Display device and method of driving the same

Abstract

A display device and a method for driving the display device are provided, wherein the display device includes: a display panel including a first display area and a second display area; a processor generating first image data corresponding to the first display area and the second display area in a first mode, and generating second image data corresponding to the first display area in a second mode; and a display driver controlling the display panel to display an image corresponding to the first image data in the first display area and the second display area according to a first frame period in the first mode, and controlling the display panel to display an image corresponding to the second image data in the first display area according to a second frame period in the second mode. The second frame period is shorter than the first frame period.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0035079, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a display device, and more particularly, to a flexible display device and a method of driving the flexible display device to increase an image output rate in a partial display mode. Background Art

[0003] Recently, a display device capable of deforming at least one area of ​​a display panel, such as a foldable display device or a rollable display device, has been developed. Therefore, the demand for display devices to provide various functions and efficient operation according to the configuration or use of the display has increased.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding the background of the inventive concept and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] The applicant has found that in a foldable or rollable display device that provides not only an overall display mode for displaying a valid image by using the entire display area but also a partial display mode for displaying a valid image by using only a portion of the display area, delay or image quality may be affected depending on the selected display mode.

[0006] A display device constructed according to the principles of the invention and exemplary embodiments and a method of driving the display device according to the principles of the invention can be selectively driven in an overall display mode or a partial display mode according to the use environment or state of the display device, thereby improving convenience of use.

[0007] In addition, a display device constructed according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the invention and a method of driving the display device according to the principles of the invention are capable of increasing the image output rate when the display device is driven in a local display mode, so that images requiring a high frame rate such as games or sports can be effectively displayed in the local display mode.

[0008] Additional aspects of the inventive concepts will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a display device includes: a display panel, including a first display area and a second display area; a processor, which generates first image data corresponding to the first display area and the second display area in a first mode, and generates second image data corresponding to the first display area in a second mode; and a display driver, which controls the display panel to display an image corresponding to the first image data in the first display area and the second display area according to a first frame period in the first mode, and controls the display panel to display an image corresponding to the second image data in the first display area according to a second frame period in the second mode, and controls the display panel to display an image corresponding to the second image data in the first display area according to a second frame period in the second mode, the second frame period being shorter than the first frame period.

[0010] The first image data may include image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area and the second display area, and the second image data may include image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area. The first image data may be generated according to a first frame period, and the second image data may be generated according to a second frame period.

[0011] The display driver may include: a timing controller that generates a data control signal and a scan control signal in response to a control signal of a processor; a data driver that outputs a first data signal or a second data signal corresponding to the first image data or the second image data in response to the data control signal; and a scan driver that outputs a scan signal in response to the scan control signal.

[0012] The timing controller may be operable to output the scan control signal according to the first frame period in the first mode, and may be operable to output the scan control signal in the second frame period in the second mode.

[0013] The data driver may be operable to output a first data signal according to a first frame period in a first mode, and may be operable to output a second data signal in a second frame period in a second mode.

[0014] The display driver may further include a first emission driver supplying a first emission signal to the first display area in response to a first emission control signal from the timing controller, and a second emission driver supplying a second emission signal to the second display area in response to a second emission control signal from the timing controller.

[0015] The timing controller may not output the second emission control signal in the second mode.

[0016] The display device may further include a sensor that outputs a sensing signal by sensing a state change of the display panel.

[0017] The processor may operate in the first mode or the second mode according to the sensing signal.

[0018] The state change may include deformation of the display panel.

[0019] When the display panel is folded outwardly with respect to a predetermined folding axis, the display panel may be driven in the second mode.

[0020] The first display area may be an area exposed in a first direction by the outward folding of the display panel, and the second display area may be an area exposed in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the outward folding of the display panel.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for driving a display device includes the following steps: selecting one of a first driving mode and a second driving mode; when the first driving mode is selected, displaying a first image corresponding to first image data in a first display area and a second display area according to a first frame period; and when the second driving mode is selected, displaying a second image corresponding to second image data in the first display area according to a second frame period, wherein the second frame period is shorter than the first frame period.

[0022] Displaying the first image may include generating a scan control signal and a data control signal according to a first frame period; and outputting the scan signal in response to the scan control signal and outputting a first data signal corresponding to the first image data in response to the data control signal.

[0023] Displaying the second image may include generating a scan control signal and a data control signal according to a second frame period; and outputting the scan signal in response to the scan control signal and outputting a second data signal corresponding to the second image data in response to the data control signal.

[0024] The step of displaying the first image may further include the steps of generating first and second emission control signals; and supplying the first and second emission signals to the first and second display areas in response to the first and second emission control signals.

[0025] The displaying of the second image may further include: generating a first emission control signal; and supplying a first emission signal to the first display area in response to the first emission control signal.

[0026] The step of selecting one of the first driving mode and the second driving mode may include: sensing a state change of the display panel; and selecting the first driving mode or the second driving mode based on the sensing result.

[0027] The step of selecting the first driving mode or the second driving mode may include selecting the second driving mode when the display panel is folded outwardly with respect to a predetermined folding axis.

[0028] The first display area may be an area exposed in a first direction by the outward folding of the display panel, and the second display area may be an area exposed in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the outward folding of the display panel.

[0029] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concept, wherein the accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a display panel constructed according to the principles of the invention.

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel.

[0033] Figure 3 and Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the display panel in a folded state.

[0034] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed according to the principles of the invention.

[0035] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device when the display device operates in a first mode.

[0036] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A timing diagram of signals applied to a display device when the display device operates in a first mode.

[0037] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 5 A diagram of an example of an image displayed in a display area of ​​a display device when the display device is driven in a first mode.

[0038] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device when the display device operates in a second mode.

[0039] Fig.10 yes Figure 5 A timing diagram of signals applied to the display device when the display device operates in the second mode.

[0040] Fig.11 and Fig.12 It is shown Figure 5 A diagram of an example of an image displayed in a display area of ​​a display device when the display device is driven in a second mode.

[0041] Fig.13 is a flowchart of a method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the invention. "Embodiment" and "implementation" as used herein are interchangeable words for non-limiting examples of devices or methods using one or more inventive concepts disclosed herein. However, it is apparent that various exemplary embodiments can be implemented without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other cases, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid making various exemplary embodiments unnecessarily obscure. In addition, various exemplary embodiments may be different, but need not be exclusive. For example, without departing from the inventive concept, the specific shape, construction and characteristics of the exemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment.

[0043] Unless otherwise stated, the exemplary embodiments shown will be understood as providing exemplary features of the details of the changes in some ways in which the inventive concept can be implemented in practice. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions and / or aspects, etc. (hereinafter, individually or collectively referred to as "elements") of the various embodiments may be further combined, separated, interchanged and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concept.

[0044] The use of cross hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to make the boundaries between adjacent elements clear. Thus, unless otherwise specified, the presence or absence of cross hatching or shading does not express or indicate any preference or requirement for the specific material, material properties, size, ratio, commonality between the illustrated elements and / or any other characteristics, attributes, properties, etc. of the elements. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative size of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When the exemplary embodiments may be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed in a different order than described. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously or in an order opposite to the described order. In addition, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0045] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, "connected to" or "bonded to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, directly connected to or directly bonded to the other element or layer, or there may be an intermediate element or intermediate layer. However, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to" or "directly bonded to" another element or layer, there is no intermediate element or intermediate layer. For this reason, the term "connection" may refer to a physical connection, electrical connection and / or fluid connection in the presence or absence of an intermediate element. In addition, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system such as an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, and may be interpreted in a wider sense. For example, the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis may be perpendicular to each other, or may represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other. For the purpose of this disclosure, "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be understood as any combination of only X, only Y, only Z, or two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0046] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another element. Therefore, the first element discussed below may be named as the second element without departing from the disclosed teachings.

[0047] For descriptive purposes, spatially relative terms such as "under," "below," "below," "down," "above," "up," "above," "higher," "side" (e.g., as in "sidewall"), etc., may be used herein and thereby describe the relationship of one element to another (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, an element described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features will subsequently be positioned as "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "under" can include both above and below orientations. In addition, the device can be positioned otherwise (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terms used here are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to be limiting. As used here, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "one (kind / person)" and "said (the)" are also intended to include plural forms. In addition, when the terms "include" and / or "comprise" and their variations are used in this specification, the descriptions indicate the existence of stated features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups. It should also be noted that, as used here, the terms "substantially", "approximately" and other similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as degree terms, so that they are used to explain the inherent deviations in the measured values, calculated values ​​and / or provided values ​​that will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms (such as those defined in general dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0050] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a display panel constructed according to the principles of the invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a display panel. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In folded state Figure 1 A perspective view of a display panel.

[0051] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display panel 100 may include a display area DA. The display area DA supplies a data signal corresponding to image data and displays an image corresponding to the data signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may be a flexible display panel. In an example, at least one area in the display panel 100 may be flexibly implemented as bendable, foldable and / or rollable.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may be a flexible organic light emitting display panel including a flexible substrate 101, a plurality of pixels 102 disposed on the flexible substrate 101, and a flexible thin film encapsulation layer 103 encapsulating the pixels 102. However, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the type and / or shape of the display panel 100 is not particularly limited.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 101 may be implemented as a film made of a flexible material or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 101 may include at least one of polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polycarbonate (PC), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). However, the material constituting the substrate 101 is not limited thereto, and in addition to the above-mentioned materials, the substrate 101 may be constructed using a material that satisfies a flexibility having a predetermined range.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer 103 may be an encapsulation layer having a multilayer structure including at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer. For example, the thin film encapsulation layer 103 may include a first inorganic layer and a second inorganic layer stacked on each other and at least one organic layer disposed between the first inorganic layer and the second inorganic layer. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the thin film encapsulation layer 103 may be an encapsulation layer having a single-layer structure complexly including organic materials and inorganic materials.

[0055] Next, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The display panel 100 may be an outwardly foldable display panel in which the display area DA is foldable toward the outside relative to the first folding axis FA1. Alternatively, the display panel 100 may be a display panel implemented so that both inward folding and outward folding of the display panel 100 are possible.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may display an effective image in the entire display area DA in a state where the display panel 100 is not deformed (e.g., a state where the display panel 100 is unfolded and is substantially flat). In addition, the display panel 100 may display an effective image only in a local area in the display area DA (e.g., a state where the display panel 100 is deformed (e.g., a state where the display panel 100 is unfolded and is substantially flat). Figure 4 Therefore, the display panel 100 may display a black image or no image in another area (eg, a local area not exposed to the user).

[0057] In other words, the display panel 100 can display a valid image in the entire display area DA in a state in which the display panel 100 is not deformed, and reduce and display the effective image to be displayed in the entire display area DA in a local area exposed to the user in a state in which the display panel 100 is deformed.

[0058] Figure 5is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed according to the principles of the invention.

[0059] Reference Figure 5 , a display device according to an exemplary embodiment may include a display panel 100 , a display driver 110 , a processor 120 , and a sensor 130 .

[0060] The display panel 100 may be a reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 The display panel 100 may be bendable, foldable, and / or rollable. For example, the display panel 100 may be a foldable display panel that is foldable relative to a predetermined folding axis.

[0061] The display device having the display panel 100 can display effective images in different areas (e.g., areas with different sizes, different positions, and / or different ranges) in the entire display area DA according to the use environment, conditions, and / or states. For example, the mode of the display device can be switched to a partial display mode, so that the display device is driven in the partial display mode in a state in which the display device is folded outward, and during the period in which the partial display mode is executed, the display device can display a predetermined effective image by using only a partial area exposed to the user in the entire display area DA. Therefore, the effective image displayed only in the partial area exposed to the user in the entire display area DA can be an image with a reduced size relative to the effective image displayed in the entire display area DA.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may be as follows Figure 5 , has an elongated shape in the vertical direction. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. That is, the shape or arrangement direction of the display area DA is not particularly limited. In addition, the display area DA may have an elongated shape in the horizontal direction or in the vertical direction according to the use direction of the display device, and the image displayed in the display area DA may be rotated according to the use direction. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may be arranged in a landscape form or in a portrait form.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the display area DA may be divided into a plurality of sub-areas. For example, the display area DA may include a first display area AA1 and a second display area AA2. In an exemplary embodiment, the number of sub-areas (eg, the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2) constituting the display area DA is not particularly limited.

[0064] The first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 may be adjacent to each other. Figure 5In an exemplary embodiment, the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 may be directly adjacent to each other, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one type of line selected from the scan line S, the data line D, and the emission control lines E1 and E2 disposed in the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 may be continuously disposed without interruption at the boundary between the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2. Figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , each data line D may be disposed continuously between the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, in another exemplary embodiment, at least one type of line or at least some of the lines may be disposed discontinuously between the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2.

[0066] The first display area AA1 may include a plurality of first pixels P1, and the second display area AA2 may include a plurality of second pixels P2. Figure 5 In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the first display area AA1 may include a plurality of first pixels P1 coupled to the scan line S, the data line D, and the first emission control line E1. In addition, the second display area AA2 may include a plurality of second pixels P2 coupled to the scan line S, the data line D, and the second emission control line E2.

[0067] When a scan signal SS having a gate-on voltage is supplied from a corresponding scan line S, each of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 may be selected to be supplied with a data signal DS from a corresponding data line D, and when emission signals ES1 and ES2 having a gate-on voltage are supplied from a corresponding emission control line E1 or E2, each of the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 may emit light having a brightness corresponding to the data signal DS. In an exemplary embodiment, the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 are supplied with a data signal DS of a corresponding frame for each frame period, and emit light having a brightness corresponding to the data signal DS. Therefore, a predetermined image corresponding to the data signal DS is displayed in the display area DA.

[0068] The display driver 110 includes a scan driver 111 , a data driver 112 , an emission driver 113 , and a timing controller 114 .

[0069] The scan driver 111 is supplied with a scan control signal SCS from the timing controller 114, and generates a scan signal SS in response to the scan control signal SCS. In an exemplary embodiment, the scan control signal SCS may include a gate start pulse and at least one gate shift clock. The scan driver 111 may sequentially generate the scan signal SS by sequentially shifting the gate start pulse using the gate shift clock, and supply the scan signal SS to the scan line S.

[0070] The data driver 112 is supplied with a data control signal DCS and image data DATA from the timing controller 114. In an exemplary embodiment, the data control signal DCS may include a source start pulse, a source shift clock, and a source output enable signal. The data driver 112 generates a data signal DS corresponding to the image data DATA by using the data control signal DCS, and supplies the data signal DS to the data line D. For example, the data driver 112 may supply the data line D with a data signal DS corresponding to a horizontal pixel column corresponding to each of a plurality of horizontal periods constituting each frame period.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, a local area (e.g., the second display area AA2) in the entire display area DA may be set as an invalid display area according to the use environment or state of the display device (e.g., whether the display panel 100 is deformed and / or the degree of deformation). Figure 4 When the display panel 100 shown in FIG. 1 is folded and not exposed to the user, the second display area AA2 may be set as an invalid display area.

[0072] When the second display area AA2 is set as an invalid display area, the data driver 112 may not supply the data signal DS corresponding to the pixel disposed in the second display area AA2. No second emission signal ES2 is supplied to the second pixel P2 disposed in the second display area AA2, so that the second display area AA2 is controlled not to emit light.

[0073] When the data signal DS for the second display area AA2 is not supplied to the pixels provided in the second display area AA2 because the second display area AA2 is set as an invalid display area, the effective image for the entire display area DA can be reduced to an effective image for the first display area AA1 to be fully displayed in the first display area AA1. The reduced effective image can be constructed by extracting images of odd pixel rows for the entire display area DA (i.e., odd pixel rows of the first display area AA1 and odd pixel rows of the second display area AA2). Alternatively, the reduced effective image can be constructed by extracting images of even pixel rows for the entire display area DA (i.e., even pixel rows of the first display area AA1 and even pixel rows of the second display area AA2). Therefore, the reduced effective image can be generated using data corresponding to half of the entire display area DA. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the effective image can be reduced in various ways.

[0074] When the size of the area in which the effective image is displayed is reduced while the supply frequency of the data signal DS is equally maintained, the display frequency of the effective image can be increased. Therefore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, when the effective image is displayed in the first display area AA1, the effective image can be displayed at a higher frame rate than when the effective image is displayed in the entire display area DA.

[0075] Specifically, when the data signal DS for the second display area AA2 is not supplied to the pixels set in the second display area AA2 because the second display area AA2 is set as an invalid display area, the data signal DS for multiple valid images (e.g., the first valid image and the second valid image) can be supplied to the first display area AA1 during a frame period (e.g., a first frame period). For example, the first frame period is a frame period corresponding to the entire display area DA. That is, during half of the first frame period, the data signal for the first valid image can be supplied to the first display area AA1, and during the other half of the first frame period, the data signal for the second valid image can be supplied to the first display area AA1. The second valid image can be a copy of the first valid image, or can be the next scene of the first valid image.

[0076] Therefore, one frame period corresponding to the entire display area DA (i.e., the first frame period) can cause one frame period to be substantially divided into two frame periods (e.g., two second frame periods). For example, the second frame period may be a frame period corresponding to the first display area AA1. Therefore, dividing the first frame period into two second frame periods may have the effect of increasing the driving frequency of the display panel 100. For example, when the driving frequency of the display panel 100 corresponding to the first frame period is 60 Hz before the second display area AA2 is set as the invalid display area, the driving frequency of the display panel 100 corresponding to the second frame period may be substantially 120 Hz after the second display area AA2 is set as the invalid display area.

[0077] The emission driver 113 may include a first emission driver 113-1 coupled to the first emission control line E1 and a second emission driver 113-2 coupled to the second emission control line E2. In an exemplary embodiment, when n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) horizontal pixel rows are provided in the display panel 100, the first emission control line E1 may include n / 2 emission control lines coupled to the first horizontal pixel row to the n / 2-th horizontal pixel row, respectively, and the second emission control line E2 may include n / 2 emission control lines coupled to the (n / 2+1)-th horizontal pixel row to the n-th horizontal pixel row, respectively.

[0078] The emission driver 113 is supplied with emission control signals ECS1 and ECS2 from the timing controller 114, and generates emission signals ES1 and ES2 according to the emission control signals ECS1 and ECS2. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission control signals ECS1 and ECS2 may include a first emission start pulse, a second emission start pulse, and at least one emission shift clock. The first emission start pulse may be supplied to the first emission driver 113-1, and the second emission start pulse may be supplied to the second emission driver 113-2. In an exemplary embodiment, the supply time of the first emission start pulse and the supply time of the second emission start pulse may be different from each other. For example, the first emission start pulse and the second emission start pulse may be alternately supplied at intervals of half a frame.

[0079] The first and second emission drivers 113 - 1 and 113 - 2 may sequentially generate first and second emission signals ES1 and ES2 by sequentially shifting first and second emission start pulses using an emission shift clock, and supply the first and second emission signals ES1 and ES2 to first and second emission control lines E1 and E2, respectively.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment in which the first emission start pulse and the second emission start pulse are supplied at intervals of a half frame, an interval between the last first emission signal ES1 generated and supplied by shifting the first emission start pulse and the first second emission signal ES2 generated and supplied in response to the second emission start pulse may be one horizontal period 1H. In other words, when the first emission signal ES1 is supplied from the first emission driver 113-1 to the last first emission control line (e.g., the n / 2th first emission control line), the second emission start pulse may be supplied to the second emission driver 113-2. Then, the first emission signal ES1 may be supplied from the first emission driver 113-1 to the last first emission control line, and when one horizontal period 1H elapses, the second emission driver 113-2 may output the first second emission signal ES2 in response to the second emission start pulse.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, when the display device is operating in the overall display mode, the timing controller 114 may sequentially generate a first emission start pulse and a second emission start pulse to the first emission driver 113-1 and the second emission driver 113-2. In addition, when the display device is operating in the partial display mode, the timing controller 114 may not supply the second emission start pulse. For example, when the display device is operating in the partial display mode, the timing controller 114 may only supply the first emission start pulse to the first emission driver 113-1. Therefore, when the display device is operating in the partial display mode, the first emission start pulse may be supplied multiple times during one frame period. For example, when the display device is operating in the partial display mode, the first emission start pulse may be supplied at intervals of half a frame.

[0082] although Figure 5 , an exemplary embodiment in which the display device includes two emission drivers 113-1 and 113-2 is shown, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, when a plurality of effective display areas and a plurality of invalid display areas are mounted on the display panel 100 according to a state in which the display panel 100 is deformable, the emission driver 113 may be set to three or more units according to the display area. Therefore, the emission start pulses for the emission drivers may be supplied to the emission drivers respectively at intervals shorter than the interval of a half frame. For example, in an exemplary embodiment in which three emission drivers are provided, the emission start pulses for the emission drivers may be sequentially supplied to the emission drivers at intervals of 1 / 3 of a frame.

[0083] The timing controller 114 is supplied with a control signal CS and image data DATA from the processor 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the control signal CS may include a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal. In addition, the control signal CS may also include a selection signal for selecting a display mode. The display mode may include, for example, an overall display mode (first mode) and a partial display mode (second mode).

[0084] The timing controller 114 may drive the scan driver 111, the data driver 112, and the emission driver 113 according to the control signal CS and the image data DATA. For example, the timing controller 114 may generate a scan control signal SCS, a data control signal DCS, and emission control signals ECS1 and ECS2 according to the control signal CS. The timing controller 114 may supply the scan control signal SCS to the scan driver 111, the data control signal DCS to the data driver 112, and the emission control signals ECS1 and ECS2 to the emission driver 113. In addition, the timing controller 114 may realign the image data DATA (also referred to as rearrangement or reorganization), and supply the realigned image data DATA to the data driver 112.

[0085] In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, when the display device is driven in a partial display mode in which a reduced effective image is displayed in a partial area of ​​the display area DA (e.g., the first display area AA1), the image data DATA received by the timing controller 114 from the processor 120 may be related to the image to be displayed in the first display area AA1. Therefore, compared with when the display device is driven in the overall display mode, the size of the image data DATA in one frame may be reduced, and the display frequency may be increased. As a result, one frame period (e.g., the second frame period in the partial display mode) may be shorter than the first frame period in the overall display mode.

[0086] The processor 120 generates a control signal CS and image data DATA for driving the display driver 110 and / or the display panel 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 120 may be an application processor of a mobile device. However, the type of the processor 120 is not limited thereto, and the processor 120 may be implemented as various types of processors corresponding to the corresponding display device.

[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 120 may select an overall display mode or a partial display mode and control the display driver 110 and / or the display panel 100 according to the selected mode.

[0088] For example, the processor 120 may receive a sensing signal SES from the sensor 130, and select any one of the overall display mode and the local display mode according to the sensing signal SES. For convenience, in an exemplary embodiment, the display mode is divided into two modes, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the local display mode may be divided into a plurality of sub-local display modes for locally displaying an effective image in an area with different positions and / or in an area with different ranges.

[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensing signal SES may include information about the deformation, deformation degree, and / or deformation area of ​​the display panel 100. The processor 120 may select any one mode and / or any one effective display area according to the sensing signal SES, and perform an operation corresponding to the selected mode. For example, the processor 120 may generate a selection signal corresponding to the selected mode, and generate image data DATA by matching an image to be displayed to the selected effective display area.

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the selection signal may be included in the control signal CS to be supplied to the display driver 110. Then, the display driver 110 may operate in the overall display mode or the partial display mode according to the selection signal. For example, the selection signal may be supplied to the timing controller 114 to control the supply of the first emission start pulse and the second emission start pulse. In addition, the image data DATA corresponding to the effective display area may be supplied to the timing controller 114.

[0091] The sensor 130 may include a sensing element for sensing the use environment and / or state of the display device. For example, the sensor 130 may include a sensing element disposed inside or at the periphery of the display panel 100 to sense the deformation (i.e., folding, bending, curling, etc.) of the display panel 100, and then output a sensing signal SES corresponding to the sensed deformation. In an exemplary embodiment, the type of the sensor 130 is not specifically limited. That is, the sensor 130 may be implemented as various types of sensing elements currently known in the art.

[0092] although Figure 5 1 shows a case where the scan driver 111, the data driver 112, the emission driver 113, and the timing controller 114 are separate components, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the display driver 110 may be implemented as a TCON embedded driver IC (TED D-IC) having the timing controller 114 embedded therein. Therefore, at least one of the scan driver 111, the data driver 112, and the emission driver 113 may be integrated in the TED D-IC together with the timing controller 114.

[0093] In addition, although Figure 5 100 and the display panel 100 are separate components, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the scan driver 111, the data driver 112, the emission driver 113, and the timing controller 114 may be integrated with the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 in the display panel 100 or installed on one area of ​​the display panel 100.

[0094] As described above, during the period in which the display device is driven in the partial display mode, the display device can display a valid image at an interval of half a frame (or an interval shorter than the interval of half a frame). In other words, during the period in which the display device is driven in the partial display mode, the display device can increase the frame rate by at least two times. Therefore, images requiring a high frame rate such as games or sports can be effectively displayed in the partial display mode.

[0095] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device when the display device operates in a first mode. Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A timing diagram of signals applied to a display device when the display device operates in a first mode. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed in a display area when the display device is driven in the first mode.

[0096] First, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the display device may be driven in the first mode according to a predetermined use environment, a predetermined state and / or a predetermined condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the first mode may be an overall display mode.

[0097] For example, when the first sensing signal SES1 is supplied from the sensor 130, the display device may be driven in the first mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the first sensing signal SES1 may be a sensing signal corresponding to a state in which the display panel 100 is unfolded. In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the sensor 130 outputs a sensing signal only when the display panel 100 is deformed, and may not output a sensing signal in other cases. Therefore, the first sensing signal SES1 may be omitted, and when the sensing signal is not received, the display device may be driven in the first mode.

[0098] When receiving the first sensing signal SES1 from the sensor 130, or when not receiving the predetermined sensing signal, the processor 120 sets the entire display area DA including the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 as the effective display area according to the first mode, and generates the first image data DATA1 for the entire display area DA. For example, the processor 120 may generate the first image data DATA1 corresponding to the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 according to the first mode.

[0099] In addition, the processor 120 may generate a first control signal CS1 corresponding to the first mode, and output the first control signal CS1 to the display driver 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the first control signal CS1 may include a first selection signal SLS1 including information about the selected display mode (i.e., the first mode). In another exemplary embodiment, when the display device is driven in the first mode, the generation of the first selection signal SLS1 may be omitted. Therefore, when a predetermined selection signal is not supplied from the processor 120, the display driver 110 may be set to operate in the first mode.

[0100] When the first selection signal SLS1 is supplied from the processor 120 or when a predetermined selection signal is not input, the display driver 110 may operate in the first mode. Specifically, the display driver 110 may generate a first data signal DS1 corresponding to the first image data DATA1 according to the first mode, and supply the first data signal DS1 to the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2 through the data line D.

[0101] For example, the timing controller 114 may generate a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS in response to the first control signal CS1, and supply the scan control signal SCS and the data control signal DCS to the scan driver 111 and the data driver 112, respectively. The scan control signal SCS supplied to the scan driver 111 may include a gate start pulse SSP. In addition, the timing controller 114 may supply the first image data DATA1 to the data driver 112.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment, the timing controller 114 may generate a first emission control signal ECS1 and a second emission control signal ECS2 using the first control signal CS1, and supply the first emission control signal ECS1 and the second emission control signal ECS2 to the first emission driver 113-1 and the second emission driver 113-2, respectively. The first emission control signal ECS1 may include a first emission start pulse ESP1, and the second emission control signal ECS2 may include a second emission start pulse ESP2. Therefore, the timing controller 114 may supply the first emission control signal ECS1 and the second emission control signal ECS2 to the first emission driver 113-1 and the second emission driver 113-2, respectively, at intervals of half a frame.

[0103] In the above exemplary embodiments, the scan driver 111 may generate the scan signal SS according to the gate start pulse SSP included in the scan control signal SCS, and sequentially supply the scan signal SS to the scan lines S of the horizontal pixel columns provided in the display panel 100. In addition, the data driver 112 may generate the first data signal DS1 according to the data control signal DCS and the first image data DATA1, and supply the first data signal DS1 to the data line D. In addition, the first emission driver 113-1 and the second emission driver 113-2 may generate the emission signals ES1 and ES2 at different times based on the first emission start pulse ESP1 and the second emission start pulse ESP2 supplied at different times as described above, and supply the emission signals ES1 and ES2 to the first emission control line E1 and the second emission control line E2, respectively.

[0104] The first data signal DS1 from the data driver 112 may be input to the horizontal pixel column supplied with the scan signal SS during the corresponding horizontal period. The first data signal DS1 may include data signals for a plurality of horizontal rows corresponding to the number of horizontal pixel columns provided in the display panel 100, and the data signal for each horizontal row may be supplied to the first pixel P1 or the second pixel P2 of the corresponding horizontal pixel column during the corresponding horizontal period.

[0105] According to the above exemplary embodiments, Figure 8 As shown in , a valid image corresponding to the first image data DATA1 may be displayed in the entire display area DA.

[0106] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 5 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display device when the display device operates in a second mode. Fig.10 is applied to the display device when operating in the second mode Figure 5 A timing diagram of the signals of the display device. Fig.11 and Fig.12 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed in the display area when the display device is driven in the second mode. Fig.11 shows an example of a usage condition (or state) of the display device when the display device is driven in the second mode, Fig.12 It shows Fig.11 The display area shown in FIG. 1 is expanded to indicate the on-off state of the non-effective display area.

[0107] First, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the display device may be driven in the second mode according to a predetermined use environment, a predetermined state and / or a predetermined condition. In an exemplary embodiment, the second mode may be a partial display mode.

[0108] For example, when the second sensing signal SES2 is supplied from the sensor 130, the display device may be driven in the second mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the second sensing signal SES2 may be a sensing signal corresponding to a state in which the display panel 100 is folded. For example, when the display panel 100 is folded outward to a predetermined rotation angle or more, the sensor 130 may output the second sensing signal SES2.

[0109] When the second sensing signal SES2 is input from the sensor 130, the processor 120 can set a partial area of ​​the display area DA as an effective display area according to the second mode, and set the other area as an invalid display area. Hereinafter, an example is assumed in which the first display area AA1 is set as the effective display area and the second display area AA2 is set as the invalid display area.

[0110] The processor 120 may generate second image data DATA2 corresponding to the first display area AA1 during a period in which the display device is driven in the second mode. The second image data DATA2 may be data obtained by the size and direction of the first image data DATA1 generated in the first mode according to the first display area AA1.

[0111] Since the processor 120 generates image data corresponding to the first display area AA1 which is a part of the entire display area DA, the second image data DATA2 generated in the second mode may have a smaller capacity than the capacity of the first image data DATA1. In other words, the processor 120 may generate the second image data DATA2 at a frequency faster than the frequency in the first mode. For example, when the processor 120 generates one first image data DATA1 to be displayed in the entire display area DA during one frame period in the first mode, the processor 120 may generate two or more second image data DATA2 to be displayed in the first display area AA1 during one frame period in the second mode. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , an exemplary embodiment is shown in which the processor 120 generates second image data DATA2-1 corresponding to a first scene and second image data DATA2-2 corresponding to a second scene at intervals of a half frame in the second mode.

[0112] Hereinafter, although an example is shown in which the processor 120 generates two second image data DATA2 at intervals of half a frame during one frame period in the second mode, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the processor 120 may generate three or more second image data DATA2 during one frame period according to the size, position, shape, etc. of the effective display area.

[0113] The processor 120 may generate a second control signal CS2 corresponding to the second mode and output the second control signal CS2 to the display driver 110. In some exemplary embodiments, the second control signal CS2 may include a second selection signal SLS2 including information on a selected display mode (ie, the second mode).

[0114] Since the processor 120 generates a plurality of second image data DATA2 during one frame period in the second mode, the processor 120 may generate a second control signal CS2 corresponding to each of the plurality of second image data DATA2 and sequentially output the second control signal CS2 to the display driver 110 .

[0115] The display driver 110 may operate in the second mode when the second selection signal SLS2 is supplied from the processor 120. The display driver 110 may generate a second data signal DS2 corresponding to the second image data DATA2 according to the second mode and supply the second data signal DS2 to the first pixel P1 through the data line D.

[0116] For example, the timing controller 114 may generate a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS in response to the second control signal CS2, and supply the scan control signal SCS and the data control signal DCS to the scan driver 111 and the data driver 112, respectively. The scan control signal SCS supplied to the scan driver 111 may include a gate start pulse SSP. In addition, the timing controller 114 may supply the second image data DATA2 to the data driver 112.

[0117] In addition, the timing controller 114 may generate a first emission control signal ECS1 using the second control signal CS2 and supply the first emission control signal ECS1 to the first emission driver 113-1. The first emission control signal ECS1 includes a first emission start pulse ESP1. In addition, in the second mode, the timing controller 114 may not generate any second emission control signal ECS2.

[0118] Since a plurality of second image data DATA2 and a second control signal CS2 corresponding to the plurality of second image data DATA2 are supplied from the processor 120 during one frame period in the second mode, the timing controller 114 may sequentially supply the plurality of second image data DATA2 to the data driver 112 during one frame period. In addition, the timing controller 114 may supply a plurality of gate start pulses SSP and a plurality of first emission start pulses ESP1 to the scan driver 111 and the first emission driver 113-1, respectively, according to the second control signal CS2 during one frame period.

[0119] In the above exemplary embodiment, the scan driver 111 may generate the scan signal SS according to the gate start pulse SSP included in the scan control signal SCS, and sequentially supply the scan signal SS to the scan lines S of the horizontal pixel columns provided in the display panel 100. In addition, the first emission driver 113-1 may generate the emission signal ES1 in response to the first emission start pulse ESP1, and supply the emission signal ES1 to the first emission control line E1.

[0120] The data driver 112 may generate a second data signal DS2 according to the data control signal DCS and each of the first second image data DATA2-1 and the second second image data DATA2-2, and supply the second data signal DS2 to the data line D. For example, the display driver 110 may supply the second data signal DS2 corresponding to the first second image data DATA2-1 to the data line D during a half frame period, and may supply the second data signal DS2 corresponding to the second second image data DATA2-2 to the data line D during another half frame period.

[0121] The second second image data DATA2-2 may be the same as the first second image data DATA2-1 or may be based on a different valid image. For example, when the first second image data DATA2-1 corresponds to the first valid image (i.e., the first scene), the second second image data DATA2-2 may correspond to the second valid image (i.e., the next second scene of the first scene). Alternatively, in an exemplary embodiment, the second second image data DATA2-2 may be a copy of the first second image data DATA2-1 or may be data generated based on an interpolated valid image between the first valid image and the second valid image for the actual next frame in the first mode.

[0122] The second data signal DS2 from the data driver 112 may be input to the horizontal pixel column supplied with the scan signal SS during the corresponding horizontal period. For example, the second data signal DS2 may include data signals for a plurality of horizontal rows corresponding to the number of horizontal pixel columns provided in the first display area AA1, and during the corresponding horizontal period, the data signal for each horizontal row may be supplied to the first pixel P1 of the corresponding horizontal pixel column.

[0123] As described above, the second image data DATA2 is supplied to the first pixel P1 multiple times during one frame period in the second mode. In other words, during the second mode, the display device can operate at a higher frame rate than in the first mode. Therefore, a high-quality image can be effectively displayed.

[0124] When the display device operates in the second mode, the second emission control signal ECS2 is not supplied to the second emission driver 113-2, and therefore, the second emission driver 113-2 does not supply the second emission signal ES2 to the second pixel P2 disposed in the second display area AA2. Therefore, although the second data signal DS2 is supplied to the second pixel P2 in response to the scan signal SS, the second pixel P2 does not emit light during the second mode. Therefore, unnecessary emission of the second display area AA2 or display of a noise image or the like in the second display area AA2 can be prevented.

[0125] According to the above exemplary embodiments, Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown in , a valid image corresponding to the second image data DATA2 is displayed in the first display area AA1, and no image is displayed in the second display area AA2.

[0126] In the above exemplary embodiments, one frame period may include a display period and a non-display period. The non-display period may include, for example, an initialization period for the first pixel P1 and the second pixel P2, a threshold voltage compensation period, a data writing period, a sensing period, etc. Therefore, one frame period may be replaced by a display period, and the supply time of each signal may be modified according to the display period.

[0127] Fig.13 is a flow chart of a method for driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig.13 A method of driving a display device according to an exemplary embodiment is sequentially described in detail.

[0128] Reference Figures 5 to 13 The display device may sense deformation of the display panel 100 including the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 (ST100). For example, the display device may sense deformation of the display panel 100 by using the sensor 130 and output a sensing signal SES1 or SES2 corresponding to the deformation to the processor 120.

[0129] Next, the display device may select a display mode between the first mode and the second mode (ST200). For example, the processor 120 receiving the sensing signal SES1 or SES2 may select a mode between the first mode and the second mode according to the sensing signal SES1 or SES2. In an exemplary embodiment, when the deformation of the display panel 100 is sensed as a predetermined reference value or more, the processor 120 may select the second mode and operate according to the second mode. In other cases, the processor 120 may select the first mode and operate according to the first mode.

[0130] When the first mode is selected, the processor 120 of the display device may generate first image data DATA1 and supply the first image data DATA1 to the display driver 110 (ST310). When the first mode is selected, the processor 120 may generate a first control signal CS1 and supply the first control signal CS1 to the display driver 110.

[0131] The display driver 110 receiving the first control signal CS1 and the first image data DATA1 from the processor 120 may supply a first data signal DS1 corresponding to the first image data DATA1 to the display panel 100 (ST320).

[0132] The display panel 100 receiving the first data signal DS1 may display a valid image in the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 according to the first data signal DS1 (ST330). For example, when the display device is driven in the first mode, the entire display area DA including the first display area AA1 and the second display area AA2 may be used to display a valid image.

[0133] In addition, when the second mode is selected, the processor 120 may generate second image data DATA2 corresponding only to the first display area AA1, and supply the second image data DATA2 to the display driver 110 (ST410). In addition, when the second mode is selected, the processor 120 may generate a second control signal CS2, and supply the second control signal CS2 to the display driver 110. The supply interval of the second control signal CS2 is shorter than the supply interval of the first control signal CS1.

[0134] The display driver 110 receiving the second control signal CS2 and the second image data DATA2 from the processor 120 may generate a second data signal DS2 corresponding to the second image data DATA2 and supply the second data signal DS2 to the display panel 100 (ST420). For example, the data driver 112 provided in the display driver 110 may generate the second data signal DS2 by using the second image data DATA2 and supply the second data signal DS2 to the display panel 100.

[0135] The display panel 100 receiving the second data signal DS2 may display a valid image in the first display area AA1 according to the second data signal DS2 (ST430). For example, when the display device is driven in the second mode, only the first display area AA1 may be used to display a valid image.

[0136] Therefore, when the display device is driven in the second mode, a valid image is displayed in the first display area AA1, and the second pixels P2 of the second display area AA2 do not emit light.

[0137] A display device constructed according to the principles of the invention can be selectively driven in an overall display mode or a partial display mode according to the use environment or state of the display device, thereby improving the convenience of use.

[0138] Furthermore, according to the principles and exemplary embodiments of the invention, when a display device is being driven in a partial display mode, an image output rate is increased so that images requiring a high frame rate, such as games or sports, can be effectively displayed in the partial display mode.

[0139] Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Therefore, the inventive concept is not limited to such embodiments, but is limited to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: The display panel comprises a first display area and a second display area; a processor that generates first image data corresponding to the first display area and the second display area in a first mode, and generates second image data corresponding to the first display area in a second mode; as well as a display driver that controls the display panel to display an image corresponding to the first image data in the first display area and the second display area according to a first frame period in the first mode, and controls the display panel to display an image corresponding to the second image data in the first display area according to a second frame period in the second mode, the second frame period being shorter than the first frame period, wherein the first image data includes image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area and the second display area, and the second image data includes image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area, and The first image data is generated according to the first frame period, and the second image data is generated according to the second frame period.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The display driver comprises: A timing controller, generating a data control signal and a scan control signal in response to a control signal of the processor; a data driver that outputs a first data signal or a second data signal corresponding to the first image data or the second image data in response to the data control signal; and The scan driver outputs a scan signal in response to the scan control signal.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The timing controller is operable to output the scan control signal according to the first frame period in the first mode, and is operable to output the scan control signal according to the second frame period in the second mode.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The data driver is operable to output the first data signal according to the first frame period in the first mode, and is operable to output the second data signal according to the second frame period in the second mode.

5. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The display driver further includes: a first emission driver that supplies a first emission signal to the first display area in response to a first emission control signal from the timing controller; and The second emission driver supplies a second emission signal to the second display area in response to a second emission control signal from the timing controller.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: The timing controller is operable to not output the second emission control signal in the second mode. 7 . The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to output a sensing signal by sensing a state change of the display panel.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: The processor operates in the first mode or the second mode according to the sensing signal.

9. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: The state change includes deformation of the display panel.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: When the display panel is folded outwardly with respect to a predetermined folding axis, the display panel is operable to be driven in the second mode.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The first display area is an area exposed in a first direction by the outward folding of the display panel, and The second display area is an area exposed in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the outward folding of the display panel.

12. A method for driving a display device, the method comprising the following steps: selecting one of a first driving mode and a second driving mode; When the first driving mode is selected, a first image corresponding to the first image data is displayed in the first display area and the second display area according to a first frame period; as well as When the second driving mode is selected, a second image corresponding to second image data is displayed in the first display area according to a second frame period, wherein the second frame period is shorter than the first frame period, wherein the first image data includes image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area and the second display area, and the second image data includes image data corresponding to pixels constituting the first display area, and The first image data is generated according to the first frame period, and the second image data is generated according to the second frame period.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of displaying the first image comprises: generating a scan control signal and a data control signal according to the first frame period; and A scan signal is output in response to the scan control signal, and a first data signal corresponding to the first image data is output in response to the data control signal.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of displaying the second image comprises: generating a scan control signal and a data control signal according to the second frame period; and A scan signal is output in response to the scan control signal, and a second data signal corresponding to the second image data is output in response to the data control signal.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The step of displaying the first image further comprises: generating a first emission control signal and a second emission control signal; and In response to the first emission control signal and the second emission control signal, a first emission signal and a second emission signal are supplied to the first display area and the second display area.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The step of displaying the second image further comprises the following steps: generating a first emission control signal; and In response to the first emission control signal, a first emission signal is supplied to the first display area.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The step of selecting said one of said first driving mode and said second driving mode comprises: sensing a state change of the display panel to output a sensing result; and Based on the sensing result, the first driving mode or the second driving mode is selected.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The step of selecting the first driving mode or the second driving mode includes: when the display panel is folded outwardly with respect to a predetermined folding axis, selecting the second driving mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The first display area is an area exposed in a first direction by the outward folding of the display panel, and The second display area is an area exposed in a second direction opposite to the first direction by the outward folding of the display panel.

Images