Method for driving a display panel

Abstract

The present application provides a method for driving a display panel, which display panel includes a first display area and a second display area. The method includes: determining the maximum luminance data in first data including first red data, first green data, and first blue data for the first display area, calculating a threshold gray level based on a luminance gain, the gray level of the maximum luminance data, and a gamma value for the display panel, selecting a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level as a gain determination gray level, calculating a compensation gain obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, generating first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data, displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data, and displaying a second image in the second display area based on second data including second red data, second green data, and second blue data for the second display area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The inventive concept generally relates to a method of driving a display panel. More specifically, the inventive concept relates to a method of driving a display panel including a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, with at least one transparent area located in the first display area. Background Art

[0002] As consumers place importance on the appearance design of electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, etc.), technologies have been developed to provide holes in the display panel of an electronic device to arrange a camera module (i.e., a front camera module) and / or a sensor module (i.e., a front sensor module) under the display panel and expose them through the holes to endow the image capture ability using the camera module and / or the sensing ability using the sensor module. Further, in recent years, many manufacturers have attempted to apply technologies to electronic devices to fabricate a low-resolution display area having a resolution lower than that of a normal display area in the display panel by arranging at least one transparent area and a plurality of unit pixels in the low-resolution display area. In this case, the electronic device can display an image using the unit pixels in the low-resolution display area, and perform image capture using the camera module and / or sensing using the sensor module through the transparent area of the low-resolution display area. Since the number of unit pixels per unit area in the low-resolution display area is less than that in the normal display area, under the same conditions, the low-resolution display area may have a lower brightness than the normal display area. Therefore, due to the brightness difference that may occur between the low-resolution display area and the normal display area even under the same conditions, the boundary between the low-resolution display area and the normal display area may be prominent, and thus, a viewer (or user) may perceive a deterioration in image quality due to the presence of the low-resolution display area. To overcome these problems, conventional methods may increase the brightness of the low-resolution display area by increasing the current flowing through the unit pixels in the low-resolution display area. However, the increased current may rapidly deteriorate and reduce the lifespan of the unit pixels in the low-resolution display area, and thus, permanent afterimages, etc. may occur due to the deterioration. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure provides a method for driving a display panel, the display panel including a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and at least one transparent area being located in the first display area. The display panel can minimize or prevent the boundary between the first display area and the second display area from being prominent or perceptible to a user by optimally increasing the brightness of the first display area using the gray level of the maximum brightness data applied to the first display area, such that the brightness difference can be minimized or reduced and the deterioration of the unit pixels included in the first display area can be minimized or reduced, and the boundary may be caused by the brightness difference between the first display area and the second display area.

[0004] According to an embodiment, a method for driving a display panel including a first display area and a second display area adjacent to the first display area and having a second resolution higher than the first resolution may include: determining maximum brightness data among first red data, first green data, and first blue data applied to the first display area; calculating a threshold gray level based on a brightness gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a second reference brightness of the second display area by a first reference brightness of the first display area, the gray level of the maximum brightness data, and a gamma value for the display panel; selecting a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel as a gain determination gray level; calculating a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum brightness data; generating first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, first green data, and first blue data; displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data; and displaying a second image in the second display area based on second red data, second green data, and second blue data applied to the second display area.

[0005] In an embodiment, a camera module for capturing an image or a sensor module providing a sensing capability may be disposed under the first display area.

[0006] In an embodiment, determining the maximum brightness data may include: determining maximum red brightness data in the first red data; determining maximum green brightness data in the first green data; determining maximum blue brightness data in the first blue data; and determining the data having the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data as the maximum brightness data.

[0007] In one embodiment, determining the maximum luminance data may include: obtaining a first count number by counting first red data in a first order that achieves a first high luminance; determining the last counted red data as the maximum red luminance data based on the first count number being equal to a reference number; obtaining a second count number by counting first green data in a second order that achieves a second high luminance; determining the last counted green data as the maximum green luminance data based on the second count number being equal to the reference number; obtaining a third count number by counting first blue data in a third order that achieves a third high luminance; determining the last counted blue data as the maximum blue luminance data based on the third count number being equal to the reference number; and determining the data with the highest luminance among the maximum red luminance data, the maximum green luminance data, and the maximum blue luminance data as the maximum luminance data.

[0008] In one embodiment, determining the maximum luminance data may include: dividing the gray level range of the display panel into sub-gray level ranges; obtaining a first count number by counting first red data in a first order that achieves a first high luminance; determining a first target sub-gray level range to which the last counted red data within the sub-gray level range belongs based on the first count number being equal to the reference number; determining the data corresponding to the first lowest gray level within the first target sub-gray level range as the maximum red luminance data; obtaining a second count number by counting first green data in a second order that achieves a second high luminance; determining a second target sub-gray level range to which the last counted green data within the sub-gray level range belongs based on the second count number being equal to the reference number; determining the data corresponding to the second lowest gray level within the second target sub-gray level range as the maximum green luminance data; obtaining a third count number by counting first blue data in a third order that achieves a third high luminance; determining a third target sub-gray level range to which the last counted blue data within the sub-gray level range belongs based on the third count number being equal to the reference number; determining the data corresponding to the third lowest gray level within the third target sub-gray level range as the maximum blue luminance data; and determining the data that achieves the highest luminance among the maximum red luminance data, the maximum green luminance data, and the maximum blue luminance data as the maximum luminance data.

[0009] In one embodiment, the threshold gray level may be calculated by the following equation: LGL = MD × LG 1 / λ , where LGL represents the threshold gray level, MD represents the gray level of the maximum luminance data, LG represents the luminance gain, and λ represents the gamma value for the display panel.

[0010] In one embodiment, based on the reference data, the first reference luminance of the first display area may correspond to the first maximum luminance of the first display area, and based on the reference data, the second reference luminance of the second display area may correspond to the second maximum luminance of the second display area.

[0011] In one embodiment, generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data may include: calculating a first gray level of the first compensated red data by multiplying a gray level of the first red data by a compensation gain; calculating a second gray level of the first compensated green data by multiplying a gray level of the first green data by the compensation gain; and calculating a third gray level of the first compensated blue data by multiplying a gray level of the first blue data by the compensation gain.

[0012] In one embodiment, generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data may further include: limiting the first gray level of the first compensated red data, the second gray level of the first compensated green data, and the third gray level of the first compensated blue data to be equal to or lower than a maximum gray level of the display panel.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method may further include: dividing the second display area into an adjacent display area surrounding the first display area and a non - adjacent display area excluding the adjacent display area; and decreasing the brightness of the adjacent display area in a direction from the non - adjacent display area toward the first display area.

[0014] In one embodiment, the brightness of the adjacent display area may be decreased linearly in a direction from the non - adjacent display area toward the first display area.

[0015] In one embodiment, the brightness of the adjacent display area may be decreased non - linearly in a direction from the non - adjacent display area toward the first display area.

[0016] In one embodiment, the brightness of the adjacent display area may be calculated by the following equation: AL = OL×LSR, where AL represents the brightness of the adjacent display area, OL represents the original brightness of the adjacent display area, and LSR represents the brightness slope.

[0017] In one embodiment, the minimum value of the brightness slope may be the reciprocal of the brightness gain, the maximum value of the brightness slope may be 1, and the brightness slope may be decreased in a direction from the non - adjacent display area toward the first display area.

[0018] According to another embodiment, a method of driving a display panel including a first display area and a second display area adjacent to the first display area and having a second resolution higher than the first resolution may include: determining maximum luminance data in first data applied to the first display area; calculating a first candidate compensation gain based on a luminance gain corresponding to a first value obtained by dividing a second reference luminance of the second display area by a first reference luminance of the first display area and a gamma value for the display panel; calculating a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a second value obtained by dividing a maximum gray level of the display panel by a gray level of the maximum luminance data; determining a smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as a compensation gain; generating first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data; displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data; and displaying a second image in the second display area based on second data applied to the second display area.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first candidate compensation gain may be calculated by the following equation: FCG = LG 1 / λ , where FCG represents the first candidate compensation gain, LG represents the luminance gain, and λ represents the gamma value for the display panel.

[0020] In one embodiment, based on reference data, the first reference luminance of the first display area may correspond to a first maximum luminance of the first display area, and based on reference data, the second reference luminance of the second display area may correspond to a second maximum luminance of the second display area.

[0021] In one embodiment, generating the first compensated data may include: calculating a first gray level of the first compensated data by multiplying a gray level of the first data by the compensation gain.

[0022] In one embodiment, generating the first compensated data may further include: limiting the first gray level of the first compensated data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method may further include: dividing the second display area into an adjacent display area surrounding the first display area and a non - adjacent display area excluding the adjacent display area; and reducing the luminance of the adjacent display area in a direction from the non - adjacent display area toward the first display area.

[0024] The present method for driving a display panel may determine maximum luminance data among first red data, first green data, and first blue data applied to a first display area, may calculate a threshold gray level based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a second reference luminance of a second display area by a first reference luminance of the first display area, a gray level of the maximum luminance data, and a gamma value set for the display panel, may select a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel as a gain determination gray level, may calculate a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, may generate first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on second red data, second green data, and second blue data applied to the second display area.

[0025] In addition, the present method for driving a display panel may determine maximum luminance data among first data applied to a first display area, may calculate a first candidate compensation gain based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a second reference luminance of a second display area by a first reference luminance of the first display area and a gamma value set for the display panel, may calculate a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, may determine a smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain, may generate first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on second data applied to the second display area. Accordingly, the present method for driving a display panel may prevent a boundary between the first display area and the second display area from being prominent or perceptible to a user by optimally increasing the luminance of the first display area, such that a luminance difference may be minimized and deterioration of unit pixels included in the first display area may be minimized, and the boundary may be caused by a luminance difference between the first display area and the second display area. As a result, the method for driving a display panel may prevent or minimize a user's perception of image quality degradation due to the presence of the first display area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Exemplary non-limiting embodiments will be understood more clearly from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for driving a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 The figure shows an example of a display panel driven by the method of Figure 1 .

[0029] Figure 3 The figure shows an example in which a camera module is disposed under the display panel of Figure 2 .

[0030] Figure 4 The figure shows an example of a first display area and a second display area included in the display panel of Figure 2 .

[0031] Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 are diagrams for describing the application of a compensation gain to data applied to a first display area according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is adjusted according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 9 The figure shows an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is adjusted according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 10 The figure shows an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is linearly adjusted according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 11 The figure shows an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is non-linearly adjusted according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 13 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

[0038] Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 15 The figure shows a smart phone as an example embodiment of an electronic device of Figure 14 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Hereinafter, some example embodiments of the inventive concept will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] Figure 1is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display panel according to an embodiment, Figure 2 illustrates an example of a display panel driven by the Figure 1 method, Figure 3 illustrates an example in which a camera module is disposed under the Figure 2 display panel, and Figure 4 illustrates an example of a first display area and a second display area included in the Figure 2 display panel.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 1 the method can be applied to driving a display panel 100 that includes a first display area FDR having a first resolution and a second display area SDR having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, with at least one transparent area TR located in the first display area FDR. Figure 1 The method can include: determining maximum luminance data among first red data, first green data, and first blue data applied to the first display area FDR (S110), calculating a threshold gray level based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a reference luminance of the second display area SDR by a reference luminance of the first display area FDR, a gray level of the maximum luminance data, and a gamma value set for the display panel 100 (S120), selecting a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 as a gain determination gray level (S130), calculating a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data (S140), generating first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, first green data, and first blue data respectively (S150), displaying a first image in the first display area FDR based on the first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data applied to the first display area FDR (S160), and displaying a second image in the second display area SDR based on second red data, second green data, and second blue data applied to the second display area SDR (S170).

[0043] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the camera module 200 can be disposed under the first display area FDR in the display panel 100, and the camera module 200 can capture an image through the first display area FDR of the display panel 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor module can be disposed under the first display area FDR in the display panel 100, and the sensor module can provide sensing capabilities through the first display area FDR. Referring toFigure 4 , a transparent region TR through which light passes and unit pixels Pc for performing an image display operation may be disposed in a first display region FDR, and unit pixels Pn for performing an image display operation may be disposed in a second display region SDR. Each of the unit pixels Pn and Pc may include at least one of a red display pixel, a green display pixel, and a blue display pixel. In an exemplary embodiment, the unit pixels Pc in the first display region FDR and the unit pixels Pn in the second display region SDR may have the same structure and / or characteristics. In another exemplary embodiment, the unit pixels Pc in the first display region FDR and the unit pixels Pn in the second display region SDR may have different structures and / or characteristics. For example, the size of a transistor (e.g., a driving transistor) included in the unit pixel Pc in the first display region FDR may be larger than the size of a transistor included in the unit pixel Pn in the second display region SDR. As described above, since at least one transparent region TR is located in the first display region FDR, the number of unit pixels Pc per unit area in the first display region FDR is less than the number of unit pixels Pn per unit area in the second display region SDR. As a result, the first display region FDR may have a relatively low resolution (i.e., a first resolution), and the second display region SDR may have a relatively high resolution (i.e., a second resolution). Accordingly, under the same conditions, the brightness of the first display region FDR may be lower than the brightness of the second display region SDR, the boundary between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR may be prominent due to the brightness difference that may occur between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR, and a viewer (or user) may perceive deterioration in image quality.

[0044] In Figure 4In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the first resolution of the first display region FDR is 1 / 4 of the second resolution of the second display region SDR, and thus, under the same conditions, the brightness of the first display region FDR can be about 1 / 4 of the brightness of the second display region SDR. Therefore, in order to have the same brightness in the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR under the same conditions, the unit pixel Pc included in the first display region FDR can emit light having a brightness four times greater than the brightness of the unit pixel Pn included in the second display region SDR. In one embodiment, brightness compensation can be performed by increasing the gray levels of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR. In this example, the unit pixel Pc included in the first display region FDR can be controlled to emit light with a brightness four times greater than the brightness of the unit pixel Pn included in the second display region SDR. If the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR have relatively low gray levels, brightness compensation by increasing the gray levels may be possible, and the gray levels of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data can be increased sufficiently. However, if the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR have relatively high gray levels, it may not be possible to control the unit pixel Pc included in the first display region FDR to emit light with a brightness four times greater than the brightness of the unit pixel Pn included in the second display region SDR, because the gray levels of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data cannot be increased above the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 (e.g., the 255th gray level in the case of 8-bit data). Therefore, Figure 1 The method can best increase the brightness of the first display region FDR by using the gray level of the maximum brightness data applied to the first display region FDR, to minimize (or reduce) the brightness difference between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR.

[0045] More specifically, Figure 1 The method can determine the maximum brightness data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR (S110). In an embodiment, Figure 1 The method can determine the maximum red brightness data that achieves the highest brightness in the first red data, the maximum green brightness data that achieves the highest brightness in the first green data, and the maximum blue brightness data that achieves the highest brightness in the first blue data. The data that achieves the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data can be used as the maximum brightness data. In another embodiment, Figure 1The method can obtain a first count value by counting first red data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the first count value becomes equal to a reference value, the last counted red data can be determined as the maximum red brightness data. The method can obtain a second count value by counting first green data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the second count value becomes equal to the reference value, the last counted green data can be determined as the maximum green brightness data. The method can obtain a third count value by counting first blue data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the third count value becomes equal to the reference value, the last counted blue data can be determined as the maximum blue brightness data. The data that achieves the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data can be used as the maximum brightness data. That is, Figure 1 The method is not limited to determining the data that achieves the highest brightness among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR as the maximum brightness data. In another embodiment, Figure 1 The method can divide the gray level range of the display panel 100 into sub-gray level ranges. The method can obtain a first count value by counting first red data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the first count value becomes equal to the reference value, the first target sub-gray level range to which the last counted red data in the sub-gray level range belongs can be determined. The data corresponding to the lowest gray level in the first target sub-gray level range can be determined as the maximum red brightness data. The method can obtain a second count value by counting first green data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the second count value becomes equal to the reference value, the second target sub-gray level range to which the last counted green data in the sub-gray level range belongs can be determined. The data corresponding to the lowest gray level in the second target sub-gray level range can be determined as the maximum green brightness data. The method can obtain a third count value by counting first blue data in the order of achieving high brightness. When the third count value becomes equal to the reference value, the third target sub-gray level range to which the last counted blue data in the sub-gray level range belongs can be determined. The data corresponding to the lowest gray level in the third target sub-gray level range can be determined as the maximum blue brightness data. The data that achieves the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data can be used as the maximum brightness data. As described above, Figure 1 The method can determine the data that achieves the highest brightness among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display region FDR as the maximum brightness data, or can determine the data that achieves an effective (or meaningful) brightness close to the highest brightness as the maximum brightness data. However, it should be understood that the determination of the maximum brightness data is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments.

[0046] Next, Figure 1The method can calculate the threshold gray level (S120) based on the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display region SDR by the reference luminance of the first display region FDR, the gray level of the maximum luminance data, and the gamma value (e.g., 2.2) set for the display panel 100. In an embodiment, the reference luminance of the first display region FDR can correspond to the maximum luminance of the first display region FDR achieved based on reference data (e.g., data having the 255th gray level), and the reference luminance of the second display region SDR can correspond to the maximum luminance of the second display region SDR achieved based on reference data. Here, since the ratio of the reference luminance of the first display region FDR to the reference luminance of the second display region SDR can be fixed (or constant) determined by the structure of the display panel 100, the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display region SDR by the reference luminance of the first display region FDR can also have a fixed (or constant) value. For example, as Figure 4 illustrated in 1 / 伽玛值 , when the first resolution of the first display region FDR is 1 / 4 of the second resolution of the second display region SDR, the reference luminance of the first display region FDR can be 1 / 4 of the reference luminance of the second display region SDR, and the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display region SDR by the reference luminance of the first display region FDR can be 4. Since the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display region SDR by the reference luminance of the first display region FDR and the gamma value (e.g., 2.2) set for the display panel 100 have fixed values, the threshold gray level can indicate the value obtained by applying the compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain (e.g., compensation gain = (luminance gain) 1 / 伽玛值 ) to the gray level of the maximum luminance data (e.g., by multiplying the gray level of the maximum luminance data by the compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain). In one embodiment, the following [Equation 1] can be used to calculate the threshold gray level.

[0047] [Equation 1]

[0048] LGL = MD × LG 1 / λ , where LGL represents the threshold gray level, MD represents the gray level of the maximum luminance data, LG represents the luminance gain, and λ represents the gamma value set for the display panel 100.

[0049] Subsequently, Figure 1The method can select the smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 (e.g., the 255th gray level) as the gain determination gray level (S130), and can calculate the compensation gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data (S140). Because in the case where the threshold gray level is higher than the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 (e.g., the 255th gray level), if the compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain is directly applied to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR, gray level compensation may not be possible for some data. Therefore, in the case where the threshold gray level is higher than the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 (e.g., the 255th gray level), Figure 1 the method can prevent the situation where the gray level compensation of some data exceeds the maximum gray level by selecting the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 (e.g., the 255th gray level) as the gain determination gray level. For example, in the case where the gray level of the maximum luminance data is 190, the luminance gain is 2, the gamma value is 2.2, and the maximum gray level is 255, the threshold gray level can be approximately 260.37. In this case, since the threshold gray level is higher than the maximum gray level, the gain determination gray level can be 255, and the compensation gain can be approximately 255 / 190 = 1.34. Assuming that the gray level of the input data for the image display operation in the first display area FDR is 100, the gray level of the compensated input data for the image display operation in the first display area FDR can be approximately 100 * 1.34 = 134. In another example, in the case where the gray level of the maximum luminance data is 190, the luminance gain is 1.25, the gamma value is 2.2, and the maximum gray level is 255, the threshold gray level can be approximately 210.28. In this case, since the threshold gray level is lower than the maximum gray level, the gain determination gray level can be 210.28, and the compensation gain can be approximately 210.28 / 190 = 1.11. Assuming that the gray level of the input data for the image display operation in the first display area FDR is 100, the gray level of the compensated input data for the image display operation in the first display area FDR can be approximately 100 * 1.11 = 111. As described above, when Figure 1 the method applies the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR, Figure 1 the method can perform gray level compensation by adjusting (e.g., reducing) the compensation gain to prevent the situation where the gray level compensation of some data exceeds the maximum gray level by using the compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area SDR by the reference luminance of the first display area FDR.

[0050] Next,Figure 1 The method can generate first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying a compensation gain to first red data, first green data, and first blue data (S150). More specifically, Figure 1 The method can calculate the gray level of the first compensated red data by multiplying the gray level of the first red data by the compensation gain, calculate the gray level of the first compensated green data by multiplying the gray level of the first green data by the compensation gain, and calculate the gray level of the first compensated blue data by multiplying the gray level of the first blue data by the compensation gain, thereby generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data. In an embodiment, when generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data, Figure 1 The method can limit the gray levels of the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100. Since when the data that achieves the highest brightness among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR is determined as the maximum brightness data, the smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100 (or when the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level are the same, one of the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level) is selected as the gain determination gray level, the gray levels of the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data may not become (or not increase to be) higher than the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100. However, when the valid data that achieves a brightness close to the highest brightness among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR is determined as the maximum brightness data, some data may have a gray level higher than the gray level of the maximum brightness data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data. In this case, the gray levels of some of the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data may become higher than the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100. To prevent this from occurring during gray level compensation, if the gray levels of some of the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data become higher than the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100, then Figure 1 The method can change the gray levels of the data higher than the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level (e.g., the 255th gray level) of the display panel 100. As a result, Figure 1The method can limit the gray levels of the first-compensated red data, the first-compensated green data, and the first-compensated blue data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel 100.

[0051] Subsequently, Figure 1 The method can display a first image in the first display area FDR (S160) based on the first-compensated red data, the first-compensated green data, and the first-compensated blue data applied to the first display area FDR, and can display a second image in the second display area SDR (S170) based on the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data applied to the second display area SDR. In short, Figure 1 The method can drive the display panel 100, which includes a first display area FDR having a first resolution and a second display area SDR having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, with at least one transparent area TR located in the first display area FDR. Figure 1 The method can determine the maximum luminance data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR, can calculate a threshold gray level based on the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area SDR by the reference luminance of the first display area FDR, the gray level of the maximum luminance data, and the gamma value set for the display panel 100, can select the smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel 100 as the gain determination gray level, can calculate a compensation gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, can generate the first-compensated red data, the first-compensated green data, and the first-compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data, can display a first image in the first display area FDR based on the first-compensated red data, the first-compensated green data, and the first-compensated blue data, and can display a second image in the second display area SDR based on the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data applied to the second display area SDR. Figure 1 The method can prevent the boundary between the first display area FDR and the second display area SDR from being prominent or perceptible to the user by optimally increasing the luminance of the first display area FDR, such that the luminance difference can be minimized and the deterioration of the unit pixels Pc included in the first display area FDR can be minimized, and this boundary may be caused by the luminance difference between the first display area FDR and the second display area SDR. As a result, Figure 1 The method can prevent or minimize the user's perception of image quality degradation caused by the boundary between the first display area FDR and the second display area SDR.

[0052] Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 are diagrams for describing the application of a compensation gain to data applied to a first display area according to an embodiment.

[0053] Referring to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , as described above with reference to Figure 1 , gray-level compensation is performed by using a compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area SDR by the reference luminance of the first display area FDR, and the compensation gain is applied to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR. Gray-level compensation can be performed by adjusting (i.e., reducing) the compensation gain to prevent a situation where the gray-level compensation for some data exceeds the maximum gray level.

[0054] As Figure 5 illustrates, if the gray level MLL of the maximum luminance data determined in the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR is low enough, the space ROOM for gray-level compensation of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data may be sufficient. In this case, the compensation gain FCG corresponding to the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area SDR by the reference luminance of the first display area FDR can be used to perform gray-level compensation for the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data. However, as Figure 6 illustrates, if the gray level MLL of the maximum luminance data determined in the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data applied to the first display area FDR is high enough, since the space ROOM for gray-level compensation of some data (i.e., high gray-level data) of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data is insufficient, the gray-level compensation using the compensation gain FCG corresponding to the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area SDR by the reference luminance of the first display area FDR may exceed the maximum gray level MGL of the display panel 100. In this case, the compensation gain SCG obtained by dividing the maximum gray level MGL of the display panel 100 by the gray level MLL of the maximum luminance data can be used to perform gray-level compensation for the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data. In one embodiment, as Figure 7As illustrated, if the valid data that realizes a brightness close to the maximum brightness among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data is determined as the maximum brightness data, the data AGL may have a gray level higher than the gray level of the maximum brightness data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data. In this case, even when compensating the gray levels of the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data using the compensation gain SCG obtained by dividing the maximum gray level MGL of the display panel 100 by the gray level MLL of the maximum brightness data, the compensated gray level of the data AGL may be higher than the maximum gray level MGL of the display panel 100, and the gray levels of the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data may also be reduced to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level MGL of the display panel 100 by LIM.

[0055] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is adjusted according to an embodiment, Figure 9 illustrates an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is adjusted according to an embodiment, Figure 10 illustrates an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is linearly adjusted according to an embodiment, and Figure 11 illustrates an example in which the brightness of adjacent display areas in a second display area is non-linearly adjusted according to an embodiment.

[0056] Referring to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the visibility of the boundary between the first display area FDR and the second display area SDR can be reduced. In one embodiment, the second display area SDR may be divided into an adjacent display area ADR surrounding the first display area FDR and a non-adjacent display area NADR excluding the adjacent display area ADR (S210), and the brightness of the adjacent display area ADR may be reduced in the direction toward the first display area FDR (S220). In other words, the effect of blurring the boundary between the first display area FDR and the second display area SDR can be achieved by reducing the brightness of the adjacent display area ADR of the second display area SDR surrounding the first display area FDR. In an embodiment, as Figure 10 illustrated, the brightness of the adjacent display area ADR of the second display area SDR may be linearly reduced in the direction from the non-adjacent display area NADR toward the first display area FDR. In another embodiment, as Figure 11As shown, the brightness of the adjacent display region ADR of the second display region SDR can be non-linearly decreased in the direction from the non-adjacent display region NADR towards the first display region FDR. In one embodiment, the following [Equation 2] can be used to calculate the brightness of the adjacent display region ADR of the second display region SDR.

[0057] [Equation 2]

[0058] AL = OL × LSR, where AL represents the brightness of the adjacent display region ADR, OL represents the original brightness of the adjacent display region ADR, and LSR represents the brightness slope.

[0059] The minimum value of the brightness slope LSR can be the reciprocal of the brightness gain obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display region SDR by the reference brightness of the first display region FDR. The maximum value of the brightness slope LSR can be 1, and the brightness slope LSR can be decreased in the direction from the non-adjacent display region NADR towards the first display region FDR. However, the brightness slope LSR is not limited thereto. As described above, Figure 1 The method determines the brightness of the adjacent display region ADR by multiplying the original brightness of the adjacent display region ADR by the brightness slope LSR to prevent rapid brightness changes at the boundary between the adjacent display region ADR and the first display region FDR and at the boundary between the adjacent display region ADR and the non-adjacent display region NADR. Therefore, the effect of blurring the boundary between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR can be obtained, and the visibility of the boundary between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR can be reduced. However, due to the effect of blurring the boundary between the first display region FDR and the second display region SDR, the user (or viewer) may feel a sense of heterogeneity. In this case, steps S210 and S220 can be performed based on user settings or commands.

[0060] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display panel (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 3 display panel 100) according to one embodiment.

[0061] Referring to Figure 12 , Figure 12 the method can be applied to driving a display panel that includes a first display region (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 3 first display region FDR) having a first resolution and a second display region (e.g., Figure 2 and Figure 3 second display region SDR) having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, with at least one transparent region located in the first display region. Figure 12The method may include: determining the maximum luminance data in the first data (e.g., first red data, first green data, and first blue data) applied to the first display area (S310), calculating a first candidate compensation gain based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area and a gamma value set for the display panel (S320), calculating a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum luminance data (S330), determining the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain (S340), generating first compensated data (e.g., first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data) by applying the compensation gain to the first data (S350), displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data (S360), and displaying a second image in the second display area based on second data (e.g., second red data, second green data, and second blue data) applied to the second display area (S370).

[0062] More specifically, Figure 12 the method may determine the maximum luminance data in the first data applied to the first display area (S310). In an embodiment, Figure 12 the method may determine, as the maximum luminance data, the data in the first data applied to the first display area that achieves the highest luminance. In another embodiment, Figure 12 the method may determine, as the maximum luminance data, the valid data in the first data applied to the first display area that achieves a luminance close to the highest luminance. Next, Figure 12The method can calculate a first candidate compensation gain (S320) based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a reference luminance of a second display area by a reference luminance of a first display area, and a gamma value (e.g., 2.2) set for the display panel. In an embodiment, the reference luminance of the first display area can correspond to the maximum luminance of the first display area achieved based on reference data (e.g., data having a 255th gray level), and the reference luminance of the second display area can correspond to the maximum luminance of the second display area achieved based on the reference data. Here, since the reference luminance of the first display area and the reference luminance of the second display area can have a fixed (or constant) ratio determined by the structure of the display panel, the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area can also have a fixed (or constant) value. Because the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area and the gamma value set for the display panel have fixed values, the first candidate compensation gain can be set as a compensation gain corresponding to the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area. In an embodiment, the following [Equation 3] can be used to calculate the first candidate compensation gain.

[0063] [Equation 3]

[0064] FCG = LG 1 / λ , where FCG represents the first candidate compensation gain, LG represents the luminance gain, and λ represents the gamma value set for the display panel.

[0065] For example, when the first resolution of the first display area is 1 / 2 of the second resolution of the second display area, the reference luminance of the first display area can be 1 / 2 of the reference luminance of the second display area. In this case, the luminance gain obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area can be 2. For example, when the gamma value set for the display panel is 2.2, the first candidate compensation gain can be 2 1 / 2.2 = 1.37.

[0066] Subsequently, Figure 12 the method can calculate a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level (e.g., 255th gray level) of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum luminance data (S330), and can determine the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain (S340). For example, when the gray level of the maximum luminance data is 190 and the maximum gray level is 255, the second candidate compensation gain can be approximately 255 / 190 = 1.34. In this case, since the first candidate compensation gain is approximately 2 1 / 2.2= 1.37, and the second candidate compensation gain is approximately 255 / 190 = 1.34. Thus, the compensation gain can be determined as the second candidate compensation gain (i.e., approximately 255 / 190 = 1.34). For example, when the gray level of the maximum brightness data is 150 and the maximum gray level is 255, the second candidate compensation gain can be approximately 255 / 150 = 1.7. In this case, since the first candidate compensation gain is approximately 2 1 / 2.2 = 1.37, and the second candidate compensation gain is approximately 255 / 150 = 1.7, thus the compensation gain can be determined as the first candidate compensation gain (i.e., approximately 2 1 / 2.2 = 1.37). When the first data applied to the first display area has a relatively low gray level (i.e., when the gray level of the maximum brightness data is relatively low), since the space for gray level compensation is sufficient, the gray level of the first data can be increased sufficiently. In this case, the first candidate compensation gain corresponding to the brightness gain obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display area by the reference brightness of the first display area can be used to perform gray level compensation on the first data. On the other hand, when the first data applied to the first display area has a relatively high gray level (i.e., when the gray level of the maximum brightness data is relatively high), since the space for gray level compensation is insufficient, the gray level compensation for some of the first data (i.e., high gray level data) may exceed the maximum gray level. In this case, the second candidate compensation gain obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum brightness data can be used to perform gray level compensation on the first data. As described above, when Figure 12 's method performs gray level compensation on the first data applied to the first display area, Figure 12 's method can use the first candidate compensation gain corresponding to the brightness gain obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display area by the reference brightness of the first display area to substantially perform gray level compensation on the first data. Otherwise, in the case where the gray level compensation for some data (i.e., high gray level data) may exceed the maximum gray level, Figure 12 's method can use the second candidate compensation gain obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum brightness data to perform gray level compensation on the first data.

[0067] Next, Figure 12 's method can generate the first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data (S350). More specifically, Figure 12 's method can generate the first compensated data by calculating the gray level of the first compensated data by multiplying the gray level of the first data by the compensation gain. In an embodiment, when generating the first compensated data, Figure 12The method can limit the gray level of the first compensated data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel (e.g., the 255th gray level). Because when the data that achieves the highest brightness in the first data applied to the first display area is determined as the maximum brightness data, the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain corresponding to the brightness gain obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display area by the reference brightness of the first display area and the second candidate compensation gain obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum brightness data is selected as the compensation gain, the gray level of the first compensated data can not exceed the maximum gray level of the display panel (e.g., the 255th gray level). However, when the valid data that achieves a brightness close to the highest brightness in the first data applied to the first display area is determined as the maximum brightness data, some data in the first data having a gray level higher than the gray level of the maximum brightness data may exist. In this case, the gray level of some data in the first compensated data may exceed the maximum gray level of the display panel (e.g., the 255th gray level). For this reason, when the gray level of some data in the first compensated data may exceed the maximum gray level of the display panel (e.g., the 255th gray level), Figure 12 the method can change the gray level of those data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel (e.g., the 255th gray level). As a result, Figure 12 the method can limit the gray level of the first compensated data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel.

[0068] Subsequently, Figure 12 the method can display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data applied to the first display area (S360), and can display a second image in the second display area based on the second data applied to the second display area (S370). In some embodiments, Figure 12 the method can divide the second display area into an adjacent display area (e.g., Figure 9 the adjacent display area ADR) surrounding the first display area and a non - adjacent display area (e.g., Figure 9 the non - adjacent display area NADR) excluding the adjacent display area, and can reduce the brightness of the adjacent display area in the direction towards the first display area. Since these have been described above, the repetitive descriptions related thereto will be omitted. In short, Figure 12 the method can drive a display panel that includes a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, with at least one transparent area located in the first display area. Here, Figure 12The method can determine the maximum luminance data in the first data applied to the first display area, can calculate a first candidate compensation gain based on the luminance gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area and the gamma value set for the display panel, can calculate a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to the value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, can determine the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain, can generate first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data, can display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data applied to the first display area, and can display a second image in the second display area based on the second data applied to the second display area. Figure 12 The method can prevent the boundary between the first display area and the second display area from being prominent or perceptible to the user by optimally increasing the luminance of the first display area, so that the luminance difference can be minimized and the deterioration of the unit pixels included in the first display area can be minimized. The boundary may be caused by the luminance difference between the first display area and the second display area. As a result, Figure 12 The method can prevent or minimize the user's perception of the image quality deterioration caused by the presence of the first display area.

[0069] Figure 13 FIG. is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

[0070] Referring to Figure 13 , the display device 500 may include a display panel 510 and a display panel driving circuit 520. In an embodiment, a camera module (e.g., Figure 3 the camera module 200) may be disposed below the first display area included in the display panel 510, and the camera module may capture an image through the first display area. In another embodiment, a sensor module may be disposed below the first display area included in the display panel 510, and the sensor module may provide sensing capabilities through the first display area. For example, the display device 500 may be an organic light emitting display device or a liquid crystal display device. However, the display device 500 is not limited thereto.

[0071] The display panel 510 may include a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and at least one transparent area is located in the first display area. In the first display area, at least one transparent area through which light passes and unit pixels 511 for image display may be positioned. In the second display area, unit pixels 511 for image display may be positioned without any transparent areas. Here, each of the unit pixels 511 may include at least one of a red display pixel, a green display pixel, and a blue display pixel. In an embodiment, the unit pixels 511 in the first display area and the unit pixels 511 in the second display area may have the same structure and / or characteristics. In another exemplary embodiment, the unit pixels 511 in the first display area and the unit pixels 511 in the second display area may have different structures and / or characteristics. Since at least one transparent area may be located in the first display area, the number of unit pixels 511 per unit area in the first display area may be less than the number of unit pixels 511 per unit area in the second display area. As a result, the first display area may have a relatively low resolution (i.e., the first resolution), and the second display area may have a relatively high resolution (i.e., the second resolution). Under the same conditions, the brightness of the first display area may be lower than the brightness of the second display area, and thus, a brightness difference between the first display area and the second display area may occur. In this case, due to the brightness difference, the boundary between the first display area and the second display area may be prominent, and if the brightness difference is not compensated, a user (or viewer) may perceive image quality degradation.

[0072] The display panel driving circuit 520 can drive the display panel 510. In one embodiment, the display panel driving circuit 520 can include a scan driver, a data driver, a brightness compensation controller, a timing controller, etc. The display panel 510 can be electrically connected to the data driver via data lines, and can be electrically connected to the scan driver via scan lines. The data driver can provide data signals (e.g., first compensated data for the first display area and second data for the second display area) to the unit pixels 511 of the display panel 510 via the data lines. The scan driver can provide scan signals to the unit pixels 511 of the display panel 510 via the scan lines. The brightness compensation controller can prevent or minimize the deterioration of the unit pixels 511 included in the first display area by optimally increasing the brightness of the first display area. Additionally, the brightness compensation controller can prevent or minimize the protrusion of the boundary between the first display area and the second display area or the boundary being perceptible to the user, which may be caused by the brightness difference between the first display area and the second display area, by minimizing the brightness difference between the first display area and the second display area. In an embodiment, the brightness compensation controller can be implemented inside the timing controller. In another embodiment, the brightness compensation controller can be independently implemented outside the timing controller. The timing controller can generate multiple control signals, and can provide the control signals to control the scan driver, the data driver, the brightness compensation controller, etc. In some embodiments, the timing controller can perform further data processing, such as pixel deterioration compensation.

[0073] In an embodiment, the brightness compensation controller may determine the maximum brightness data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data of the first display area, may calculate a threshold gray level based on a brightness gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display area by the reference brightness of the first display area, the gray level of the maximum brightness data, and a gamma value set for the display panel 510, may select a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel 510 as a gain determination gray level, may calculate a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum brightness data, may generate first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data of the second display area. In another embodiment, the brightness compensation controller may determine the maximum brightness data among the first data (e.g., the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data) of the first display area, may calculate a first candidate compensation gain based on a brightness gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the reference brightness of the second display area by the reference brightness of the first display area and a gamma value set for the display panel 510, may calculate a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel 510 by the gray level of the maximum brightness data, may determine a smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain, may generate first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on the second data (e.g., the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data) of the second display area.

[0074] Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment, and Figure 15 illustrates a smart phone as an example embodiment of an Figure 14 electronic device.

[0075] Referring to Figure 14 and Figure 15 electronic device 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory device 1020, a storage device 1030, an input / output (I / O) device 1040, a power supply 1050, and a display device 1060. The display device 1060 may be Figure 13display device 500. The electronic device 1000 may further include a plurality of ports (not shown) for communicating with various electronic devices or peripheral devices including but not limited to a video card, a sound card, a memory card, and a universal serial bus (USB) device. In an embodiment, as Figure 15 illustrated in, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a smart phone. However, the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto. Other examples of the electronic device 1000 may include a cellular phone, a video phone, a smart board, a smart watch, a tablet computer, a car navigation system, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a head-mounted display (HMD) device, etc.

[0076] The processor 1010 may perform various computing tasks. The processor 1010 may be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), etc. The processor 1010 may be coupled to other components via an address bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc. Further, the processor 1010 may be coupled to an expansion bus such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus. The memory device 1020 may store data for operating the electronic device 1000. For example, the memory device 1020 may include at least one non-volatile memory device such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc., and / or at least one volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, a mobile DRAM device, etc. The storage device 1030 may include a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, a CD-ROM device, etc. The I / O device 1040 may include input devices such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse device, a touchpad, a touch screen, etc., and output devices such as a printer, a speaker, etc. In some embodiments, the I / O device 1040 may include the display device 1060. The power supply 1050 may provide power for operating the electronic device 1000. The display device 1060 may be coupled to other components via the bus or other communication links described above.

[0077] As described above, the display device 1060 may include a display panel (e.g., Figure 2display panel 100), the display panel includes a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, and at least one transparent area is located in the first display area. In an embodiment, the display panel driving circuit of the display device 1060 (e.g., Figure 13 the display panel driving circuit 520 of the display device 500 illustrated in ) may determine the maximum luminance data among the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data of the first display area, may calculate a threshold gray level based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area, the gray level of the maximum luminance data, and a gamma value set for the display panel, may select a smaller value between the threshold gray level and the maximum gray level of the display panel as the gain determination gray level, may calculate a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, may generate first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data of the second display area. In another embodiment, the display panel driving circuit may determine the maximum luminance data among the first data (e.g., the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data) of the first display area, may calculate a first candidate compensation gain based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the reference luminance of the second display area by the reference luminance of the first display area and a gamma value set for the display panel, may calculate a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum luminance data, may determine the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain, may generate first compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data, may display a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated data, and may display a second image in the second display area based on the second data (e.g., the second red data, the second green data, and the second blue data) of the second display area.

[0078] The inventive concept may be applied to a display device and an electronic device including the display device. For example, the inventive concept may be applied to a smart phone, a cellular phone, a video phone, a smart board, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a car navigation system, a TV, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, a head-mounted display device, an MP3 player, etc.

[0079] The foregoing is an illustration of exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and should not be construed as a limitation thereof. Although some exemplary embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the inventive concept. Accordingly, such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing is an illustration of various exemplary embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and variations to the disclosed exemplary embodiments as well as other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and / or the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for driving a display panel, the display panel including a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area adjacent to the first display area and having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, the method comprising: Determining maximum luminance data among first red data, first green data, and first blue data applied to the first display area; Calculating a threshold gray level based on a luminance gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing a second reference luminance of the second display area by a first reference luminance of the first display area, a gray level of the maximum luminance data, and a gamma value for the display panel; Selecting a smaller value between the threshold gray level and a maximum gray level of the display panel as a gain determination gray level; Calculating a compensation gain corresponding to a value obtained by dividing the gain determination gray level by the gray level of the maximum luminance data; Generating first compensated red data, first compensated green data, and first compensated blue data by applying the compensation gain to the first red data, the first green data, and the first blue data; Displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data; And Displaying a second image in the second display area based on second red data, second green data, and second blue data applied to the second display area, wherein the threshold gray level is calculated by the following equation: LGL = MD × LG 1 / λ , where LGL represents the threshold gray level, MD represents the gray level of the maximum luminance data, LG represents the luminance gain, and λ represents the gamma value for the display panel, and where the first reference luminance of the first display area corresponds to a first maximum luminance of the first display area achieved based on reference data, the second reference luminance of the second display area corresponds to a second maximum luminance of the second display area achieved based on the reference data, and the reference data is data having the maximum gray level of the display panel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a camera module for capturing an image or a sensor module providing a sensing capability is disposed below the first display area.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the maximum luminance data includes: Determining maximum red luminance data in the first red data; Determining maximum green luminance data in the first green data; Determining maximum blue luminance data in the first blue data; And Determining data having the highest luminance among the maximum red luminance data, the maximum green luminance data, and the maximum blue luminance data as the maximum luminance data.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the maximum luminance data includes: Obtaining a first count number by counting the first red data in a first order to achieve a first high luminance; Based on the first count number being equal to a reference number, determining the last counted red data as the maximum red luminance data; Obtain a second count quantity by counting the first green data in a second order that achieves the second highest brightness; Based on the second count quantity being equal to the reference quantity, determine the last counted green data as the maximum green brightness data; Obtain a third count quantity by counting the first blue data in a third order that achieves the third highest brightness; Based on the third count quantity being equal to the reference quantity, determine the last counted blue data as the maximum blue brightness data; And Determine the data with the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data as the maximum brightness data.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the maximum brightness data includes: Divide the gray level range of the display panel into sub-gray level ranges; Obtain a first count quantity by counting the first red data in a first order that achieves the first highest brightness; Based on the first count quantity being equal to the reference quantity, determine the first target sub-gray level range to which the last counted red data within the sub-gray level range belongs; Determine the data corresponding to the first lowest gray level within the first target sub-gray level range as the maximum red brightness data; Obtain a second count quantity by counting the first green data in a second order that achieves the second highest brightness; Based on the second count quantity being equal to the reference quantity, determine the second target sub-gray level range to which the last counted green data within the sub-gray level range belongs; Determine the data corresponding to the second lowest gray level within the second target sub-gray level range as the maximum green brightness data; Obtain a third count quantity by counting the first blue data in a third order that achieves the third highest brightness; Based on the third count quantity being equal to the reference quantity, determine the third target sub-gray level range to which the last counted blue data within the sub-gray level range belongs; Determine the data corresponding to the third lowest gray level within the third target sub-gray level range as the maximum blue brightness data; And Determine the data with the highest brightness among the maximum red brightness data, the maximum green brightness data, and the maximum blue brightness data as the maximum brightness data.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data includes: Calculate a first gray level of the first compensated red data by multiplying the gray level of the first red data by the compensation gain; Calculate a second gray level of the first compensated green data by multiplying the gray level of the first green data by the compensation gain; And Calculate a third gray level of the first compensated blue data by multiplying the gray level of the first blue data by the compensation gain.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein generating the first compensated red data, the first compensated green data, and the first compensated blue data further includes: Limit the first gray level of the first-compensated red data, the second gray level of the first-compensated green data, and the third gray level of the first-compensated blue data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Dividing the second display area into an adjacent display area surrounding the first display area and a non-adjacent display area excluding the adjacent display area; and Reducing the brightness of the adjacent display area in a direction from the non-adjacent display area towards the first display area.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of the adjacent display area decreases linearly in the direction from the non-adjacent display area towards the first display area.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of the adjacent display area decreases non-linearly in the direction from the non-adjacent display area towards the first display area.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the brightness of the adjacent display area is calculated by the following equation: AL = OL × LSR where AL represents the brightness of the adjacent display area, OL represents the original brightness of the adjacent display area, and LSR represents the brightness slope.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the minimum value of the brightness slope is the reciprocal of the brightness gain, the maximum value of the brightness slope is 1, and the brightness slope decreases in the direction from the non-adjacent display area towards the first display area.

13. A method of driving a display panel, the display panel including a first display area having a first resolution and a second display area adjacent to the first display area and having a second resolution higher than the first resolution, the method comprising: Determining the maximum brightness data in the first data applied to the first display area; Calculating a first candidate compensation gain based on a brightness gain corresponding to a first value obtained by dividing a second reference brightness of the second display area by a first reference brightness of the first display area and a gamma value for the display panel; Calculating a second candidate compensation gain corresponding to a second value obtained by dividing the maximum gray level of the display panel by the gray level of the maximum brightness data; Determining the smaller value between the first candidate compensation gain and the second candidate compensation gain as the compensation gain; Generating first-compensated data by applying the compensation gain to the first data; Displaying a first image in the first display area based on the first-compensated data; And Displaying a second image in the second display area based on second data applied to the second display area, wherein the first candidate compensation gain is calculated by the following equation: FCG = LG 1 / λ , where FCG represents the first candidate compensation gain, LG represents the brightness gain, and λ represents the gamma value for the display panel, where generating the first-compensated data includes: Calculating a first gray level of the first-compensated data by multiplying the gray level of the first data by the compensation gain, wherein the first data is first red data, first green data, and first blue data, and the second data is second red data, second green data, and second blue data, and wherein the first reference luminance of the first display area corresponds to a first maximum luminance of the first display area achieved based on reference data, the second reference luminance of the second display area corresponds to a second maximum luminance of the second display area achieved based on the reference data, and the reference data is data having the maximum gray level of the display panel.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein generating the first compensated data further comprises: limiting a first gray level of the first compensated data to be equal to or lower than the maximum gray level of the display panel.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: dividing the second display area into an adjacent display area surrounding the first display area and a non-adjacent display area excluding the adjacent display area; and reducing the luminance of the adjacent display area in a direction from the non-adjacent display area toward the first display area.

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