Display device and method for driving the same

Abstract

A display device and a method for driving the display device are provided. The display device includes: a display panel including a first display area, a second display area, and an intermediate display area between the first and second display areas; a degradation information storage unit storing first degradation information for a first edge area within the first display area and second degradation information for a second edge area within the second display area; an edge information extraction unit extracting first edge information for the first edge area in a first partial drive mode and extracting second edge information for the second edge area in a second partial drive mode; and a gradient image generation unit generating first gradient data for the intermediate display area based on the first edge information and the second degradation information in the first partial drive mode and generating second gradient data for the intermediate display area based on the first degradation information and the second edge information in the second partial drive mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device supporting a partial driving mode and a driving method of the display device. Background Art

[0002] Recently, flexible display devices such as foldable display devices in which at least one area of ​​a display panel can be deformed are being developed. Such flexible display devices can be deformed such that a portion of the display panel can be recognized by a user, while the remaining area of ​​the display panel cannot be recognized by the user. In this case, in order to reduce power consumption, the flexible display device can operate in a partial drive mode in which only the portion of the display panel recognized by the user is driven. However, in a flexible display device supporting such a partial drive mode, a display area driven in the partial drive mode and a display area not driven in the partial drive mode may have a degradation deviation. Due to such degradation deviation, an image sticking may be recognized between the display area driven in the partial drive mode and the display area not driven in the partial drive mode. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can eliminate or reduce afterimages caused by degradation deviation.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for driving a display device that can eliminate or reduce afterimages caused by degradation deviation.

[0005] However, the problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and various extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the idea and field of the present invention.

[0006] To achieve one object of the present invention, various embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device including: a display panel including a first display area, a second display area, and an intermediate display area between the first display area and the second display area; a degradation information storage unit storing first degradation information for a first edge area adjacent to the intermediate display area within the first display area and second degradation information for a second edge area adjacent to the intermediate display area within the second display area; an edge information extraction unit extracting first edge information for the first edge area from a first portion of image data for the first display area in a first partial drive mode in which the first display area is driven, and extracting second edge information for the second edge area from a second portion of image data for the second display area in a second partial drive mode in which the second display area is driven; and a gradient image generation unit generating first gradient data for the intermediate display area based on the first edge information and the second degradation information in the first partial drive mode, and generating second gradient data for the intermediate display area based on the first degradation information and the second edge information in the second partial drive mode.

[0007] In one embodiment, the display panel may be an external folding display panel, and the middle display area is a folding area of ​​the external folding display panel.

[0008] In one embodiment, the display device may operate in the first partial driving mode when the external folding display panel is folded so that the first display area is located on the front surface and the second display area is located on the back surface, and operate in the second partial driving mode when the external folding display panel is folded so that the second display area is located on the front surface and the first display area is located on the back surface.

[0009] In one embodiment, the gradient image generating unit may generate the first gradient data in a manner such that the first gradient data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first edge information to a grayscale value represented by the second degradation information along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and generate the second gradient data in a manner such that the second gradient data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first degradation information to a grayscale value represented by the second edge information along the first direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the gradient image generating unit may calculate the first edge module grayscale value by calculating the average of N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) continuous grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information, and calculate the second degradation module grayscale value by calculating the average of N continuous grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and generate the first gradient data in a manner such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge module grayscale value to the second degradation module grayscale value along the first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and calculate the first degradation module grayscale value by calculating the average of N continuous grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and calculate the second edge module grayscale value by calculating the average of N continuous grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and generate the second gradient data in a manner such that the second gradient data gradually changes from the first degradation module grayscale value to the second edge module grayscale value along the first direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, the gradient image generating unit may calculate a first edge weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information, and calculate a second degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and generate the first gradient data in a manner such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge weighted moving average to the second degradation weighted moving average along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and calculate the first degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and calculate the second edge weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and generate the second gradient data in a manner such that the second gradient data gradually changes from the first degradation weighted moving average to the second edge weighted moving average along the first direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first edge area may include M (M is an integer greater than 1) first pixel lines, the second edge area includes M second pixel lines, and the edge information extraction unit calculates the average of M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of the image data for the M first pixel lines to generate the first edge information, and calculates the average of M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of the image data for the M second pixel lines to generate the second edge information.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first edge area may include M (M is an integer greater than 1) first pixel lines, the second edge area includes M second pixel lines, and the edge information extraction unit extracts the maximum value of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of the image data for the M first pixel lines to generate the first edge information, and extracts the maximum value of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of the image data for the M second pixel lines to generate the second edge information.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first edge area includes M (M is an integer greater than 1) first pixel lines, and the second edge area includes M second pixel lines. The edge information extraction unit calculates the weighted average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of the image data as a weighted value that gradually decreases with the distance from the middle display area for the M first pixel lines to generate the first edge information, and calculates the weighted average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of the image data as a weighted value that gradually decreases with the distance from the middle display area for the M second pixel lines to generate the second edge information.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first degradation information may be updated by calculating the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information stored in the degradation information storage unit and the current grayscale value represented by the current image data for the first edge area every L (L is an integer greater than 1) frames, and the second degradation information may be updated by calculating the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the second degradation information stored in the degradation information storage unit and the grayscale value represented by the current image data for the second edge area every L frames.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first degradation information and the second degradation information may respectively include K (K is an integer greater than 1) cumulative grayscale values, and one of the K cumulative grayscale values ​​of the first degradation information and the second degradation information is updated every L (L is an integer greater than 1) frames.

[0017] In one embodiment, each pixel of the display panel may include a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, and the gradient image generation unit generates the first gradient data for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel respectively in the first partial driving mode, and generates the second gradient data for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel respectively in the second partial driving mode.

[0018] In one embodiment, each pixel of the display panel may include a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, and the gradient image generation unit generates the first gradient data representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel included in the same pixel under the first partial driving mode, and generates the second gradient data representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel included in the same pixel under the second partial driving mode.

[0019] In one embodiment, the display device may further include: a scan driver, including a first driving level that sequentially provides a first scan signal to the first display area in response to a first scan start signal, a second driving level that sequentially provides a second scan signal to the middle display area in response to a second scan start signal, and a third driving level that sequentially provides a third scan signal to the second display area in response to a third scan start signal.

[0020] In one embodiment, the display device may further include a data driver configured to provide a data signal to the display panel. In the first partial drive mode, the data driver may provide the data signal corresponding to the first partial image data to the first display area, and the data signal corresponding to the first gradient data to the intermediate display area, so that the image corresponding to the first partial image data is displayed in the first display area and the first gradient image corresponding to the first gradient data is displayed in the intermediate display area. In the second partial drive mode, the data driver may provide the data signal corresponding to the second partial image data to the second display area, and the data signal corresponding to the second gradient data to the intermediate display area, so that the image corresponding to the second partial image data is displayed in the second display area and the second gradient image corresponding to the second gradient data is displayed in the intermediate display area.

[0021] In one embodiment, the gradient image generating unit may generate third gradient data for the middle display area based on the first edge information and the second edge information in a third partial driving mode in which the first display area and the second display area are driven.

[0022] To achieve an objective of the present invention, various embodiments of the present invention relate to a driving method for a display device including a display panel, wherein the display panel includes a first display area, a second display area, and an intermediate display area between the first and second display areas. First degradation information for a first edge area within the first display area adjacent to the intermediate display area is stored, and second degradation information for a second edge area within the second display area adjacent to the intermediate display area is stored. First edge information for the first edge area is extracted from first portion of image data for the first display area in a first partial driving mode in which the first display area is driven. Second edge information for the second edge area is extracted from second portion of image data for the second display area in a second partial driving mode in which the second display area is driven. First gradation data for the intermediate display area is generated based on the first edge information and the second degradation information in the first partial driving mode. Second gradation data for the intermediate display area is generated based on the first degradation information and the second edge information in the second partial driving mode. The first and intermediate display areas are driven based on the first portion of image data and the first gradation data in the first partial driving mode. The second and intermediate display areas are driven based on the second portion of image data and the second gradation data in the second partial driving mode.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first gradient data may be generated such that the first gradient data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first edge information to a grayscale value represented by the second degradation information along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area. Alternatively, the second gradient data may be generated such that the second gradient data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first degradation information to a grayscale value represented by the second edge information along the first direction.

[0024] In one embodiment, the first edge module grayscale value may be calculated by averaging N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information, and the second degradation module grayscale value may be calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and the first gradient data may be generated such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge module grayscale value to the second degradation module grayscale value along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area. Alternatively, the first degradation module grayscale value may be calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and the second edge module grayscale value may be calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and the second gradient data may be generated such that the second gradient data gradually changes from the first degradation module grayscale value to the second edge module grayscale value along the first direction.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first edge weighted moving average may be calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​(N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) represented by the first edge information, and the second degradation weighted moving average may be calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and the first gradient data may be generated such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge weighted moving average to the second degradation weighted moving average along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area. Alternatively, the first degradation weighted moving average may be calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and the second edge weighted moving average may be calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and the second gradient data may be generated such that the second gradient data gradually changes from the first degradation weighted moving average to the second edge weighted moving average along the first direction.

[0026] (Effects of the Invention)

[0027] In the display devices and display device driving methods according to various embodiments of the present invention, first degradation information for a first edge region of a first display region and second degradation information for a second edge region of a second display region may be stored. In a first partial drive mode, first gradient data for a middle display region is generated based on the first edge information for the first edge region and the second degradation information for the second edge region. In a second partial drive mode, second gradient data for the middle display region is generated based on the first degradation information for the first edge region and the second edge information for the second edge region. Thus, afterimages between the first edge region and the middle display region, and between the middle display region and the second edge region, may not be recognized.

[0028] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and various extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the idea and field of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention is an out-foldable display device.

[0031] Figure 3a FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the first partial drive mode. Figure 3b FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the second partial drive mode. Figure 3c This is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the third partial drive mode.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention is a foldable display device including two or more folding regions.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing an example of a scan driver included in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6a is a diagram for explaining first gradation data generated when the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the first partial driving mode. Figure 6b FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining second gradation data generated when the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the second partial drive mode.

[0035] Figure 7 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining the brightness in a display device that does not generate gradation data and the brightness in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a diagram for explaining an example of updating degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a diagram for explaining another example of updating degradation information in the method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating edge information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 12 This is a diagram for explaining another example of generating edge information in the method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 13 This is a diagram for explaining another example of generating edge information in the method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 14 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 15 This is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 16 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 17 This is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 18 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 191 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data for each of a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 20 This figure is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data indicating the same grayscale value for red, green, and blue sub-pixels in a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 21 This is a block diagram showing an electronic device including a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] (Explanation of Symbols)

[0051] 100: display device; 110: display panel; 111: first display area; 112: second display area; 113: intermediate display area; 120: scan driver; 130: data driver; 140: controller; 150: degradation information storage unit; 160: edge information extraction unit; 170: gradient image generation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and repeated description of the same components will be omitted.

[0053] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a display device according to various embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an out-foldable display device according to various embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3a FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the first partial drive mode. Figure 3b FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the second partial drive mode. Figure 3c FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the third partial drive mode. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention is a foldable display device including two or more folding regions. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a scan driver included in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6a is a diagram for explaining first gradation data generated when the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the first partial driving mode. Figure 6b FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining second gradation data generated when the display device according to each embodiment of the present invention operates in the second partial driving mode. Figure 7 1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining the brightness in a display device that does not generate gradation data and the brightness in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Reference Figure 1 The display device 100 involved in each embodiment of the present invention may include: a display panel 110 including a plurality of pixels; a scan driver 120 providing scan signals (SS1, SS2, SS3) to the plurality of pixels; a data driver 130 providing a data signal DS to the plurality of pixels; and a controller 140 controlling the scan driver 120 and the data driver 130.

[0055] The display panel 110 may include a plurality of data lines, a plurality of scan lines, and a plurality of pixels connected thereto. In one embodiment, each pixel may include at least one capacitor, at least two transistors, and an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and the display panel 110 may be an OLED display panel. In other embodiments, the display panel 110 may be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel or other display panels.

[0056] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, the display panel 110 may include a first display area 111, a second display area 112, and an intermediate display area (or boundary area) 113 between the first display area 111 and the second display area 112. The first display area 111, the intermediate display area 113, and the second display area 112 may be configured continuously. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the display panel 110 may be the outer folding display panel 110a of the outer folding display device 100a, and the middle display area 113 may be the folding area 113a of the outer folding display panel 110a, which is the portion where the outer folding display panel 110a is folded. Furthermore, for example, the first display area 111a and the second display area 112a of the outer folding display panel 110a may be planar display areas, but are not limited thereto.

[0057] In one embodiment, if Figure 3aAs shown, when the external folding display panel 110a is folded so that the first display area 111a is located on the front surface and the second display area 112a is located on the back surface, the external folding display device 100a can operate in a first partial driving mode in which the second display area 112a is not driven and the first display area 111a is driven. Here, the front surface can be an upper surface or a surface that can be seen by the user 180. In addition, the back surface can be a lower surface or a surface that cannot be seen by the user 180. Thus, the second display area 112a located on the back surface that is not visible to the user 180 will not be driven, thereby reducing the power consumption of the external folding display device 100a. In addition, as Figure 3b As shown, when the external folding display panel 110a is folded so that the second display area 112a is located on the front surface and the first display area 111a is located on the back surface, the external folding display device 100a can operate in a second partial driving mode in which the first display area 111a is not driven and the second display area 112a is driven.

[0058] In one embodiment, the partial driving mode of the external folding display device 100a may further include a third partial driving mode based on the first partial driving mode and the second partial driving mode. In the third partial driving mode, the first display area 111a and the second display area 112a are driven in a manner of displaying different images. For example, Figure 3c As shown, the image displayed in the first display area 111 a may be provided to the first user 182 , and the image displayed in the second display area 112 a may be provided to the second user 184 .

[0059] In other embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the display panel 110 may be a foldable display panel 110b of a foldable display device 100b including two or more folding areas (113b, 115b). The foldable display panel 110b may include a first display area 111b, a second display area 112b, and a third display area 114b as flat display areas, and a first middle display area 113b and a second middle display area 115b as folding areas. On the other hand, in Figures 2 to 4 , the display device 100 is shown as an example of a foldable display device 100a or 100b. However, in one embodiment, the display device 100 may be any flexible display device, such as a curved display device, a bendable display device, a rollable display device, or a stretchable display device. In other embodiments, the display device 100 may be a flat (e.g., rigid) display device.

[0060] The scan driver 120 may provide scan signals (SS1, SS2, SS3) to the plurality of pixels through the plurality of scan lines based on the scan control signal SCTRL received from the controller 140. In one embodiment, the scan driver 120 may provide scan signals (SS1, SS2, SS3) to the plurality of pixels sequentially in rows. In addition, in one embodiment, the scan control signal SCTRL may include one or more scan start signals (FLM1, FLM2, FLM3) and one or more scan clock signals, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the scan driver 120 may be integrated or formed in the periphery of the display panel 110. In other embodiments, the scan driver 120 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuits.

[0061] In one embodiment, the scan driver 120 may receive a first scan start signal FLM1, a second scan start signal FLM2, and a third scan start signal FLM3 from the controller 140, and may provide a first scan signal SS1 to the first display area 111 in response to the first scan start signal FLM1, provide a second scan signal SS2 to the middle display area 113 in response to the second scan start signal FLM2, and provide a third scan signal SS3 to the second display area 112 in response to the third scan start signal FLM3. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the scan driver 120 may include: first driver stages 121, 122, ..., 123, which provide the first scan signal SS1 to the first display area 111 in sequence in response to the first scan start signal FLM1; second driver stages 124, ..., 125, which provide the second scan signal SS2 to the middle display area 113 in sequence in response to the second scan start signal FLM2; and third driver stages 126, 127, ..., 128, which provide the third scan signal SS3 to the second display area 112 in sequence in response to the third scan start signal FLM3.

[0062] In one embodiment, if Figure 5As shown, the scan driver 120 may further include: a first switch 191, selectively connecting the last driver stage 123 of the first driver stages 121, 122, ..., 123 with the first driver stage 124 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125; and a second switch 193, selectively connecting the last driver stage 125 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125 with the first driver stage 126 of the third driver stages 126, 127, ..., 128. It can be that the first switch 191 selectively provides the second scan start signal FLM2 to the first driver stage 124 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125 or the first scan signal (or carrier signal) SS1 of the last driver stage 123 of the first driver stages 121, 122, ..., 123, and the second switch 193 selectively provides the third scan start signal FLM3 to the first driver stage 126 of the third driver stages 126, 127, ..., 128 or the second scan signal (or carrier signal) SS2 of the last driver stage 125 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125. For example, in the normal driving mode (or the overall driving mode), the first switch 191 may provide the first scan signal SS1 of the last driver stage 123 of the first driver stages 121, 122, ..., 123 to the first driver stage 124 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125, and the second switch 193 may provide the second scan signal SS2 of the last driver stage 125 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125 to the first driver stage 126 of the third driver stages 126, 127, ..., 128. In another example, when one of the first display area 111 and the middle display area 113 is driven and the other is not driven, the first switch 191 may provide the second scan start signal FLM2 having an on-level or an off-level to the first driver stage 124 of the second driver stages 124, ..., 125. In addition, when one of the middle display area 113 and the second display area 112 is driven and the other is not driven, the second switch 193 can provide the third scan start signal FLM3 having an on-level or an off-level to the first driving stage 126 of the third driving stages 126, 127, ..., 128.

[0063] The data driver 130 can generate a data signal DS based on a data control signal DCTRL and output image data ODAT received from the controller 140, and provide the data signal DS to the multiple pixels via the multiple data lines. In one embodiment, the data control signal DCTRL may include an output data strobe signal, a horizontal start signal, and a load signal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the data driver 130 and the controller 140 can be implemented by a single integrated circuit, which can be referred to as a timing controller embedded data driver (TED). In other embodiments, the data driver 130 and the controller 140 can be implemented by separate integrated circuits.

[0064] The controller (e.g., a timing controller (T-CON)) 140 may receive input image data IDAT and a control signal CTRL from an external host processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU) or a graphics card). The control signal CTRL may include a mode signal SMODE indicating a driving mode of the display device 100. For example, the mode signal SMODE may indicate one of a normal driving mode, a first partial driving mode, and a second partial driving mode, wherein in the normal driving mode, the first display area 111, the middle display area 113, and the second display area 112 are all driven, and in the first partial driving mode, the display area 111, the middle display area 113, and the second display area 112 are all driven. Figure 3a When the first display area 111a is located on the front surface as shown, the first display area 111a is driven. In the second partial driving mode, Figure 3b As shown in FIG. 1 , the second display area 112a is driven when the second display area 112a is located on the front surface. In one embodiment, the mode signal SMODE may also represent a third partial driving mode. In the third partial driving mode, as shown in FIG. Figure 3cAs shown in FIG. 1 , when the first display area 111 a and the second display area 112 a provide images to different users ( 182 and 184 ), the first display area 111 a and the second display area 112 a are driven. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control signal CTRL may further include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, an input data strobe signal, a main clock signal, etc., but is not limited thereto. The controller 140 may generate a scan control signal SCTRL, a data control signal DCTRL, and output image data ODAT based on the control signal CTRL and the input image data IDAT, provide the scan control signal SCTRL to the scan driver 120 to control the scan driver 120, and provide the data control signal DCTRL and output image data ODAT to the data driver 130 to control the data driver 130.

[0065] In the normal driving mode, the controller 140 may receive, as input image data IDAT, frame data FDACT for all regions (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110. In one embodiment, in the first partial driving mode, the controller 140 may receive, as input image data IDAT, only the first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display region 111, and in the second partial driving mode, may receive, as input image data IDAT, only the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display region 112. In other embodiments, in the first partial driving mode, the controller 140 may receive, as input image data IDAT, the first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display region 111 and black data for the middle display region 113 and the second display region 112, and in the second partial driving mode, may receive, as input image data IDAT, the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display region 112 and black data for the first display region 111 and the middle display region 113. Furthermore, in one embodiment, in the third partial driving mode, the controller 140 may receive first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 and second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 as input image data IDAT.

[0066] In the first partial drive mode in which the first display area 111 is driven, the controller 140 of the display device 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention may generate first gradient data GDAT1 for the intermediate display area 113 based on first edge information EI1 for the first edge region of the first display area 111 and second degradation information DI2 for the second edge region of the second display area 112. Furthermore, in the second partial drive mode in which the second display area 112 is driven, the controller 140 may generate second gradient data GDAT2 for the intermediate display area 113 based on the first degradation information DI1 for the first edge region of the first display area 111 and second edge information EI2 for the second edge region of the second display area 112. In one embodiment, in the third partial drive mode in which the first and second display areas 111 and 112 are driven, the controller 140 may generate third gradient data for the intermediate display area 113 based on the first edge information EI1 for the first edge region of the first display area 111 and second edge information EI2 for the second edge region of the second display area 112. In order to perform such an operation, the controller 140 may include a degradation information storage part 150 , an edge information extraction part 160 , and a gradation image generation part 170 .

[0067] The degradation information storage unit 150 may store first degradation information DI1 for the first edge region adjacent to the middle display region 113 within the first display region 111, and second degradation information DI2 for the second edge region adjacent to the middle display region 113 within the second display region 112. Depending on the embodiment, the first edge region and the second edge region may each represent one pixel line, several pixel lines, or dozens of pixel lines connected to one scan line. The first degradation information DI1 may represent the cumulative drive amount for the first edge region, and the second degradation information DI2 may represent the cumulative drive amount for the second edge region. In one embodiment, the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may be updated in every frame. In other embodiments, the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may be updated every L frames (L is an integer greater than or equal to 1). In another embodiment, the cumulative grayscale values ​​of each pixel included in the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may be updated while shifting every L frames. For example, if the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 each include K cumulative grayscale values ​​(K is an integer greater than or equal to 2), all of the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 are updated every L×K frames. In one embodiment, the degradation information storage unit 150 can be implemented by a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory.

[0068] In the first partial drive mode, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 and extract first edge information EI1 for the first edge area from the first partial image data PDAT1. Furthermore, in the second partial drive mode, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 and extract second edge information EI2 for the second edge area from the second partial image data PDAT2. Here, the first edge information EI1 may be related to the input grayscale value for the first edge area in the current frame, and the second edge information EI2 may be related to the input grayscale value for the second edge area in the current frame. In one embodiment, the first edge area and the second edge area may each include M pixel lines connected to M scan lines (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1). The edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate the average of the M input grayscale values ​​for the M pixel lines for each row (corresponding to each data line) to generate the first edge information EI1 or the second edge information EI2. In other embodiments, the edge information extraction unit 160 may extract the maximum value of the M input grayscale values ​​for the M pixel lines for each row to generate the first edge information EI1 or the second edge information EI2. In yet another embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate a weighted average of the M input grayscale values ​​for the M pixel lines for each row, with the weighted value gradually decreasing according to the distance from the middle display area 113, to generate the first edge information EI1 or the second edge information EI2.

[0069] In the first partial drive mode in which the first display area 111 is driven, the gradient image generator 170 can generate first gradient data GDAT1 for the intermediate display area 113 based on the first edge information EI1 for the first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and the second degradation information DI2 for the second edge area of ​​the second display area 112. In one embodiment, the first gradient data GDAT1 can gradually change from the grayscale value represented by the first edge information EI1 to the grayscale value represented by the second degradation information DI2 for each row (corresponding to each data line) along a first direction from the first display area 111 toward the second display area 112. In other embodiments, the first gradient data GDAT1 can gradually change from the grayscale value represented by the first edge information EI1 to the grayscale value represented by the second degradation information DI2 along the first direction in blocks having two or more rows. In another embodiment, the first gradient data GDAT1 may gradually change from a weighted moving average of the first edge information EI1 to a weighted moving average of the second degradation information DI2 along the first direction. In the first partial driving mode, the controller 140 may provide the first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 and the first gradient data GDAT1 for the middle display area 113 to the data driver 130. In the first partial driving mode, the data driver 130 may provide the data signal DS corresponding to the first partial image data PDAT1 to the first display area 111, and may provide the data signal DS corresponding to the first gradient data GDAT1 to the middle display area 113. Therefore, as Figure 6a As shown, in the first partial driving mode, even if the controller 140 receives only the first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 as the input image data IDAT, the controller 140 can output the first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 and the first gradient data GDAT1 for the intermediate display area 113 as the output image data ODAT. Thus, an image corresponding to the input image data IDAT can be displayed in the first display area 111, and a gradient image corresponding to the first gradient data GDAT1 can be displayed in the intermediate display area 113.

[0070] Furthermore, the gradation image generator 170 may generate second gradation data GDAT2 for the intermediate display area 113 based on the first degradation information DI1 for the first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and the second edge information EI2 for the second edge area of ​​the second display area 112 in the second partial drive mode. In one embodiment, the second gradation data GDAT2 may gradually change along the first direction from the grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 to the grayscale value represented by the second edge information EI2 for each row. In other embodiments, the second gradation data GDAT2 may gradually change along the first direction from the grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 to the grayscale value represented by the second edge information EI2 in units of modules having two or more rows. In yet another embodiment, the second gradation data GDAT2 may gradually change along the first direction from a weighted moving average of the first degradation information DI1 to a weighted moving average of the second edge information EI2. In the second partial driving mode, the controller 140 may provide the data driver 130 with the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 and the second gradient data GDAT2 for the middle display area 113. In the second partial driving mode, the data driver 130 may provide the data signal DS corresponding to the second partial image data PDAT2 to the second display area 112, and provide the data signal DS corresponding to the second gradient data GDAT2 to the middle display area 113. Figure 6b As shown, in the second partial driving mode, even if the controller 140 receives only the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 as the input image data IDAT, the controller 140 can output the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 and the second gradient data GDAT2 for the middle display area 113 as the output image data ODAT. Thus, an image corresponding to the input image data IDAT can be displayed in the second display area 112, and a gradient image corresponding to the second gradient data GDAT2 can be displayed in the middle display area 113.

[0071] On the other hand, in the display device 100, Figure 7 As shown in FIG210, when there is no gradient image and only the white image is continuously displayed in the first display area 111, as shown in FIG211, Figure 7 As shown in FIG230 , the degradation degree of the first display area 111 may be greater than the degradation degree of the middle display area 113 and the second display area 112. That is, the first display area 111 and the middle display area 113 may have a degradation deviation. In this case, as Figure 7As shown in FIG230, if the degraded display device 100 is driven in a normal driving mode (or overall driving mode) in which a white image is displayed in the entire area (111, 113, 112) of the display panel 110, then Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 250 , a brightness difference may occur between the first display area 111 and the middle display area 113 . Due to this brightness difference, the user may perceive an afterimage (image sticking).

[0072] However, in the display device 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention, in the first partial driving mode in which the first display area 111 displays an image, the middle display area 113 is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in FIG220 , a gradient image can be displayed based on the first gradient data GDAT1 generated based on the first edge information EI1 and the second degradation information DI2. In addition, in the second partial driving mode in which the second display area 112 displays an image, the intermediate display area 113 can display a gradient image based on the second gradient data GDAT2 generated based on the first degradation information DI1 and the second edge information EI2. Thus, even if the display device 100 involved in each embodiment of the present invention continues to operate in the first partial driving mode and the degradation degree for the first display area 111 and the degradation degree for the second display area 112 are different from each other, it can also be as shown in FIG220 . Figure 7 As shown in FIG240 , substantially no degradation deviation may be generated between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and substantially no degradation deviation may be generated between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112. In this case, as shown in FIG240 Figure 7 As shown in FIG240, even if the degraded display device 100 is driven in a normal driving mode in which a white image is displayed in the entire area (111, 113, 112) of the display panel 110, Figure 7 As shown in FIG260 , no brightness difference may be generated between the first display area 111 and the middle display area 113 and between the middle display area 113 and the second display area 112 , and the afterimage may not be recognized.

[0073] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of updating degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another example of updating degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating edge information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another example of generating edge information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining another example of generating edge information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 8 In a method for driving a display device 100 including a display panel 110 having a first display area 111, a second display area 112, and an intermediate display area 113 between the first and second display areas 111 and 112, first degradation information DI1 for a first edge area adjacent to the intermediate display area 113 within the first display area 111 may be stored in the degradation information storage unit 150 (S310), and second degradation information DI2 for a second edge area adjacent to the intermediate display area 113 within the second display area 112 may be stored in the degradation information storage unit 150 (S315). Depending on the embodiment, the first edge area and the second edge area may each represent one pixel line, several pixel lines, or dozens of pixel lines connected to one scan line. In one embodiment, the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may be updated in each frame.

[0075] In other embodiments, the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may be updated every L frames (L is an integer greater than 1). Figure 9As shown, during the period in which the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 is driven in a normal driving mode or a first partial driving mode in which the first display area 111 is driven, the first degradation information DI1 for the first edge area 116 of the first display area 111 may be updated every L frames. For example, in the first frame, the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 stored in the degradation information storage unit 150 and the current grayscale value (for example, 150, 78, 35, ...) represented by the current image data 410 for the first edge area 116 may be calculated in each pixel or in each row, thereby updating the first degradation information DI1. In the (L+1)th frame, the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 stored in the degradation information storage unit 150 and the current grayscale value (for example, 150, 78, 35, ...) represented by the current image data 410 for the first edge area 116 may be calculated in each pixel or in each row. The first degradation information DI1 is updated by averaging the current grayscale values ​​(e.g., 142, 65, 50, ...) represented by the current image data 420 for the first edge region 116. In the (2L+1)th frame, the first degradation information DI1 can be updated by calculating the average of the cumulative grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information DI1 stored in the degradation information storage unit 150 and the current grayscale values ​​(e.g., 19, 50, 130, ...) represented by the current image data 430 for the first edge region 116 for each pixel or row. Furthermore, while the display panel 110 is driven in the normal driving mode (where the entire region (111, 112, 113) is driven) or in the second partial driving mode (where the second display region 112 is driven), the second degradation information DI2 for the second edge region 117 of the second display region 112 can be updated every L frames.

[0076] In another embodiment, the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 may each include K cumulative grayscale values ​​(K is an integer greater than 1), and the K cumulative grayscale values ​​of the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 are updated while shifting by one pixel every L frames. Figure 10As shown, in the first frame, for the first pixel or the first row, the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 and the current grayscale value 415 (e.g., 150) represented by the current image data 410 is calculated to update the first degradation information DI1. In the (L+1)th frame, for the second pixel or the second row, the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 and the current grayscale value 425 (e.g., 65) represented by the current image data 420 is calculated to update the first degradation information DI1. In the (2L+1)th frame, for the third pixel or the third row, the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information DI1 and the current grayscale value 435 (e.g., 130) represented by the current image data 430 is calculated to update the first degradation information DI1. In this way, both the first degradation information DI1 and the second degradation information DI2 can be updated every L×K frames.

[0077] In a case where the display device 100 operates in a normal driving mode in which the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 is driven (S320: normal driving mode), the display device 100 can receive the frame data FDAT as the input image data IDAT, and can drive the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 based on the frame data FDAT (S330).

[0078] When the display device 100 operates in a first partial driving mode in which the first display area 111 is driven (S320: first partial driving mode), the edge information extraction unit 160 can receive first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 (S340), and can extract first edge information EI1 for the first edge area from the first partial image data PDAT1 (S345).

[0079] In one embodiment, the first edge area may include M (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) pixel lines, and the edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate the average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first partial image data PDAT1 for each row of the M pixel lines to generate the first edge information EI1. Figure 11 As shown, the first edge area 116 may include the first to fourth pixel lines, and the edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate the average of the first to fourth line data LD1 to LD4 for the first to fourth pixel lines in each row to generate the first edge information EI1.

[0080] In other embodiments, the edge information extraction unit 160 may extract the maximum value of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first partial image data PDAT1 in each row of the M pixel lines to generate the first edge information EI1. Figure 12As shown, the first edge area 116 may include the first pixel line to the fourth pixel line, and the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the first edge information EI1 in each row having the maximum value among the first grayscale value to the fourth grayscale value represented by the first line data LD1 to the fourth line data LD4 for the first pixel line to the fourth pixel line.

[0081] In another embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate the weighted average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first partial image data PDAT1 for the M pixel lines, with the weighted value gradually decreasing according to the distance from the middle display area 113, thereby generating the first edge information EI1. Figure 13 As shown, the first edge region 116 may include first through fourth pixel lines. For each line, the edge information extraction unit 160 may calculate the sum of the product of the first line data LD1 and the first weighted value W1, the product of the second line data LD2 and the second weighted value W2, the product of the third line data LD3 and the third weighted value W3, and the product of the fourth line data LD4 and the fourth weighted value W4. The calculated sum is then divided by the sum of the first through fourth weighted values ​​W1 through W4 to generate the first edge information EI1. In this case, the first through fourth weighted values ​​W1 through W4 may gradually decrease as the distance from the middle display region 113 increases. That is, the fourth weighted value W4 for the fourth line data LD4 close to the middle display region 113 may have a relatively large value, while the first weighted value W1 for the first line data LD1 farther from the middle display region 113 may have a relatively small value.

[0082] In the first partial driving mode, the gradient image generating unit 170 may generate first gradient data GDAT1 for the middle display area 113 based on the first edge information EI1 for the first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and the second degradation information DI2 for the second edge area of ​​the second display area 112 ( S350 ).

[0083] In one embodiment, if Figure 14As shown, the gradation image generation unit 170 can generate the first gradation data GDAT1 such that the first gradation data GDAT1 gradually changes from the grayscale value represented by the first edge information EI1 to the grayscale value represented by the second degradation information DI2 in each row along a first direction from the first display area 111 toward the second display area 112. For example, in the first row, if the first edge information EI1 represents a grayscale value of 150 and the second degradation information DI2 represents a grayscale value of 142, the first gradation data GDAT1 in the first row may represent 149, 148, ..., 144, and 143. Furthermore, in the second row, if the first edge information EI1 represents a grayscale value of 78 and the second degradation information DI2 represents a grayscale value of 65, the first gradation data GDAT1 in the second row may represent 77, 76, ..., 67, and 66. Furthermore, in the third row, when the first edge information EI1 represents a grayscale value of 35 and the second degradation information DI2 represents a grayscale value of 50, the first gradient data GDAT1 in the third row may represent 36, 37, ..., 48, and 49. Furthermore, in the fourth row, when the first edge information EI1 represents a grayscale value of 24 and the second degradation information DI2 represents a grayscale value of 70, the first gradient data GDAT1 in the fourth row may represent 26, 28, ..., 66, and 68. Furthermore, in the fifth row, when the first edge information EI1 represents a grayscale value of 135 and the second degradation information DI2 represents a grayscale value of 201, the first gradient data GDAT1 in the fifth row may represent 137, 139, ..., 197, and 199.

[0084] In the first partial drive mode, the display device 100 can drive the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the first partial image data PDAT1 and the first gradient data GDAT1 (S360). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0085] When the display device 100 operates in the second partial drive mode (S320: second partial drive mode) in which the second display area 112 is driven, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 (S370) and extract second edge information EI2 for the second edge area from the second partial image data PDAT2 (S375). Depending on the embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the second edge information EI2 using an average, a maximum value, or a weighted average.

[0086] In the second partial drive mode, the gradient image generator 170 may generate second gradient data GDAT2 for the intermediate display area 113 based on the first degradation information DI1 for the first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and the second edge information EI2 for the second edge area of ​​the second display area 112 (S380). In one embodiment, the gradient image generator 170 may generate the second gradient data GDAT2 such that the second gradient data GDAT2 gradually changes from the grayscale value indicated by the first degradation information DI1 to the grayscale value indicated by the second edge information EI2 along the first direction in each row.

[0087] In the second partial drive mode, the display device 100 can drive the second display area 112 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the second partial image data PDAT2 and the second gradient data GDAT2 (S390). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0088] Figure 15 is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 15 In a driving method of a display device 100 including a display panel 110 having a first display area 111, a second display area 112, and an intermediate display area 113 between the first display area 111 and the second display area 112, first degradation information DI1 for a first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and second degradation information DI2 for a second edge area of ​​the second display area 112 can be stored in a degradation information storage unit 150 (S510).

[0090] In a case where the display device 100 operates in a normal driving mode in which the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 is driven (S520: normal driving mode), the display device 100 can receive the frame data FDAT as the input image data IDAT, and can drive the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 based on the frame data FDAT (S530).

[0091] When the display device 100 operates in a first partial driving mode (S520: first partial driving mode) in which the first display area 111 is driven, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 (S540) and extract first edge information EI1 for the first edge area from the first partial image data PDAT1 (S545). Depending on the embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the first edge information EI1 using an average, a maximum value, or a weighted average.

[0092] In the first partial drive mode, the gradient image generator 170 may calculate a first edge module grayscale value by averaging N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information EI1 (S552). It may also calculate a second degradation module grayscale value by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information DI2 (S554). The first gradient data GDAT1 may be generated such that the first gradient data GDAT1 gradually changes from the first edge module grayscale value to the second degradation module grayscale value along a first direction from the first display area 111 toward the second display area 112 (S556). In other words, the first gradient data GDAT1 may be generated in units of modules having N rows.

[0093] For example, Figure 16 As shown, the gradient image generating unit 170 can generate the first gradient data GDAT1 in units of modules having four rows. For example, in the first to fourth rows, when the first edge information EI1 represents grayscale values ​​of 150, 78, 35, and 24 and the second degradation information DI2 represents grayscale values ​​of 142, 65, 50, and 70, the gradient image generating unit 170 can calculate the first edge module grayscale value EBG1 representing the average of 150, 78, 35, and 24, that is, 72, and can calculate the second degradation module grayscale value DBG2 representing the average of 142, 65, 50, and 70, that is, 82, and can generate the first gradient data GDAT1 representing 73, 74, ..., 80, and 81 in each of the first to fourth rows. In this way, the first gradient data GDAT1 can be generated in units of modules having the four rows. On the other hand, in Figure 16 An example in which each module has four rows and one column is shown, but each module may have more than one row and more than one column depending on the embodiment.

[0094] In the first partial drive mode, the display device 100 can drive the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the first partial image data PDAT1 and the first gradient data GDAT1 (S560). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0095] When the display device 100 operates in the second partial drive mode (S520: second partial drive mode) in which the second display area 112 is driven, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 (S570) and extract second edge information EI2 for the second edge area from the second partial image data PDAT2 (S575). Depending on the embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the second edge information EI2 using an average, a maximum value, or a weighted average.

[0096] In the second partial drive mode, the gradient image generator 170 may calculate the first degradation module grayscale value by averaging the N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information DI1 ( S582 ), calculate the second edge module grayscale value by averaging the N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information EI2 ( S584 ), and generate the second gradient data GDAT2 such that the second gradient data GDAT2 gradually changes from the first degradation module grayscale value to the second edge module grayscale value along the first direction ( S586 ). In other words, the second gradient data GDAT2 may be generated in units of modules having N rows.

[0097] In the second partial driving mode, the display device 100 can drive the second display area 112 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the second partial image data PDAT2 and the second gradient data GDAT2 (S590). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0098] Figure 17 is a sequence diagram showing a method for driving a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 This is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data based on edge information and degradation information in a method for driving a display device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 17In a driving method of a display device 100 including a display panel 110 having a first display area 111, a second display area 112, and an intermediate display area 113 between the first display area 111 and the second display area 112, first degradation information DI1 for a first edge area of ​​the first display area 111 and second degradation information DI2 for a second edge area of ​​the second display area 112 can be stored in a degradation information storage unit 150 (S610).

[0100] In a case where the display device 100 operates in a normal driving mode in which the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 is driven (S620: normal driving mode), the display device 100 can receive the frame data FDAT as input image data IDAT and can drive the entire area (111, 112, 113) of the display panel 110 based on the frame data FDAT (S630).

[0101] When the display device 100 operates in a first partial drive mode (S620: first partial drive mode) in which the first display area 111 is driven, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area 111 (S640) and extract first edge information EI1 for the first edge area from the first partial image data PDAT1 (S645). Depending on the embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the first edge information EI1 using an average, a maximum value, or a weighted average.

[0102] In the first partial drive mode, the gradient image generating unit 170 may calculate a first edge weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​(N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) represented by the first edge information EI1 (S652), calculate a second degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information DI2 (S654), and generate the first gradient data GDAT1 in such a manner that the first gradient data GDAT1 gradually changes from the first edge weighted moving average to the second degradation weighted moving average along a first direction from the first display area 111 toward the second display area 112 (S656).

[0103] For example, Figure 18As shown, the gradation image generation unit 170 may apply a weighted moving average window WMAW having weights of 1, 2, 4, 2, and 1 to the first edge information EI1 to calculate a first edge weighted moving average EWMA1. For example, when the first edge information EI1 represents 150, 78, 35, 24, 135, ..., the gradation image generation unit 170 may calculate a first edge weighted moving average EWMA1 representing 113, 78, 63, .... Furthermore, the gradation image generation unit 170 may apply a weighted moving average window WMAW having weights of 1, 2, 4, 2, and 1 to the second degradation information DI2 to calculate a second degradation weighted moving average DWMA2. For example, when the second degradation information DI2 represents 142, 65, 50, 70, 201, ..., the gradation image generation unit 170 may calculate a second degradation weighted moving average DWMA2 representing 107, 79, 81, .... In this case, the gradation image generating unit 170 may generate the first gradation data GDAT1 such that 112, 111, ..., 109 and 108 are represented in the first row, 78, 78, ..., 79 and 79 are represented in the second row, and 64, 65, ..., 79 and 80 are represented in the third row.

[0104] In the first partial drive mode, the display device 100 can drive the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the first partial image data PDAT1 and the first gradient data GDAT1 (S660). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0105] When the display device 100 operates in the second partial drive mode (S620: second partial drive mode) in which the second display area 112 is driven, the edge information extraction unit 160 may receive the second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area 112 (S670) and extract second edge information EI2 for the second edge area from the second partial image data PDAT2 (S675). Depending on the embodiment, the edge information extraction unit 160 may generate the second edge information EI2 using an average, a maximum value, or a weighted average.

[0106] In the second partial driving mode, the gradient image generating unit 170 may calculate a first degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information DI1 (S682), calculate a second edge weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information EI2 (S684), and generate second gradient data GDAT2 in a manner such that the second gradient data GDAT2 gradually changes from the first degradation weighted moving average to the second edge weighted moving average along the first direction (S686).

[0107] In the second partial driving mode, the display device 100 can drive the second display area 112 and the intermediate display area 113 based on the second partial image data PDAT2 and the second gradient data GDAT2 (S690). As a result, substantially no degradation deviation occurs between the first display area 111 and the intermediate display area 113, and between the intermediate display area 113 and the second display area 112, and no afterimage is recognized.

[0108] Figure 19 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data for each of a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel in a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 19 Each pixel PX of the display panel 110 may include a red sub-pixel RSP, a green sub-pixel GSP, and a blue sub-pixel BSP. The gradient image generator 170 may generate first gradient data GDAT1 for each of the red sub-pixel RSP, the green sub-pixel GSP, and the blue sub-pixel BSP in the first partial driving mode, and generate second gradient data GDAT2 for each of the red sub-pixel RSP, the green sub-pixel GSP, and the blue sub-pixel BSP in the second partial driving mode.

[0110] For example, the first edge information EI1 may include first red edge information REI1 for the red subpixel RSP, first green edge information GEI1 for the green subpixel GSP, and first blue edge information BEI1 for the blue subpixel BSP. Furthermore, the second degradation information DI2 may include second red degradation information RDI2 for the red subpixel RSP, second green degradation information GDI2 for the green subpixel GSP, and second blue degradation information BDI2 for the blue subpixel BSP. As the first gradient data GDAT1, the gradient image generation unit 170 may generate first red gradient data RGDAT1 for the red subpixel RSP based on the first red edge information REI1 and the second red degradation information RDI2, first green gradient data GGDAT1 for the green subpixel GSP based on the first green edge information GEI1 and the second green degradation information GDI2, and first blue gradient data BGDAT1 for the blue subpixel BSP based on the first blue edge information BEI1 and the second blue degradation information BDI2.

[0111] Figure 20 This figure is a diagram for explaining an example of generating gradation data indicating the same grayscale value for red, green, and blue sub-pixels in a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 20 , each pixel PX of the display panel 110 may include a red sub-pixel RSP, a green sub-pixel GSP, and a blue sub-pixel BSP. The gradient image generating unit 170 may generate first gradient data GDAT1 representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel RSP, the green sub-pixel GSP, and the blue sub-pixel BSP included in the same pixel PX in the first partial driving mode, and generate second gradient data GDAT2 representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel RSP, the green sub-pixel GSP, and the blue sub-pixel BSP included in the same pixel PX in the second partial driving mode. For example, Figure 20 As shown, the first red gradient data RGDAT1 , the first green gradient data GGDAT1 , and the first blue gradient data BGDAT1 included in the first gradient data GDAT1 may represent the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel RSP, the green sub-pixel GSP, and the blue sub-pixel BSP included in each pixel PX.

[0113] Figure 21 This is a block diagram showing an electronic device including a display device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Reference Figure 21The electronic device 1000 according to various embodiments of the present invention may include a sensor 1010, a main processor 1030, and a display device 1050. In one embodiment, the electronic device 1000 may further include a memory, a storage device, an input / output device, a power supply, and the like.

[0115] The sensor 1010 can sense the operating state or deformation of the display device 1050 and provide a sensing signal SSENSE indicating the deformation to the main processor 1030. For example, the sensing signal SSENSE can indicate that the display device 1050 is not folded, or Figure 3a The display device 1050 is folded so that the first display area is located on the front surface and the second display area is located on the back surface as shown, or Figure 3b As shown, the display device 1050 is folded so that the second display area is located on the front surface and the first display area is located on the back surface.

[0116] The main processor 1030 can perform specific calculations or tasks. Depending on the embodiment, the main processor 1030 can be an application processor (AP) including a graphics processing unit (GPU), a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, etc. The main processor 1030 can provide a control signal CTRL and input image data IDAT to the display device 1050. For example, the main processor 1030 may provide the display device 1050 with a mode signal SMODE indicating a normal driving mode and frame data FDACT in response to the sensing signal SSENSE indicating that the display device 1050 is not folded; may provide the display device 1050 with a mode signal SMODE indicating a first partial driving mode in which the first display area is driven and first partial image data PDAT1 for the first display area in response to the sensing signal SSENSE indicating that the display device 1050 is folded so that the first display area is located on the front surface and the second display area is located on the back surface; and may provide the display device 1050 with a mode signal SMODE indicating a second partial driving mode in which the second display area is driven and second partial image data PDAT2 for the second display area in response to the sensing signal SSENSE indicating that the display device 1050 is folded so that the second display area is located on the front surface and the first display area is located on the back surface.

[0117] The display device 1050 can display an image based on a control signal CTRL and input image data IDAT. The display device 1050 can store first degradation information for a first edge region of the first display area and second degradation information for a second edge region of the second display area. In response to a mode signal SMODE indicating the first partial drive mode, the display device 1050 can generate first gradient data for an intermediate display area between the first and second display areas based on the first edge information for the first edge region and the second degradation information for the second edge region, display an image corresponding to the first partial image data PDAT1 in the first display area, and display a gradient image corresponding to the first gradient data in the intermediate display area. Furthermore, in response to a mode signal SMODE indicating the second partial drive mode, the display device 1050 can generate second gradient data for the intermediate display area based on the first degradation information for the first edge region and the second edge information for the second edge region, display an image corresponding to the second partial image data PDAT2 in the second display area, and display a gradient image corresponding to the second gradient data in the intermediate display area. Therefore, in the display device 1050 according to various embodiments of the present invention, afterimages between the first edge region and the middle display region and between the middle display region and the second edge region may not be recognized.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1000 can be any electronic device including a display device 1050, such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a digital television, a 3D-TV, a personal computer (PC), a home electronic device, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a digital camera, a music player, a portable game console, a navigation system, etc.

[0119] (Industrial Applicability)

[0120] The present invention is applicable to any display device and electronic devices including the same. For example, the present invention can be applied to mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, TVs, digital TVs, 3D-TVs, PCs, home electronic devices, laptop computers, PDAs, PMPs, digital cameras, music players, portable game consoles, and navigation systems.

[0121] The present invention has been described above with reference to various embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: The display panel includes a first display area, a second display area, and an intermediate display area between the first display area and the second display area; a degradation information storage unit configured to store first degradation information regarding a first edge region adjacent to the middle display region within the first display region and second degradation information regarding a second edge region adjacent to the middle display region within the second display region; an edge information extraction unit configured to extract first edge information for the first edge area from a first portion of image data for the first display area in a first partial driving mode in which the first display area is driven, and to extract second edge information for the second edge area from a second portion of image data for the second display area in a second partial driving mode in which the second display area is driven; as well as a gradation image generating unit that generates first gradation data for the intermediate display area based on the first edge information and the second degradation information in the first partial drive mode, and generates second gradation data for the intermediate display area based on the first degradation information and the second edge information in the second partial drive mode; The gradient image generating unit The first gradation data is generated in such a manner that the first gradation data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first edge information to a grayscale value represented by the second degradation information along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and The second gradation data is generated in such a manner that the second gradation data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first degradation information to a grayscale value represented by the second edge information along the first direction.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display panel is an outward folding display panel, The middle display area is a folding area of ​​the outer folding display panel.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: The display device When the outer folding display panel is folded so that the first display area is located on the front surface and the second display area is located on the back surface, the outer folding display panel operates in the first partial driving mode, and The device operates in the second partial driving mode when the outer folding display panel is folded so that the second display area is located on the front surface and the first display area is located on the back surface.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The gradient image generating unit The first edge module grayscale value is calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information, and the second degradation module grayscale value is calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and the first gradient data is generated in a manner such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge module grayscale value to the second degradation module grayscale value along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and The first degradation module grayscale value is calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and the second edge module grayscale value is calculated by averaging N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and the second gradient data is generated by gradually changing the second gradient data from the first degradation module grayscale value to the second edge module grayscale value along the first direction. Here, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The gradient image generating unit A first edge weighted moving average is calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information, and a second degradation weighted moving average is calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information, and the first gradient data is generated in a manner such that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge weighted moving average to the second degradation weighted moving average along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area, and A first degradation weighted moving average is calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information, and a second edge weighted moving average is calculated by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information, and the second gradient data is generated in a manner such that the second gradient data gradually changes from the first degradation weighted moving average to the second edge weighted moving average along the first direction. Here, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first edge area includes M first pixel lines, and the second edge area includes M second pixel lines. The edge information extraction unit Calculating an average of M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of image data for M first pixel lines to generate the first edge information, and Calculating an average of M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of image data for the M second pixel lines to generate the second edge information, Here, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first edge area includes M first pixel lines, and the second edge area includes M second pixel lines. The edge information extraction unit Extracting the maximum value of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of the image data for the M first pixel lines to generate the first edge information, and For the M second pixel lines, the maximum value of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of the image data is extracted to generate the second edge information, Here, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first edge area includes M first pixel lines, and the second edge area includes M second pixel lines. The edge information extraction unit For the M first pixel lines, a weighted average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the first portion of the image data is calculated as a weighted value that gradually decreases with the distance from the middle display area to generate the first edge information, and For the M second pixel lines, a weighted average of the M grayscale values ​​represented by the second portion of the image data is calculated to obtain a weighted value that gradually decreases with the distance from the middle display area to generate the second edge information. Here, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Every L frames, the first degradation information is updated by calculating the average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the first degradation information stored in the degradation information storage unit and the current grayscale value represented by the current image data for the first edge area, and calculating an average of the cumulative grayscale value represented by the second degradation information stored in the degradation information storage unit and the grayscale value represented by the current image data for the second edge area every L frames, thereby updating the second degradation information; Here, L is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The first degradation information and the second degradation information each include K accumulated grayscale values, Every L frames, updating one of the K accumulated grayscale values ​​of each of the first degradation information and the second degradation information, Here, K is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and L is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

11. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Each pixel of the display panel includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel. The gradation image generating unit generates the first gradation data for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel respectively in the first partial driving mode, and generates the second gradation data for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel respectively in the second partial driving mode.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Each pixel of the display panel includes a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel. The gradient image generating unit generates the first gradient data representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel included in the same pixel in the first partial driving mode, and generates the second gradient data representing the same grayscale value for the red sub-pixel, the green sub-pixel, and the blue sub-pixel included in the same pixel in the second partial driving mode.

13. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: The scan driver includes a first driving stage for sequentially providing a first scan signal to the first display area in response to a first scan start signal, a second driving stage for sequentially providing a second scan signal to the middle display area in response to a second scan start signal, and a third driving stage for sequentially providing a third scan signal to the second display area in response to a third scan start signal.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: a data driver, providing a data signal to the display panel, In the first partial driving mode, the data driver provides the data signal corresponding to the first partial image data to the first display area and the data signal corresponding to the first gradient data to the middle display area in such a manner that the image corresponding to the first partial image data is displayed in the first display area and the first gradient image corresponding to the first gradient data is displayed in the middle display area. In the second partial driving mode, the data driver provides the data signal corresponding to the second partial image data to the second display area and provides the data signal corresponding to the second gradient data to the middle display area in a manner such that an image corresponding to the second partial image data is displayed in the second display area and a second gradient image corresponding to the second gradient data is displayed in the middle display area.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The gradation image generating section generates third gradation data for the intermediate display area based on the first edge information and the second edge information in a third partial driving mode in which the first display area and the second display area are driven.

16. A method for driving a display device, the display device comprising a display panel, the display panel having a first display area, a second display area, and an intermediate display area between the first display area and the second display area, the method comprising: storing first degradation information for a first edge region adjacent to the middle display region within the first display region; storing second degradation information for a second edge region adjacent to the middle display region within the second display region; a step of extracting first edge information for the first edge area from a first portion of image data for the first display area in a first partial driving mode in which the first display area is driven; a step of extracting second edge information for the second edge area from the second portion of image data for the second display area in a second partial driving mode in which the second display area is driven; generating first gradient data for the middle display area based on the first edge information and the second degradation information in the first partial driving mode; generating second gradation data for the middle display area based on the first degradation information and the second edge information in the second partial driving mode; a step of driving the first display area and the middle display area based on the first portion of image data and the first gradient data in the first portion driving mode; as well as a step of driving the second display area and the middle display area based on the second portion of image data and the second gradient data in the second portion driving mode, The step of generating the first gradient data includes: generating the first gradient data in such a manner that the first gradient data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first edge information to a grayscale value represented by the second degradation information along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area; The step of generating the second gradation data includes generating the second gradation data in such a manner that the second gradation data gradually changes from a grayscale value represented by the first degradation information to a grayscale value represented by the second edge information along the first direction.

17. The method for driving a display device according to claim 16, wherein: The step of generating the first gradient data includes: a step of calculating a grayscale value of a first edge module by calculating an average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information; a step of calculating a second degradation module grayscale value by calculating an average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information; and generating the first gradient data in such a manner that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge module grayscale value to the second degradation module grayscale value along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area; The step of generating the second gradient data includes: a step of calculating a grayscale value of a first degradation module by calculating an average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information; a step of calculating the average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information to calculate the grayscale value of the second edge module; and generating the second gradient data in such a manner that the second gradient data gradually changes from the grayscale value of the first degradation module to the grayscale value of the second edge module along the first direction; Here, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

18. The method for driving a display device according to claim 16, wherein: The step of generating the first gradient data includes: The step of calculating a first edge weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first edge information; a step of calculating a second degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second degradation information; and generating the first gradient data in such a manner that the first gradient data gradually changes from the first edge weighted moving average to the second degradation weighted moving average along a first direction from the first display area toward the second display area; The step of generating the second gradient data includes: a step of calculating a first degradation weighted moving average by calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the first degradation information; A step of calculating a weighted moving average of N consecutive grayscale values ​​represented by the second edge information to calculate a second edge weighted moving average; and generating the second gradual change data in such a manner that the second gradual change data gradually changes from the first degradation weighted moving average to the second edge weighted moving average along the first direction; Here, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

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