Display device and driving method of display device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus and a driving method of the display apparatus, the display apparatus including a pixel portion divided into a plurality of blocks, a scaling factor provider calculating a first load value for input image data of the pixel portion, calculating a second load value for the input image data of each block, and generating a scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value, and a timing controller generating image data by scaling a gray value of the input image data based on the scaling factor. When the first load value is greater than or equal to a reference load value, the scaling factor provider generates a first scaling factor for commonly controlling the gray value for the blocks based on the first load value, and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, generates a second scaling factor for controlling the gray value for each block based on the first load value and the second load value.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0134593, filed on October 16, 2020, and all benefits accruing therefrom, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments of the present application relate to a display apparatus and a driving method of the display apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] The display apparatus can control the luminance of the display panel in response to a load value of input data to minimize power consumption. Such a display apparatus can control the luminance of the display panel, for example, by calculating the load value of the input data and controlling the current flowing through the display panel based on the calculated load value. SUMMARY

[0005] In the display apparatus, in the case where the luminance of the display panel is controlled in response to a load value of input data, the load value of each display area can differ according to an image displayed by the display panel. In this case, the user's line of sight can be focused on an area in the display area where the load value is large. In such a display apparatus, when the display apparatus as a whole controls the luminance of the display panel, the image quality of the display image can be degraded due to the different load values of each display area.

[0006] Embodiments of the present application relate to a display apparatus in which, when the total load value of the display panel is greater than a reference value, the luminance of the display panel is commonly controlled to minimize power consumption, and when the total load value of the display panel is less than the reference value, the luminance of the display panel of each display area is controlled differently based on the load value of each display area to improve the quality characteristics of the display image.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display apparatus includes a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixel portion is divided into a plurality of blocks; a scaling factor provider that calculates a first load value of input image data corresponding to all of the blocks, calculates a second load value of the input image data for each of the blocks, and generates a scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value; and a timing controller that generates image data by scaling a gray value of the input image data based on the scaling factor. In such an embodiment, when the first load value is greater than or equal to a reference load value, the scaling factor provider generates, as the scaling factor, a first scaling factor for collectively controlling the gray value of the input image data corresponding to the blocks based on the first load value; and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, the scaling factor provider generates, as the scaling factor, a second scaling factor for controlling the gray value of the input image data of each of the blocks based on the first load value and the second load value.

[0008] In an embodiment, when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, as the first load value increases, brightness of an image displayed in the pixel portion can decrease based on the first scaling factor; and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, as the first load value decreases, brightness of an image displayed in each of the blocks can increase based on the second scaling factor.

[0009] In an embodiment, when the first load value is less than the reference load value, an image having the highest brightness can be displayed in a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks.

[0010] In an embodiment, the scaling factor provider can include a load calculator that calculates the first load value to generate first load data, and calculates the second load value to generate second load data; a reference block extractor that generates reference block data by extracting a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks based on the second load data; a load comparator that generates third load data by comparing the second load value of the reference block and the second load value of an adjacent block based on the second load data and the reference block data; and a scaling factor generator that generates the scaling factor based on the first load data, the third load data, and the reference block data.

[0011] In an embodiment, when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor generator can generate the first scaling factor based on the first load data.

[0012] In an embodiment, as the first load value increases, a size of the first scaling factor can decrease.

[0013] In an embodiment, when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor generator can generate an enable signal, and the reference block extractor and the load comparator can be turned off in response to the enable signal.

[0014] In an embodiment, when the first load value is less than the reference load value, the scaling factor generator can generate the second scaling factor based on the first load data, the third load data, and the reference block data.

[0015] In an embodiment, the scaling factor generator can include a first control value generator that generates a first control value based on the first load data, a second control value generator that generates a second control value based on the reference block data, a third control value generator that generates a third control value based on the third load data, and an output part that generates the second scaling factor based on the first control value to the third control value.

[0016] In an embodiment, the second scaling factor can include a first sub-scaling factor corresponding to the reference block and a second sub-scaling factor corresponding to the neighboring block. In such an embodiment, the output part can generate the first sub-scaling factor based on the first control value to the third control value, and can generate the second sub-scaling factor based on the first sub-scaling factor, the reference block data, and the third load data.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first sub-scaling factor can be greater than the second sub-scaling factor.

[0018] In an embodiment, as the first load value decreases, the first control value can increase.

[0019] In an embodiment, as the reference block is farther away from a center part of the pixel part, the second control value can decrease.

[0020] In an embodiment, as a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the neighboring block increases, the third control value can increase.

[0021] In an embodiment, as a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the neighboring block increases, a difference between the first sub-scaling factor and the second sub-scaling factor can increase.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present application, a driving method of a display apparatus including a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels and divided into a plurality of blocks, the driving method includes: calculating a first load value of input image data corresponding to all of the blocks of the pixel portion; calculating a second load value of the input image data for each of the blocks; generating a scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value; generating image data by scaling a gray value of the input image data by using the scaling factor; and generating a data signal corresponding to the image data to supply the data signal to the pixels. In such an embodiment, the generating the scaling factor includes: when the first load value is greater than or equal to a reference load value, generating a first scaling factor that commonly controls the gray value of the input image data corresponding to the blocks based on the first load value as the scaling factor; and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, generating a second scaling factor that controls the gray value of the input image data for each of the blocks based on the first load value and the second load value as the scaling factor.

[0023] In an embodiment, when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, as the first load value increases, a brightness of an image displayed in the pixel portion can be decreased based on the first scaling factor. In such an embodiment, when the first load value is less than the reference load value, as the first load value decreases, a brightness of an image displayed in each of the blocks can be increased based on the second scaling factor, and an image having a highest brightness can be displayed in a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks.

[0024] In an embodiment, the generating the scaling factor can include: extracting a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks; comparing the second load value of the reference block with a second load value of an adjacent block; and generating the scaling factor based on the first load value, a position of the reference block in the pixel portion, and a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the adjacent block.

[0025] In an embodiment, the second scaling factor can include a first sub-scaling factor corresponding to the reference block and a second sub-scaling factor corresponding to the adjacent block.

[0026] In an embodiment, the first sub-scaling factor can be greater than the second sub-scaling factor.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present application, in a display apparatus, when a full load value of a display panel is less than a reference load value, luminance of each block can be controlled differently based on the full load value, a position of a reference block in the display panel, and a difference in load values between the reference block and adjacent blocks, so that image quality characteristics of a displayed image can be improved.

[0028] In such an embodiment, when the full load value of the display panel is greater than or equal to the reference load value, power consumption can be significantly reduced by collectively controlling luminance of the blocks of the display panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 A block diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 A circuit diagram of an embodiment of a pixel included in a display apparatus of Figure 1 is shown.

[0031] Figure 3 An embodiment of a display panel included in a display apparatus of Figure 1 is shown.

[0032] Figure 4 A block diagram of a scaling factor provider according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0033] Figure 5 An embodiment of a load value of a block included in a display panel of Figure 3 is shown.

[0034] Figure 6 A block diagram of an embodiment of a scaling factor generator included in a scaling factor provider of Figure 4 is shown.

[0035] Figures 7A-7C A graph for explaining an embodiment of an operation of a scaling factor generator of Figure 6 is shown.

[0036] Figure 8A And Figure 8B is a graph of an embodiment of a first scaling factor and a second scaling factor generated by a scaling factor generator of Figure 6 is shown.

[0037] Figure 9 A block diagram of a scaling factor provider according to an alternative embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In the following, the present application will now be more fully described with reference to the drawings, in which various embodiments of the application are shown. The application may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0039] It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", and the like can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and / or section from another element, component, region, layer and / or section. Thus, a "first element", "component", "region", "layer" or "portion" discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings herein.

[0040] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, "a", "an", and "the" are intended to mean one or more unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, "a" or "an" element is intended to mean, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, one or more of the elements. "At least one" is not to be construed as limiting to "one" or "only one". "Or" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising", or "includes" and / or "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0041] In addition, when described as being "coupled to" or "connected to" another element, the element can be "directly coupled to or connected to" the other element or can be "electrically coupled to or electrically connected to" the other element through a third element.

[0042] Also, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as the device is oriented in the drawing. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in one of the drawings is turned over, elements described as being on the "lower" side of other elements would then be oriented on "upper" sides and vice versa. The term "lower", can thus encompass both an orientation of lower and upper when the device is turned in one direction, and "upper" can encompass both an orientation of upper and lower when the device is turned in the other direction. Likewise, if the device in one of the drawings is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would then be oriented "above" the other elements. The terms "below" or "beneath" can thus encompass both an orientation of above and below when the device is turned in one direction, and "above" can encompass both an orientation of above and below when the device is turned in the other direction.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0044] The embodiments described herein should not be interpreted to be limited to the specific shapes of regions as shown herein, but include, for example, deviations in shape due to manufacturing. For example, regions shown or described as flat can generally have rough and / or nonlinear features. Also, shown corners can be rounded. Thus, the regions shown in the drawings are illustrative in nature and their shapes are not intended to show the precise shape of the regions and are not intended to limit the scope of the present rights.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 A block diagram of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1 An embodiment of the display apparatus 1000 can include a display panel 100, a timing controller 200, a scaling factor provider 300, a scan driver 400, and a data driver 500.

[0048] The display panel 100 (or a pixel portion) can include pixels connected to scan lines SL1 to SLn and data lines DL1 to DLm. Each pixel PXij can be connected to a corresponding data line DLj (see Figure 2 ) among the data lines DL1 to DLm and a corresponding scan line SLi (see Figure 2). Here, n and m are integers greater than 0, and i and j are integers greater than 0 and less than or equal to n and m, respectively. The pixel PXij can represent a pixel in which a scan transistor is connected to the ith scan line SLi (see Figure 2 ) and the jth data line DLj (see Figure 2 ). In an embodiment, each pixel PXij can receive voltages of a first power source VDD and a second power source VSS from the outside. In such an embodiment, the first power source VDD and the second power source VSS can be voltages used for the operation of the pixel PXij. The first power source VDD can have a voltage level higher than that of the second power source VSS. In an embodiment, for example, the voltage of the first power source VDD can be a positive voltage, and the voltage of the second power source VSS can be a negative voltage.

[0049] The display panel 100 can be divided or split into a plurality of blocks BLK. Each block BLK can include at least one pixel PXij. Each of the blocks BLK can include the same number of pixels PXij. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and alternatively, the number of pixels PXij in the blocks BLK can differ from each other.

[0050] The timing controller 200 can receive input image data IDATA and a control signal CS from the outside. In an embodiment, the control signal CS can include a synchronization signal and a clock signal. In such an embodiment, the input image data IDATA can include at least one image frame.

[0051] The timing controller 200 can generate a first control signal SCS (or a scan control signal) and a second control signal DCS (or a data control signal) based on the control signal CS. The timing controller 200 can supply the first control signal SCS to the scan driver 400, and can supply the second control signal DCS to the data driver 500.

[0052] The first control signal SCS can include a scan start signal and a clock signal, etc. The scan start signal can be a signal for controlling the start timing of a scan signal. The clock signal included in the first control signal SCS can be used to shift the scan start signal.

[0053] The second control signal DCS can include a source start signal and a clock signal. The source start signal can control the sampling start point of data. The clock signal included in the second control signal DCS can be used to control the sampling operation.

[0054] In an embodiment, the timing controller 200 can scale the gray scale values of the input image data IDATA by using the scaling factor SF received from the scaling factor provider 300. The input image data IDATA based on the scaled gray scale values can control the brightness of the image displayed on the display panel 100. In one embodiment, for example, the brightness of the image displayed on the display panel 100 can be controlled to be equal to or less than the maximum brightness (e.g., 1000 nits) of the display panel 100.

[0055] The timing controller 200 can rearrange the input image data IDATA of the scaled gray scale values to generate the digital image data DATA, and can provide the digital image data DATA to the data driver 500.

[0056] The scaling factor provider 300 can calculate a load value corresponding to each image frame of the input image data IDATA. In such an embodiment, the load value can correspond to the gray scale values of the image frame. In one embodiment, for example, as the sum of the gray scale values of the image frame increases, the load value of the corresponding image frame can increase.

[0057] In one embodiment, for example, the load value can be 100 in a full white image frame, and the load value can be 0 in a full black image frame. In such an embodiment, the full white image frame can refer to an image frame in which all pixels of the display panel 100 are set to the maximum gray scale (white gray scale) to emit light having the maximum brightness. In such an embodiment, the full black image frame can refer to an image frame in which all pixels of the display panel 100 are set to the minimum gray scale (black gray scale) to not emit light. In such an embodiment, the load value can have a value between 0 and 100.

[0058] In an embodiment, the scaling factor provider 300 can calculate a load value (or a second load value) for each block BLK in the display panel 100.

[0059] In an embodiment, the scaling factor provider 300 can compare the full load value (or the first load value) of the display panel 100 with a reference load value to generate the scaling factor SF for controlling the brightness of each of the blocks BLK.

[0060] In one embodiment, for example, when the full load value of the display panel 100 is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate the first scaling factor SF1 for controlling the brightness of the entire display panel 100 to gradually decrease from a reference brightness as the full load value of the display panel 100 increases.

[0061] In this case, the first scaling factor SF1 can be commonly applied to all of the blocks BLK (or all of the pixels) of the display panel 100. That is, the gray values of the input image data IDATA can be scaled at the same ratio based on the first scaling factor SF1.

[0062] In such an embodiment, when the full load value of the display panel 100 is less than the reference load value, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate the second scaling factor SF2 for controlling the luminance of each of the blocks BLK differently based on the load value of each of the blocks BLK. In this case, the second scaling factor SF2 can be differently applied to each of the blocks BLK. In one embodiment, for example, the second scaling factor SF2 can include sub-scaling factors corresponding to the respective blocks BLK. That is, the gray values of the input image data IDATA can be scaled at different ratios based on the second scaling factor SF2.

[0063] In one embodiment, for example, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate the scaling factor SF2 to extract a reference block having a maximum load value among the total blocks BLK and control the reference block to emit light at a maximum luminance among the blocks BLK. In this case, based on the second scaling factor SF2, the blocks BLK other than the reference block can be controlled in such a manner that the luminance of the blocks other than the reference block decreases as they are farther away from the reference block. That is, as the distance from the reference block increases, the value of the corresponding second scaling factor SF2 can decrease.

[0064] In such an embodiment, as described above, when the full load value of the display panel 100 is relatively large, the scaling factor provider 300 can minimize power consumption by commonly controlling the luminance of the display panel 100. In such an embodiment, when the full load value is relatively small, the scaling factor provider 300 can improve the image quality characteristics of the displayed image by differently controlling the luminance of each of the blocks BLK based on the load value of each of the blocks BLK.

[0065] The scan driver 400 can receive the first control signal SCS from the timing controller 200 and can provide scan signals to the scan lines SL1 to SLn in response to the first control signal SCS. In one embodiment, for example, the scan driver 400 can sequentially supply the scan signals to the scan lines SL1 to SLn. When the scan signals are sequentially supplied, the pixels PXij can be selected in a horizontal line unit (or a pixel row unit), and the data signals can be supplied to the selected pixels PXij. In such an embodiment, the scan signals can be set to a gate-on voltage (low voltage or high voltage) so that the transistors (e.g., scan transistors) included in each of the pixels PXij and receiving the scan signals can be turned on.

[0066] The data driver 500 can receive the image data DATA and the second control signal DCS from the timing controller 200, convert the digital image data DATA into an analog data signal (a data voltage) in response to the second control signal DCS, and then supply the analog data signal to the data lines DL1 to DLm. The data signal supplied to the data lines DL1 to DLm can be supplied to the pixel PXij selected by the scan signal. To this end, the data driver 500 can supply the data signal to the data lines DL1 to DLm to be synchronized with the scan signal.

[0067] In such an embodiment, since the image data DATA is generated based on the input image data IDATA in which the gray scale values are scaled by the scaling factor SF, the data driver 500 can supply the data signal corresponding to the scaled gray scale value to the data lines DL1 to DLm. In one embodiment, for example, the data driver 500 can apply the data signal corresponding to the scaled gray scale value of the pixel PXij to the j-th data line.

[0068] Figure 2 A circuit diagram of an embodiment of a pixel included in a display apparatus of Figure 1 is shown.

[0069] Referring to Figure 2 , an embodiment of the pixel PXij can include a light emitting element LD and a driving circuit DC connected to the light emitting element LD to drive the light emitting element LD.

[0070] A first electrode (e.g., an anode electrode) of the light emitting element LD can be connected to a first power source VDD via the driving circuit DC, and a second electrode (e.g., a cathode electrode) of the light emitting element LD can be connected to a second power source VSS. The light emitting element LD can emit light at a brightness corresponding to an amount of a driving current controlled by the driving circuit DC.

[0071] In an embodiment, the light emitting element LD can include an organic light emitting diode. In an alternative embodiment, the light emitting element LD can include an inorganic light emitting diode such as a micro light emitting diode ("LED") or a quantum dot LED. Alternatively, the light emitting element LD can be an element including a combination of an organic material and an inorganic material. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 , the pixel PXij can include a single light emitting element LD, but is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the pixel PXij can include a plurality of light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements can be connected in series, in parallel, or in series and in parallel with each other.

[0072] The first power source VDD and the second power source VSS can have different potentials from each other. In one embodiment, for example, a voltage applied by the first power source VDD can be greater than a voltage applied by the second power source VSS.

[0073] The driving circuit DC can include a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, and a storage capacitor Cst.

[0074] A first electrode of the first transistor T1 (a driving transistor) can be connected to a first power source VDD, and a second electrode of the first transistor T1 (a driving transistor) can be electrically connected to a first electrode (e.g., an anode electrode) of the light emitting element LD. A gate electrode of the first transistor T1 can be connected to the first node N1. The first transistor T1 can control an amount of a driving current supplied to the light emitting element LD in response to a data signal supplied to the first node N1 through the data line DLj.

[0075] A first electrode of the second transistor T2 (a switching transistor) can be connected to the data line DLj, and a second electrode of the second transistor T2 (a switching transistor) can be connected to the first node N1. A gate electrode of the second transistor T2 can be connected to the scan line SLi.

[0076] When a scan signal of a voltage (e.g., a gate-on voltage) that can turn on the second transistor T2 is supplied from the scan line SLi, the second transistor T2 can be turned on to electrically connect the data line DLj to the first node N1. In this case, a data signal of a corresponding frame is supplied to the data line DLj, and thus, the data signal can be transmitted to the first node N1. A voltage corresponding to the data signal transmitted to the first node N1 can be stored in the storage capacitor Cst.

[0077] One electrode of the storage capacitor Cst can be connected to the first node N1, and the other electrode of the storage capacitor Cst can be connected to the first electrode of the light emitting element LD. The storage capacitor Cst can be charged with a voltage corresponding to the data signal supplied to the first node N1, and can maintain the charged voltage until a data signal of a next frame is supplied.

[0078] For better understanding and ease of description, Figure 2 An embodiment of the pixel PXij having a relatively simple structure is illustrated, and the structure of the driving circuit DC can be variously changed. In one embodiment, for example, the driving circuit DC additionally includes various additional transistors (such as a compensation transistor for compensating a threshold voltage of the first transistor T1, an initialization transistor for initializing the first node N1, and / or a light emission control transistor for controlling a light emission time of the light emitting element LD) and other circuit elements such as a boost capacitor or the like for boosting a voltage of the first node N1.

[0079] In an embodiment, as Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1, the transistors included in the driving circuit DC, for example, the first transistor T1 and the second transistor T2, can be N-type transistors, but the present application is not limited thereto. Alternatively, at least one selected from the first transistor T1 and the second transistor T2 included in the driving circuit DC can be changed to a P-type transistor.

[0080] Figure 3 An embodiment of a display panel included in a display apparatus according to the present application is shown. Figure 1 An embodiment of a display panel included in a display apparatus according to the present application is shown.

[0081] Referring to Figure 3 , an embodiment of the display panel 100 can include or be divided into a plurality of blocks BLK01, BLK2, BLK03, BLK04, BLK05, BLK06, BLK07, BLK08, BLK09, BLK10, BLK11, BLK12, BLK13, BLK14, BLK15, BLK16, BLK17, BLK18, BLK19, BLK20, BLK21, BLK22, BLK23, BLK24, BLK25, BLK26, BLK27, BLK28, BLK29, BLK30, BLK31, BLK32, BLK33, BLK34, BLK35 (hereinafter, referred to as a plurality of blocks BLK01 to BLK35). In such an embodiment, the pixels of the display panel 100 can be divided into the plurality of blocks BLK01 to BLK35. Each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 can include at least one pixel. The number of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 can be equal to or less than the number of the pixels.

[0082] In an embodiment, the display panel 100 is divided into the blocks BLK01 to BLK35, each of which has the same size as each other, so that each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 can include the same number of pixels. However, this is exemplary, and the present application is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, all or some of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 can share one or more pixels, or some of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 can include more pixels than others.

[0083] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 , the display panel 100 can be divided into 35 blocks BLK01 to BLK35, but this is exemplary, and the present application is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, for example, the display panel 100 can be divided into a different number of blocks according to the design of the display apparatus (1000) in Figure 1 .

[0084] Figure 4 A block diagram of a scaling factor provider according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, Figure 5An embodiment of a load value of a block included in a display panel of Figure 3 An embodiment of a load value of a block included in a display panel of Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a scaling factor generator included in a scaling factor provider of Figure 4 An embodiment of a scaling factor generator included in a scaling factor provider of Figures 7A-7C is a graph illustrating an embodiment of an operation of a scaling factor generator of Figure 6 is a graph illustrating an embodiment of a first scaling factor and a second scaling factor generated by a scaling factor generator of Figure 8A and Figure 8B is a graph illustrating an embodiment of a first scaling factor and a second scaling factor generated by a scaling factor generator of Figure 6 In Figure 8B , curves of three sub-scaling factors SF2a, SF2b, and SF2c which are exemplary of the second scaling factor SF2 are illustrated.

[0085] Hereinafter, a case in which the first sub-scaling factor SF2a is a sub-scaling factor corresponding to the reference block RBLK, and the second sub-scaling factor SF2b and the third sub-scaling factor SF2c which are sub-scaling factors corresponding to neighboring blocks of the reference block RBLK, the third sub-scaling factor SF2c is a sub-scaling factor corresponding to the block BLK07 having the farthest distance from the reference block RBLK, and the second sub-scaling factor SF2b is a sub-scaling factor corresponding to the block BLK12 between the reference block RBLK and the block BLK07, will be mainly described.

[0086] Referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , an embodiment of the scaling factor provider 300 can include a load calculator 310, a scaling factor generator 320, a reference block extractor 330, and a load comparator 340.

[0087] The load calculator 310 can calculate a load value based on input image data IDATA. In an embodiment, the load calculator 310 can include a first load calculator 311 and a second load calculator 312.

[0088] The first load calculator 311 can generate first load data FLD by calculating a full load value FL (or a first load value) of the display panel 100, and the second load calculator 312 can generate second load data SLD by calculating a load value (or a second load value) for each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 of the display panel 100. In such an embodiment, the first load data FLD can include the full load value FL of the display panel 100, and the second load data SLD can include a load value corresponding to each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35.

[0089] The first load data FLD can be provided to the scaling factor generator 320, and the second load data SLD can be provided to the reference block extractor 330 and the load comparator 340.

[0090] In Figure 4 The first load calculator 311 and the second load calculator 312 are separately shown in the middle, but this is exemplary, and the first load calculator 311 and the second load calculator 312 can be integrated into a single unit or defined by parts of a single circuit.

[0091] The reference block extractor 330 can generate the reference block data RBD by extracting a reference block RBLK having a maximum load value among all the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 based on the second load data SLD received from the second load calculator 312. In an embodiment, for example, as shown in the middle, the reference block extractor 330 can extract the block BLK24 having a maximum load value of 20% as the reference block RBLK. Figure 5

[0092] The reference block data RBD can be provided to the scaling factor generator 320 and the load comparator 340.

[0093] The load comparator 340 can generate the third load data LVD by comparing load values between the reference block RBLK and adjacent blocks based on the reference block data RBD and the second load data SLD. In an embodiment, the third load data LVD can include values corresponding to differences in load values between the reference block RBLK and the adjacent blocks.

[0094] In one embodiment, for example, the load comparator 340 can set the adjacent blocks to the blocks BLK16, BLK17, BLK18, BLK23, BLK25, BLK30, BLK31, and BLK32 closest to the reference block RBLK.

[0095] However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the adjacent blocks can be variously set. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the load comparator 340 can set the adjacent blocks to the blocks BLK01 to BLK23 and BLK25 to BLK35 other than the reference block RBLK.

[0096] In an embodiment, the load comparator 340 can generate the third load data LVD based on a difference between an average of load values of the adjacent blocks and a load value of the reference block RBLK. In one embodiment, for example, when the adjacent blocks are set to the blocks BLK16, BLK17, BLK18, BLK23, BLK25, BLK30, BLK31, and BLK32, the third load data LVD can be generated based on a difference (i.e., 10%) between an average 10% of load values of the adjacent blocks and a load value 20% of the reference block RBLK.​

[0097] However, this is exemplary, and the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, for example, the load comparator 340 can generate third load data LVD by comparing one of the maximum, minimum, and median values ​​of the load values ​​of adjacent blocks with the load value of the reference block RBLK.

[0098] The third load data LVD can be provided to the scaling factor generator 320.

[0099] The scaling factor generator 320 can generate a scaling factor SF based on the first load data FLD, the third load data LVD, and the reference block data RBD.

[0100] Further reference Figure 6 The scaling factor generator 320 according to the embodiment includes a first control value generator 321, a second control value generator 322, a third control value generator 323, and an output section 324.

[0101] In one embodiment, when the full load value FL is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor generator 320 can generate a first scaling factor SF1 for controlling the overall brightness of the display panel 100 to gradually decrease from the reference brightness. In such an embodiment, when the full load value FL is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the output portion 324 of the scaling factor generator 320 can generate the first scaling factor SF1 as a scaling factor SF based on the first load data FLD received from the first load calculator 311. In this case, the first scaling factor SF1 can be applied collectively to blocks BLK01 to BLK35.

[0102] When there is no limit to the current supplied to the display panel 100, the power consumption may vary depending on the input image data. Figure 1 The IDATA in the input image data increases undesirably. Therefore, when the input image data ( Figure 1 When the full load value FL of IDATA is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate a first scaling factor SF1 to limit the amount of current flowing through the display panel 100 to a certain level.

[0103] In an embodiment, the scaling factor generator 320 can generate a first scaling factor SF1 using the following Equation 1.

[0104] (Equation 1)

[0105] SF1×(FL)P=RL

[0106] Here, SF1 denotes a first scaling factor SF1, FL denotes a full load value FL, and P denotes a load coefficient (which is a constant greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1). In Equation 1, RL denotes a reference load value, and corresponds to a constant that can be arbitrarily determined by a user. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 8A , the reference load value RL can be 30%.

[0107] In Equation 1, since the first scaling factor SF1 and the P-th power of the full load value FL are multiplied to become the reference load value RL corresponding to a constant, the first scaling factor SF1 and the P-th power of the full load value FL are inversely proportional to each other.

[0108] In one embodiment, for example, as shown in Figure 8A , when the full load value FL is greater than or equal to the reference load value RL, the first scaling factor SF1 can decrease as the full load value FL increases. Here, the first scaling factor SF1 can have a maximum reference scaling factor value RSF corresponding to the reference load value RL. In response to the first scaling factor SF1 of the reference scaling factor value RSF, the display panel 100 can emit light having a reference luminance based on the input image data (IDATA) of the scaled gray scale value. Figure 1

[0109] In such an embodiment, as described above, the greater the full load value FL, the smaller the first scaling factor SF1 generated by the scaling factor generator 320 can become. In such an embodiment, as described with reference to Figure 1 , the luminance of the image displayed on the display panel 100 can be controlled based on the input image data IDATA of the scaled gray scale value by the first scaling factor SF1. That is, since the luminance of the display image is controlled to decrease as the full load value FL increases, the display apparatus 1000 can minimize power consumption corresponding to a large load value. This technique is referred to as a net power control (“NPC”) technique.

[0110] In an embodiment, when the full load value FL is less than the reference load value RL, the scaling factor generator 320 can generate a second scaling factor SF2 for controlling the luminance of each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 at different rates. Here, the second scaling factor SF2 can be differently applied to each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35. In one embodiment, for example, the second scaling factor SF2 can include sub-scaling factors, such as SF2a, SF2b, and SF2c corresponding to each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35, as shown in Figure 8B

[0111] ​​In applying the above-described NPC technique, the luminance of a display image can be controlled relatively high in response to a low load value. In this case, when the gray scale values of input image data IDATA are scaled equally so that the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 included in the display panel 100 emit light of the same luminance, the image quality of the display image can be degraded due to different load values for each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35. For example, in one embodiment, a user's line of sight is generally focused on a block having the largest load value (e.g., a reference block RBLK), and conversely, when the entire display panel 100 emits light at the same luminance regardless of the load values of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35, then the contrast within the display area is degraded, such that the display quality can be degraded.

[0112] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, when the full load value FL is less than the reference load value RL, the scaling factor provider 300 (or the scaling factor generator 320) can generate a second scaling factor SF2 by differently controlling the luminance of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 based on the load values of each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 to improve the quality characteristics of the display image. In such an embodiment, the second scaling factor SF2 can be greater than or equal to a reference scaling factor value RSF corresponding to the maximum value of the first scaling factor SF1. Therefore, in response to input image data IDATA whose gray scale values are scaled based on the second scaling factor SF2, the display panel 100 can emit light at a luminance equal to or greater than the reference luminance. Figure 1

[0113] In such an embodiment, when the full load value FL is less than the reference load value RL, the output part 324 of the scaling factor generator 320 can generate a first sub-scaling factor SF2a corresponding to the reference block RBLK as the second scaling factor SF2a by using the first control value CV1, the second control value CV2, and the third control value CV3 provided from the first control value generator 321, the second control value generator 322, and the third control value generator 323 based on the first load data FLD received from the first load calculator 311. In one embodiment, for example, the output part 324 can generate the first sub-scaling factor SF2a by multiplying the first control value CV1, the second control value CV2, and the third control value CV3.

[0114] The first control value generator 321 can generate the first control value CV1 based on the first load data FLD. The first control value CV1 is a gain value, and can have a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1.

[0115] ​The first control value generator 321 can generate the first control value CV1 for controlling the luminance of the reference block RBLK to increase as the full load value FL decreases (i.e., for controlling the first sub-scaling factor SF2a to increase) based on the first load data FLD. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the first control value CV1 generated by the first control value generator 321 can have a greater value as the full load value FL decreases. Figure 7A

[0116] In an embodiment, as the full load value FL decreases, the power consumption is relatively low, so that the first control value generator 321 can further improve the contrast by controlling the luminance of the reference block RBLK having the maximum load value to be greater than or equal to the reference luminance. Accordingly, the image quality characteristics of the displayed image can be improved.

[0117] The second control value generator 322 can generate the second control value CV2 based on the reference block data RBD. The second control value CV2 is a gain value, and can have a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1.

[0118] The second control value generator 322 can generate the second control value CV2 for controlling the luminance of the reference block RBLK to increase as the position of the reference block RBLK is closer to the center portion of the display panel 100 (i.e., for controlling the first sub-scaling factor SF2a to increase) based on the reference block data RBD. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4C, based on the distance of the reference block RBLK (e.g., the block BLK24 having the maximum load value shown in FIG. 4A) from the block (e.g., the block BLK18 located at the center portion shown in FIG. 4A) corresponding to the center portion of the display panel 100, the second control value CV2 generated by the second control value generator 322 can have a greater value as the position of the reference block RBLK is closer to the center portion of the display panel 100. Figure 7B Figure 5 Figure 5

[0119] Since the user's line of sight is focused on the reference block RBLK having the maximum load value and the center portion of the display panel 100, the second control value generator 322 controls the luminance of the reference block RBLK to increase as the position of the reference block RBLK is closer to the center portion of the display panel 100, thereby improving the quality characteristics of the displayed image.

[0120] The third control value generator 323 can generate the third control value CV3 based on the third load data LVD. The third control value CV3 is a gain value, and can have a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1.

[0121] ​​​​The third control value generator 323 can generate a third control value CV3 for controlling the luminance of the reference block RBLK to increase (i.e., for controlling the first sub-scaling factor SF2a to increase) as the difference (△ load) in the load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks increases, based on the third load data LVD. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the third control value CV3 generated by the third control value generator 323 can have a greater value as the difference in the load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks increases, corresponding to the difference in the load values. Figure 7C

[0122] As the difference in the load values between the neighboring blocks and the reference block RBLK increases, the third control value generator 323 controls the luminance of the reference block RBLK to further increase as the user's line of sight can further concentrate on the reference block RBLK, thereby improving the image quality characteristics of the display image.

[0123] The output section 324 can generate the first sub-scaling factor SF2a corresponding to the reference block RBLK based on the first control value CV1, the second control value CV2, and the third control value CV3, and can generate sub-scaling factors (e.g., the second sub-scaling factor SF2b and the third sub-scaling factor SF2c) corresponding to the remaining blocks other than the reference block RBLK.

[0124] In an embodiment, the output section 324 can generate the sub-scaling factors based on the reference block data RBD such that the luminance of the remaining blocks decreases as the distance from the reference block RBLK increases. In one embodiment, for example, the output section 324 can generate the sub-scaling factors in a manner such that the luminance of the remaining blocks decreases linearly as the distance from the reference block RBLK increases. In one embodiment, for example, the output section 324 can generate the sub-scaling factors in a manner such that the luminance of the remaining blocks decreases non-linearly as the distance from the reference block RBLK increases.

[0125] Accordingly, the second sub-scaling factor SF2b corresponding to the block BLK12 can be smaller than the first sub-scaling factor SF2a corresponding to the reference block RBLK, and the third sub-scaling factor SF2c corresponding to the block BLK07 having the farthest distance from the reference block RBLK can be smaller than the second sub-scaling factor SF2b. Figure 8B Embodiments are shown in which the sub-scaling factors SF2b and SF2c corresponding to the neighboring blocks are greater than the reference scaling factor value RSF, but this is exemplary, and alternatively, the sub-scaling factors SF2b and SF2c corresponding to the neighboring blocks can be the same as the reference scaling factor value RSF, according to the position of the reference block RBLK in the display panel 100, the difference in the load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks, and the full load value FL.

[0126] ​In an embodiment, as the difference in load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks increases, the output portion 324 can generate the sub-scaling factors in such a manner that the luminance of the remaining blocks decreases with a greater slope as the distance from the reference block RBLK increases. That is, as the difference in load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks increases, the output portion 324 can control the difference between the first sub-scaling factor SF2a corresponding to the reference block RBLK and the sub-scaling factors SF2b and SF2c corresponding to the neighboring blocks to increase.

[0127] In an embodiment, as described with reference to Figures 4-8B , when the full load value FL of the display panel 100 is greater than or equal to the reference load value RL, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate the first scaling factor SF1 for commonly controlling the luminance of all the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 of the display panel 100.

[0128] Accordingly, its power consumption can be significantly reduced or minimized. In this embodiment, when the full load value FL of the display panel 100 is less than the reference load value RL, the scaling factor provider 300 can generate the second scaling factors SF2 for differently controlling the luminance of each of the blocks BLK01 to BLK35 based on the full load value FL, the position of the reference block RBLK in the display panel 100, and the difference in load values between the reference block RBLK and the neighboring blocks. Accordingly, the image quality characteristics of a displayed image can be improved.

[0129] Figure 9 A block diagram of a scaling factor provider according to an alternative embodiment of the present application is illustrated. Except for its operation, Figure 9 , the scaling factor provider 300' is substantially the same or similar to Figure 4 the scaling factor provider 300. Figure 9 The same or similar elements shown in Figure 4 the scaling factor provider 300 of the embodiment described above have been marked with the same or similar reference numerals as used in the scaling factor provider 300 of the embodiment described above, and any repetitive detailed description thereof will be omitted or simplified hereinafter.

[0130] Figure 9 Referring to , the scaling factor provider 300' according to the alternative embodiment can include a load calculator 310', a scaling factor generator 320', a reference block extractor 330', and a load comparator 340'.

[0131] In such an embodiment, when the full load value FL of the display panel 100 is greater than or equal to the reference load value RL, the scaling factor generator 320' can generate an enable signal EN for turning off the operations of the second load calculator 312', the reference block extractor 330', and the load comparator 340' based on the first load data FLD provided from the first load calculator 311.

[0132] When the full load value FL of the display panel 100 is greater than or equal to the reference load value RL, since the scaling factor generator 320' generates the first scaling factor SF1 as the scaling factor SF based on only the first load data FLD, the second load calculator 312', the reference block extractor 330', and the load comparator 340' are turned off in response to the enable signal EN. Accordingly, the operation of the scaling factor provider 300' is minimized, so that the power consumption of the scaling factor provider 300' can be reduced.

[0133] The present application should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the application to those skilled in the art.

[0134] While the present application has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the application as defined by the following range of claims.

Claims

1. A display device, wherein, The display apparatus includes: a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixel portion is divided into a plurality of blocks; a scaling factor provider that calculates a first load value of input image data corresponding to all of the blocks of the pixel portion, calculates a second load value of the input image data for each of the blocks, and generates a scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value; and a timing controller that generates image data by scaling a gray value of the input image data based on the scaling factor, wherein when the first load value is greater than or equal to a reference load value, the scaling factor provider generates, as the scaling factor, a first scaling factor for collectively controlling the gray value of the input image data corresponding to the blocks based on the first load value, and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, the scaling factor provider generates, as the scaling factor, a second scaling factor for controlling the gray value of the input image data for each of the blocks based on the first load value and the second load value.

2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, as the first load value increases, a brightness of an image displayed in the pixel portion decreases based on the first scaling factor, and when the first load value is less than the reference load value, as the first load value decreases, a brightness of an image displayed in each of the blocks increases based on the second scaling factor, and an image having a highest brightness is displayed in a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The scaling factor provider includes: a load calculator that calculates the first load value to generate first load data, and calculates the second load value to generate second load data; a reference block extractor that generates reference block data by extracting a reference block having a largest second load value among the blocks based on the second load data; a load comparator that generates third load data by comparing the second load value of the reference block and the second load value of an adjacent block based on the second load data and the reference block data; and a scaling factor generator that generates the scaling factor based on the first load data, the third load data, and the reference block data.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor generator generates the first scaling factor based on the first load data, wherein as the first load value increases, a size of the first scaling factor decreases, and wherein when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, the scaling factor generator generates an enable signal, and the reference block extractor and the load comparator are turned off in response to the enable signal.

5. The display device according to claim 3, wherein when the first load value is smaller than the reference load value, the scaling factor generator generates the second scaling factor based on the first load data, the third load data, and the reference block data.

6. The display device of claim 5, wherein, The scaling factor generator includes: a first control value generator that generates a first control value based on the first load data; a second control value generator that generates a second control value based on the reference block data; a third control value generator that generates a third control value based on the third load data; and an output section that generates the second scaling factor based on the first control value to the third control value, wherein the first control value increases as the first load value decreases, wherein the second control value decreases as the reference block moves away from a center portion of the pixel portion, and wherein the third control value increases as a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the adjacent block increases.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein, The second scaling factor includes a first sub-scaling factor corresponding to the reference block and a second sub-scaling factor corresponding to the adjacent block, and the output section generates the first sub-scaling factor based on the first control value to the third control value, and the output section generates the second sub-scaling factor based on the first sub-scaling factor, the reference block data, and the third load data, wherein the first sub-scaling factor is larger than the second sub-scaling factor, and wherein a difference between the first sub-scaling factor and the second sub-scaling factor increases as a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the adjacent block increases.

8. A driving method of a display device including a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels and divided into a plurality of blocks, wherein, The driving method includes: calculating a first load value of input image data corresponding to all the blocks of the pixel portion; calculating a second load value of the input image data for each of the blocks; generating a scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value; generating image data by scaling a gray value of the input image data by using the scaling factor, and generating a data signal corresponding to the image data to supply the data signal to the pixel, wherein the generating the scaling factor includes: when the first load value is greater than or equal to a reference load value, generating a first scaling factor that controls the gray value of the input image data corresponding to the blocks as the scaling factor based on the first load value; and when the first load value is smaller than the reference load value, generating a second scaling factor that controls the gray value of the input image data for each of the blocks as the scaling factor based on the first load value and the second load value.

9. The driving method of the display device according to claim 8, wherein, when the first load value is greater than or equal to the reference load value, a luminance of an image displayed in the pixel portion decreases based on the first scaling factor as the first load value increases, when the first load value is less than the reference load value, as the first load value decreases, a brightness of the image displayed in each of the blocks increases based on the second scaling factor, and the image having the highest brightness is displayed in a reference block of the blocks having a maximum second load value.

10. The driving method of the display device according to claim 8, wherein, the generating the scaling factor comprises: extracting a reference block of the blocks having a maximum second load value; comparing the second load value of the reference block with a second load value of a neighboring block; and generating the scaling factor based on the first load value, a position of the reference block in the pixel portion, and a difference in the second load value between the reference block and the neighboring block, wherein the second scaling factor comprises a first sub-scaling factor corresponding to the reference block and a second sub-scaling factor corresponding to the neighboring block, and wherein the first sub-scaling factor is greater than the second sub-scaling factor.

Images