Display device and method for driving the same

Abstract

A display device and a method for driving the same may be provided herein. The display device may include: a display panel including a plurality of unit blocks arranged in a display area, the plurality of unit blocks including a first area displaying a logo or a banner, a second area having a maximum load value, and a third area arranged between the first area and the second area; a display panel driver configured to generate a data voltage based on input image data; and a partition compensator configured to receive the input image data, calculate a load value of the input image data for each of the plurality of unit blocks, and control the brightness of each of the first area and the third area based on a position difference between the first area and the second area and a load value difference between the first area and the second area.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0036764, filed on March 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display device and a method of driving the display device. Background Art

[0004] A display device may include a display panel and a display panel driver. The display panel driver may receive control signals and input image data from an external source (e.g., a graphics processor, etc.) and may generate data voltages. The display panel may display an image in a display area based on the data voltages. Furthermore, the display panel may display a logo (or banner) in a logo area (or banner area) based on the data voltages. The display panel driver may control the brightness of the logo area (or banner area) to be lower than the brightness of other areas, thereby reducing power consumption of the display device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a display device that maintains the brightness of an area where a user's eyes are focused above a predetermined level while performing partitioned attenuation compensation for reducing power consumption.

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a display device. The display device may include: a display panel including a plurality of unit blocks arranged in a display area, the plurality of unit blocks including a first area displaying a logo or a banner, a second area having a maximum load value, and a third area arranged between the first area and the second area; a display panel driver configured to generate a data voltage based on input image data; and a partition compensator configured to receive the input image data, calculate the load value of the input image data for each of the plurality of unit blocks, and control the brightness of each of the first area and the third area based on a position difference between the first area and the second area and a load value difference between the first area and the second area.

[0007] In an embodiment, the partition compensator may generate corrected image data by applying a gain curve to input image data, the display panel driver may generate data voltages based on the corrected image data, and the gain curve may include gain values ​​corresponding to spatial positions in the display area.

[0008] In an embodiment, when the position difference is equal to or greater than a preset reference distance, or when the load value difference is equal to or less than a preset reference load value, the partition compensator may reduce the brightness of the third area for the same grayscale value as it approaches the first area from the second area, and may control the brightness of the first area to be the same as the lowest brightness of the third area.

[0009] In an embodiment, the partitioned compensator may reduce the gain value of the gain curve corresponding to the first region as the position difference increases.

[0010] In an embodiment, the partitioned compensator may reduce a rate of decrease in a gain value of the gain curve as the first region is approached from the second region and as the position difference increases.

[0011] In an embodiment, the partition compensator may reduce the gain value corresponding to the first region of the gain curve as the load value difference decreases.

[0012] In an embodiment, the gain curve may decrease non-linearly as approaching the first region from the second region.

[0013] In an embodiment, the gain curve may decrease linearly as approaching the first region from the second region.

[0014] In an embodiment, when the position difference is less than a preset reference distance and when the load value difference is greater than a preset reference load value, the partition compensator may control the brightness of the first, second, and third regions to be the same for the same grayscale value.

[0015] In an embodiment, the gain values ​​of the gain curve may have the same value regardless of the spatial position in the display area.

[0016] In an embodiment, the partition compensator may include: an image analyzer configured to receive input image data and configured to use the input image data corresponding to a preset frame to calculate a first position corresponding to the first area, a second position corresponding to the second area, a first load value corresponding to the first area, and a second load value corresponding to the second area; a gain generator connected to the image analyzer and configured to calculate a position difference between the first position and the second position, calculate a load value difference between the first load value and the second load value, and generate a gain curve based on the position difference and the load value difference; and a data compensator connected to the gain generator and configured to generate corrected image data by applying the gain curve to the input image data.

[0017] In an embodiment, the image analyzer may calculate the first load value and the second load value based on grayscale values ​​of input image data corresponding to the first area and the second area, respectively.

[0018] In an embodiment, the image analyzer may calculate the first load value and the second load value based on on-pixel ratios (OPRs) corresponding to the first area and the second area, respectively.

[0019] In an embodiment, the image analyzer may calculate the first load value and the second load value based on data variation amounts corresponding to the first region and the second region, respectively.

[0020] In an embodiment, the image analyzer may set the position of a pixel in the first area closest to the second area as the first position, and may set the position of a pixel in the second area closest to the first area as the second position.

[0021] In an embodiment, the gain generator may include: a comparator connected to the image analyzer and configured to generate a gain control signal based on a result of comparing the position difference with a preset reference distance and a result of comparing the load value difference with a preset reference load value; and a gain controller connected to the comparator and configured to generate a gain curve based on the gain control signal.

[0022] In an embodiment, the partition compensator may generate corrected image data by applying a preset lookup table to the input image data, the display panel driver may generate data voltages based on the corrected image data, and the lookup table may include gain values ​​corresponding to spatial positions in the display area.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method for driving a display device, the display device including a display panel configured to display a logo or banner in a first region of a display area. The method may include: dividing the display area into a plurality of unit blocks, and calculating a load value of input image data for each of the plurality of unit blocks; extracting a second region having a maximum load value from the plurality of unit blocks; calculating a position difference between the first region and the second region; calculating a load value difference that is the difference between a first load value corresponding to the first region and a second load value corresponding to the second region; and controlling the brightness of a third region between the first region and the second region, as well as the brightness of the first region, based on the position difference and the load value difference.

[0024] In an embodiment, controlling the brightness may include: comparing the position difference with a preset reference distance; comparing the load value difference with a preset reference load value; and when the position difference is equal to or greater than the reference distance, or when the load value difference is equal to or less than the reference load value, for the same grayscale value, reducing the brightness of the third area as it approaches the first area from the second area and controlling the brightness of the first area to be the same as the lowest brightness of the third area.

[0025] In an embodiment, controlling the brightness may further include controlling the brightness of the first area, the second area, and the third area to be the same for the same grayscale value when the position difference is less than a reference distance and when the load value difference is greater than a reference load value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2A and Figure 2B It shows Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a display area of ​​a display panel included in a display device.

[0028] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of a partition compensator included in a display device.

[0029] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Block diagram of an example of an image analyzer and a gain generator included in a partition compensator.

[0030] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A block diagram of an example of a gain controller included in a gain generator.

[0031] Figures 6A to 6C It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0032] 7A to 7E It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0033] Figures 8A to 8E It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0034] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0035] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 A flowchart of an example of a method of driving a display device is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Because the present disclosure is susceptible to various changes and may have various forms, specific embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that those embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure to specific disclosed forms, and that they include all changes, equivalents, or modifications included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0038] In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals are used to represent similar elements. In the accompanying drawings, the lengths and sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but they should not limit the various components. Those terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and a second component may be referred to as a first component, etc., without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, a singular form may include a plural form, as long as it is not specifically mentioned in a sentence.

[0039] In this specification, it should be understood that terms such as "include" or "have" are only intended to indicate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or their combinations, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or their combinations will exist or be added.

[0040] It should also be noted that, in this specification, “connected / coupled” refers not only to one component being directly coupled to another component, but also to one component being indirectly coupled to another component via an intermediate component.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2A and Figure 2B It shows Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a display area of ​​a display panel included in a display device.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 2B , the display device 1000 may include a display panel DP, a display panel driver 100 and a partition compensator 200 .

[0044] The display panel DP may include a plurality of scan lines SL1 to SLn, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm, and a plurality of pixels PX.

[0045] The pixel PX may be coupled to at least one of the scan lines SL1 to SLn and at least one of the data lines DL1 to DLm. Furthermore, the pixel PX may be externally supplied with voltages of a first power supply VDD and a second power supply VSS. The first power supply VDD and the second power supply VSS are voltages required for the operation of the pixel PX. For example, the first power supply VDD may have a higher voltage level than the second power supply VSS.

[0046] In an embodiment, the display panel DP may display an image in the display area DA based on the data voltage. Here, the display area DA may include a plurality of unit blocks ( Figure 2A Block1 to Block128).

[0047] In an embodiment, the display area DA may include a compensation area (or a first area). Here, the compensation area may include a logo area CA1 (or a first compensation area) and a banner area CA2 (or a second compensation area).

[0048] The logo area CA1 may be provided at an edge of the display area DA. Figure 2B , the logo area CA1 is shown as being provided at a corner of the display area DA in the first and second directions DR1 and DR2. However, this is an example, and the area in which the logo area CA1 is provided is not limited thereto. For example, the logo area CA1 may alternatively be provided at a corner opposite to the corner of the display area DA in the first and second directions DR1 and DR2.

[0049] The banner area CA2 may be provided at the bottom of the display area DA. Figure 2B , the banner area CA2 is shown as being disposed along the first direction DR1 at the end of the display area DA in the second direction DR2 (i.e., at the bottom of the display area DA). However, this is an example, and the position of the banner area CA2 is not limited thereto. For example, the banner area CA2 may alternatively be disposed at the top, side, or other locations of the display area DA.

[0050] The compensation area is described as including the logo area CA1 and / or the banner area CA2, but the compensation area is not limited thereto. For example, the compensation area may be a predetermined area where the same image is displayed for a long time.

[0051] The display panel DP may display a logo in the logo area CA1 according to the data voltage, and may display a banner in the banner area CA2 according to the data voltage.

[0052] The display panel driver 100 may generate data signals DATA for displaying an image in the display area DA and displaying a logo or a banner in the compensation area (ie, the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2 ) according to input image data IDATA (or corrected image data CDATA).

[0053] In an embodiment, the display panel driver 100 may include a timing controller 110 , a scan driver 120 , and a data driver 130 .

[0054] The timing controller 110 may receive a control signal CS from the outside (e.g., a graphics processor) and may receive corrected image data CDATA from the partition compensator 200. The timing controller 110 may generate a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS in response to the control signal CS, and may generate a data signal DATA by converting the corrected image data CDATA. Here, the control signal CS may include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, a clock signal, etc.

[0055] The scan driver 120 may generate a scan signal in response to a scan control signal SCS supplied from the timing controller 110. Here, the scan control signal SCS may include a scan start signal, a scan clock signal, etc. The scan driver 120 may sequentially supply a plurality of scan signals each having an on-level pulse to the scan lines SL1 to SLn.

[0056] The data driver 130 may generate data voltages based on the data signal DATA and the data control signal DCS supplied from the timing controller 110, and may supply the data voltages to the data lines DL1 to DLm. The data driver 130 may use the digital data signal DATA to generate analog data voltages. For example, the data driver 130 may sample the grayscale values ​​included in the data signal DATA and supply data voltages corresponding to the grayscale values ​​to the data lines DL1 to DLm on a pixel row basis. Here, the data control signal DCS may include a data clock signal, a data enable signal, and the like.

[0057] The partition compensator 200 may receive input image data IDATA from the outside (eg, a graphic processor) and may calculate a load value of the input image data IDATA.

[0058] In an embodiment, for example, the partition compensator 200 may divide the display area DA into a plurality of unit blocks Block1 to Block128 and may calculate a load value of the input image data IDATA for each unit block.

[0059] For example, the partition compensator 200 may divide the display area DA into 16 blocks in the first direction DR1 and into 8 blocks in the second direction DR2. Figure 2A As shown in . As a result, the display area DA can be divided into a total of 128 unit blocks, namely, the first unit block Block1 to the 128th unit block Block128. In an embodiment, the first unit block Block1 to the 128th unit block Block128 may have equal sizes (or the same number of pixels). However, the number of unit blocks Block1 to Block128 is not limited thereto. The partition compensator 200 can divide the display area DA into 32 blocks in the first direction DR1 and into 16 blocks in the second direction DR2, thereby dividing the display area DA into a total of 512 unit blocks.

[0060] The spatial positions of the pixels PX included in the display panel DP may be set according to the resolution of the display device 1000. When the resolution of the display device 1000 is N×M, N spatial positions may be set along the first direction DR1 and M spatial positions may be set along the second direction DR2. Therefore, a total of N×M spatial positions may be set. For example, Figure 2A The numbers shown in (e.g., 1, 240, 480, ..., 3840 or 1, 270, 540, ..., 2160) may indicate the relative spatial positions of the pixels PX included in the display panel DP. For example, the number "1" may indicate the first pixel PX among the pixels PX arranged in the first direction DR1, or the first pixel PX among the pixels PX arranged in the second direction DR2, the number "3840" may indicate the 3840th pixel PX among the pixels PX arranged in the first direction DR1, and the number "2160" may indicate the 2160th pixel PX among the pixels PX arranged in the second direction DR2. As described above, Figure 2A The numbers shown in (1, 240, 480, ..., 3840 or 1, 270, 540, ..., 2160) may indicate the relative spatial position (or relative distance (length)) of the pixel PX. However, the method of setting the spatial position is not limited to the above example, and the spatial position may be set based on preset coordinates regardless of the resolution of the display device 1000. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the description will be based on the following assumption: the resolution of the display device 1000 is 3840×2160, and the spatial position in the display area DA is set according to the relative position of the pixels PX included in the display panel DP.

[0061] In an embodiment, the partition compensator 200 may calculate a load value (or a first load value) of the input image data IDATA corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 .

[0062] Will refer to it later Figure 3 and Figure 4 A configuration in which the partition compensator 200 calculates a load value of the input image data IDATA is described.

[0063] The partition compensator 200 may extract a reference area RA (or a second area) in which a load value of the input image data IDATA is greatest from the display area DA.

[0064] In an embodiment, the partition compensator 200 may extract the reference area RA based on the load value of the input image data IDATA calculated for each unit block. For example, the partition compensator 200 may calculate the load value of each unit block Block1 to Block128 and extract at least one unit block having the maximum load value as the reference area RA.

[0065] The partition compensator 200 may calculate respective spatial positions of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA. The partition compensator 200 may calculate a first position for the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and a second position for the reference area RA.

[0066] The partition compensator 200 may generate corrected image data CDATA by correcting the input image data IDATA based on the spatial position and the load value of each of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA.

[0067] In an embodiment, the partition compensator 200 may control the brightness of an image displayed in an intermediate area (or a third area) between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA and the brightness of a logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2 based on a position difference between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA and a load value difference which is a difference between a load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and a load value of the reference area RA.

[0068] For example, when the positional difference between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA is equal to or greater than a preset reference distance, or when the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA is equal to or less than a preset reference load value, the partition compensator 200 may reduce the brightness of the displayed image for the same grayscale as the intermediate area approaches the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Furthermore, when the positional difference between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA is equal to or greater than a preset reference distance, or when the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA is equal to or less than the reference load value, the partition compensator 200 may correct the input image data IDATA so that the minimum brightness of the image displayed in the intermediate area is the same as the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Here, the condition of the same grayscale may indicate that the display device 1000 drives the pixels PX included in the display panel DP using the same grayscale value.

[0069] For example, when the position difference between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA is less than the reference distance, and when the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA is greater than the reference load value, the partition compensator 200 can correct the input image data IDATA so that under the condition of the same grayscale, the brightness of the image displayed in the reference area RA and the middle area is the same as the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2.

[0070] The partition compensator 200 can correct the input image data IDATA by applying a gain value corresponding to each spatial position (or the spatial position of the pixel PX) to the input image data IDATA to generate corrected image data CDATA. Therefore, the brightness of the display area DA can be changed according to the data voltage generated based on the corrected image data CDATA.

[0071] In an embodiment, the partition compensator 200 corrects the input image data IDATA by applying a gain curve to the input image data IDATA, thereby generating corrected image data CDATA. Here, the gain curve may include gain values ​​corresponding to spatial positions in the display area DA. For example, the gain curve may include gain values ​​corresponding to individual pixels PX included in the display panel DP. In an example, the gain curve may include gain values ​​corresponding to the reference pixel PX. Figure 2A The gain values ​​corresponding to the described unit blocks Block1 to Block128.

[0072] Here, each of the gain values ​​has a value equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 1, and the brightness of the display area DA can be controlled based on the gain value. For example, the greater the gain value, the higher the brightness of the display area DA. At the same time, the brightness of an image based on the corrected image data CDATA generated by applying the gain value of 1 to the input image data IDATA can be the same as the brightness corresponding to the input image data IDATA. The brightness of an image based on the corrected image data CDATA generated by applying a gain value greater than 0 and less than 1 to the input image data IDATA can be lower than the brightness corresponding to the input image data IDATA. Furthermore, the brightness of an image based on the corrected image data CDATA generated by applying the gain value of 0 to the input image data IDATA can be the same as the brightness of black.

[0073] However, the configuration in which the partition compensator 200 generates the corrected image data CDATA is not limited to the above description. For example, the partition compensator 200 may generate the corrected image data CDATA by applying a preset lookup table (LUT) to the input image data IDATA. Here, the lookup table may include gain values ​​corresponding to spatial positions in the display area DA of the display panel DP (or the spatial positions of the pixels PX). Therefore, the brightness of the image displayed in the intermediate area between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA, as well as the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area (i.e., the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2), can be controlled.

[0074] On the other hand, the partition compensator 200 Figure 1 10 is shown as being separate from the timing controller 110, and the partition compensator 200 is described as generating corrected image data CDATA by correcting input image data IDATA supplied from the outside, and is described as supplying the corrected image data CDATA to the timing controller 110. However, at least some components of the partition compensator 200 may be included in the timing controller 110. Also, the timing controller 110 including the partition compensator 200 may generate the corrected image data CDATA by correcting the input image data IDATA supplied from the outside.

[0075] As mentioned above Figures 1 to 2B As described above, the partition compensator 200 generates corrected image data CDATA by correcting the input image data IDATA, thereby performing partitioned attenuation compensation for differentially controlling brightness according to the spatial position in the display area DA (or the spatial position of the pixel PX). This partitioned attenuation compensation can reduce power consumption of the display device 1000.

[0076] The brightness reduction caused by the zoned attenuation compensation can be applied not only to the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2, but also to the surrounding areas of the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2. Furthermore, an image may include an area that needs to be displayed with high brightness. If the area that needs to be displayed with high brightness is close to the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2, the area that needs to be displayed with high brightness may also be affected by the zoned attenuation. As a result, the visibility of the area that needs to be displayed with high brightness may be reduced.

[0077] The partition compensator 200 can differentially control the brightness of the intermediate area between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA, and the brightness of the compensation area CA1 or CA2, based on the positional difference between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA, and the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA. That is, the partition compensator 200 maintains the brightness of the area on which the user's eyes are focused, such as the reference area, above a predetermined level while performing partition attenuation compensation for reducing power consumption of the display device 1000, thereby preventing a reduction in visibility for the user.

[0078] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A block diagram of an example of a partition compensator included in a display device of Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A block diagram of an example of an image analyzer and a gain generator included in a partition compensator of Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A block diagram of an example of a gain controller included in a gain generator.

[0079] Reference Figures 2A to 5 , the partition compensator 200 may include an image analyzer 210 , a gain generator 220 , a memory 230 , and a data compensator 240 .

[0080] The image analyzer 210 may calculate a load value of the input image data IDATA based on the input image data IDATA supplied from the outside.

[0081] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may calculate a first load value L1 corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 of the input image data IDATA.

[0082] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may calculate a load value of the input image data IDATA for each unit block, and may extract at least one unit block having the largest load value of the input image data IDATA from among the unit blocks Block1 to Block128 as a reference area RA. The image analyzer 210 may calculate a load value corresponding to the reference area RA as a second load value L2.

[0083] The image analyzer 210 may calculate a first load value L1 and a second load value L2 based on input image data IDATA corresponding to a single frame (eg, a current frame).

[0084] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the first load value L1 and the second load value L2 based on the grayscale values ​​of the input image data IDATA (e.g., the sum of the grayscale values, the average of the grayscale values, etc.). For example, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the first load value L1 based on the grayscale values ​​of the pixels corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 included in the input image data IDATA. Similarly, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the second load value L2 based on the grayscale values ​​of the pixels corresponding to the reference area RA included in the input image data IDATA.

[0085] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may calculate an on-pixel ratio (OPR) of the input image data IDATA and may calculate a first load value L1 and a second load value L2 based on the calculated on-pixel ratio. For example, based on the input image data IDATA, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the on-pixel ratio based on a ratio of pixels emitting light to pixels corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA, respectively. For example, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the first load value L1 corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 based on the ratio of pixels emitting light to pixels located in the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Similarly, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the second load value L2 corresponding to the reference area RA based on the ratio of pixels emitting light to pixels located in the reference area RA.

[0086] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may calculate a data change amount of the input image data IDATA and may calculate a first load value L1 and a second load value L2 based on the calculated data change amount. For example, the image analyzer 210 may calculate a data change amount in the compensation area CA1 or CA2 based on the input image data IDATA of the current frame and the input image data IDATA of the previous frame in the compensation area CA1 or CA2, and may calculate the first load value L1 based on the calculated data change amount in the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Similarly, the image analyzer 210 may calculate a data change amount in the reference area RA based on the input image data IDATA of the current frame and the input image data IDATA of the previous frame in the reference area RA, and may calculate the second load value L2 based on the calculated data change amount in the reference area RA.

[0087] The image analyzer 210 may calculate a first position D1 corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and a second position D2 corresponding to the reference area RA.

[0088] In an embodiment, the image analyzer 210 may set the position of the pixel closest to the reference area RA within the compensation area CA1 or CA2 as the first position D1 and may set the position of the pixel closest to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 within the reference area RA as the second position D2.

[0089] However, this is an example, and the configuration in which the image analyzer 210 sets the first position D1 and the second position D2 is not limited thereto. For example, the image analyzer 210 may set the position of the pixel within the compensation area CA1 or CA2 that is farthest from the reference area RA as the first position D1, and may set the position of the pixel within the reference area RA that is farthest from the compensation area CA1 or CA2 as the second position D2. In an example, the image analyzer 210 may set the position of the pixel closest to the center of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 as the first position D1, and may set the position of the pixel closest to the center of the reference area RA as the second position D2.

[0090] The image analyzer 210 may calculate the first load value L1, the second load value L2, the first position D1, and the second position D2 using the input image data IDATA corresponding to the preset frame. For example, the image analyzer 210 may calculate the first load value L1, the second load value L2, the first position D1, and the second position D2 in each preset frame period.

[0091] The image analyzer 210 may provide the calculated first load value L1 , the calculated second load value L2 , the calculated first position D1 , and the calculated second position D2 to the gain generator 220 .

[0092] The gain generator 220 may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN based on the first load value L1 , the second load value L2 , the first position D1 , and the second position D2 provided from the image analyzer 210 , and the reference load value RL, the reference distance RD, and the reference gain value R_GAIN provided from the memory 230 .

[0093] In an embodiment, the gain generator 220 may calculate a position difference DD between the first position D1 and the second position D2 , calculate a load value difference LD between the first load value L1 and the second load value L2 , and generate a gain curve Z_GAIN based on the position difference DD and the load value difference LD.

[0094] In an embodiment, the gain generator 220 may include a calculator ( Figure 4 221), comparator ( Figure 4 222) and gain controller ( Figure 4 223).

[0095] The calculator 221 may calculate a position difference DD between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA based on the first position D1 and the second position D2 provided from the image analyzer 210 .

[0096] The calculator 221 may calculate a load value difference LD, which is a difference between a load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and a load value of the reference area RA, based on the first load value L1 and the second load value L2 provided from the image analyzer 210 .

[0097] The calculator 221 may provide the position difference DD and the load value difference LD to the comparator 222 .

[0098] The comparator 222 may generate a gain control signal GC based on a result of comparing the position difference DD provided from the calculator 221 with the reference distance RD provided from the memory 230 and based on a result of comparing the load value difference LD provided from the calculator 221 with the reference load value RL provided from the memory 230. Meanwhile, the gain control signal GC may include information about the position difference DD, information about the load value difference LD, and information about the comparison result.

[0099] The gain controller 223 may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN based on the gain control signal GC provided from the comparator 222 and the reference gain value R_GAIN provided from the memory 230 .

[0100] In an embodiment, the gain controller 223 may select one of preset reference gain values ​​R_GAIN based on a result of comparing the position difference DD with the reference distance RD and based on a result of comparing the load value difference LD with the reference load value RL, and may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN based on the selected reference gain value R_GAIN.

[0101] The memory 230 may store a reference load value RL, a reference distance RD, and a reference gain value R_GAIN. The reference load value RL and the reference distance RD may be set experimentally based on user visibility, etc. For example, because the user's eyes may focus on an area with a high load value, such as the reference area RA, the reference load value RL and the reference distance RD may be set so that the brightness of the reference area RA and the brightness of the periphery of the reference area RA can be maintained above a predetermined level.

[0102] The reference gain value R_GAIN may include gain values ​​corresponding to the position difference DD and the load value difference LD. The reference gain value R_GAIN may include a preset reference gain value R_GAIN corresponding to the first direction DR1 and a preset reference gain value R_GAIN corresponding to the second direction DR2.

[0103] The data compensator 240 may correct the input image data IDATA based on the gain curve Z_GAIN provided from the gain generator 220. In an embodiment, the data compensator 240 may generate corrected image data CDATA by applying the gain curve Z_GAIN to the input image data IDATA.

[0104] In an embodiment, the gain generator 220 may determine whether to apply the partitioned attenuation compensation with reference to the comparison result provided from the comparator 222 .

[0105] For example, when the position difference DD between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA is less than the preset reference distance RD, and when the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA, is greater than the reference load value RL, the comparator 222 can generate a gain control signal GC so that the brightness of the image displayed in the reference area RA and the middle area is the same as the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2 having the same grayscale value.

[0106] In this case, based on the gain control signal GC, the gain controller 223 may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN including the same gain value regardless of the display area ( Figure 2A For example, the gain controller 223 may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN including a gain value of 1 regardless of the spatial position of the display area ( Figure 2A What is the spatial position in DA).

[0107] Therefore, for pixels having the same grayscale value, the brightness of the image displayed in the reference area RA and the middle area and the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2 may be identical to each other.

[0108] However, the operation is not limited to the above case, and when the gain generator 220 determines that the partition attenuation compensation is not applied, the gain controller 223 may not generate the gain curve Z_GAIN. Therefore, the data compensator 240 may output the input image data IDATA as the corrected image data CDATA without change, instead of correcting the input image data IDATA.

[0109] When the position difference DD between the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the reference area RA is equal to or greater than the preset reference distance RD, or when the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA, is equal to or less than the preset reference load value RL, the comparator 222 can generate a gain control signal GC so that under the same grayscale conditions, the brightness of the middle area decreases as it approaches the compensation area CA1 or CA2 from the reference area RA, and so that for pixels with the same grayscale value, the lowest brightness of the middle area is the same as the brightness of the compensation area CA1 or CA2.

[0110] In an embodiment, based on the magnitude of the load value difference LD and the position difference DD, the comparator 222 may generate a gain control signal GC for controlling the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and / or the extent to which the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN decreases as the position moves from the reference area RA to the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Therefore, based on the gain control signal GC provided by the comparator 222, the gain controller 223 may control the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 and / or the extent to which the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN decreases as the position moves from the reference area RA to the compensation area CA1 or CA2.

[0111] For example, the comparator 222 may generate a gain control signal GC for decreasing the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 as the position difference DD increases. Therefore, the larger the position difference DD, the lower the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2.

[0112] In this example, as the position difference DD increases under the same load value difference LD, the comparator 222 may generate a gain control signal GC for reducing the rate of decrease in the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN as the reference area RA approaches the compensation area CA1 or CA2. Therefore, as the position difference DD increases under the same load value difference LD and as the reference area RA approaches the compensation area CA1 or CA2, the rate of decrease in the brightness of the image displayed in the middle area may decrease.

[0113] In an example, the comparator 222 may generate a gain control signal GC for decreasing the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the compensation area CA1 or CA2 as the load value difference LD decreases. Therefore, the smaller the load value difference LD, the lower the brightness of the logo or banner displayed in the compensation area CA1 or CA2.

[0114] The gain controller 223 may generate a gain curve Z_GAIN based on the gain control signal GC and a reference gain value R_GAIN.

[0115] like Figure 5 As shown in , the gain controller 223 may include a selector SU, a first sub-gain controller XGC, a second sub-gain controller YGC, and a gain curve generator OP.

[0116] The selector SU may generate a first target gain value X_T_GAIN, a first sub-gain control signal X_GC, a second target gain value Y_T_GAIN, and a second sub-gain control signal Y_GC based on a preset reference gain value R_GAIN and a gain control signal GC. Here, the first target gain value X_T_GAIN and the second target gain value Y_T_GAIN may be gain values ​​applied to the logo area CA1 or the banner area CA2.

[0117] The first sub-gain controller XGC may generate a first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN according to the first direction DR1 of the display area DA based on the first target gain value X_T_GAIN and the first sub-gain control signal X_GC.

[0118] Similarly, the second sub-gain controller YGC may generate a second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN according to the second direction DR2 of the display area DA based on the second target gain value Y_T_GAIN and the second sub-gain control signal Y_GC.

[0119] The gain curve generator OP may generate the gain curve Z_GAIN by operating the first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN and the second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN. Here, the gain curve generator OP operates on the gain values ​​of the first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN corresponding to the spatial positions in the first direction DR1 along the display area DA and the gain values ​​of the second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN corresponding to the spatial positions in the second direction DR2 along the display area DA, thereby generating the gain curve Z_GAIN.

[0120] Figures 6A to 6C It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0121] Reference Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 6A to 6C The position difference DD between the logo area CA1 and the reference area RA1 may be smaller than the reference distance RD, and the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load values ​​of the logo area CA1 and the reference area RA1, may be larger than the reference load value RL. In this case, the partition attenuation compensation may not be applied.

[0122] Figure 6B and Figure 6C A first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN and a second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN including gain values ​​corresponding to relative spatial positions of pixels according to the first and second directions DR1 and DR2 of the display panel DP may be shown.

[0123] Because the partition compensator ( Figure 1 200) does not apply partition attenuation compensation to the display area DA, so the first sub-gain curve ( Figure 6B X_Z_GAIN) and the second sub-gain curve ( Figure 6C All of the Y_Z_GAIN values ​​may include the same gain value (eg, a value of “1”) regardless of the spatial position in the display area DA.

[0124] Therefore, for the same grayscale value, the brightness of the image displayed in the reference area RA1 and the middle area MA1 and the brightness of the logo displayed in the logo area CA1 (or the compensation area) may be the same.

[0125] As mentioned above Figures 6A to 6C As described above, when the position difference DD between the compensation area (i.e., the logo area CA1) and the reference area RA1 is less than the reference distance RD, and when the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load values ​​of the compensation area (i.e., the logo area CA1) and the reference area RA1, is greater than the reference load value RL, the partition compensator 200 (or the display device 1000) may not perform partition attenuation compensation in order to prevent the brightness of the area on which the user's eyes are focused (i.e., the reference area RA1 having a large load value (second load value L2) and the periphery of the reference area RA1) from being reduced.

[0126] Next, in order to describe the situation where the partition compensator 200 (or the display device 1000) performs partition attenuation compensation, reference may be made to FIG. 7A to 7E and Figures 8A to 8E .

[0127] 7A to 7E It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0128] Reference Figures 3 to 5 and 7A to 7E , the position difference DD between the logo area CA1′ and the reference area RA1′ may be equal to or greater than the reference distance RD, or the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the logo area CA1′ and the load value of the reference area RA1′, may be equal to or less than the reference load value RL. In this case, regional attenuation compensation may be applied.

[0129] In an embodiment, the comparator ( Figure 4222) may generate a gain control signal GC based on first position difference information about a position difference (or first position difference) between the reference area RA1' and the logo area CA1' in the first direction DR1 and based on second position difference information about a position difference (or second position difference) between the reference area RA1' and the logo area CA1' in the second direction DR2.

[0130] For example, the first position difference may be greater than the second position difference, such as Figure 7A In this case, the partition compensator ( Figure 1 200 ) may apply partition attenuation compensation only along the first direction DR1 and may not apply partition attenuation compensation along the second direction DR2.

[0131] Therefore, the gain controller ( Figure 4 223) can select a value less than 1 (for example, 0.90) as the first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN' for the first direction DR1, and reduce the gain value in the middle area MA1' as it approaches the logo area CA1' from the reference area RA1', as shown in FIG. Figure 7C Here, the lowest gain value (i.e., 0.90) in the middle area MA1′ may be equal to the first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN′ corresponding to the logo area CA1′. Meanwhile, all gain values ​​for areas excluding the middle area MA1′ and the logo area CA1′ from the display area DA including the reference area RA1′ may have a value of 1.

[0132] In an embodiment, the smaller the load value difference LD is, the smaller the reference gain value R_GAIN (ie, the first sub-reference gain value X_R_GAIN') corresponding to the first direction DR1 is. Therefore, as the load value difference LD decreases, a smaller first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN' can be selected.

[0133] For example, according to the magnitude of the load value difference LD, a value of 0.40 corresponding to the spatial distance 3840 among the gain values ​​of the curve marked with a solid line may be selected as the first sub-reference gain value X_R_GAIN′, as shown in FIG. Figure 7B In this case, among the gain values ​​of the curve marked with a solid line, a value of 0.90 corresponding to the spatial distance 1200 may be selected as the first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN' according to the magnitude of the position difference DD.

[0134] Here, as the load value difference LD becomes smaller, the value 0.20 corresponding to the spatial distance 3840 among the gain values ​​of the curve marked with a dotted line may be selected as the first sub-reference gain value, and the value 0.85 corresponding to the spatial distance 1200 may be selected as the first sub-target gain value. Therefore, as the load value difference LD decreases, the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the logo area CA1' decreases based on the lower first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN', thereby further reducing the brightness of the logo area CA1'.

[0135] In an embodiment, as the position difference DD increases, a first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN' having a smaller value may be selected. For example, as the position difference DD increases, a value (e.g., a value of 0.40) corresponding to a spatial distance greater than the spatial distance 1200 (e.g., a spatial distance 3840) may be selected as the first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN', as shown in FIG. Figure 7B That is, as the position difference DD increases, the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the logo area CA1 ′ decreases based on the smaller first sub-target gain value X_T_GAIN′, and thus the brightness of the logo area CA1 ′ may decrease.

[0136] Meanwhile, because the second position difference is smaller than the first position difference, the second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN′ may include the same gain value (eg, a value of 1) regardless of the spatial position in the display area DA, as shown in FIG. Figure 7D As shown in .

[0137] Therefore, the gain curve Z_GAIN may include the same gain value regardless of the spatial position in the second direction DR2 , but may include different gain values ​​depending on the spatial position in the first direction DR1 .

[0138] For example, in the case of displaying an image by applying the gain curve Z_GAIN to the input image data IDATA, a maximum gain value (e.g., a value of 1.00) may be applied to the reference area RA1′, a gain value applied to the middle area MA1′ may gradually decrease as approaching the logo area CA1′ from the reference area RA1′, and the lowest gain value in the middle area MA1′ and the gain value applied to the logo area CA1′ (e.g., a value of 0.90 as a target gain value) may be the smallest, as shown in FIG. Figure 7E Here, under the same grayscale condition, the brightness of the middle area MA1 ′ may gradually decrease as approaching the logo area CA1 ′ from the reference area RA1 ′, and the lowest brightness of the middle area MA1 ′ may be the same as the brightness of the logo area CA1 ′.

[0139] Figures 8A to 8E It shows Figure 3FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0140] exist Figures 8A to 8E In the following, a case will be described where the position difference (or first position difference) between the reference area RA1″ and the logo area CA1″ in the first direction DR1 is smaller than the position difference (or second position difference) between the reference area RA1″ and the logo area CA1″ in the second direction DR2. Figures 8A to 8E In the 7A to 7E The components described are the same or similar components, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0141] Reference Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 8A to 8E , the position difference DD between the micro-label area CA1″ and the reference area RA1″ may be equal to or greater than the reference distance RD, or the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the micro-label area CA1″ and the load value of the reference area RA1″, may be equal to or less than the reference load value RL. In this case, partitioned attenuation compensation may be applied.

[0142] Here, as Figure 8A As shown in , the second position difference can be greater than the first position difference. In this case, the partition compensator ( Figure 1 200) may apply partitioned attenuation compensation only along the second direction DR2, and may not apply partitioned attenuation compensation along the first direction DR1.

[0143] Therefore, if Figure 8D As shown in , the gain controller ( Figure 4 223) may select a value less than 1 (e.g., 0.70) as the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN” for the second direction DR2, and may decrease the gain value in the middle area MA1” as approaching the logo area CA1” from the reference area RA1”. Here, the lowest gain value (i.e., 0.70) in the middle area MA1” may be equal to the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN” corresponding to the logo area CA1”. At the same time, all gain values ​​for areas excluding the middle area MA1” and the logo area CA1” from the display area DA including the reference area RA1” may have a value of 1.

[0144] In an embodiment, regardless of the position difference DD, the reference gain value R_GAIN (ie, the second sub-reference gain value Y_R_GAIN″) and the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN″ along the second direction DR2 may decrease as the load value difference LD decreases.

[0145] For example, Figure 8CAs shown in FIG, according to the load value difference LD, the value 0.70 on the curve marked with a solid line can be selected as the second sub-reference gain value Y_R_GAIN" and the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN", regardless of the position difference DD.

[0146] Here, when the load value difference LD becomes smaller, the value 0.55 on the curve marked with a dotted line can be selected as the second sub-reference gain value Y_R_GAIN” and the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN”. Therefore, as the load value difference LD decreases, the gain value of the gain curve Z_GAIN corresponding to the logo area CA1” decreases based on the lower second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN”, thereby the brightness of the logo area CA1” can be further reduced.

[0147] Since the second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN″ is selected according to the magnitude of the load value difference LD regardless of the position difference DD, the rate of decrease of the gain value in the middle area MA1″ in response to the same second sub-target gain value Y_T_GAIN″ and as approaching the logo area CA1″ from the reference area RA1″ may decrease as the position difference DD increases, as shown in FIG. Figure 8C As shown in .

[0148] Because the first position difference is smaller than the second position difference, the first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN″ may include the same gain value (eg, a value of 1) regardless of the spatial position in the display area DA, as shown in FIG. Figure 8B As shown in .

[0149] Therefore, the gain curve Z_GAIN may include the same gain value regardless of the spatial position in the first direction DR1 , but may include different gain values ​​depending on the spatial position in the second direction DR2 .

[0150] For example, in the case of displaying an image by applying the gain curve Z_GAIN to the input image data IDATA, a maximum gain value (e.g., a value of 1.00) may be applied to the reference area RA1″, a gain value applied to the middle area MA1″ may gradually decrease as approaching the logo area CA1″ from the reference area RA1″, and the lowest gain value in the middle area MA1″ and the gain value applied to the logo area CA1″ (e.g., a value of 0.70 as a target gain value) may be the smallest, as shown in FIG. Figure 8E Here, under the same grayscale condition, the brightness of the middle area MA1 ″ may gradually decrease as approaching the logo area CA1 ″ from the reference area RA1 ″, and the lowest brightness in the middle area MA1 ″ may be the same as the brightness of the logo area CA1 ″.

[0151] Figure 7C The first sub-gain curve X_Z_GAIN' and Figure 8D The second sub-gain curve Y_Z_GAIN″ may decrease nonlinearly in the middle area MA1′ or MA1″ as approaching the logo area CA1′ or CA1″ from the reference area RA1′ or RA1″, as shown in FIG. Figure 7C and Figure 8D As shown in . Therefore, the gain curve Z_GAIN may also decrease nonlinearly in the middle area MA1 ′ or MA1 ″. However, the shape of the gain curve Z_GAIN is not limited thereto, and the gain curve Z_GAIN may decrease linearly.

[0152] As mentioned above 7A to 7E and Figures 8A to 8E As described above, when the position difference DD between the compensation area (i.e., the logo area CA1' or CA1") and the reference area RA1' or RA1" is equal to or greater than the reference distance RD, or when the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the compensation area (i.e., the logo area CA1' or CA1") and the load value of the reference area RA1' or RA1", is equal to or less than the reference load value RL, the partition compensator ( Figure 1 200) can differentially control the brightness of the middle area MA1' or MA1" between the compensation area (or logo area CA1' or CA1") and the reference area RA1' or RA1" and the brightness of the compensation area (or logo area CA1' or CA1") considering the position difference DD and the load value difference LD. As described above, the partition compensator 200 maintains the brightness of the area on which the user's eyes are focused (i.e., the reference area RA1' or RA1" having a large load value (second load value L2) and the peripheral area of ​​the reference area RA1' or RA1") above a predetermined level while performing partition attenuation compensation for reducing power consumption of the display device 1000, thereby preventing visibility to the user from being reduced.

[0153] Figure 9 and Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of the operation of a partitioned compensator.

[0154] exist Figure 9 and Figure 10 Hereinafter, description will be made on the assumption that the display device 1000 displays a banner in the banner area CA2 or CA2′ and the middle area MA2 or MA2′ is provided between the banner area CA2 or CA2′ and the reference area RA2 or RA2′.

[0155] first, Figure 9It may be the case that the position difference DD between the banner area CA2 and the reference area RA2 is less than the preset reference distance RD, and the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the banner area CA2 and the load value of the reference area RA2, is greater than the reference load value RL. In this case, the partition compensator 200 may not apply partition attenuation compensation based on the position difference DD and the load value difference LD.

[0156] exist Figure 9 In the Figures 6A to 6C The components described are the same or similar components, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0157] Next, Figure 10 It may be shown that the position difference DD between the banner area CA2' and the reference area RA2' is equal to or greater than the preset reference distance RD, or the load value difference LD, which is the difference between the load value of the banner area CA2' and the load value of the reference area RA2', is equal to or less than the reference load value RL. In this case, the partition compensator 200 may apply partition attenuation compensation based on the position difference DD and the load value difference LD.

[0158] exist Figure 10 In the 7A to 7E and Figures 8A to 8E The components described are the same or similar components, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0159] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0160] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 11 , Figure 11 The method of driving a display device shown in Figure 1 is executed in the display device 1000. Figure 11 Operations and references in Figures 1 to 10 The operations of the display device 1000 described are the same, so repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0161] First, in Figure 11 In the driving method, at step S1110, the display area (eg, Figure 2A The display area DA) is divided into a plurality of unit blocks (eg, Figure 2A A plurality of unit blocks Block1 to Block128 are provided, and a load value of the input image data may be calculated for each unit block.

[0162] Then, in Figure 11 In the driving method, at step S1120, the plurality of unit blocks (eg, Figure 2AA reference area corresponds to at least one unit block having a maximum load value among the unit blocks Block1 to Block128.

[0163] Then, in Figure 11 In the driving method, at step S1130, the position difference between the compensation area and the reference area may be calculated, and at step S1140, a load value difference may be calculated, which is the difference between the first load value corresponding to the compensation area and the second load value corresponding to the reference area. However, the order in which steps S1130 and S1140 are performed is not limited to the above order. For example, step S1140 may be performed before step S1130, or steps S1130 and S1140 may be performed simultaneously.

[0164] Then, in Figure 11 In the driving method, at step S1150, based on the above Figures 6A to 10 The position difference and load value difference disclosed in the embodiment can control the brightness of the intermediate area between the compensation area and the reference area and the brightness of the compensation area.

[0165] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 A flowchart of an example of a method of driving a display device is shown in FIG.

[0166] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 12 , Figure 12 The method of driving a display device shown in Figure 1 is executed in the display device 1000. Figure 12 Operations and references in Figures 1 to 10 The operations of the display device 1000 described are the same, so repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0167] First, in Figure 12 In the driving method, at step S1210, the display area (eg, Figure 2A The display area DA) is divided into a plurality of unit blocks (eg, Figure 2A A plurality of unit blocks Block1 to Block128 are provided, and a load value of the input image data may be calculated for each unit block.

[0168] Then, in Figure 12 In the driving method, at step S1220, the plurality of unit blocks (eg, Figure 2A A reference area corresponds to at least one unit block having a maximum load value among the unit blocks Block1 to Block128.

[0169] Then, in Figure 12In the driving method, the position difference between the compensation area and the reference area may be calculated at step S1230, and the load value difference, which is the difference between the first load value corresponding to the compensation area and the second load value corresponding to the reference area, may be calculated at step S1240. However, the order in which steps S1230 and S1240 are performed is not limited to the above order. For example, step S1240 may be performed before step S1230, or steps S1230 and S1240 may be performed simultaneously.

[0170] Then, in Figure 12 In the driving method, at step S1250, the position difference may be compared with a preset reference distance, and at step S1260, the load value difference may be compared with a preset reference load value. However, the order in which steps S1250 and S1260 are performed is not limited to the above order. For example, step S1260 may be performed before step S1250, or steps S1250 and S1260 may be performed simultaneously.

[0171] In an embodiment, Figure 12 The driving method can be configured such that: when the position difference DD is less than the reference distance RD and when the load value difference LD is greater than the reference load value RL at step S1270, the brightness of the reference area, the brightness of the compensation area, and the brightness of the intermediate area between the reference area and the compensation area can be controlled at step S1280 so as to be the same as each other for pixels having the same grayscale value.

[0172] In an embodiment, Figure 12 The driving method can be configured such that: when the position difference DD is equal to or greater than the preset reference distance RD or when the load value difference LD is equal to or less than the preset reference load value RL at step S1270, control can be performed at step S1290 so that, for pixels having the same grayscale value, the brightness of the intermediate area between the reference area and the compensation area is reduced as the distance from the reference area to the compensation area is approached, and so that the brightness of the compensation area is made the same as the lowest brightness of the intermediate area.

[0173] The display device according to the present disclosure can extract a reference area with a maximum load value from a unit block through a partition compensator, and can control the brightness of the intermediate area between the reference area and the logo area (or banner area) and the brightness of the logo area (or banner area) based on the position difference between the reference area and the logo area (or banner area) and the difference in load value between the reference area and the logo area (or banner area). Therefore, while performing partition attenuation compensation to reduce power consumption, the area such as the reference area, on which the user's eyes are focused, is prevented from being affected by the partition attenuation compensation, thereby preventing a reduction in visibility for the user.

[0174] The above detailed description illustrates the present disclosure. In addition, the above description only shows and describes the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure can be used in various combinations, variations and environments. That is, modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the concepts of the present disclosure described in this specification, its equivalents and / or the scope of the technology or knowledge to which the present disclosure belongs. Therefore, the detailed description of the present disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the disclosed embodiments. In addition, it should be understood that the appended claims also include alternative embodiments.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: A display panel including a plurality of unit blocks disposed in a display area, the plurality of unit blocks including a first area displaying a logo or a banner, a second area having a maximum load value, and a third area disposed between the first area and the second area; a display panel driver configured to generate data voltages based on input image data; as well as a partition compensator configured to receive the input image data, calculate a load value of the input image data for each of the plurality of unit blocks, and control the brightness of each of the first and third regions based on a position difference between the first and second regions and a load value difference between the first and second regions, In which, when the position difference is equal to or greater than a preset reference distance, or when the load value difference is equal to or less than a preset reference load value, the partition compensator reduces the brightness of the third area for the same grayscale value as it approaches the first area from the second area and controls the brightness of the first area to be the same as the lowest brightness of the third area.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The partition compensator generates corrected image data by applying a gain curve to the input image data, the display panel driver generates the data voltage based on the corrected image data, The gain curve includes gain values ​​corresponding to spatial positions in the display area, and As the gain value of the gain curve decreases, the brightness of the corresponding spatial position in the display area decreases.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein: When the position difference is smaller than the preset reference distance and when the load value difference is greater than the preset reference load value, the partition compensator controls the brightness of the first area, the second area, and the third area to be the same for the same grayscale value.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein The partition compensator includes: an image analyzer configured to receive the input image data and to calculate a first position corresponding to the first area, a second position corresponding to the second area, a first load value corresponding to the first area, and a second load value corresponding to the second area using the input image data corresponding to a preset frame; a gain generator connected to the image analyzer and configured to calculate the position difference between the first position and the second position, calculate the load value difference between the first load value and the second load value, and generate the gain curve based on the position difference and the load value difference; and A data compensator is connected to the gain generator and is configured to generate the corrected image data by applying the gain curve to the input image data.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein The image analyzer calculates the first load value and the second load value based on a grayscale value, an on-pixel ratio, or a data variation amount of the input image data corresponding to the first area and the second area, respectively. The display device according to claim 4 , wherein: The image analyzer sets the position of a pixel closest to the second region within the first region as the first position, and sets the position of a pixel closest to the first region within the second region as the second position.

7. The display device according to claim 4, wherein The gain generator comprises: a comparator connected to the image analyzer and configured to generate a gain control signal based on a result of comparing the position difference with a preset reference distance and a result of comparing the load value difference with a preset reference load value; and A gain controller is connected to the comparator and configured to generate the gain curve based on the gain control signal.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The partition compensator generates corrected image data by applying a preset lookup table to the input image data, the display panel driver generating the data voltage based on the corrected image data, The lookup table includes gain values ​​corresponding to spatial locations in the display area, and As the gain value of the lookup table decreases, the brightness of the corresponding spatial position in the display area decreases.

9. A method of driving a display device, the display device comprising a display panel configured to display a logo or a banner in a first area of ​​a display area, the method comprising: dividing the display area into a plurality of unit blocks, and calculating load values ​​of input image data for each of the plurality of unit blocks; extracting a second region having a maximum load value among the plurality of unit blocks; calculating a position difference between the first area and the second area; calculating a load value difference that is a difference between a first load value corresponding to the first area and a second load value corresponding to the second area; as well as controlling the brightness of a third area between the first area and the second area and the brightness of the first area based on the position difference and the load value difference, Wherein, controlling the brightness includes: comparing the position difference with a preset reference distance, comparing the load value difference with a preset reference load value, and when the position difference is equal to or greater than the preset reference distance, or when the load value difference is equal to or less than the preset reference load value, for the same grayscale value, reducing the brightness of the third area as it approaches the first area from the second area, and controlling the brightness of the first area to be the same as the lowest brightness of the third area.

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