Device and method for setting a display driver

Abstract

A system and method for generating speckle correction data includes obtaining luminance values for pixel-present and pixel-absent regions of a display panel. Furthermore, an updated luminance value is generated by replacing the luminance value for the pixel-present region with an appropriate value. The updated luminance value is used to generate speckle correction data. A display driver is configured to update the speckle correction data for the display device.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-124094, filed on June 29, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for setting a display driver. Background Art

[0004] Display panels, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, can experience variations in pixel characteristics due to the manufacturing process. These variations can cause mura in displayed images. However, by performing mura correction in the display panel or the driver of the display device, the image quality of the displayed image can be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one or more embodiments, a method includes obtaining luminance values for pixel-present regions and pixel-missing regions of a display panel. The method also includes generating updated luminance values by replacing at least one of the luminance values for the pixel-missing regions with a suitable value. Furthermore, the method includes generating speckle correction data based on the updated luminance values. The method also includes configuring a display driver using the speckle correction data to update the display panel.

[0006] In one embodiment, a non-transitory tangible storage medium storing a program, when executed, causes a processor to perform a method comprising obtaining luminance values for pixel-present regions and pixel-absent regions of a display panel. The method further comprises generating updated luminance values by replacing at least one of the luminance values for the pixel-absent regions with an appropriate value. Furthermore, the method comprises generating speckle correction data based on the updated luminance values. The method further comprises configuring a display driver to update the display panel using the speckle correction data.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, a display driver configuration device includes a processor and an interface. The processor is configured to obtain luminance values for pixel-present and pixel-missing regions of a display panel. The processor is further configured to generate updated luminance values by replacing at least one of the luminance values for the pixel-missing region with an appropriate value. Furthermore, the processor is configured to generate speckle correction data based on the updated luminance values and to generate compressed speckle correction data by compressing the speckle correction data. The interface is configured to provide the compressed speckle correction data to a display driver configured to display the display panel.

[0008] In one embodiment, a display driver includes a nonvolatile memory, a decompression circuit, an image processing circuit, and a driver circuit. The nonvolatile memory is configured to store compressed speckle correction data. The decompression circuit is configured to generate decompressed speckle correction data by decompressing the compressed speckle correction data. The image processing circuit is configured to correct image data based on the decompressed speckle correction data. The driver circuit is configured to drive a display panel based on the corrected image data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In order that the manner in which the above-described features of the present disclosure may be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only some embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating one example configuration of a display module according to one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates speckle correction according to one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating one example configuration of a display driver setting device according to one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 Schematically illustrates example contents of brightness measurement data and speckle correction data according to one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a display driver according to one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 6 Schematically illustrates example contents of shape data, luminance measurement data, and the luminance measurement data after a replacement process according to one or more embodiments.

[0016] Figure 7 Schematically illustrates luminance values described in original luminance measurement data and luminance values described in luminance measurement data after a replacement process according to one or more embodiments.

[0017] Figure 8 Illustrated is the determination of appropriate values for use in a replacement process in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0018] Figure 9 Calculation of suitable values for use in the replacement process is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0019] Figure 10 Schematically illustrates a distribution of luminance values described in luminance measurement data after a replacement process according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In one or more embodiments, Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the display module 100 includes a display panel 1 and a display driver 2. In one or more embodiments, an OLED display panel may be used as the display panel 1. In one or more embodiments, the display panel 1 includes R pixels configured to display red, G pixels configured to display green, and B pixels configured to display blue.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the pixel-containing region 3 (where pixels are provided on the display panel 1) is not rectangular. In one or more embodiments, a pixel-missing region 4 in which no pixels are present is provided at the corner of the display panel 1, thereby making the corners of the pixel-containing region 3 smooth. In addition, a pixel-missing region 5 in which no pixels are present is provided along the upper edge of the display panel 1, thereby forming a notch in the pixel-containing region 3.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the display driver 2 is configured to receive image data from the host 200 and drive each pixel of the display panel 1 based on the received image data. In one or more embodiments, the image data describes the grayscale value of each pixel of the display panel 1. In one or more embodiments, the display driver 2 includes an interface 11, an image processing circuit 12, a non-volatile memory 13, a decompression circuit 14, and a source driver circuit 15.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the interface 11 is configured to receive various data from outside the display driver 2 and forward it to the desired circuit. In one or more embodiments, the interface 11 is configured to forward image data received from the host 200 to the image processing circuit 12. In one or more embodiments, the interface 11 is also configured to write the externally received data to the non-volatile memory 13 as needed.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the image processing circuit 12 is configured to perform desired image processing on image data received from the host 200. In one or more embodiments, the image processing performed in the image processing circuit 12 includes speckle correction (or despeckle processing). In one or more embodiments, speckle correction of image data associated with a target pixel involves correcting the image data based on speckle correction data generated based on characteristics of the target pixel. Figure 2When a target pixel is manufactured to exhibit a reduced brightness level during the manufacturing process, in one or more embodiments, speckle correction data associated with the target pixel is generated to perform speckle correction to increase the brightness level of the target pixel. When a target pixel is manufactured to exhibit an increased brightness level during the manufacturing process, in one or more embodiments, speckle correction data associated with the target pixel is generated to perform speckle correction to reduce the brightness level of the target pixel. This speckle correction effectively eliminates variations in pixel characteristics, thereby suppressing speckle in a displayed image.

[0025] Return Reference Figure 1 In one or more embodiments, the non-volatile memory 13 is configured to store speckle correction data for use in speckle correction performed in the image processing circuit 12. In one or more embodiments, compressed speckle correction data 20 obtained by compressing the speckle correction data is stored in the non-volatile memory 13, rather than in the original form of the speckle correction data.

[0026] The decompression circuit 14 is configured to generate decompressed spot correction data by decompressing the compressed spot correction data 20 read out from the nonvolatile memory 13, and supply the decompressed spot correction data to the image processing circuit 12. The decompressed spot correction data is used for spot correction in the image processing circuit 12.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the source driver circuit 15 is configured to receive image data generated by image processing in the image processing circuit 12 and drive each pixel of the display panel 1 based on the received image data.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the display driver 2 is configured to output drive signals to the display panel 1 such that an image is displayed in a rectangular area surrounding the pixel-containing area 3 of the display panel 1. For example, although the pixel-containing area 3 is not actually rectangular, the image is displayed in a rectangular area circumscribing the pixel-containing area 3. In one or more embodiments, the display driver 2 is configured to output drive signals assuming that pixels are also hypothetically defined within the pixel-absent areas 4 and 5 (even though no pixels actually exist in the pixel-absent areas 4 and 5). This can simplify the configuration of the display driver 2. Since no pixels actually exist in the pixel-absent areas 4 and 5, this operation ultimately displays an image only within the pixel-containing area 3.

[0029] The pixels hypothetically defined in the pixel missing regions 4 and 5 may be referred to as hypothetical pixels hereinafter. Similarly, the R, G, and B pixels hypothetically defined in the pixel missing regions 4 and 5 may be referred to as hypothetical R, G, and B pixels hereinafter, respectively.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, in addition to the image data associated with the pixels in the pixel-existing region 3, the image data provided from the host 200 to the display driver 2 also includes image data associated with hypothetical pixels in the pixel-absent regions 4 and 5. In view of this, in one or more embodiments, the image processing circuit 12 is configured to perform speckle correction on the image data associated with the hypothetical pixels in the pixel-absent regions 4 and 5 in addition to performing speckle correction on the image data associated with the pixels in the pixel-existing region 3.

[0031] refer to Figure 3 In one or more embodiments, during a test of the display module 100, the compressed speckle correction data 20 is provided to the display driver 2 and stored in the non-volatile memory 13. In one or more embodiments, the compressed speckle correction data 20 is generated by the display driver setting device 300 during the test. The generated compressed speckle correction data 20 is provided to the interface 11 of the display driver 2 and then transferred to the non-volatile memory 13.

[0032] The display driver setting device 300 is configured to obtain the brightness values of the pixel existing area 3 and the pixel missing areas 4 and 5 of the display panel 1 during the test of the display module 100. In one or more embodiments, the display driver setting device 300 includes an imaging device 21 and a setting calculator 22. The imaging device 21 is configured to capture an image of the display panel 1. In one or more embodiments, the coverage area of the captured image on the display panel 1 is rectangular, and in addition to the pixel existing area 3, the coverage area also includes the pixel missing areas 4 and 5. In one or more embodiments, the setting calculator 22 is configured to obtain brightness measurement data describing the brightness values of each pixel and each hypothetical pixel from the image captured by the imaging device 21. In one or more embodiments, the setting calculator 22 is further configured to generate speckle correction data based on the brightness measurement data, and generate compressed speckle correction data 20 by compressing the speckle correction data thus generated.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the setup computer 22 is configured to generate speckle correction data and compressed speckle correction data 20 through software processing. In one or more embodiments, the setup computer 22 includes an interface 23, a storage device 24, a processor 25, and an interface 26.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the interface 23 is configured to receive brightness measurement data from the imaging device 21 and provide control data for controlling the imaging device 21 to the imaging device 21 .

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the storage device 24 is configured to store various data used to generate the speckle correction data and the compressed speckle correction data 20. In one or more embodiments, the speckle correction data calculation software 30 is installed on the storage device 24; the storage device 24 serves as a non-transitory tangible storage medium that stores the speckle correction data calculation software 30. The speckle correction data calculation software 30 may be provided in the form of a computer program product recorded in a computer-readable recording medium 27 or in the form of a computer program product that can be downloaded from a server.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is configured to execute the speckle correction data calculation software 30 to implement various data processing operations for generating speckle correction data and compressed speckle correction data 20. In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is further configured to generate test image data corresponding to a test image to be displayed on the display panel 1 when the luminance values of the pixel-present region 3 and the pixel-absent regions 4 and 5 are obtained during the test process, and to provide the generated test image data to the display driver 2. In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is further configured to generate control data to control the imaging device 21 and provide the control data to the imaging device 21. In one or more embodiments, the imaging device 21 is configured to capture an image under the control of the control data. In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is further configured to generate luminance measurement data based on the image captured by the imaging device 21 and generate speckle correction data based on the luminance measurement data. In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is further configured to generate compressed speckle correction data 20 by compressing the speckle correction data thus generated.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the interface 26 is configured to provide the compressed speckle correction data 20 and the test image data generated by the processor 25 to the display driver 2 .

[0038] In one or more embodiments, in addition to speckle correction data for image data associated with pixels in pixel-existing region 3, the speckle correction data generated by display driver setup device 300 also includes speckle correction data for image data associated with hypothetical pixels in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5. In one or more embodiments, the coverage area of the image captured by imaging device 21 on display panel 1 is rectangular; and imaging device 21 is configured to capture an image of display panel 1 such that the coverage area includes pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 of display panel 1 in addition to pixel-existing region 3. In one or more embodiments, processor 25 is configured to generate luminance measurement data based on the image thus captured, the luminance measurement data describing luminance values of pixels in pixel-existing region 3 and luminance values of hypothetical pixels in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5. In one or more embodiments, the luminance measurement data describes luminance values of pixels at locations within pixel-existing region 3, and further describes luminance values at locations defining hypothetical pixels in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5. In one or more embodiments, the processor 25 is further configured to generate speckle correction data associated with hypothetical pixels of the pixel absent regions 4 and 5 in addition to the speckle correction data associated with the pixels of the pixel present region 3 based on the generated luminance measurement data.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, in order to reduce the size of hardware for storing the compressed speckle correction data 20 in the display driver 2, the speckle correction data is generated so that the compression ratio in the generation of the compressed speckle correction data 20 is increased. Figure 4Since there are no pixels in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5, luminance measurement data describing luminance values of zero or near zero can be obtained from the captured image for each location in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5, while luminance measurement data describing luminance values other than zero can be obtained for each location in pixel-present region 3. To improve the compression ratio of speckle correction data, in one or more embodiments, the luminance measurement data obtained by a replacement process is used to generate speckle correction data, replacing the original luminance measurement data obtained from the captured image. In one or more embodiments, the replacement process involves replacing the luminance value of at least one hypothetical pixel in pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 in the original luminance measurement data with a "suitable" value. This replacement process can reduce the variation in luminance values at the boundary between pixel-present region 3 and pixel-missing regions 4 and 5, thereby reducing the variation in the speckle correction data. This can improve the compression ratio of the speckle correction data. A method for determining a "suitable" value for reducing the variation in speckle correction data will be described in detail later. The replacement process can also contribute to improved image quality by reducing compression artifacts in the speckle correction data by reducing the variation in the speckle correction data. Hereinafter, a detailed description is given of generation of speckle correction data of the display driver 2 and setting of the compressed speckle correction data 20 according to one or more embodiments.

[0040] like Figure 5 As illustrated in , in one or more embodiments, shape data representing the shape of the pixel existence area 3 is obtained for the R pixel, the G pixel, and the B pixel, respectively, in step S01. Various pixel structures can be used for the display panel 1, and therefore the shape of the pixel existence area 3 can be different between the R pixel, the G pixel, and the B pixel, especially when the OLED display panel is used as the display panel 1. In view of this, in one or more embodiments, shape data is obtained for the R pixel, the G pixel, and the B pixel, respectively. Hereinafter, the shape data representing the shape of the pixel existence area 3 of the R pixel may be referred to as R shape data. Similarly, the shape data representing the shape of the pixel existence area 3 of the G pixel may be referred to as G shape data, and the shape data representing the shape of the pixel existence area 3 of the B pixel may be referred to as B shape data.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, R shape data is obtained as follows. Figure 6In one or more embodiments, test image data that drives all R pixels of the display panel 1 to have the highest brightness level and all G and B pixels to have the lowest brightness level is provided from the setup computer 22 of the display driver setup device 300 to the display driver 2. In one or more embodiments, the test image data specifies the grayscale values of all R pixels as the highest grayscale value, such as "255," and the grayscale values of all G and B pixels as the lowest grayscale value, such as "0." In one or more embodiments, this results in drive signals corresponding to the highest grayscale value being provided to the R pixels to drive the R pixels to have the highest brightness level, and drive signals corresponding to the lowest grayscale value being provided to the G and B pixels to drive the G and B pixels to have the lowest brightness level. In one or more embodiments, an image is captured by the imaging device 21 in a state where all R pixels of the display panel 1 are driven to have the highest brightness level and all G and B pixels are driven to have the lowest brightness level. In one or more embodiments, brightness measurement data is generated based on the captured image, and R shape data representing the shape of the pixel presence area 3 of the R pixels is generated based on the generated brightness measurement data. In one or more embodiments, R shape data is generated so that the R shape data defines the pixel existence area 3 as an area in which pixels having the highest brightness level or a brightness level higher than a predetermined brightness level close to the highest brightness level are arranged, and defines the pixel missing areas 4 and 5 as areas in which pixels having a brightness level of zero or a brightness level lower than a predetermined brightness level close to zero are arranged.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, G and B shape data are obtained in a similar manner. When obtaining G shape data, in one or more embodiments, an image is captured by the imaging device 21 while all G pixels of the display panel 1 are driven to the highest brightness level and all B and R pixels are driven to the lowest brightness level. Luminance measurement data is generated based on the image thus captured, and the G shape data is generated based on the luminance measurement data thus generated. Similarly, when obtaining B shape data, in one or more embodiments, an image is captured by the imaging device 21 while all B pixels of the display panel 1 are driven to the highest brightness level and all R and G pixels are driven to the lowest brightness level. Luminance measurement data is generated based on the image thus captured, and the B shape data is generated based on the luminance measurement data thus generated.

[0043] Return Reference Figure 5In one or more embodiments, after step S01, in step S02, brightness measurement data is obtained while the R, G, and B pixels are individually driven using designated grayscale values. In one or more embodiments, brightness measurement data for the R pixels is obtained when a drive signal corresponding to the designated grayscale value is supplied to the R pixels and a drive signal corresponding to the lowest brightness level (i.e., the lowest grayscale value) is supplied to the G and B pixels. The brightness measurement data thus obtained may be referred to as R brightness measurement data hereinafter. In one or more embodiments, brightness measurement data for the G pixels is obtained when a drive signal corresponding to the designated grayscale value is supplied to the G pixels and a drive signal corresponding to the lowest brightness level (i.e., the lowest grayscale value) is supplied to the B and R pixels. The brightness measurement data thus obtained may be referred to as G brightness measurement data hereinafter. In one or more embodiments, brightness measurement data for the B pixels is obtained when a drive signal corresponding to the designated grayscale value is supplied to the B pixels and a drive signal corresponding to the lowest brightness level (i.e., the lowest grayscale value) is supplied to the R and G pixels. The brightness measurement data thus obtained may be referred to as B brightness measurement data hereinafter.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, R, G, and B luminance measurement data are obtained for multiple grayscale values. The R luminance measurement data for a particular grayscale value is obtained when a drive signal corresponding to the R pixel is supplied, and drive signals corresponding to the lowest luminance level (i.e., the lowest grayscale value) are supplied to the G and B pixels. A similar approach applies to the G and B luminance measurement data. When luminance measurement data is obtained in step S01 when a drive signal corresponding to the highest grayscale value is supplied to all R pixels, and a drive signal corresponding to the lowest grayscale value is supplied to all G and B pixels, the obtained luminance measurement data can be used as the R luminance measurement data corresponding to the highest grayscale value. A similar approach applies to the G and B luminance measurement data.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, in step S03 after step S02, a replacement process is performed to replace the brightness values of the hypothetical pixels of the pixel missing areas 4 and 5 with predetermined "appropriate values" corresponding to each of the R brightness measurement data, G brightness measurement data, and B brightness measurement data for each grayscale value. Figure 6In one or more embodiments, the shape data obtained in step S01 is used in this replacement process. In one or more embodiments, during the replacement process of the R luminance measurement data, the luminance values of the assumed R pixels of the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 are identified based on the R shape data, and the luminance values of the assumed R pixels are replaced with "appropriate values." In one or more embodiments, during the replacement process of the G luminance measurement data, the luminance values of the assumed G pixels of the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 are identified based on the G shape data, and the luminance values of the assumed G pixels are replaced with "appropriate values." In one or more embodiments, during the replacement process of the B luminance measurement data, the luminance values of the assumed B pixels of the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 are identified based on the B shape data, and the luminance values of the assumed B pixels are replaced with "appropriate values." In one or more embodiments, the shape data obtained in step S01 is used for all specified grayscale values in the replacement process in step S03. The use of shape data obtained in a state where the pixels are driven to have the highest luminance level makes it possible to accurately identify the luminance values of the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, a "suitable value" can be determined based on the grayscale values described in the test image data. The suitable value used in replacing the R luminance measurement data corresponding to a specific grayscale value can be determined based on the grayscale values of the R pixels described in the test image data used to obtain the captured image used to generate the R luminance measurement data. In one or more embodiments, a similar scheme applies to the suitable values used in replacing the G luminance measurement data and the B luminance measurement data.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the "appropriate value" corresponding to a specific grayscale value can be determined as the luminance value expected for the pixels assumed to exist in the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 when the pixels assumed to exist are provided with a drive signal corresponding to the grayscale value. For example, when the grayscale values of the R pixels are described as values ranging from "0" to "255" in the test image data provided to the display driver 2 in obtaining the R luminance measurement data, and the luminance values of the R pixels in the R luminance measurement data are described as values ranging from "0" to "255", the "appropriate value" can be determined to be the same as the grayscale value of the R pixels described in the test image data. In one or more embodiments, a similar scheme is applied to the G luminance measurement data and the B luminance measurement data.

[0048] Return Reference Figure 5In step S04 following step S03, in one or more embodiments, speckle correction data is generated based on the R, G, and B luminance measurement data obtained by the replacement process in step S03. In one or more embodiments, speckle correction data associated with the R pixel is generated based on the R luminance measurement data. In one or more embodiments, speckle correction data associated with the G pixel is generated based on the G luminance measurement data, and speckle correction data associated with the B pixel is generated based on the B luminance measurement data.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, in step S05 , compressed speckle correction data 20 is generated by compressing the speckle correction data.

[0050] In step S06, in one or more embodiments, the compressed speckle correction data 20 is transferred from the display driver setting device 300 to the display driver 2 and written into the non-volatile memory 13 of the display driver 2. In one or more embodiments, this completes setting the compressed speckle correction data 20 to the display driver 2.

[0051] As described above, in one or more embodiments, the variation in the speckle correction data is reduced by a replacement process that replaces the brightness values of the hypothetical pixels in the pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 with appropriate values to improve the compression ratio of the speckle correction data. This can effectively reduce the size of the compressed speckle correction data 20, making it possible to reduce the capacity of the non-volatile memory 13. This replacement process can also improve image quality because the reduction in the variation in the speckle correction data reduces compression distortion of the speckle correction data.

[0052] In one or more embodiments, when the shape of pixel-existing region 3 can be considered to be the same for R, G, and B pixels, common shape data can be obtained for the R, G, and B pixels in step S01. In this case, in one or more embodiments, an image is captured in a state where all pixels of display panel 1 are driven to the highest brightness level, luminance measurement data describing the luminance values of each pixel is generated based on the captured image, and common shape data is generated based on the thus generated luminance measurement data. In such an embodiment, the common shape data is used to identify the luminance values of the hypothetical pixels of pixel-missing regions 4 and 5 for all R, G, and B luminance measurement data during the replacement process in step S03.

[0053] The “appropriate value” used in the replacement process in step S03 can be determined based on the position of the corresponding hypothetical pixel in the vertical direction of the display panel 1; the vertical direction mentioned herein is the direction in which the source line extends in the display panel 1, indicated as Figure 7The Y-axis direction of the XY Cartesian coordinate system in the display panel 1. The brightness value of a pixel of the display panel 1 may depend on the position of the pixel in the vertical direction, which depends on the resistance of the source line and the driving capability of the source driver circuit 15. In this case, the compression ratio of the spot correction data can be improved by determining a "suitable value" based on the position of the corresponding hypothetical pixel in the vertical direction of the display panel 1. In one or more embodiments, when the OLED display panel is used as the display panel 1, a suitable value representing a reduced brightness level is used in the replacement process of the hypothetical pixel positioned away from the display driver 2, and a suitable value representing an increased brightness level is used in the replacement process of the hypothetical pixel positioned close to the display driver 2.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the "appropriate value" used in the replacement process of the hypothetical pixel is calculated based on the brightness value of the pixel in the pixel existence area 3 (located in the horizontal direction relative to the hypothetical pixel), so that the "appropriate value" used in the replacement process is determined depending on the position of the hypothetical pixel. The "horizontal direction" mentioned herein is a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction mentioned above, and is indicated as Figure 7 In one or more embodiments, the “appropriate value” is calculated separately for each of the hypothetical R pixel, the hypothetical G pixel, and the hypothetical B pixel.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the brightness values of the pixels in the pixel presence region 3 (located in the horizontal direction relative to the hypothetical pixel) can be copied as the "appropriate value" used in the replacement process of the hypothetical pixel. Figure 8 As illustrated in , for example, in the replacement process of the hypothetical R pixel 31 defined in the pixel missing region 4, the appropriate value of the hypothetical R pixel 31 can be determined as the luminance value of the R pixel 32 that is located within a predetermined distance from the boundary between the pixel existing region 3 and the pixel missing region 4 in the horizontal direction relative to the hypothetical R pixel 31. In one or more embodiments, the appropriate value can be determined as the luminance value of the R pixel 32 closest to the boundary between the pixel existing region 3 and the pixel missing region 4. In one or more embodiments, the appropriate value can be determined as the luminance value of the R pixel 32 located within a predetermined distance from the boundary between the pixel existing region 3 and the pixel missing region 4 other than the R pixel 32 closest to the boundary; for example, the appropriate value can be determined as the luminance value of the R pixel 32 adjacent to the R pixel 32 closest to the boundary. The replacement process can be similarly performed for the hypothetical G pixel and the hypothetical B pixel.

[0056] When a hypothetical pixel is defined at a position sandwiched by the pixel existing area 3 in the horizontal direction, an appropriate value used in the replacement process of the hypothetical pixel can be calculated by interpolation. Figure 9As shown in FIG. , the appropriate value used in the replacement process of the hypothetical R pixel 33 defined in the pixel-missing region 5 can be calculated by interpolating between the luminance value of the R pixel 34 (located in the −X direction relative to the hypothetical R pixel 33 at the boundary between the pixel-existing region 3 and the pixel-missing region 5) and the luminance value of the R pixel 35 (located in the +X direction relative to the hypothetical R pixel 33 at the boundary between the pixel-existing region 3 and the pixel-missing region 5). In one or more embodiments, the appropriate value used in the replacement process of the hypothetical R pixel 33 can be calculated by interpolating between the luminance values of the R pixels 34 and 35 (depending on the distance d1 between the hypothetical R pixel 33 and the R pixel 34, and the distance d2 between the hypothetical R pixel 33 and the R pixel 35). In this case, the appropriate values used in the replacement process of the hypothetical G pixel and the hypothetical B pixel can be similarly calculated.

[0057] Determining or calculating the "suitable value" as described above may make it possible to Figure 10 The replacement process illustrated in FIG. 4 then reduces variations in the luminance measurement data at the boundaries between the pixel-existing region 3 and the pixel-absent regions 4 and 5 , thereby effectively improving the compression ratio of the speckle correction data.

[0058] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the techniques presented in the present disclosure can be implemented with various modifications. For example, the display panel 1 may further include pixels that display colors other than red, green, and blue, such as pixels that display yellow or white. In this case, shape data and brightness measurement data can be obtained for different colors, and processing similar to that for R, G, and B pixels can be performed.

Claims

1. A method for setting a display driver, comprising: Obtaining brightness values of a pixel-existing area of a display panel and a pixel-missing area of the display panel; generating an updated luminance value by replacing at least one of the luminance values of the pixel missing region with an appropriate value; and generating spot correction data based on the updated luminance value; as well as configuring the display driver to update the display panel using the spot correction data, wherein the suitable value is associated with a hypothetical pixel defined in the pixel missing region, and Wherein, replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value includes determining the appropriate value based on the position of the hypothetical pixel in the vertical direction of the display panel, wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value reduces the change in brightness value at the boundary between the pixel existence area and the pixel missing area.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Replacing the luminance value with the appropriate value includes determining the appropriate value based on luminance values of pixels of the pixel-existing area, the pixels being positioned in a horizontal direction with respect to the assumed pixel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value includes determining the appropriate value as the brightness value of a pixel in the pixel existence area, the pixel being positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the assumed pixel within a predetermined distance from the boundary between the pixel existence area and the pixel missing area.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value comprises calculating the appropriate value by interpolating between brightness values of a first pixel in the pixel existing area and a second pixel in the pixel existing area, The first pixel is positioned in a first direction parallel to a horizontal direction with respect to the hypothetical pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region, and The second pixel is positioned in a second direction relative to the first direction with respect to the assumed pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region.

5. A non-transitory tangible storage medium storing a program that, when executed, causes a processor to perform a method comprising: obtaining brightness values of a pixel-existing region and a pixel-absent region of a display panel; generating an updated luminance value by replacing at least one of the luminance values of the pixel missing region with an appropriate value; and generating spot correction data based on the updated luminance value; as well as configuring a display driver to update the display panel using the speckle correction data, wherein the suitable value is associated with a hypothetical pixel defined in the pixel missing region, and Wherein, replacing the brightness value of the pixel missing area with the appropriate value includes determining the appropriate value based on the position of the hypothetical pixel in the vertical direction of the display panel, wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value reduces the change in the brightness value at the boundary between the pixel existing area and the pixel missing area. 6 . The non-transitory tangible storage medium of claim 5 , wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value comprises determining the appropriate value based on brightness values of pixels of the pixel-existing area, the pixels being positioned in a horizontal direction relative to the hypothetical pixel.

7. A non-temporary tangible storage medium according to claim 5, wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value includes determining the appropriate value as the brightness value of a pixel in the pixel existence area, the pixel being positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the assumed pixel within a predetermined distance from a boundary between the pixel existence area and the pixel missing area.

8. The non-transitory tangible storage medium of claim 5, wherein replacing the brightness value with the appropriate value comprises calculating the appropriate value by interpolation between brightness values of a first pixel and a second pixel of the pixel presence area, The first pixel is positioned in a first direction parallel to a horizontal direction with respect to the hypothetical pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region, and The second pixel is positioned in a second direction relative to the first direction with respect to the assumed pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region.

9. A display driver setting device, comprising: A processor configured to: Obtaining brightness values of pixel-existing areas and pixel-missing areas of a display panel; generating an updated luminance value by replacing at least one of the luminance values of the pixel missing region with an appropriate value; generating speckle correction data based on the updated luminance value; as well as generating compressed speckle correction data by compressing the speckle correction data; as well as an interface configured to provide the compressed speckle correction data to a display driver configured to drive the display panel, wherein the suitable value is associated with a hypothetical pixel defined in the pixel missing region, and The appropriate value is determined based on the position of the hypothetical pixel in the vertical direction of the display panel, and replacing at least one of the brightness values with the appropriate value reduces the change in brightness value at the boundary between the pixel existence area and the pixel missing area. 10 . The display driver setting device according to claim 9 , wherein the appropriate value is determined based on brightness values of pixels of the pixel existing area, the pixels being positioned in a horizontal direction with respect to the assumed pixel.

11. The display driver setting device according to claim 9, wherein the appropriate value is determined as a brightness value of a pixel of the pixel existing area, the pixel being located within a predetermined distance from a boundary between the pixel existing area and the pixel missing area in a horizontal direction relative to the assumed pixel.

12. The display driver setting device according to claim 9 , wherein the appropriate value is calculated by interpolation between brightness values of a first pixel and a second pixel of the pixel existing area, The first pixel is positioned in a first direction parallel to a horizontal direction with respect to the hypothetical pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region, and The second pixel is positioned in a second direction relative to the first direction with respect to the assumed pixel at a boundary between the pixel-existing region and the pixel-absent region.

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