Method for displaying an image in a display device

Abstract

A method for displaying an image in a display device. The method may include: shifting the center of an image from a first pixel in a first direction according to a first shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to a second shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a third direction opposite to the first direction according to a third shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a fourth direction opposite to the second direction according to a fourth shifting route; and shifting the center of the image in the first direction according to a fifth shifting route until the center of the image reaches a second pixel. The end pixel of the first shifting route is positioned in the second direction starting from the second pixel.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application number 201710551216.0 filed on July 7, 2017 and titled “Method for displaying an image in a display device”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0087071, filed on Jul. 8, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The inventive concept relates to a display device and a method of displaying an image in the display device. Background Art

[0005] There are various display devices such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and a plasma display device that are widely used.

[0006] When a display device outputs certain images or characters for a long time, the performance of certain pixels may deteriorate, resulting in afterimages on the display.

[0007] Pixel shifting technology has been developed to reduce the incidence of pixel degradation. More specifically, pixel shifting technology operates by displaying an image on a display panel that is periodically shifted in position after a predetermined period of time. This periodic shifting of the image can reduce or prevent pixel degradation associated with static images. When a display device shifts the display of an image at a predetermined period of time and displays the shifted image on the display panel, the same data is prevented from being output by a specific pixel for a long period of time, which can reduce or prevent degradation of the specific pixel (e.g., degraded pixel performance).

[0008] For example, a display device can shift an image having the same pattern by utilizing pixel shifting technology. However, when a display device shifts an image by repeating the same pattern within a pixel region, the performance of the pixel may still be degraded. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The inventive concept provides a display device that can prevent / reduce pixel performance degradation and prevent generation of an afterimage by shifting an image through a pixel shift operation, and a method of displaying an image in the display device.

[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept provides a method for displaying an image in a display device, which may include: determining a degree of degradation of pixels included in a display unit based on image data of a current frame image; determining a shift route for displaying the current frame image along a display area of ​​the display unit, wherein the determined shift route has a path for dispersing pixel stress substantially corresponding to the degree of degradation of the pixels; and shifting the display of the current frame image along the determined shift route.

[0011] The shift route may include a plurality of shift routes along the display area of ​​the display unit.

[0012] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, the plurality of shift routes may not overlap with each other along the display area of ​​the display unit.

[0013] The multiple shift routes may include, for example: a first shift route extending from a substantially central display area of ​​the display unit to a substantially peripheral display area of ​​the display unit; and a second shift route extending from a substantially peripheral display area to a substantially central display area of ​​the display unit.

[0014] The end point of the first displacement route may be the same as the starting point of the second displacement route.

[0015] Shifting the display of the current frame image may include shifting the display of the current frame image along a first shift route and then shifting the display of the current frame image along a second shift route.

[0016] Determining the shift routes for display of the current frame image may include determining the shift routes such that when the degree of degradation of the pixel is relatively large, the shift routes include a large number of shift routes.

[0017] Determining the degradation degree of pixels may include: grouping pixels into pixel blocks; generating a first cumulative stress map based on image data, the first cumulative stress map indicating the degradation degree of pixels included in the pixel blocks; and calculating a brightness difference between adjacently disposed pixel blocks by analyzing the first cumulative stress map.

[0018] Generating a first cumulative stress map may include calculating an average brightness value of each pixel block in the pixel block and generating a stress map of a current frame image including the average brightness value, and reading a second cumulative stress map of a previous frame image from a memory, and generating a first cumulative stress map by applying the generated stress map to the second cumulative stress map.

[0019] Calculating the luminance difference may include determining that the degree of degradation of the pixel is relatively large when the luminance difference is large.

[0020] The determining of the plurality of shifting routes may include determining the shifting routes such that, when the luminance difference is greater than a reference luminance difference, the shifting routes include a greater number of shifting routes than a reference number.

[0021] Another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes a display apparatus including: a processor configured to generate image data to shift display of a current frame image along a plurality of shift routes; and a display unit configured to display the current frame image based on the image data.

[0022] The processor may include: an image data generator that generates first image data of a current frame image; a shift range determiner that determines a degree of degradation of a pixel based on the first image data and determines multiple shift routes so as to correspond to the determined degree of degradation of the pixel; and an image corrector that corrects the first image data into second image data so that the current frame image is shifted along the shift route.

[0023] The processor may further include: a stress calculation unit that analyzes the brightness distribution of the current frame image based on the first image data and generates a stress map.

[0024] The shift range determiner may determine a plurality of shift routes by using the stress map so as to correspond to the brightness differences between pixels.

[0025] The multiple shift routes may include: a first shift route, extending from a substantially central display area of ​​the display unit to a substantially peripheral display area of ​​the display unit; and a second shift route, not overlapping with the first shift route, and extending from the substantially peripheral display area to a substantially central display area of ​​the display unit.

[0026] Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept includes a method of displaying an image in a display device, the method comprising: shifting, through a display area of ​​the display device, an image displayed along a first shift route extending from a substantially central area to a substantially peripheral display area of ​​a display unit; and shifting display of the image along a second shift route that does not overlap with the first shift route, and the second shift route extends from the substantially peripheral display area to a substantially central display area of ​​the display unit, wherein an end point of the first shift route is a starting point of the second shift route.

[0027] According to the display device and method of displaying an image in the display device conceived by the present invention, performance degradation of pixels can be prevented or reduced by shifting the display of the image through a pixel shift operation, and shifting the display of the image can reduce or prevent the generation of an afterimage on the display area of ​​the display unit.

[0028] In addition, according to the display device and method for displaying an image in the display device conceived by the present invention, by determining the degree of degradation of the pixel and determining the shift route for displaying the image so as to correspond to the determined result, adverse effects of display such as afterimages can be reduced or prevented by shifting the image according to the determined shift route. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and is not limited to the description set forth herein. Rather, the embodiments of the present invention are provided so that the present invention can be implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art without excessive experimentation.

[0030] In the accompanying drawings, dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "between" two elements, the element can be only between the two elements, or one or more intermediate elements may be present. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a processor is shown;

[0033] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A conceptual diagram of an image display area of ​​a display panel is shown;

[0034] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of determining a plurality of shift routes for a current frame image by an image range determiner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0036] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of grouping pixels into pixel groups by a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept;

[0037] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of a method of generating a first cumulative stress map by a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept; and

[0038] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a method of displaying an image through a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0039] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a shift range determiner analyzes whether to shift display of a data image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification, the specific structure or function description is only illustrative for the purpose of explaining the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described in this specification and shown in the drawings.

[0041] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components and to distinguish between the components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be named a first component.

[0042] The terms used in this specification do not limit the present invention. As used herein, terms in the singular are also intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude the possibility of pre-existing or adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms defined in dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meanings as those understood by those skilled in the art, but if not explicitly defined in this specification, they should not be interpreted as having ideal or overly formal meanings.

[0044] As used herein, persons of skill will understand and appreciate that the term "degradation of a pixel" (e.g., "pixel degradation," "degraded performance of a pixel") refers to a degradation (or potential degradation) of pixel performance that may result in, for example, afterimages (image sticking). Pixel degradation can occur in, for example, OLED, plasma, and LCD displays, and can result from pixels being charged at certain levels and / or for extended periods of time. For example, in an LCD panel, parasitic charge (polarization) can accumulate within pixels and sub-pixels at the liquid crystal layer that affects the optical properties of the LCD and can inhibit the orientation of the crystals, which in turn can inhibit the crystals from returning to a fully normal state when deactivated.

[0045] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, Figure 2 Such as Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a processor is shown.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a display device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept may include a processor 100 and a display unit 200 .

[0048] The processor 100 may supply the first image data DATA1, the second image data DATA2, and the control signal CS to the display unit 200. For example, the processor 100 may be implemented by an application processor (AP), a mobile AP, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a processor capable of controlling the operation of the display unit 200, but is not limited thereto. The processor 100 may be implemented as a single chip. However, within the spirit and scope of the present inventive concept, more than one processor may be used, with certain tasks being performed by the respective processors.

[0049] refer to Figure 2 , the processor 100 may include an image data generator 110 , a shift range determiner 120 , and an image corrector 130 .

[0050] The image data generator 110 may be configured to generate first image data DATA1 for displaying a current frame image through the display unit 200. The image data generator 110 may provide the generated first image data DATA1 to the shift range determiner 120 and the image corrector 130 for additional actions.

[0051] For example, the shift range determiner 120 may determine the degree of degradation of pixels included in the display unit 200 based on the first image data DATA1 of the current frame image.

[0052] For example, the shift range determiner 120 can determine the degree of pixel degradation by analyzing the brightness distribution of the current frame image based on the first image data DATA1. When a specific pixel among the pixels included in the display unit 200 receives image data having a brightness value higher than the brightness values ​​of the surrounding pixels, the specific pixel can be determined to have a higher (increased) probability of pixel performance degradation than the surrounding pixels. Therefore, pixel shifting can be performed in the case of anticipating pixel degradation that may adversely affect pixel performance.

[0053] The shift range determiner 120 may determine a shift path for displaying the current frame image to correspond to the determined degree of pixel performance degradation. For example, the shift range determiner 120 may analyze the brightness distribution of the current frame image based on the first image data DATA1 to detect a specific pixel having a brightness difference greater than a reference brightness difference from surrounding pixels, and determine a shift path for displaying the current frame image that can prevent the performance degradation of the specific pixel.

[0054] More specifically, a first image data signal (DATA1) is output to the display panel 240 to display a static (e.g., unshifted) current frame image. However, in response to determining that at least some of the pixels displaying the current frame image (based on the luminance values ​​of the pixels according to the indicator in the pixel stress map) have an increased likelihood of generating an afterimage, the processor 100 outputs a second image data signal including shift information to shift the display of the current frame image along a shift path of the display panel 240. Shifting the display of the image along the shift path to distribute pixel stress can reduce or prevent the generation of afterimages displayed by overloaded pixels.

[0055] The shift route of the current frame image may include a plurality of routes formed along the display panel 240 .

[0056] According to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, a plurality of routes included in the shift route of the current frame image may be formed not to overlap with each other.

[0057] The shift range determiner 120 may provide the shift range information SI including the determined shift route to the image corrector 130 .

[0058] The image corrector 130 may supply the first image data DATA1 or the second image data DATA2 to the display unit 200 based on the shift range information SI provided by the shift range determiner 120 .

[0059] When the shift range information SI includes a shift route for displaying the current frame image, the image corrector 130 may correct (e.g., change) the first image data DATA1 into the second image data DATA2 and supply the second image data DATA2 to the display unit 200 so that the display of the current frame image is shifted along the shift route.

[0060] However, when the shift range information SI includes information indicating that the current frame image is not to be shifted (for example, when the pixel brightness is uniformly distributed between pixels, or the degree of performance degradation may not guarantee pixel shifting), the image corrector 130 can supply the first image data DATA1 to the display unit 200 so that the display of the current frame image will not be shifted by the display unit 200.

[0061] The display unit 200 may include, for example, a timing controller 210 , a scan driver 220 , a data driver 230 , and a display panel 240 .

[0062] The timing controller 210 may receive any one of the first image data DATA1 and the second image data DATA2 from the processor 100 .

[0063] In addition, the timing controller 210 may receive a control signal CS from the processor 100 and may generate a scan control signal SCS and a data control signal DCS by using the received control signal CS.

[0064] The timing controller 210 may transmit the scan control signal SCS to the scan driver 220 . Also, the timing controller 210 may transmit the data control signal DCS to the data driver 230 .

[0065] The data driver 230 may receive any one of the first image data DATA1 and the second image data DATA2 and the data control signal DCS from the timing controller 210 and generate a data signal DS.

[0066] For example, the data driver 230 may generate a data signal DS based on the first image data DATA1 or generate a data signal DS based on the second image data DATA2. The data driver 230 may transmit the generated data signal DS to a data line (not shown).

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the data driver 230 may be directly mounted in the display panel 240 .

[0068] The scan driver 220 may supply a scan signal SS to a scan line (not shown) based on a scan control signal SCS.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the scan driver 220 may be directly mounted in the display panel 240 .

[0070] The display panel 240 may include pixels connected to scan lines and data lines to display images.

[0071] For example, the display panel 240 may be implemented by an organic light emitting display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, etc., to name some non-limiting possible structures.

[0072] When a scan signal SS is supplied to a scan line, pixels can be selected in units of horizontal lines. The pixels selected by the scan signal SS can receive a data signal DS from the data line connected to the pixel. In response to receiving the data signal DS, the pixel receiving the data signal DS can emit light of a predetermined brightness.

[0073] According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the data driver 230 and the scan driver 220 are Figure 1 Although shown as being separately located in the display unit 200 , the data driver 230 and the scan driver 220 may be combined and located in the display unit 200 .

[0074] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 The conceptual diagram of the image display area of ​​the display panel shown in FIG. Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of determining a plurality of shift routes for a current frame image by an image range determiner according to a first exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0075] refer to Figure 3 The display panel 240 may include, for example, an image display area DA capable of displaying an image. A user of the display panel 240 may view the image displayed on the image display area DA.

[0076] The image display area DA of the display panel 240 may include a plurality of pixels that emit light with brightness corresponding to the data signal DS.

[0077] The shift range determiner 120 may determine a degree of degradation of performance of pixels included in the display unit 200, and determine a shift route of display of the current frame image that may correspond to the degree of degradation of performance of the pixels. Figure 4A and Figure 4B To describe its details.

[0078] Figure 4A 1 shows the shift path of the current frame image formed along the image display area DA. Here, the image display area DA may include pixels PX in an m×n matrix structure. For example, when the resolution of the display panel 240 is 1920×1080, n may be 1920 and m may be 1080.

[0079] The shift route of the current frame image may include, for example, a first route DI1 extending from the first point P1 to the second point P2 and a second route DI2 extending from the second point P2 to the third point P3. Figure 4AAs shown, the first point P1 and the third point P3 may be located in a substantially central area of ​​the image display area DA, and the second point P2 may be located in a peripheral display area substantially peripheral to the image display area DA of the display panel 240. In addition, the first route DI1 and the second route DI2 may not overlap with each other, and each of the first route DI1 and the second route DI2 may be formed in a maze form surrounding each other.

[0080] In this embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first route DI1 begins at a first point P1 in a substantially central area of ​​the image display area DA and, before reaching an end point P2, has a path around a substantially peripheral display area that surrounds a majority of the path of the second route DI2. However, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that various arrangements of pixel shifting routes other than the examples shown herein are within the scope of the present inventive concept.

[0081] The image corrector 130 of the processor 100 may correct (e.g., change) the first image data DATA1 into the second image data DATA2 based on the shift range information SI provided from the shift range determiner 120, so that the display of the current frame image may be shifted along the first route DI1 and / or the second route DI2 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 shown).

[0082] In this example, the display unit 200 may display the second image data DATA2 whenever it receives the second image data DATA2 from the processor 100. Figure 4A The current frame image is shifted in the direction of the arrow shown.

[0083] For example, assuming that the center of the current frame image is displayed at the first point P1, the display unit 200 can shift the display of the center of the current frame image to the second point P2 along the first route DI1 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received, and display the current frame image. Furthermore, when the center of the current frame image is shifted to be displayed at the second point P2, the display unit 200 can shift the center of the currently displayed current frame image to a third point P3 along the second route DI2, and display the current frame image. As described above, the display unit 200 can shift the current frame image along the first route DI1 and the second route DI2 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received from the image corrector 130, and display the current frame image along the shifted routes.

[0084] refer to Figure 4B , the shift range determiner 120 may determine Figure 4A The new shifting route is different from the shifting route shown.

[0085] For example, the shift route of the current frame image may include a third route DI3 extending from the first point P1 to the second point P2, a fourth route DI4 extending from the second point P2 to the fourth point P4, a fifth route DI5 extending from the fourth point P4 to the fifth point P5, and a sixth route DI6 extending from the fifth point P5 to the third point P3.

[0086] exist Figure 4B In the embodiment, the first point P1, the third point P3, and the fourth point P4 may be located in a central area (e.g., a substantially central area) of the image display area DA, and the second point P2 and the fifth point P5 may be located in an outer peripheral area (e.g., a substantially outer peripheral area) of the image display area DA. In addition, the third to sixth routes DI3 to DI6 may not overlap with each other, and each of the third to sixth routes DI3 to DI6 may be formed in a maze form surrounding each other.

[0087] The image corrector 130 may correct (eg, change) the first image data DATA1 into the second image data DATA2 by using the shift range information SI provided from the shift range determiner 120 so that display of the current frame image may be shifted along the third to sixth routes DI3 to DI6.

[0088] In this example, the display unit 200 may display an image shifted in the arrow direction whenever receiving the second image data DATA2 from the processor 100 .

[0089] For example, when it is assumed that the center of the current frame image is displayed at the first point P1, the display unit 200 can shift the display of the center of the current frame image to the second point P2 along the third route DI3 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received, and then shift the display of the center of the current frame image to the fourth point P4 along the fourth route DI4, and shift the display of the center of the current frame image to the fifth point P5 along the fifth route DI5, and shift the display of the center of the current frame image to the third point P3 along the sixth route DI6, and display the current frame image.

[0090] As described above, the display unit 200 may shift the display of the current frame image along the third to sixth routes DI3 to DI6 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received, and display the current frame image.

[0091] Will refer to Figure 4A and Figure 4B Describe the displacement distance of the current frame image. Figure 4A and Figure 4B It can be seen that the shift distance of the current frame image from the first point P1 to the second point P2 along the third route DI3 is shorter than the shift distance of the current frame image along the first route DI1.

[0092] When the current frame image is shifted along the third route DI3, the center of the current frame image can be shifted more quickly to the outer peripheral area (e.g., substantially the outer peripheral area) of the image display area DA than when the current frame image is shifted along the first route DI1.

[0093] For example, based on the comparison of brightness values, when the degradation performance (or potential degradation performance) of the pixel PX set in the central area of ​​the image display area DA is relatively large, the current frame image can be shifted along the third route DI3, and the stress of the pixel PX set in the central area of ​​the display can be dispersed more quickly to the pixels PX set in the peripheral area substantially on the periphery compared to the case where the current frame image is shifted along the first route DI1.

[0094] Therefore, the shift range determiner 120 may determine the degree of degradation of the performance of the pixel PX and, when the degree of degradation (or potential degradation) is relatively large, determine a shift route including a relatively long shift route as the shift route of the current frame image.

[0095] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a processor according to a second exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0096] Based on and according to Figure 2 The differences of the processor 100 of the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept shown will be explained in detail. Figure 5 The processor 100' of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. Figure 5 Parts specifically described will follow those of the processor 100 according to the exemplary embodiment described above, and like reference numerals refer to like elements and similar reference numerals to similar elements.

[0097] refer to Figure 5 The processor 100 ′ may include, for example, an image data generator 110 , a stress calculation unit (or stress calculator) 115 , a shift range determiner 120 ′, and an image corrector 130 .

[0098] The image data generator 110 may generate first image data DATA1 for displaying a current frame image through the display unit 200. The image data generator 110 may provide the first image data DATA1 to the image corrector 130.

[0099] The stress calculation unit 115 may analyze the brightness distribution of the current frame image based on the first image data DATA1 and generate a stress map.

[0100] Specifically, the stress calculation unit 115 may be configured to group the pixels PX included in the display unit 200 into pixel blocks, calculate the average brightness value of each pixel block in the pixel blocks, and generate a stress map. Here, the stress map may be an indicator indicating the degree of degradation of the pixels PX included in the pixel blocks displaying the current frame image.

[0101] The stress calculation unit 115 may generate a stress map based on the first image data DATA1 of the current frame image, and may also generate a first cumulative stress map SMAP1 by using the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 of the previous frame image read from the memory 300. Here, the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 represents the degree of degradation (or potential degradation) of the performance of the pixels PX included in the pixel block displaying the current frame image as a cumulative index, and may be generated by applying the stress map of the current frame image to the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 of the previous frame image.

[0102] For example, the stress calculation unit 115 may be configured to generate a first cumulative stress map SMAP1 by applying an average brightness value of a current frame image to a cumulative average brightness value of previous frame images.

[0103] The stress calculation unit 115 may supply the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 to the shift range determiner 120 ′.

[0104] The shift range determiner 120' may be configured to determine whether the stress on the pixel should be dispersed via pixel shifting and a specific shift route based on analyzing the first cumulative stress map SMAP1, and determine the shift route of the current frame image based on the determined result. The shift range determiner 120' may provide shift range information SI including the determined shift route to the image corrector 130.

[0105] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of grouping pixels into pixel groups by a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0106] refer to Figure 6 , the stress calculation unit 115 may group the pixels PX included in the image display area DA into a plurality of pixel blocks BL. The pixels PX included in each of the pixel blocks BL may be disposed adjacent to each other.

[0107] According to an exemplary embodiment, the stress calculation unit 115 may group the pixels PX in the pixel block BL into a p×q matrix structure (here, p and q are natural numbers).

[0108] For example, the stress calculation unit 115 may group the pixels PX1 to PX16 in a 4×4 matrix structure into one pixel block BL, and may also group the remaining pixels PX into a pixel block BL including the pixels PX in a 4×4 matrix structure.

[0109] Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of generating a first cumulative stress map by a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0110] refer to Figure 7 The stress calculation unit 115 may average the brightness values ​​of the pixels PX in each pixel block included in the pixel blocks BL, calculate the average brightness value for the current frame image, and generate a stress map for the current frame image including the average brightness values ​​of each pixel block BL. For example, the stress map may include a set of brightness values, with each of the plurality of pixel blocks BL emitting light and displaying the current frame image.

[0111] Furthermore, the stress calculation unit 115 may calculate an average brightness value for each of the plurality of pixel blocks BL for each frame image, average the calculated average brightness values ​​for each frame image, and calculate a cumulative average brightness value for each of the plurality of pixel blocks BL. For example, the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 may include a set of cumulative average brightness values ​​at which the pixel blocks BL emit light from the initial frame image to the previous frame image.

[0112] The stress calculation unit 115 may store the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 in the memory 300 and read the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 from the memory 300 to generate the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 .

[0113] The stress calculation unit 115 may generate a first cumulative stress map SMAP1 by applying the stress map to the second cumulative stress map SMAP2. For example, the stress calculation unit 115 may calculate a cumulative average brightness value at which the plurality of pixel blocks BL emit light from the initial frame image to the current frame image, and generate the first cumulative stress map SMAP1.

[0114] The shift range determiner 120 ′ may determine whether to disperse stress of pixels for displaying an image based on analyzing the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 .

[0115] According to an exemplary embodiment, the shift range determiner 120′ calculates a first luminance difference between adjacent rows in the pixel block BL and a second luminance difference between adjacent columns in the pixel block BL, and when at least one of the first luminance difference and the second luminance difference is greater than a reference luminance difference, the shift range determiner 120′ may determine that degradation of the pixel PX included in the pixel block BL can be resolved using pixel shifting.

[0116] For example, the shift range determiner 120' may compare the cumulative average brightness values ​​of the pixel blocks. For example, the shift range determiner 120' may compare the cumulative average brightness value LU5 of the fifth pixel block BL5 with the cumulative average brightness value LU1 of the second pixel block BL2, and compare the cumulative average brightness value LU5 of the fifth pixel block BL5 with the cumulative average brightness value LU4 of the eighth pixel block BL8 to calculate a first brightness difference. In addition, the shift range determiner 120' may compare the cumulative average brightness value LU5 of the fifth pixel block BL5 with the cumulative average brightness value LU2 of the fourth pixel block BL4, and compare the cumulative average brightness value LU5 of the fifth pixel block BL5 with the cumulative average brightness value LU3 of the sixth pixel block BL6 to calculate a second brightness difference. When either the first brightness difference or the second brightness difference is greater than the reference brightness difference, the shift range determiner 120' may determine that the degradation (or potential degradation) of the pixel PX included in the fifth pixel block BL5 is relatively large.

[0117] The shift range determiner 120' may determine a shift route of the current frame image based on the determined degradation degree.The shift range determiner 120' may set a shift route including a large number of routes corresponding to the pixel degradation degree as the shift route of the current frame image.

[0118] For example, when the brightness difference between the adjacently arranged pixel blocks BL is smaller than the reference brightness difference, the shift range determiner 120′ may shift the pixels including Figure 4A The shifting routes of the first route DI1 and the second route DI2 shown are determined as the shifting routes of the current frame image, and when the brightness difference between the adjacently arranged pixel blocks BL is greater than the reference brightness difference, the shifting range determiner 120' may include Figure 4B The shift routes shown from the third route DI3 to the sixth route DI6 are determined as the shift routes of the current frame image.

[0119] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of displaying an image through a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0120] refer to Figure 8, the shift range determiner 120 can determine the degree of degradation of the pixel PX included in the display unit 200 based on the first image data DATA1 of the current frame image (S100), and determine the shift route of the current frame image to correspond to the determined degree of degradation of the pixel (S110). In this case, the shift route may include multiple routes. For example, the difference in length of the shift route may result in different amounts of pixel stress being dispersed. Therefore, the shift route can be determined in consideration of the determined degree of degradation.

[0121] The image corrector 130 may correct the first image data DATA1 into the second image data DATA2 so that the current frame image is shifted along the shifting route (S120).

[0122] The display unit 200 may display the current frame image shifted along the shift route by using the second image data DATA2 .

[0123] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, in which a shift range determiner analyzes whether to shift display of a data image.

[0124] The image data generator 110 of the processor 100 ′ generates first image data DATA1 for displaying a current frame image ( S200 ).

[0125] The stress calculator 115 of the processor 100 ′ is configured to analyze the brightness distribution of the current frame image based on the first image data DATA1 and generate a stress map ( S210 ).

[0126] The stress calculator 115 applies the stress map information of the current frame image to the accumulated stress map of the previous frame image ( S220 ).

[0127] The shift range determiner 120 ′ determines whether there is any pixel having a higher luminance value than surrounding pixels based on the stress map information ( S230 ).

[0128] If there is a pixel having a higher brightness value than the surrounding pixels, the possibility of pixel degradation increases, and the shift range determiner 120' sends the shift range information SI to shift the display of the image. The image corrector 130 can correct the first image data DATA1 into the second image data DATA2 and send the second image data DATA2 to the timing controller 210 to generate a data signal DS corresponding to the second image data DATA2 (S240).

[0129] However, if the shift range determiner 120′ determines that there are no pixels having a higher brightness value than the surrounding pixels, the shift range determiner 120′ transmits shift range information SI indicating that the image shift is not to be performed to the image corrector 130. The image corrector 130 may then transmit the first image data DATA1 to the timing controller 210 to generate a data signal DS corresponding to the first image data DATA1 (S250).

[0130] The present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, but the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications to the embodiments of the inventive concept can be implemented.

Claims

1. A method for displaying an image on a display device, the method comprising: shifting the center of the image from the first pixel in a first direction according to a first shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to a second shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a third direction opposite to the first direction according to a third shifting route; shifting the center of the image in a fourth direction opposite to the second direction according to a fourth shifting route; and According to a fifth shifting route, the center of the image is shifted in the first direction until the center of the image reaches a second pixel, The second pixel is the end pixel of the fifth shift route, wherein the end pixel of the first shift route is positioned in the second direction starting from the second pixel, and wherein a shift direction of the center of the image changes after an end pixel of each of the first shift route, the second shift route, the third shift route, the fourth shift route, and the fifth shift route.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Shift routes corresponding to the same direction do not overlap with each other.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The third shift route and the fifth shift route have the same number of pixels.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The first shift route has a half number of pixels relative to the number of pixels of the third shift route.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The second shift route has a half number of pixels relative to the number of pixels of the fourth shift route.

6. A method for displaying an image in a display device, the method comprising: shifting the center of the image from a first pixel to a second pixel in a clockwise direction according to a first shifting route; shifting the center of the image from the second pixel to a third pixel in a counterclockwise direction according to a second shifting route; shifting the center of the image from the third pixel to a fourth pixel in the clockwise direction according to a third shifting route; as well as shifting the center of the image from the fourth pixel to the fifth pixel in the counterclockwise direction according to a fourth shifting route, The first shifting route surrounds the second shifting route, the second shifting route surrounds the third shifting route, and the third shifting route surrounds the fourth shifting route.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein No pixel exists between the fifth pixel and the third pixel.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein No pixel exists between the first pixel and the fifth pixel.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein Shift routes corresponding to the same direction do not overlap with each other.

Images