Method for displaying an image in a display device

Abstract

A method of displaying an image in a display device. The method may include: shifting a center of the image in a first direction from a first pixel according to a first shift route; shifting the center of the image in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction according to a second shift route; shifting the center of the image in a third direction opposite to the first direction according to a third shift route; and shifting the center of the image in a fourth direction opposite to the second direction according to a fourth shift route. The center of the image is repeatedly shifted in a first shift route pattern sequentially including the first shift route, the second shift route, the third shift route, and the fourth shift route until the center of the image reaches a second pixel.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the application number 201710551216.0 and the title "Method for Displaying Images in a Display Device", which was filed on July 7, 2017.

[0002] Cross - reference to related applications

[0003] This application claims the priority and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2016 - 0087071, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on July 8, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical field

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

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

[0006] When a display device outputs a specific image or character for a long time, the performance of specific pixels may deteriorate, thereby generating an afterimage on the display.

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

[0008] For example, a display device may shift an image having the same pattern by using pixel shift technology. However, when the display device shifts an image by repeating the same pattern within a pixel area, the performance of the pixels may still deteriorate. Summary of the invention

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

[0010] Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept provide a method of displaying an image in a display device, the method may include: determining a degree of deterioration 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 deterioration 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 each other along the display area of the display unit.

[0013] The plurality of 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 peripheral display area of the display unit; and a second shift route extending from the substantially peripheral peripheral display area to the substantially central display area of the display unit.

[0014] An end point of the first shift route may be the same as a starting point of the second shift route.

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

[0016] Determining the shift route for displaying the current frame image may include: determining a shift route such that when the degree of deterioration of the pixels is relatively large, the shift route includes a large number of shift routes.

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

[0018] Generating the first cumulative stress map may include: calculating an average luminance value of each pixel block in the pixel blocks and generating a stress map of the current frame image including the average luminance value, and reading a second cumulative stress map of a previous frame image from a memory and generating the 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 deterioration of the pixels is relatively large when the luminance difference is large.

[0020] Determining multiple shifting routes may include: determining a shifting route such that when the luminance difference is greater than a reference luminance difference, the shifting route includes a greater number of shifting routes than a reference number.

[0021] Another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept includes a display device including: a processor configured to generate image data to shift the display of a current frame image along multiple shifting 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 deterioration of pixels based on the first image data and determines multiple shifting routes to correspond to the determined degree of deterioration of the pixels; and an image corrector that corrects the first image data to second image data such that the current frame image is shifted along the shifting route.

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

[0024] The shift range determiner may determine multiple shifting routes by using the stress map to correspond to a luminance difference between pixels.

[0025] The multiple shifting routes may include: a first shifting route extending from a substantially central display area of the display unit to a substantially peripheral surrounding display area of the display unit; and a second shifting route that does not overlap with the first shifting route and extends from the substantially peripheral surrounding display area to a substantially central display area of the display unit.

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

[0027] According to the display device and method of displaying an image in the display device of the inventive concept, deterioration in the performance of pixels may be prevented or reduced by shifting the display of the image through a pixel shifting operation, and shifting the display of the image may reduce or prevent generation of an afterimage on a display area of the display unit.

[0028] In addition, according to the display device and method for displaying an image in the display device of the inventive concept, by determining the degree of deterioration of pixels and determining a shift route for displaying an image to correspond to the determined result, it is possible to reduce or prevent adverse effects of display such as afterimages by shifting the image according to the determined shift route. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the inventive concept may be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the description 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 inventive concept to those of ordinary skill in the art without requiring undue experimentation.

[0030] In the drawings, for clarity of illustration, dimensions may be exaggerated. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, the element may be only between the two elements, or there may be one or more intervening elements. Like reference numerals always refer to like elements.

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

[0032] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic block diagram of the illustrated processor;

[0033] Figure 3 is showing Figure 1 a conceptual diagram of an image display area of the illustrated display panel;

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

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

[0036] Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram showing 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 showing operations of a method of generating a first cumulative stress map by a processor according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept; and

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

[0039] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where a shift range determiner analyzes whether to shift the display of a data image. Detailed implementation manners

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

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

[0042] The terms used in this specification do not limit the inventive concept. As used herein, the singular form of a term is also intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the terms "comprising" 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 the pre-existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] If they are not defined otherwise, all terms, including technical or scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in a dictionary should be interpreted as having the same meaning as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, but if not explicitly defined in this specification, they are not to be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning.

[0044] As used herein, those skilled in the art should understand and recognize that the term "deterioration of a pixel" (e.g., "pixel deterioration", "deterioration performance of a pixel") refers to the deterioration (or potential deterioration) of pixel performance that may cause, for example, image sticking (image residue). Pixel deterioration can occur, for example, in OLED, plasma, and LCD displays, and can be caused by a pixel being charged at a certain level and / or for a relatively long period of time. For example, in an LCD panel, parasitic charges (polarization) can accumulate in the liquid crystal layer that affects the optical characteristics of the LCD within pixels and sub-pixels, 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 of a display device showing an exemplary embodiment according to the inventive concept, Figure 2 such as Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a processor as shown.

[0047] Referring 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 first image data DATA1, second image data DATA2, and a 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 inventive concept, more than one processor may be used and have certain tasks executed by the respective processors.

[0049] Referring 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 may 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 higher brightness value than the brightness values of surrounding pixels, the specific pixel may be determined to have a higher (increased) likelihood of pixel performance degradation compared to surrounding pixels. Accordingly, pixel shifting may be performed in the case of pixel degradation that is expected to have an adverse effect on pixel performance.

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

[0054] More specifically, the first image data signal (DATA1) is output to the display panel 240 to display a still (e.g., unshifted) current frame image. However, in response to determining that the likelihood of generating an afterimage increases in at least some of the pixels displaying the current frame image (based on the luminance value of the pixels according to the metrics in the pixel stress map), the processor 100 outputs a second image data signal including shift information to shift the display of the current frame image along the shift route of the display panel 240. Shifting the display of the image along the shift route to disperse pixel stress may reduce or prevent the generation of an afterimage displayed by overloaded pixels.

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

[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the multiple routes included in the shift route of the current frame image may be formed not to overlap each other.

[0057] The shift range determiner 120 may provide 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. S

[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 to 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 not to shift the current frame image (e.g., when the pixel luminance is evenly distributed among the pixels, or the degree of deterioration of the performance may not warrant pixel shifting), the image corrector 130 may supply the first image data DATA1 to the display unit 200 so that the display of the current frame image is not 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 either the first image data DATA1 or 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 send the scan control signal SCS to the scan driver 220. In addition, the timing controller 210 may send the data control signal DCS to the data driver 230.

[0065] The data driver 230 may receive either the first image data DATA1 or 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 the data signal DS based on the first image data DATA1, or generate the data signal DS based on the second image data DATA2. The data driver 230 may send the generated data signal DS to data lines (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 scan lines (not shown) based on the 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 the scan lines and the data lines to display an image.

[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 scan lines, pixels may be selected unit by horizontal line. The pixels selected by the scan signal SS may receive a data signal DS from data lines connected to the pixels. In response to receiving the data signal DS, the pixels that have received the data signal DS may emit light of a predetermined luminance.

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

[0074] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing Figure 1 the image display area of the display panel shown, Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a conceptual diagram showing 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] Referring 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 an 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 a luminance corresponding to the data signal DS.

[0077] The shift range determiner 120 may determine a degree of degradation in the performance of pixels included in the display unit 200 and determine a shift route for displaying the current frame image that may correspond to the degree of degradation in the performance of the pixels. Details thereof will now be described with reference to Figure 4A and Figure 4B .

[0078] Figure 4A shows a shift route of a current frame image formed along the image display area DA. Here, the image display area DA may include pixels PX having 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 a first point P1 to a second point P2 and a second route DI2 extending from the second point P2 to a third point P3. As Figure 4AAs shown, the first point P1 and the third point P3 may be located in a region substantially at the center of the image display area DA, and the second point P2 may be located in a peripheral display area substantially at the periphery of 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 inventive concept, the first route DI1 starts at the first point P1 in a region substantially at the center of the image display area DA, and before reaching the end point P2, has a path surrounding the substantially peripheral display area that surrounds most of the path of the second route DI2. However, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand and recognize that various arrangements of the pixel shift routes are within the scope of the inventive concept in addition to the examples shown herein.

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

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

[0083] 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 may shift the display of the center of the current frame image along the first route DI1 to the second point P2 and display the current frame image whenever the second image data DATA2 is received. In addition, when the center of the current frame image is shifted to be displayed at the second point P2, the display unit 200 may shift the center of the currently displayed current frame image along the second route DI2 to the third point P3 and display the current frame image. As described above, the display unit 200 may 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 route.

[0084] Referring to Figure 4B the shift range determiner 120 may determine a new shift route different from the shift route shown in Figure 4A As shown.

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

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

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

[0088] In this example, the display unit 200 may display the image shifted in the arrow direction whenever the second image data DATA2 is received 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 may shift the display of the center of the current frame image along the third route DI3 to the second point P2 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received, then shift the display of the center of the current frame image along the fourth route DI4 to the fourth point P4, shift the display of the center of the current frame image along the fifth route DI5 to the fifth point P5, and shift the display of the center of the current frame image along the sixth route DI6 to the third point P3, 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 route DI3 to the sixth route DI6 whenever the second image data DATA2 is received, and display the current frame image.

[0091] Reference will be made to Figure 4A and Figure 4B to describe the shift distance of the current frame image. When comparing Figure 4A and Figure 4B , it can be seen that the shift distance of the current frame image along the third route DI3 from the first point P1 to the second point P2 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 to the outer peripheral area (e.g., substantially outer peripheral area) of the image display area DA more quickly than when the current frame image is shifted along the first route DI1.

[0093] For example, based on a comparison of luminance 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 to the pixel PX set in the substantially outer peripheral area more quickly than when the current frame image is shifted along the first route DI1.

[0094] Accordingly, the shift range determiner 120 can 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 the shift route including the 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 the differences from the processor 100 of the exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept as shown Figure 2 the processor 100' of the exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept as shown will be described. Parts not specifically described with reference Figure 5 will follow those of the processor 100 according to the above exemplary embodiment, and the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and similar reference numerals refer to similar elements. Figure 5 Referring to

[0097] Referring 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 luminance 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 pixels PX included in the display unit 200 into pixel blocks, calculate an average luminance value of each of the pixel blocks in the pixel blocks, and generate a stress map. Here, the stress map may be an index indicating the degree of deterioration 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 first image data DATA1 of the current frame image, and may also generate a first cumulative stress map SMAP1 by using a second cumulative stress map SMAP2 of a previous frame image read from the memory 300. Here, the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 represents the degree of deterioration (or potential deterioration) of the performance of the pixels PX included in the pixel blocks 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 the first cumulative stress map SMAP1 by applying the average luminance value of the current frame image to the cumulative average luminance value of the previous frame image.

[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 pixels should be dispersed via pixel shifting and a specific shifting route based on an analysis of the first cumulative stress map SMAP1, and determine the shifting 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 shifting 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] Reference 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 in the pixel block BL may be set to be 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 pixels PX1 to PX16 of a 4×4 matrix structure into a pixel block BL, and may also group the remaining pixels PX into pixel blocks BL including pixels PX of 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 luminance values of the pixels PX in each pixel block included in the pixel block BL, calculate an average luminance value for the current frame image, and generate a stress map of the current frame image including the average luminance value of each pixel block BL. For example, the stress map may include a set of luminance values, and multiple pixel blocks BL emit light with the set of luminance values respectively, and the current frame image may be displayed.

[0111] In addition, the stress calculation unit 115 may calculate the average luminance value of each of the multiple pixel blocks BL for each frame image, average the calculated average luminance values again for each frame image, and calculate a cumulative average luminance value for each of the multiple pixel blocks BL. For example, the second cumulative stress map SMAP2 may include a set of cumulative average luminance values, and pixel blocks BL emit light with the set of cumulative average luminance values from the initial frame image to the previous frame image respectively.

[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 a 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 luminance value, and multiple pixel blocks BL emit light with the cumulative average luminance value from the initial frame image to the current frame image respectively, and generate a first cumulative stress map SMAP1.

[0114] The shift range determiner 120' may determine whether to disperse the stress of the pixels for displaying an image based on an analysis of 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 among the pixel blocks BL and a second luminance difference between adjacent columns among the pixel blocks 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 the degradation of the pixels PX included in the pixel block BL can be solved using pixel shifting.

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

[0117] The shift range determiner 120' may determine the shift route of the current frame image based on the determined degree of degradation. 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 luminance difference between adjacent pixel blocks BL is less than the reference luminance difference, the shift range determiner 120' may include Figure 4A the shift route shown by the first route DI1 and the second route DI2 as the shift route of the current frame image, and when the luminance difference between adjacent pixel blocks BL is greater than the reference luminance difference, the shift range determiner 120' may include Figure 4B the shift route shown by the third route DI3 to the sixth route DI6 as the shift route of the current frame image.

[0119] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing 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 may determine the degree of deterioration of the pixels 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 corresponding to the determined degree of deterioration of the pixels (S110). In this case, the shift route may include multiple routes. For example, the difference in the length of the shift route may cause different amounts of pixel stress to be dispersed. Therefore, the shift route may be determined in consideration of the determined degree of deterioration.

[0121] The image corrector 130 may correct the first image data DATA1 into second image data DATA2 such that the current frame image is shifted along the shift 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 showing the operation of a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, in which the shift range determiner analyzes whether to shift the display of a data image.

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

[0125] The stress calculator 115 of the processor 100' is configured to analyze the luminance 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 cumulative stress map of the previous frame image (S220).

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

[0128] If there is a pixel having a higher luminance value than its surrounding pixels, the possibility of pixel deterioration increases, and the shift range determiner 120' sends shift range information SI to shift the display of the image. The image corrector 130 may correct the first image data DATA, into 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 is no pixel having a luminance value higher than that of the surrounding pixels, the shift range determiner 120'sends shift range information SI to the image corrector 130, indicating that shifting of the image is not to be performed. Then, the image corrector 130 may send 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 in a display device, the method comprising: Shifting the center of the image 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; And Shifting the center of the image in a fourth direction opposite to the second direction according to a fourth shifting route, Wherein the center of the image is repeatedly shifted in a first shifting route pattern that sequentially includes the first shifting route, the second shifting route, the third shifting route, and the fourth shifting route until the center of the image reaches a second pixel, and Wherein the length of each of the first shifting route and the second shifting route is two pixels less than the length of each of the third shifting route and the fourth shifting route.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein Each of the first shifting route, the second shifting route, the third shifting route, and the fourth shifting route includes an odd number of pixels.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Shifting the center of the image in the second direction from the second pixel according to a fifth shifting route; Shifting the center of the image in the third direction according to a sixth shifting route; Shifting the center of the image in the second direction according to a seventh shifting route; Shifting the center of the image in the first direction according to an eighth shifting route; Shifting the center of the image in the fourth direction according to a ninth shifting route; And Shifting the center of the image in the third direction according to a tenth shifting route, Wherein, after the fifth shifting route and the sixth shifting route, the center of the image is repeatedly shifted in a second shifting route pattern that sequentially includes the seventh shifting route, the eighth shifting route, the ninth shifting route, and the tenth shifting route until the center of the image reaches a third pixel.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein No pixel exists between the first pixel and the third pixel.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The first pixel and the third pixel are located in the central region of the display area of the display device.

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

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein The first shifting route and the second shifting route have the same number of pixels.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The third shifting route and the fourth shifting route have the same number of pixels.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The first shift route in the next first shift route pattern of the first shift route pattern has a greater number of pixels than the number of pixels of the first shift route in the current first shift route pattern of the first shift route pattern.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a degree of deterioration of pixels based on image data of the image; and determining a shift route for displaying the image along a display area of the display device, wherein the determined shift route has a path for dispersing pixel stress corresponding to the degree of deterioration of the pixels.

Images