The predetermined order of complete pixel rows can be set according to actual needs. For example, refer to... Figure 1 The predetermined order of complete pixel rows is the physical order of the rows of the display panel 103 from top to bottom. In this way, the communication function unit sends display data sequentially row by row, realizing the row-by-row refresh of the display panel 103, and the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame rate.

[0061] In one optional embodiment, the communication function unit includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; one set of transmission channel groups is connected to a set of display partitions; Each transmission channel group includes one or more transmission channels; each transmission channel is connected to a display partition.

[0062] In some examples, a transmission channel may correspond to an output pin of a driver chip. A transmission channel may include an output pin of the driver chip (e.g., marked with channel identification information), and one or more devices such as registers, switches, resistors, and capacitors connected to that output pin. Registers can store timing settings, etc.; switches can control the on / off state of the transmission channel; resistors, capacitors, etc., can adjust channel parameters such as the output impedance of the transmission channel.

[0063] In some examples, the communication function unit may include one or more of the following: multiple transmission channels, logic circuits (or programmable circuits), processors, and memory. The programmable logic circuits or processors can execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement functions such as gating transmission channels and timing output.

[0064] In one optional implementation, the transmission channel includes channel identification information; the channel identification information is used to indicate the position of the data segment corresponding to the transmission channel in the complete frame display data.

[0065] In this embodiment, the transmission channel is identified by channel identification information, which indicates the position of the data segment corresponding to the transmission channel in the complete frame display data. Thus, the display data of the complete frame can be grouped and sorted according to the physical position of each display partition on the display panel based on the channel identification information. This allows for the sequential transmission of each group of display data according to the predetermined lighting order of each group of display partitions at a group transmission rate matching the frame frequency, significantly reducing the transmission pressure on the communication channel while achieving VRR (Dynamic Responsive Reading).

[0066] In some examples, the channel identification information includes a channel identifier.

[0067] The channel identifier can include letters (such as A, a, etc.), numbers (such as 1, 2, etc.), and symbols (such as underscores "_", punctuation marks "!", "@", etc., connectors "-", etc.).

[0068] In this embodiment, the channel identifier can use different names, such as channel number, channel address, etc., and there is no restriction on the name.

[0069] In some examples, channel identification information can be stored in a memory unit inside the driver chip, which can significantly improve the configuration speed of channel identification information, simplify the process of initializing and setting channel parameters, and improve the processing speed of initialization. Alternatively, channel identification information can also be stored in a memory unit located in other locations, such as on the display panel outside the driver chip, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0070] In one optional implementation, the communication function unit sequentially sends group-based display data to each group display partition at an adjusted group transmission rate. This data is obtained by grouping the complete frame display data using channel identification information.

[0071] In this embodiment of the application, through channel identification information, the complete frame display data can be reorganized (grouped and sorted) into multiple groups according to the grouping of the display partition. In this way, the communication function unit can send the data to each group of display partitions in a grouped manner (one group at a time) in sequence. Accordingly, the display panel can be refreshed in groups, and VRR can be achieved while greatly reducing the transmission pressure of the communication channel.

[0072] In one alternative implementation, the set of display partitions includes group number information.

[0073] In some examples, the control unit responds to the input of complete frame display data of the dynamic picture by grouping the complete frame display data according to each display partition through channel identification information, and associates each group of display data with the group number information.

[0074] In this embodiment, the display data obtained after grouping the complete frame display data can be associated one-to-one with the group number information of each display partition. In other words, each group of display data is marked by a group number.

[0075] A set of display partitions includes group number information. In other words, each set of display partitions is marked by a group number, and a set of display partitions corresponds to a group number.

[0076] In some examples, group number information may include letters (such as A, a, etc.), numbers (such as 1, 2, etc.), and symbols (such as underscores "_", punctuation marks "!", "@", etc., connectors "-", etc.).

[0077] In an optional embodiment, the control unit is configured to sequentially send signals containing the group number information of each display partition to the communication function unit within an effective time period; When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, the display partition corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit.

[0078] In this embodiment, when refreshing the display of a group of display partitions, the control unit and the communication function unit transmit group number information, and control the data refresh of a group of display partitions through the group number information. The control unit can control the time when each group of display partitions obtains display data, or in other words, the refresh time of each group of display partitions, thereby improving the orderliness of the sequential refresh of each group of display partitions and the accuracy of the refresh time. Furthermore, by only transmitting group number information, the amount of communication data is reduced, which can reduce the transmission pressure on the communication channel.

[0079] Referring to the comparative example, when the frame rate changes dynamically, the control unit needs to transmit the configuration dataset of all transmission channels within the communication function unit. Therefore, in the comparative example, the amount of communication data between the control unit and the communication function unit will increase significantly. In contrast, according to the embodiments of this application, the control unit only needs to transmit group number information. Therefore, since the transmission of configuration datasets is avoided, transmitting group number information also reduces the amount of communication data and lowers the transmission pressure on the communication channels.

[0080] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a multi-frame time period in an embodiment of this application is shown. (Reference) Figure 2 A frame time period can include a valid duration AT and an interval duration. One frame time period (1 frame) can correspond to one image frame in a moving image, as can be determined based on the synchronization signal S1. The interval duration can be the time in the frame time period other than the valid duration AT. In some examples, the display device can display an image during the valid duration AT and not display an image during the interval duration.

[0081] In some examples, all display data (complete frame display data) sent sequentially to each display partition group is completed within the valid time period AT. (See reference) Figure 2 Multiple sets of display data, each corresponding to a display partition, such as the 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-m data segments in the complete frame display data, correspond one-to-one with the first display partition 3-1, the second display partition 3-2, ..., the mth display partition 3-m, and are sent within the valid time period AT.

[0082] In some examples, each time the control unit sends a set of display data to the communication function unit, it also sends a signal containing group number information corresponding to the sent set of display data. Then, in response to receiving each group number, the communication function unit can trigger the transmission channel corresponding to that group number to send the set of display data, causing the display partitions corresponding to that group number to receive the data and refresh their displays. The group number information can be used to specify the target to which the set of display data needs to be sent, i.e., the target group display partition.

[0083] This application also provides a display system that can be used to implement the VRR implementation scheme of this application. Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a specific example of a display system in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in the figure, the display system includes a main control device 301, a driver chip cascade circuit 302, and a display panel 103. The main control device 301 includes a control unit; The driver chip cascade circuit 302 includes a communication function unit; The display panel 103 includes multiple display zones, and the control unit and the display zones are connected through the communication function unit; a display zone includes one or more display zones. The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate; and controls the output of each group of display data and signals containing group number information from the main control device 301 within the effective period. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups according to the group number information and the adjusted group sending rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel 103 matches the frame frequency.

[0084] In this way, the display system can adapt to changes in frame frequency and change the refresh rate while refreshing in groups, thus achieving VRR; and while achieving VRR, it greatly reduces the transmission pressure on the communication channel and prevents various performance degradation and reliability problems of the communication channel.

[0085] refer to Figure 3 The driver chip cascade circuit 302 is disposed on the side of the display panel 103 opposite to each partition. For example, each partition is disposed on the front side of the display panel 103, and the driver chip cascade circuit 302 is disposed on the back side.

[0086] In this embodiment, the driver chip cascade circuit may include one or more driver chip cascade groups. Each driver chip cascade group may include one or more driver chips connected in a cascade. For example, the communication function unit may include transmission channels for all driver chips. The transmission channels may include output pins of the driver chips, registers connected to the output pins, switches, resistors, capacitors, and other devices. (Reference) Figure 1 and Figure 3 The communication function unit includes m groups of transmission channels, each corresponding to a display partition 3-1, display partition 3-2, ..., display partition 3-m. Alternatively, the communication function unit may also include hardware circuits with data selection and timing output functions, or a processor with signal processing capabilities, which can be configured as needed.

[0087] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of another specific example of the display system in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in the figure, in an optional embodiment, the display system further includes a communication device 304. The communication device 304 is connected between the main control device 301 and the driver chip cascade circuit 302, and is configured to forward the display data and signals containing group number information output by the main control device 301 in sequence.

[0088] In this embodiment of the application, the forwarding function of the communication device can be implemented to directly forward the output without changing the order of the data input to the communication device. In other words, the order of the output data is consistent with the order of the input data.

[0089] The communication device can forward data according to the order of each group of display data, and / or according to the order of all group display data (complete frame display data) and signals containing group number information. Thus, if a communicable functional unit receives a group number and a group of display data, it sends the group of display data to a group of display partitions based on the group number; or if the communicable functional unit receives all group display data and, in the case of receiving a group number, sends the group of display data to a group of display partitions based on the group number. In this case, the order of all group display data received by the communication functional unit can be predetermined (as described above), or it can be unpredictable, i.e., the order is not required.

[0090] In some examples, the displayed data for each group can be in a predetermined order. And / or, the order in which the control unit sends the group number information content (signals containing group number information) is in the predetermined order of the displayed data for each group. This ensures that the order in which the display partition updates data is consistent with the predetermined order, allowing for flexible setting of the display partition refresh order. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for data reorganization or adjustment by the communication device, reducing display latency.

[0091] In this embodiment, the cascaded driver chip group is mainly composed of cascaded driver chips. The connection method of the driver chips can be configured according to actual needs.

[0092] As a specific example, a driver chip cascade group can include driver chips connected sequentially end to end to form a cascade. In this case, the signal transmission link in the driver chip cascade group is one-dimensional, and the signal is transmitted sequentially in a single direction. For example, from the first driver chip to the last driver chip, the signal needs to be transmitted through all the driver chips in the driver chip cascade group.

[0093] As another specific example, a cascaded group of driver chips may include a first driver chip group and multiple second driver chip groups, wherein: The first driver chip string group includes multiple first driver chips connected in series sequentially. Each second driver chip string group includes a plurality of second driver chips connected in series in sequence, wherein any one of the second driver chips in each second driver chip string group is connected to a first driver chip in a first driver chip string group.

[0094] For example, sequential cascading can represent connecting the first driver chips one after another end to form a continuous path from the first first driver chip to the last first driver chip.

[0095] refer to Figure 7 The driver chip cascade group can connect each first driver chip in the first driver chip string group to one or more second driver chip string groups, and at least one second driver chip at the end of the second driver chip string group is connected to one of the first driver chips in the first driver chip string group.

[0096] The number of second driver chips contained in multiple second driver chip string groups can be the same or different.

[0097] At this point, the signal transmission links in the cascaded driver chip group are two-dimensional or more, with signals transmitted sequentially in at least two directions. For example, the longest cascaded number can be m+n-1. This significantly reduces the number of cascaded driver chips, lowers signal transmission distortion, and eliminates the need to increase the number of interfaces for display communication units (such as control chips), thus reducing the number of traces and simplifying wiring.

[0098] refer to Figure 7 In this configuration, any one of the first driver chips in the cascaded group of driver chips is connected to a communication device, and multiple communication devices are connected together. In some examples, the master control device can be connected to any one of the multiple communication devices. Alternatively, in other examples, the master control device can be connected to each communication device.

[0099] This application also provides a driver chip that can be used to implement the VRR implementation scheme of this application. Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of a specific example of a driver chip in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in the figure, the driver chip includes a control unit 101 and a communication function unit 102. The communication function unit 102 includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; each set of transmission channel groups is used to connect to one set of display zones among all display zones of the display panel; each set of transmission channel groups includes one or more transmission channels; one transmission channel is used to connect to one display zone. The control unit 101 adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to the change in the frame rate of the input dynamic picture, and obtains the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit 102 sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame frequency.

[0100] In this way, the driver chip enables the display device or display system to adapt to changes in frame frequency and change the refresh rate while implementing group refresh, thus achieving VRR; and while achieving VRR, it greatly reduces the transmission pressure of the communication channel and prevents various performance degradation and reliability problems of the communication channel.

[0101] In this application, the control unit may include a processor.

[0102] In this application, the processor can be a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading, interpretation, execution, and processing capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a type of microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to achieve the above functions. In addition, a processor can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as a type of ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU), etc.

[0103] This application also provides a display control method that can be used to implement the VRR implementation scheme of this application. Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a specific example of a display control method in an embodiment of this application is shown. As shown in the figure, the display control method can be applied to a control unit and includes: Step S601: Adjust the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to the change in the frame rate of the input dynamic picture to obtain the adjusted packet transmission rate; Step S602: Control the communication function unit to send display data to each group display partition in sequence by group through the adjusted group sending rate, so that the refresh rate of all group display partitions is matched with the frame frequency; wherein, a group display partition includes one or more display partitions.

[0104] This allows each display partition to refresh in groups, and the refresh rate of the display panel to match the frame rate. When the frame rate changes, the display panel achieves VRR (Dynamic Refresh Rate) while significantly reducing the transmission pressure on the communication channel.

[0105] In an optional implementation, step S602, which involves controlling the communication function unit to sequentially send display data to each display partition in groups using an adjusted packet sending rate, includes: Step S6021: Within the effective period, each group of data packets is sent to the communication function unit in a predetermined order so that the communication function unit can obtain each group of data packets in sequence. When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, a set of display partitions corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit. Each group of data includes a set of display data corresponding to a set of display partitions and a signal containing group number information corresponding to the set of display partitions.

[0106] In this way, not only can the group refresh of each display partition adapt to the change of frame frequency to achieve VRR, but it can also reduce the amount of communication data and reduce the transmission pressure of the communication channel. Furthermore, it can also improve the orderliness of the sequential refresh of each display partition and the accuracy of the refresh time.

[0107] It should be understood that in other alternative implementations, the control of the display partition refresh in step S6021 may not be controlled by the group number information, and other control methods may also be adopted.

[0108] For example, within a valid period of time, the communication function unit can sequentially send each set of display data for each display partition in a predetermined order, so that the communication function unit can sequentially obtain each set of display data, and output it directly or at regular intervals each time a set of display data is obtained, thereby sequentially outputting it to each set of display partitions.

[0109] In an optional embodiment, the display control method further includes: Step S603: In response to the input of a dynamic image, the complete frame display data is grouped according to each display partition using channel identification information to obtain each group of display data, and / or sorted according to the physical position of each group of display partitions on the display panel to obtain each group of display data in a predetermined order. This enables the display panel to drive the display line by line, and also ensures consistency with the line scanning sequence of the LCD, achieving synchronous switching of backlight and corresponding LCD lines, improving synchronization and display contrast.

[0110] In an optional embodiment, the display control method further includes: Step S604: In response to receiving the connection signal of the display panel, obtain the channel identification information of the transmission channel of the display panel.

[0111] In this embodiment, the connection signal of the display panel can be set according to the interface structure or connection confirmation mechanism of the display device or display system. For example, the connection signal can be a connection success confirmation signal that responds to the connection inquiry signal sent by the display panel feedback control unit.

[0112] In this application, the control unit may include: Memory, which stores instructions; and A processor configured to execute the instructions to implement the display control method as described in the above embodiments.

[0113] In this application, electronic equipment may also be referred to as a display device, display system, etc., and the name is not limited here. Electronic equipment includes at least LEDs and functional units with the function of driving LED displays, such as control units, communication functional units, etc. For example, electronic equipment may include control units.

[0114] This electronic device may include a processor, memory, communication interface, and input devices connected via a system bus. The processor provides computing and control capabilities. The memory includes non-volatile storage media and internal memory. The non-volatile storage media stores the operating system and computer programs. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and computer programs stored in the non-volatile storage media. The communication interface is used for communication with external devices. The input devices may be a touch layer covering the display panel, buttons, a trackball, or a touchpad on the device's casing, or an external keyboard, touchpad, or mouse.

[0115] The following describes the data processing flow when an electronic device displays a screen.

[0116] When an electronic device needs to display a single frame of an image, such as the Nth frame, it can first perform frame rate calculation on that Nth frame. Frame rate calculation is the process by which the processor in an electronic device determines the number of frames obtained per unit time based on the display data (or image data) of multiple consecutive frames of images obtained within a predetermined time period. For example, frame rate calculation can determine whether the frame rate changes when the Nth frame is obtained, and the corresponding frame rate, based on multiple consecutive frames of images, such as… the (N-2)th frame, the (N-1)th frame, the Nth frame, etc.

[0117] After the frame rate calculation, the electronic device can perform a packet transmission rate calculation for the Nth frame. The packet transmission rate calculation is the process by which the processor in the electronic device maintains a constant packet transmission rate when the frame rate remains constant, and determines the number of display data packets transmitted per unit time based on the changed frame rate value when the frame rate changes. For example, the electronic device can perform the packet transmission rate calculation whenever the frame rate changes, whether it increases or decreases. If the frame rate changes when the Nth frame is acquired, the packet transmission rate needs to be recalculated for the Nth frame.

[0118] After calculating the packet transmission rate for the Nth frame image, the electronic device can perform the display data transmission process. The display data transmission process is the sequential transmission of multiple sets of display data, group by group, from various functional units within the electronic device to multiple display partitions according to the packet transmission rate.

[0119] Subsequently, during the display of the Nth frame image, the electronic device can execute a display activation process for the Nth frame. The display activation process is a process in which the electronic device controls the sequential output of display data for each group according to the group transmission rate, so that each display partition sequentially obtains the display data of the corresponding group and refreshes the display.

[0120] In addition, while performing packet transmission rate calculation for the Nth frame, the electronic device can also perform frame rate calculation for the next frame, the (N+1)th frame. Furthermore, while performing display data transmission for the Nth frame, the electronic device can also perform packet transmission rate calculation for the (N+1)th frame.

[0121] Therefore, after executing the display activation process for the Nth frame, the electronic device can immediately execute the display activation process for the (N+1)th frame. This allows the electronic device to continuously display multiple frames of images.

[0122] It should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not intended to encompass all possible implementations included in this application. Various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, the various technical features of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined to form other embodiments of this application that may not be explicitly described. Therefore, the above embodiments only illustrate several implementations of this application and do not limit the scope of protection of this patent application.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes a control unit and a communication function unit; the communication function unit is connected to the control unit and is connected to multiple display partitions respectively; the display device is used to display each frame of dynamic images and / or static images, the images including multiple sets of display data corresponding one-to-one with the multiple display partitions; The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame frequency of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each group of display partitions in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate for refreshing all group display partitions matches the frame frequency; wherein, a group of display partitions includes one or more display partitions.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display device includes at least one of the following: Each display partition includes one or more complete pixel rows and / or one or more incomplete pixel rows; The communication function unit transmits the display data of each complete pixel row in a predetermined order by adjusting the packet transmission rate. The communication function unit includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; one set of transmission channel groups is connected to a set of display partitions; each set of transmission channel groups includes one or more transmission channels. One transmission channel is connected to one display partition; The transmission channel of the communication function unit includes channel identification information; the channel identification information is used to indicate the position of the data segment corresponding to the transmission channel in the complete frame display data; The communication function unit sequentially sends group display data to each display partition at the adjusted group transmission rate. This group display data is obtained by grouping the complete frame display data using channel identification information.

3. The display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The set of display partitions includes group number information; The control unit responds to the input of complete frame display data of the dynamic picture, groups the complete frame display data according to each display partition through channel identification information, and associates each group of display data with the group number information.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control unit is configured to sequentially send signals containing the group number information of each display partition to the communication function unit within an effective time period. When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, the display partition corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit.

5. A display system, characterized in that, The display system includes a main control device, a cascaded circuit of driver chips, and a display panel; The main control device includes a control unit; The cascaded circuit of the driver chip includes a communication function unit; The display panel includes multiple display zones, and the control unit and the display zones are connected through the communication function unit; a display zone includes one or more display zones. The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate; and controls the output of each group of display data and signals containing group number information from the main control device within an effective period of time. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups according to the group number information and the adjusted group sending rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame frequency.

6. The display system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The display system also includes a communication device; The communication device is connected between the main control device and the cascaded circuit of the driver chip, and is configured to forward the display data and signals containing group number information output by the main control device in the order of each group.

7. A driver chip, characterized in that, The driver chip includes a control unit and a communication function unit; The communication function unit includes multiple sets of transmission channel groups; each set of transmission channel groups is used to connect to one set of display zones among all display zones of the display panel; each set of transmission channel groups includes one or more transmission channels. One transmission channel is used to connect to a display partition; The control unit adjusts the packet transmission rate of the communication function unit in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image, thereby obtaining the adjusted packet transmission rate. The communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate of the display panel matches the frame frequency.

8. A display control method, characterized in that, The display control method includes: The packet transmission rate of the communication function unit is adjusted in response to changes in the frame rate of the input dynamic image to obtain the adjusted packet transmission rate. The control communication function unit sends display data sequentially to each group display partition in groups by adjusting the group transmission rate, so that the refresh rate for refreshing all group display partitions matches the frame frequency; wherein, a group display partition includes one or more display partitions.

9. The display control method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The control unit for the communication function sends display data sequentially to each display partition in groups, using the adjusted group transmission rate, including: Within the effective period, each group of data packets is sent to the communication function unit in a predetermined order so that the communication function unit can obtain each group of data packets in sequence. When the communication function unit obtains a group number information, a set of display partitions corresponding to the group number information is refreshed and displayed by a set of display data corresponding to the group number information sent from the communication function unit. Each group of data includes a set of display data corresponding to a set of display partitions and a signal containing group number information corresponding to the set of display partitions.

10. The display control method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The display control method further includes: In response to the input of dynamic images, the complete frame display data is grouped according to each display partition through channel identification information to obtain each group of display data, and / or sorted according to the physical position of each group of display partitions on the display panel to obtain each group of display data in a predetermined order; And / or, in response to receiving a connection signal from the display panel, obtain the channel identification information of the transmission channel of the display panel.

Images