Display device and driving method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device and a method for driving the display device. The display device includes: a display panel configured to display an image based on input image data; a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel; and a drive controller configured to determine a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value of a gray value of the input image data and output a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to a host.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a display device and a method of driving the display device. Background Art

[0002] Methods for minimizing power consumption of information technology (IT) products such as tablet-type personal computers (PCs) and notebook PCs have been studied.

[0003] When an IT product includes a display panel, reducing the power consumption of the display panel can minimize the overall power consumption of the IT product. In order to reduce the power consumption of the display panel, the display panel can be driven at a relatively low frequency when the display panel displays a still image.

[0004] The display device may include a display panel and a display panel driver for driving the display panel. The display panel driver receives input image data from a host. The display panel driver generates a data voltage based on the input image data and outputs the data voltage to the display panel so that the display panel can display an image.

[0005] However, the display panel driver does not provide the host with a driving frequency of the display panel, so the display device consumes unnecessary power. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display device, comprising: a display panel configured to display an image based on input image data; a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel; and a drive controller configured to determine a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value of a grayscale value of the input image data and output a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to a host.

[0007] The driving controller may include: a data processor configured to receive input image data from a host and generate intermediate image data based on the input image data; and a frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of the display panel and output a driving frequency signal representing the driving frequency of the display panel to the host.

[0008] The frequency determiner may include: a flicker value storage device configured to store flicker values ​​of grayscale values ​​of intermediate image data; and a driving frequency determiner configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel based on whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image and information provided from the flicker value storage device.

[0009] The frequency determiner may further include a still image determiner configured to determine whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image, generate a flag indicating whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image, and output the flag to the driving frequency determiner.

[0010] The display panel may include a plurality of segments, and wherein the driving frequency determiner is configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel based on the driving frequencies of the segments.

[0011] The data processor may be configured to generate the intermediate image data by converting a frequency of the input image data, and the frequency of the intermediate image data may be equal to or greater than the frequency of the input image data.

[0012] The driving frequency signal may be a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data to correspond to a driving frequency of the display panel.

[0013] The driving frequency signal may be an image update request signal.

[0014] The driving frequency signal may be output to the host before the intermediate image data is processed by the driving controller, and timing information for outputting the driving frequency signal by the driving controller to the host may be stored as a parameter in the driving controller.

[0015] The data processor may be configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the host, and the frequency determiner may be configured to output a driving frequency signal to the host.

[0016] The synchronization signal may be an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to a frequency of the intermediate image data, and the driving frequency signal may be a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting the input vertical synchronization signal to correspond to a driving frequency of the display panel.

[0017] The drive controller may further include a selector, wherein the data processor is configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the selector, wherein the frequency determiner is configured to output a drive frequency signal to the selector, wherein when the intermediate image data represents a video image, the selector is configured to output the synchronization signal to the host, and wherein when the intermediate image data represents a still image, the selector is configured to output the drive frequency signal to the host.

[0018] The drive controller may be configured to communicate with a host using a built-in DisplayPort interface, wherein the host includes a source device functional circuit, wherein the drive controller includes an end device functional circuit, and wherein the built-in DisplayPort interface includes: a main link channel configured to transmit data only in a direction from the source device functional circuit to the end device functional circuit; an auxiliary (AUX) channel configured to transmit data in both directions between the source device functional circuit and the end device functional circuit; and a hot plug detection channel configured to transmit data only in a direction from the end device functional circuit to the source device functional circuit.

[0019] The driving frequency signal may be included in the display port configuration data register and output to the host through the AUX channel.

[0020] The driving frequency signal can be output to the host through the hot plug detection channel.

[0021] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for driving a display device, the method comprising: receiving input image data from a host; determining a driving frequency of a display panel based on a flicker value of a grayscale value of the input image data; outputting a driving frequency signal representing the driving frequency of the display panel to the host; generating a data voltage based on the input image data and the driving frequency; and outputting the data voltage to the display panel.

[0022] The method may further include generating intermediate image data based on the input image data, wherein the driving frequency of the display panel is determined based on whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image and by using a flicker value storage device storing flicker values ​​of grayscale values.

[0023] Determining the driving frequency of the display panel may include: determining whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image; and generating a flag indicating whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image.

[0024] The driving frequency signal may be a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data to correspond to a driving frequency of the display panel.

[0025] The method may further include outputting a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to a host.

[0026] The method may also include: outputting a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the selector; and outputting a driving frequency signal to the selector, wherein when the intermediate image data represents a video image, the selector is configured to output the synchronization signal to the host, and wherein when the intermediate image data represents a still image, the selector is configured to output the driving frequency signal to the host.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display device including: a display panel configured to display an image based on input image data provided from a host; and a drive controller configured to adjust a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data and output a signal indicating the driving frequency to the host. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other features of the present inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0030] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 The block diagram of the drive controller and host;

[0031] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A block diagram of a frequency determiner;

[0032] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A table of flicker value storage devices;

[0033] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 a timing diagram of a driving frequency and a timing of a driving frequency signal determined by a frequency determiner;

[0034] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 2 a table of timings of drive frequency signals generated by a frequency determiner;

[0035] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 1 The timing diagram of the input signal and output signal of the drive controller;

[0036] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1 A diagram of an interface between a host and a drive controller;

[0037] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a driving controller and a host of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0038] Fig.10 is a block diagram illustrating a driving controller and a host of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0039] Fig.11 is a block diagram illustrating a frequency determiner of a driving controller of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0040] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating a display panel of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept; and

[0041] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A frequency determiner of a drive controller of a display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 The display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400 and a data driver 500. The display device may further include a host 600.

[0045] For example, the driving controller 200 and the data driver 500 may be integrally formed. For example, the driving controller 200, the gamma reference voltage generator 400, and the data driver 500 may be integrally formed. A driving module including at least the integrally formed driving controller 200 and the data driver 500 may be referred to as a timing controller embedded data driver (TED).

[0046] The display panel 100 includes a plurality of gate lines GL, a plurality of data lines DL, and a plurality of pixels P connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The gate lines GL extend in a first direction D1 and the data lines DL extend in a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1.

[0047] The display panel 100 may be driven in a normal driving mode and a low-frequency driving mode, in which the display panel 100 is driven at a normal driving frequency, and in which the display panel 100 is driven at a frequency less than the normal driving frequency. In other words, the display panel 100 may be driven in a first driving mode (e.g., a normal driving mode) and a second driving mode (e.g., a low-frequency driving mode).

[0048] For example, when the input image data IMG represents a video image (e.g., a moving image), the display panel 100 may be driven in a normal driving mode. For example, when the input image data IMG represents a still image, the display panel 100 may be driven in a low-frequency driving mode. For example, when the display device operates in an always-on mode, the display panel 100 may be driven in a low-frequency driving mode.

[0049] The display panel 100 may be driven in units of frames. The display panel 100 may be refreshed in each frame in a normal driving mode. Therefore, the normal driving mode includes only a writing frame in which data is written into pixels.

[0050] The display panel 100 may be refreshed in the low frequency mode according to the frequency of the low frequency driving mode. Therefore, the low frequency driving mode includes a writing frame in which pixels are written into the pixels and a holding frame in which the written data is maintained without writing data into the pixels.

[0051] The driving controller 200 receives input image data IMG and input control signal CONT from the host 600. The input image data IMG may include red image data, green image data and blue image data. The input image data IMG may include white image data. The input image data IMG may include magenta image data, yellow image data and cyan image data. The input control signal CONT main clock signal and data enable signal. The input control signal CONT may also include a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal.

[0052] The driving controller 200 generates a first control signal CONT1 , a second control signal CONT2 , a third control signal CONT3 , and a data signal DATA based on input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT.

[0053] The driving controller 200 generates a first control signal CONT1 for controlling the operation of the gate driver 300 based on the input control signal CONT, and outputs the first control signal CONT1 to the gate driver 300. The first control signal CONT1 may further include a vertical start signal and a gate clock signal.

[0054] The driving controller 200 generates a second control signal CONT2 for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 based on the input control signal CONT, and outputs the second control signal CONT2 to the data driver 500. The second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal and a load signal.

[0055] The driving controller 200 generates a data signal DATA based on the input image data IMG. The driving controller 200 outputs the data signal DATA to the data driver 500.

[0056] For example, the driving controller 200 may adjust the driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on the input image data IMG. For example, the driving controller 200 may reduce the driving frequency of the display panel 100 in response to the input image data IMG. In an alternative, the driving controller 200 may increase the driving frequency of the display panel 100 in response to the input image data IMG.

[0057] The driving controller 200 generates a third control signal CONT3 for controlling the operation of the gamma reference voltage generator 400 based on the input control signal CONT, and outputs the third control signal CONT3 to the gamma reference voltage generator 400 .

[0058] Reference Figures 2 to 8 The structure and operation of the drive controller 200 are described in detail.

[0059] The gate driver 300 generates a gate signal for driving the gate line GL in response to the first control signal CONT1 received from the driving controller 200. The gate driver 300 outputs the gate signal to the gate line GL. For example, the gate driver 300 may sequentially output the gate signal to the gate line GL. For example, the gate driver 300 may be mounted on the display panel 100. For example, the gate driver 300 may be integrated on the display panel 100.

[0060] The gamma reference voltage generator 400 generates a gamma reference voltage VGREF in response to the third control signal CONT3 received from the driving controller 200. The gamma reference voltage generator 400 provides the gamma reference voltage VGREF to the data driver 500. The gamma reference voltage VGREF has a value corresponding to a level of the data signal DATA.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the gamma reference voltage generator 400 may be provided in the driving controller 200 , or in the data driver 500 .

[0062] The data driver 500 receives the second control signal CONT2 and the data signal DATA from the driving controller 200 and receives the gamma reference voltage VGREF from the gamma reference voltage generator 400. The data driver 500 converts the data signal DATA into a data voltage in analog form using the gamma reference voltage VGREF. The data driver 500 outputs the data voltage to the data line DL.

[0063] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of a driving controller 200 and a host 600. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 240 is a block diagram of a frequency determiner 240. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A table of flicker value storage device 246 is provided.

[0064] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The driving controller 200 determines the driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on the flicker value according to the gray value of the input image data IMG. The display panel 100 may output a driving frequency signal FR regarding the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0065] The driving controller 200 may include a data processor 220 and a frequency determiner 240. The data processor 220 and the frequency determiner 240 may be implemented as electronic circuits.

[0066] The data processor 220 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from the host 600. The data processor 220 may generate intermediate image data IMG2 based on the input image data IMG.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the data processor 220 may convert input image data IMG having a first format into intermediate image data IMG2 having a second format corresponding to a data format of the driving controller 200 .

[0068] For example, the data processor 220 may change the frequency of the input image data IMG to generate the intermediate image data IMG2. The frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be equal to or greater than the frequency of the input image data IMG. The frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be greater than the frequency of the input image data IMG. For example, the frequency of the input image data IMG may be 24 Hz, and the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be 60 Hz.

[0069] The data processor 220 may include a memory for storing the input image data IMG to generate the intermediate image data IMG2.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the data processor 220 may transmit the input image data IMG to the frequency determiner 240 without converting the input image data IMG. In this case, the data processor 220 may function as a receiver of the driving controller 200.

[0071] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 using the flicker value according to the gray value of the intermediate image data IMG2 (or according to the gray value of the input image data IMG). The frequency determiner 240 may output a driving frequency signal FR indicating the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0072] For example, the driving frequency signal FR may be a synchronization signal corresponding to the driving frequency of the display panel 100. For example, the driving frequency signal FR may be a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel 100.

[0073] For example, the driving frequency signal FR may indicate a value of a driving frequency of the display panel 100 .

[0074] For example, the driving frequency signal FR may be an image update request signal corresponding to the driving frequency of the display panel 100. The image update request signal may notify the host 600 to provide new image data. The new image data may have a different frequency from previous image data.

[0075] The frequency determiner 240 may include a still image determiner 242, a driving frequency determiner 244, and a flicker value storage device 246. The components of the frequency determiner 240, such as the still image determiner 242, the driving frequency determiner 244, and the flicker value storage device 246, may be implemented as electronic circuits.

[0076] The still image determiner 242 may determine whether the intermediate image data IMG2 is a still image or a video image. The still image determiner 242 may output a flag SF indicating whether the intermediate image data IMG2 is a still image or a video image to the driving frequency determiner 244. For example, when the intermediate image data IMG2 is a still image, the still image determiner 242 may output a flag SF of 1 to the driving frequency determiner 244. When the intermediate image data IMG2 is a video image, the still image determiner 242 may output a flag SF of 0 to the driving frequency determiner 244. When the display panel 100 operates in the always-on mode, the still image determiner 242 may output a flag SF of 1 to the driving frequency determiner 244.

[0077] When the flag SF is 1, the driving frequency determiner 242 may drive the switching element in the pixel P at a low driving frequency. In other words, when a still image is displayed on the display panel 100, the switching element in the pixel P may be driven at a low driving frequency.

[0078] When the flag SF is 0, the driving frequency determiner 244 may drive the switching element in the pixel P at a normal driving frequency. In other words, when a video image such as a moving image is displayed on the display panel 100, the switching element in the pixel P may be driven at a normal driving frequency.

[0079] The driving frequency determiner 244 may determine the low driving frequency using the flicker value storage device 246. The flicker value storage device 246 may include a flicker value representing a flicker degree according to a grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2.

[0080] The flicker value storage device 246 may store the grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2 and the flicker value corresponding to the grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2. The flicker value may be used to determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100. For example, the flicker value storage device 246 may have a lookup table.

[0081] exist Figure 4, the input grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be 8 bits, the minimum grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be 0, and the maximum grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2 may be 255. The number of flicker setting levels of the flicker value storage device 246 may be 64. When the number of flicker setting levels increases, flicker can be effectively removed, but the logic size of the driving controller 200 increases.

[0082] Despite Figure 4 The input grayscale value of the intermediate image data IMG2 is 8 bits, but the inventive concept may not be limited thereto.

[0083] exist Figure 4 , the number of gray values ​​of the intermediate image data IMG2 is 256 and the number of flicker setting levels is 64. Therefore, a single flicker value in the flicker value storage device 246 can correspond to four gray values. For example, the first flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 with respect to gray values ​​of 0 to 3. Here, the flicker value of 0 can represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the second flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 with respect to gray values ​​of 4 to 7. Here, the flicker value of 0 can represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the third flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 40 with respect to gray values ​​of 8 to 11. Here, the flicker value of 40 can represent a driving frequency of 2 Hz. For example, the fourth flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 80 with respect to gray values ​​of 12 to 15. Here, the flicker value of 80 can represent a driving frequency of 5 Hz. For example, the fifth flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 120 with respect to gray values ​​of 16 to 19. Here, the flicker value of 120 can represent a driving frequency of 10 Hz. For example, the sixth flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 160 for gray values ​​of 20 to 23. Here, the flicker value of 160 may represent a driving frequency of 30 Hz. For example, the seventh flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 200 for gray values ​​of 24 to 27. Here, the flicker value of 200 may represent a driving frequency of 60 Hz. For example, the sixtieth flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 for gray values ​​of 236 to 239. Here, the flicker value of 0 may represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the sixty-first flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 for gray values ​​of 240 to 243. Here, the flicker value of 0 may represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the sixty-second flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 for gray values ​​of 244 to 247. Here, the flicker value of 0 may represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the sixty-third flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 for gray values ​​of 248 to 251. Here, the flicker value of 0 may represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz. For example, the sixty-fourth flicker setting level stores a flicker value of 0 with respect to grayscale values ​​of 252 to 255. Here, the flicker value of 0 may represent a driving frequency of 1 Hz.

[0084] The driving frequency determiner 244 may output a driving frequency signal FR indicating a driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600 .

[0085] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of the driving frequency and timing of the driving frequency signal FR determined by the frequency determiner 240 . Figure 6 It is shown Figure 2 A table of timings of the driving frequency signal FR generated by the frequency determiner 240 .

[0086] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , considering a signal transmission delay, before the intermediate image data IMG2 is processed by the driving controller 200 and the data voltage is output to the display panel 100 through the data driver 500 , the driving frequency signal FR may be output to the host 600 .

[0087] exist Figure 5 In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving frequency may be 60 Hz in the first and fourth durations and the driving frequency may be 1 Hz in the second and third durations. In the duration of 60 Hz, the intermediate image data IMG2 may be refreshed in each frame. Refreshing in the 60 Hz duration is indicated by NEW DATA. In the duration of 1 Hz, the intermediate image data IMG2 may be written once and may be maintained in a hold state in most frames (e.g., in fifty-nine frames), thereby reducing the power associated with multiple refreshes. Holding in the 1 Hz duration is indicated by HOLD. Information of the frequency (1 Hz) of the second duration may be transmitted to the host 600 during the first duration. In this case, the host 600 may provide a 1 Hz image signal to be displayed during the second duration. Information of the frequency (1 Hz) of the third duration may be transmitted to the host 600 during the second duration. Information of the frequency (60 Hz) of the fourth duration may be transmitted to the host 600 during the third duration. In this case, the host 600 may provide a 60 Hz image signal to be displayed during the fourth duration.

[0088] The timing information DLY for outputting the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600 through the driving controller 200 may be stored in the driving controller 200 as a parameter. For example, when the driving controller 200 outputs the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600 without a time delay (DLY, 0us), the driving controller 200 may store 0x00. For example, when the driving controller 200 outputs the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600 with a time delay DLY of 10us, the driving controller 200 may store 0x10. For example, when the driving controller 200 outputs the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600 with a time delay DLY of 20us, the driving controller 200 may store 0x20. For example, when the driving controller 200 outputs the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600 with a time delay DLY of 100us, the driving controller 200 may store 0xFF.

[0089] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 1 2 is a timing diagram of input signals and output signals of the driving controller 200.

[0090] Reference Figures 1 to 7 , the intermediate image data IMG2 may have the timing of the input vertical synchronization signal IVS and the input data enable signal IDE. The input vertical synchronization signal IVS and the input data enable signal IDE may have uniform timing regardless of whether the intermediate image data IMG2 is a still image or a video image.

[0091] The driving frequency determiner 244 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 and may generate a converted vertical synchronization signal OVS and a converted data enable signal ODE based on the determined driving frequency of the display panel 100 .

[0092] exist Figure 7 In the embodiment, the driving frequency of the video image display area MOVIE may be 60 Hz and the driving frequency of the still image display area STILL IMAGE may be 20 Hz.

[0093] The converted vertical synchronization signal OVS of the video image display area MOVIE may be identical to the input vertical synchronization signal IVS of the video image display area MOVIE. The converted data enable signal ODE of the video image display area MOVIE may be identical to the input data enable signal IDE of the video image display area MOVIE. The converted data enable signal ODE may be activated in each frame from the first frame to the sixtieth frame corresponding to the video image display area MOVIE.

[0094] The converted vertical synchronization signal OVS of the still image display area STILL IMAGE may be generated by masking a portion of the input vertical synchronization signal IVS of the still image display area STILL IMAGE. In addition, the converted data enable signal ODE of the still image display area STILL IMAGE may be generated by masking a portion of the input data enable signal IDE of the still image display area STILL IMAGE. For example, the converted data enable signal ODE of the still image display area STILL IMAGE may be activated once every three frames to indicate a driving frequency of 20 Hz.

[0095] For example, the driving frequency signal FR output to the host 600 through the driving frequency determiner 244 may be the converted vertical synchronization signal OVS.

[0096] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an interface between a host 600 and a drive controller 200.

[0097] Reference Figures 1 to 8 , the driving controller 200 may communicate with the host 600 using an embedded display port (eDP) interface.

[0098] The host 600 includes a video graphics processing circuit 620. The video graphics processing circuit 620 may include a source device functional circuit, such as an eDP source device functional circuit.

[0099] The driving controller 200 may include a terminal device function circuit, such as an eDP terminal device function circuit. The source device function circuit and the terminal device function circuit may be a transceiver with a built-in display port interface.

[0100] The driving controller 200 may further include an extended display identification data (EDID) memory MEM for storing data received via the built-in display port interface.

[0101] The built-in display port interface may include: a main link channel MAIN LINK, used to transmit data only in the direction from the source device functional circuit to the end device functional circuit; an auxiliary (AUX) channel AUX CH, used to transmit data in both directions between the source device functional circuit and the end device functional circuit; and a hot plug detection channel HPD, used to transmit data only in the direction from the end device functional circuit to the source device functional circuit.

[0102] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the driving frequency signal FR may be included in a display port configuration data register and may be output to the host 600 through an AUX channel AUX CH. The display port configuration data register may be a register storing a communication protocol between the driving controller 200 and the host 600. The driving frequency signal FR in the display port configuration data register may be transmitted in both directions between the driving controller 200 and the host 600 and may be shared in both directions between the driving controller 200 and the host 600.

[0103] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the driving frequency signal FR may be output to the host 600 through the hot plug detection channel HPD.

[0104] Alternatively, the driving frequency signal FR may be output to the host 600 through independent input and output ports not described above.

[0105] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving frequency is determined according to the image displayed on the display panel 100, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. In addition, the driving frequency is determined using the flicker value of the image on the display panel 100, so that the flicker of the image can be prevented and the display quality of the display panel 100 can be improved. In addition, the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100 is output to the host 600, so that the host 600 can output the input image data IMG to the driving controller 200 based on the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100. Therefore, the power consumption associated with the communication between the host 600 and the driving controller 200 can be further reduced.

[0106] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a driving controller and a host of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0107] In addition to the structure and operation of the drive controller, Fig. 9 DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DISPLAY DEVICE AND Figures 1 to 8 The display device and the method of driving the display device are substantially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used to represent the same Figures 1 to 8 The components described are the same or similar components, and any repetitive explanation regarding these components may be omitted.

[0108] Reference Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 9 The display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400 and a data driver 500. The display device may further include a host 600.

[0109] The driving controller 200 determines a driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data IMG. The display panel 100 may output a driving frequency signal regarding the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0110] The driving controller 200 may include a data processor 220 and a frequency determiner 240 .

[0111] The data processor 220 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from the host 600. The data processor 220 may generate intermediate image data IMG2 based on the input image data IMG.

[0112] In the present exemplary embodiment, the data processor 220 may generate a synchronization signal FR1 corresponding to the input image data IMG and may output the synchronization signal FR1 to the host 600 .

[0113] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 using the flicker value according to the gray value of the intermediate image data IMG2 (or according to the gray value of the input image data IMG). The frequency determiner 240 may output a driving frequency signal FR2 indicating the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0114] For example, the synchronization signal FR1 may be an input vertical synchronization signal IVS corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2. For example, the driving frequency signal FR2 may be a converted vertical synchronization signal OVS generated by converting the input vertical synchronization signal IVS corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel 100.

[0115] The host 600 may receive timing information of the intermediate image data IMG2 (eg, a normal driving frequency in a normal driving mode) and information of a low driving frequency in a low frequency driving mode, so that power consumption of the display device may be effectively reduced.

[0116] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving frequency is determined according to the image displayed on the display panel 100, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. In addition, the driving frequency is determined using the flicker value of the image on the display panel 100, so that the flicker of the image can be prevented and the display quality of the display panel 100 can be improved. In addition, the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100 is output to the host 600, so that the host 600 can output the input image data IMG to the driving controller 200 based on the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100. Therefore, the power consumption associated with the communication between the host 600 and the driving controller 200 can be further reduced.

[0117] Fig.10is a block diagram illustrating a driving controller and a host of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0118] In addition to the structure and operation of the drive controller, Fig.10 DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DISPLAY DEVICE AND Figures 1 to 8 The display device and the method of driving the display device are substantially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used to represent the same Figures 1 to 8 The components described are the same or similar components, and any repetitive explanation regarding these components may be omitted.

[0119] Reference Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 8 and Fig.10 The display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400 and a data driver 500. The display device may further include a host 600.

[0120] The driving controller 200 determines a driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data IMG. The display panel 100 may output a driving frequency signal FR regarding the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0121] The driving controller 200 may include a data processor 220 and a frequency determiner 240. The driving controller 200 may further include a selector 260.

[0122] The data processor 220 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from the host 600. The data processor 220 may generate intermediate image data IMG2 based on the input image data IMG.

[0123] In the present exemplary embodiment, the data processor 220 may generate a synchronization signal FR1 corresponding to the input image data IMG and may output the synchronization signal FR1 to the selector 260 .

[0124] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 using the flicker value according to the gray value of the intermediate image data IMG2 (or according to the gray value of the input image data IMG). The frequency determiner 240 may output a driving frequency signal FR2 indicating the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the selector 260.

[0125] For example, the synchronization signal FR1 may be an input vertical synchronization signal IVS corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2. For example, the driving frequency signal FR2 may be a converted vertical synchronization signal OVS generated by converting the input vertical synchronization signal IVS corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data IMG2 to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel 100.

[0126] When the intermediate image data IMG2 is a video image, the selector 260 may output the synchronization signal FR1 as the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600. When the intermediate image data IMG2 is a still image, the selector 260 may output the driving frequency signal FR2 as the driving frequency signal FR to the host 600.

[0127] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving frequency is determined according to the image displayed on the display panel 100, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. In addition, the driving frequency is determined using the flicker value of the image on the display panel 100, so that the flicker of the image can be prevented and the display quality of the display panel 100 can be improved. In addition, the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100 is output to the host 600, so that the host 600 can output the input image data IMG to the driving controller 200 based on the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100. Therefore, the power consumption associated with the communication between the host 600 and the driving controller 200 can be further reduced.

[0128] Fig.11 is a block diagram illustrating a frequency determiner 240 of a driving controller 200 of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0129] In addition to the structure and operation of the drive controller, Fig.11 DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DISPLAY DEVICE AND Figures 1 to 8 The display device and the method of driving the display device are substantially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used to represent the same Figures 1 to 8 The components described are the same or similar components, and any repetitive explanation regarding these components may be omitted.

[0130] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 8 and Fig.11 The display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400 and a data driver 500. The display device may further include a host 600.

[0131] The driving controller 200 determines a driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data IMG. The display panel 100 may output a driving frequency signal FR regarding the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0132] The driving controller 200 may include a data processor 220 and a frequency determiner 240 .

[0133] The data processor 220 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from the host 600. The data processor 220 may generate intermediate image data IMG2 based on the input image data IMG.

[0134] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 using the flicker value according to the gray value of the intermediate image data IMG2 (or according to the gray value of the input image data IMG). The frequency determiner 240 may output a driving frequency signal FR indicating the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0135] The frequency determiner 240 may include a driving frequency determiner 244 and a flicker value storage device 246 .

[0136] In the present exemplary embodiment, the frequency determiner 240 may not include the still image determiner 242. In this case, the driving frequency determiner 244 may receive a flag SF indicating whether the input image data IMG is a still image or a video image from the host 600.

[0137] In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, the host 600 may determine whether the input image data IMG is a still image or a video image and may output the input image data IMG having a variable frequency to the drive controller 200. The data processor 220 may process the input image data IMG having a variable frequency to generate intermediate image data IMG2 having a variable frequency. The data processor 220 may output the intermediate image data IMG2 having a variable frequency to the frequency determiner 240.

[0138] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving frequency is determined according to the image displayed on the display panel 100, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. In addition, the driving frequency is determined using the flicker value of the image on the display panel 100, so that the flicker of the image can be prevented and the display quality of the display panel 100 can be improved. In addition, the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100 is output to the host 600, so that the host 600 can output the input image data IMG to the driving controller 200 based on the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100. Therefore, the power consumption associated with the communication between the host 600 and the driving controller 200 can be further reduced.

[0139] Fig.12 is a diagram illustrating a display panel 100 of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. Fig.13 yes Fig.12 The frequency determiner 240 of the driving controller 200 of the display device.

[0140] In addition to the display panel being divided into multiple segments, Fig.12 and 13 DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DISPLAY DEVICE AND Figures 1 to 8 The display device and the method of driving the display device are substantially the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals may be used to represent the same Figures 1 to 8 The components described are the same or similar components, and any repetitive explanation regarding these components may be omitted.

[0141] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 8 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 The display device includes a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. The display panel driver includes a driving controller 200, a gate driver 300, a gamma reference voltage generator 400 and a data driver 500. The display device may further include a host 600.

[0142] The driving controller 200 determines a driving frequency of the display panel 100 based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data IMG. The display panel 100 may output a driving frequency signal FR regarding the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0143] The driving controller 200 may include a data processor 220 and a frequency determiner 240 .

[0144] The data processor 220 may receive input image data IMG and an input control signal CONT from the host 600. The data processor 220 may generate intermediate image data IMG2 based on the input image data IMG.

[0145] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the driving frequency of the display panel 100 using the flicker value according to the gray value of the intermediate image data IMG2 (or according to the gray value of the input image data IMG). The frequency determiner 240 may output a driving frequency signal FR indicating the driving frequency of the display panel 100 to the host 600.

[0146] In the present exemplary embodiment, the display panel 100 may include a plurality of segments SEG11 to SEG85. Although the display panel 100 includes eight by five matrix blocks in the present exemplary embodiment, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel 100 may include an eight by six matrix, an eight by four matrix, etc.

[0147] When the flicker value is determined in units of pixels and only one pixel has a high flicker value, the entire display panel 100 may be driven at a high driving frequency to prevent flicker in one pixel. For example, when flicker of only one pixel is prevented at a driving frequency of 30 Hz and other pixels do not generate flicker at a driving frequency of 1 Hz, the display panel 100 may be driven at a driving frequency of 30 Hz and the power consumption of the display device may be higher than required power consumption.

[0148] Therefore, when the display panel 100 is divided into segments and the flicker value is determined in units of segments, the power consumption of the display device can be effectively reduced.

[0149] The frequency determiner 240 may determine the optimal driving frequencies of the segments and may determine the maximum driving frequency among the optimal driving frequencies of the segments as the low driving frequency of the display panel 100 .

[0150] For example, when the optimal driving frequency of the first segment SEG11 is 10 Hz and the optimal driving frequencies of the other segments SEG12 to SEG85 except the first segment SEG11 are 2 Hz, the frequency determiner 240 may determine the low driving frequency to be 10 Hz.

[0151] The frequency determiner 240 may include a still image determiner 242, a driving frequency determiner 244, and a flicker value storage device 246A.

[0152] The driving frequency determiner 244 may access the flicker value storage 246A and obtain information of the segments of the display panel 100 to obtain a low driving frequency.

[0153] According to the present exemplary embodiment, the driving frequency is determined according to the image displayed on the display panel 100, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. In addition, the driving frequency is determined using the flicker value of the image on the display panel 100, so that the flicker of the image can be prevented and the display quality of the display panel 100 can be improved. In addition, the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100 is output to the host 600, so that the host 600 can output the input image data IMG to the driving controller 200 based on the information of the driving frequency of the display panel 100. Therefore, the power consumption associated with the communication between the host 600 and the driving controller 200 can be further reduced.

[0154] According to the exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept as explained above, power consumption of a display device may be reduced and display quality of a display panel may be improved.

[0155] While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications in form and details may be made thereto.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a display panel configured to display an image based on input image data; a data driver configured to output a data voltage to the display panel; as well as a driving controller configured to determine a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value of a grayscale value of the input image data and output a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to a host, Wherein, the drive controller comprises: a data processor configured to receive the input image data from the host and generate intermediate image data based on the input image data; and a frequency determiner configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel and output a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to the host, Wherein, before the intermediate image data is processed by the drive controller, the drive frequency signal is output to the host.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The frequency determiner comprises: a flicker value storage device configured to store a flicker value of a grayscale value of the intermediate image data; and A driving frequency determiner is configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel based on whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image and information provided from the flicker value storage device.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The frequency determiner also includes a still image determiner configured to determine whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image, generate a flag indicating whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image, and output the flag to the driving frequency determiner.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The display panel includes a plurality of segments, and Wherein, the driving frequency determiner is configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel based on the driving frequency of the segment.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The data processor is configured to generate the intermediate image data by converting the frequency of the input image data, and Wherein, the frequency of the intermediate image data is equal to or greater than the frequency of the input image data.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving frequency signal is a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The driving frequency signal is an image update request signal.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: Timing information for outputting the driving frequency signal by the driving controller to the host is stored as a parameter in the driving controller.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The data processor is configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the host, and Wherein, the frequency determiner is configured to output the driving frequency signal to the host.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The synchronization signal is an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data, and The driving frequency signal is a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting the input vertical synchronization signal to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The drive controller further includes a selector, wherein the data processor is configured to output a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the selector, wherein the frequency determiner is configured to output the driving frequency signal to the selector, wherein, when the intermediate image data represents a video image, the selector is configured to output the synchronization signal to the host, and Wherein, when the intermediate image data represents a still image, the selector is configured to output the driving frequency signal to the host.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The driver controller is configured to communicate with the host using a built-in display port interface, Wherein, the host includes a source device functional circuit, Wherein, the drive controller includes a terminal device functional circuit, and Wherein, the built-in display port interface includes: a main link channel, which is configured to transmit data only in the direction from the source device functional circuit to the end device functional circuit; an auxiliary channel, which is configured to transmit data in both directions between the source device functional circuit and the end device functional circuit; and a hot plug detection channel, which is configured to transmit data only in the direction from the end device functional circuit to the source device functional circuit.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The driving frequency signal is included in a display port configuration data register and is output to the host through the auxiliary channel.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The driving frequency signal is output to the host through the hot plug detection channel.

15. A method for driving a display device, the method comprising: receiving input image data from a host; generating intermediate image data based on the input image data, determining a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value of a grayscale value of the input image data; outputting a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to the host, wherein the driving frequency signal is output to the host before the intermediate image data is processed by a driving controller; generating a data voltage based on the input image data and the driving frequency; and The data voltage is output to the display panel.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The driving frequency of the display panel is determined based on whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image and by using a flicker value storage device that stores flicker values ​​of the grayscale values.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Determining the driving frequency of the display panel includes: determining whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image; and A flag is generated indicating whether the intermediate image data represents a still image or a video image.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The driving frequency signal is a converted vertical synchronization signal generated by converting an input vertical synchronization signal corresponding to the frequency of the intermediate image data to correspond to the driving frequency of the display panel.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising outputting a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to the host.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising: outputting a synchronization signal corresponding to the intermediate image data to a selector; as well as outputting the driving frequency signal to the selector, wherein when the intermediate image data represents a video image, the selector is configured to output the synchronization signal to the host, and Wherein, when the intermediate image data represents a still image, the selector is configured to output the driving frequency signal to the host.

21. A display device, comprising: a display panel configured to display an image based on input image data provided from a host; as well as a driving controller configured to adjust a driving frequency of the display panel based on a flicker value according to a grayscale value of the input image data and output a signal indicating the driving frequency to the host, Wherein, the drive controller comprises: a data processor configured to receive the input image data from the host and generate intermediate image data based on the input image data; and a frequency determiner configured to determine the driving frequency of the display panel and output a driving frequency signal indicating the driving frequency of the display panel to the host, Wherein, before the intermediate image data is processed by the drive controller, the drive frequency signal is output to the host.

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