Display device and driving method thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a display device and a driving method thereof, relating to the field of display technology. The display device includes: an image processing module configured to obtain an image signal of a display screen, divide the image signal into N parts, and transmit the divided image signals to a display driving module; a display driving module electrically connected to the image processing module, configured to receive the N divided image signals, encode the divided image signals, convert the signal types, and then transmit them to a display device; at least one display device electrically connected to the display driving module, configured to merge the received divided image signals, convert the merged signal into an electrical signal, and display it; wherein N is a positive integer and N is greater than or equal to 2. The display device has an improved refresh rate, good display effect, and a good user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a display device and a driving method thereof. Background Art

[0002] To enhance the user experience and provide high-definition and detailed image quality, virtual reality (VR) display products are currently developing towards high resolution, fast response, and high refresh rate technologies. In particular, field-sequential display products place higher demands on refresh rates to minimize color separation.

[0003] A high refresh rate requires the signal transmission interface to have a higher bandwidth. When the current display interface bandwidth has reached a bottleneck, the refresh rate is difficult to increase further. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a display device and a driving method thereof, wherein the refresh rate of the display device is improved, the display effect is good, and the user experience is excellent.

[0005] The embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a display device, including:

[0007] an image processing module configured to acquire an image signal of a display screen, divide the image signal into N parts, and transmit the divided image signals to a display driving module;

[0008] The display driving module is electrically connected to the image processing module and is configured to receive the N divided image signals, encode the divided image signals, convert the signal types, and then transmit them to the display device;

[0009] At least one of the display devices is electrically connected to the display driving module and is configured to merge the received segmented image signals, convert the merged signals into electrical signals and display them; wherein N is a positive integer and N is greater than or equal to 2.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the image processing module includes an image rendering unit, an image segmentation unit, and an image driving unit;

[0011] The image rendering unit is configured to modify or correct the image signal of the display screen according to the display requirement information;

[0012] The image segmentation unit is electrically connected to the image rendering unit and is configured to be able to segment the image signal into N parts;

[0013] The image driving unit is electrically connected to the image segmentation unit and the display driving module, and is configured to convert the type of the signal transmitted by the image segmentation unit and transmit the converted signal to the display driving module.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the display driver module includes N bridge chips, the number of divided parts of the image signal is the same as the number of the bridge chips, and one bridge chip receives a divided image signal, and the bridge chip is configured to be able to data encode the divided image signal and transmit it to the display device.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the display driver module also includes a logic control unit, which is electrically connected to each of the bridge chips, and is configured to write initialization parameters into each of the bridge chips, drive each of the bridge chips to work, and monitor and feedback the working status of each of the bridge chips.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, one of the bridge chips includes two output interfaces; the bridge chip includes two working states: a copy mode and an extension mode;

[0017] In the copy mode, the bridge chip is configured to copy the received one divided image signal to obtain two divided image signals, and output the two divided image signals from the two output interfaces respectively;

[0018] In the extended mode, the bridge chip is configured to split the received image signal twice to obtain two twice-split image signals, and output the two twice-split image signals from the two output interfaces respectively.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes M display devices. In the copy mode, the number of the output interfaces of one bridge chip is the same as the number of the display devices included in the display device, where M is a positive integer.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the bridge chip includes a data conversion unit, a data encoding unit, and a first storage unit;

[0021] The data conversion unit is electrically connected to the image processing module and is configured to perform signal type conversion on the segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module;

[0022] The data encoding unit is electrically connected to the data conversion unit and is configured to encode the signal after the data conversion unit performs type conversion;

[0023] The first storage unit is electrically connected to the data encoding unit and is configured to store the signal transmitted by the data encoding unit.

[0024] In some embodiments of the present application, in the copy mode, the data encoding unit is configured to copy the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit to obtain two divided image signals;

[0025] In the expansion mode, the data encoding unit is configured to perform secondary division on the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit to obtain two secondary-divided image signals.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present application, the bridge chip further includes an input unit, a second storage unit, and an output unit;

[0027] The input unit is electrically connected to the image processing module and the data conversion unit respectively, and is configured to receive and transmit the segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module;

[0028] the output unit being electrically connected to the first storage unit and the display device respectively, and being configured to transmit the signal stored in the first storage unit to the display device;

[0029] The second storage unit is electrically connected to the data conversion unit, the data encoding unit and the first storage unit respectively, and is configured to store multiple control signals and initialization parameters, and control the operation of the data conversion unit, the data encoding unit and the first storage unit.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes two display devices, each of which includes a driver IC and a display panel;

[0031] The driver IC is configured to receive signals transmitted by the two bridge chips, merge, analyze and convert the signals transmitted by the two bridge chips into electrical signals, and transmit the electrical signals to the display panel; the display panel is configured to display according to the electrical signals.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present application, the driver IC includes a data decoding unit, an image processing unit, and a source driving unit;

[0033] The data decoding unit is configured to combine the received signals;

[0034] The image processing unit is electrically connected to the data decoding unit and is configured to perform algorithm conversion on the combined signal;

[0035] The source driving unit is electrically connected to the image processing unit and is configured to convert a signal output from the image processing unit into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the display panel.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present application, the driver IC further includes a signal receiving unit, a timing control unit, and a bias driving unit;

[0037] The signal receiving unit is configured to receive the signal transmitted by the display driving module and perform signal type conversion;

[0038] The timing control unit is electrically connected to the display panel and is configured to provide a timing signal to the display panel;

[0039] The bias driving unit is electrically connected to the display panel and is configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage to the display panel; wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes a first display device and a second display device, the image processing module is configured to split the image signal into a first portion and a second portion, the display driver module includes a first bridge chip and a second bridge chip, and each of the bridge chips includes a first output interface and a second output interface;

[0041] In the copy mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface of the first bridge chip and the first output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals;

[0042] The second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the second output interface of the first bridge chip and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, in the extended mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip, and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals;

[0044] The second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes a virtual reality display device.

[0046] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a driving method for driving the display device according to any one of the first aspects, the method comprising:

[0047] Acquire an image signal of a display screen, and divide the image signal into N parts;

[0048] receiving N divided image signals, and performing signal encoding and signal type conversion on the divided image signals;

[0049] Perform signal merging and convert the merged signal into an electrical signal;

[0050] A picture is displayed according to the electrical signal.

[0051] The present application provides a display device and a driving method thereof, wherein the display device includes: an image processing module, configured to obtain an image signal of a display screen, divide the image signal into N parts, and transmit the divided image signals to a display driving module; a display driving module, electrically connected to the image processing module, configured to receive the N divided image signals, perform signal encoding and signal type conversion on the divided image signals, and then transmit them to a display device; at least one display device, electrically connected to the display driving module, configured to merge the received divided image signals, convert the merged signal into an electrical signal, and display the merged signal; wherein N is a positive integer, and N is greater than or equal to 2.

[0052] The display device provided by the embodiment of the present application can divide the image signal into N parts by setting an image processing module, and transmit the divided image signals to the display driver module for encoding and type conversion, and then transmit them to the display device for signal merging and aggregation; in this way, the limitation of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device on the image signal transmission can be avoided, and multiple split signals can be transmitted through multiple image signal transmission interfaces. When the signal interface bandwidth in the display device is determined, the transmission efficiency of the image signal can be improved, thereby increasing the refresh rate of the display device and improving the display effect.

[0053] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0055] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of signal transmission of a display device in the related art provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of signal transmission of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a bridge chip provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a driver IC for a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 6 A flow chart of a driving method for a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0062] The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and thus their detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only schematic illustrations of the present application and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0063] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the term "including" is to be interpreted as having an open, inclusive meaning, that is, "including, but not limited to". In the description of the specification, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" are intended to indicate that specific features, structures, materials or characteristics associated with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. The schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to indicate parts of identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects only for the purpose of clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and shall not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features.

[0065] Currently, to enhance the user experience and provide high-definition, detailed image quality, virtual reality (VR) display products are developing towards high resolution, fast response, and high refresh rate technologies. In particular, field-sequential display products place higher demands on refresh rates to reduce color separation and improve the screen door effect. High refresh rates require higher bandwidth for the image signal transmission interface. With the bandwidth of current display interfaces already reaching a bottleneck, further increases in refresh rates are difficult. Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted per unit time.

[0066] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a display device, such as Figure 1 As shown, including:

[0067] The image processing module 1 is configured to obtain an image signal of a display screen, divide the image signal into N parts, and transmit the divided image signals to the display driving module 2;

[0068] The display driver module 2 is electrically connected to the image processing module 1 and is configured to receive N divided image signals, encode the divided image signals, convert the signal types, and transmit them to the display device 3;

[0069] At least one display device 3 is electrically connected to the display driver module 2 and is configured to merge the received segmented image signals, convert the merged signals into electrical signals and display them; wherein N is a positive integer and N is greater than or equal to 2.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the image processing module 1 can prepare an image signal for displaying a screen according to display demand information. Due to the bandwidth limitation of the image signal transmission interface in related technologies, the image processing module 1 can divide the image signal into multiple parts, so that the amount of data of each image signal is reduced, and then the multiple divided image signals are transmitted separately from multiple image signal transmission interfaces. In this way, the bandwidth limitation of the image signal transmission interface can be solved and the transmission efficiency of the image signal can be improved.

[0071] Exemplarily, N may include 2, 4, 8, etc., and may be determined according to actual conditions.

[0072] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the number of image signal divisions is related to the image signal transmission interface (eg Figure 1 For example, if the image signal is divided into two parts, there are two image signal transmission interfaces between the image processing module 1 and the display driving module 2.

[0073] The specific manner in which the image processing module 1 divides the image signal is not limited here.

[0074] For example, when the physical resolution of the image signal is a*b, the image signal can be divided into two to obtain two image signals with a physical resolution of a1*b1, where a1 is the number of pixel units in the horizontal direction, a1=a*1 / 2, and b1 is the number of pixel units in the vertical direction, b1=b.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the image signal transmission interface may be a DP (DisplayPort) interface. The DP interface is a digital video interface standard developed by a consortium of PC and chip manufacturers and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). This interface is primarily used to connect video sources to devices such as displays, and also supports audio, USB, and other data transmission. It can be used for both internal and external display connections.

[0076] The DP interface not only supports full HD display resolution (1920×1080), but also 4K resolution (3840×2160), and the latest 8K resolution (7680×4320). The DP interface not only has a high transmission rate, but is also reliable and stable. The signals transmitted by the interface are composed of data channel signals for transmitting images and auxiliary channel signals for transmitting image-related status and control information. Specifically, they include the DisplayPort data transmission main channel (Main Link), auxiliary channel (AUX Channel) and connection (Link Training).

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the display driving module 2 is capable of receiving all the divided image signals, encoding each of the divided image signals, and transmitting the encoded signals to the display device 3 .

[0078] In addition, in some embodiments, the divided image signals are transmitted to the display driver module 2 via the DP interface. After encoding each divided image signal, the display driver module 2 can also convert its signal type so that it can be transmitted to the display device 3.

[0079] For example, the interface type provided between the display driver module 2 and the display device 3 is a Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI). The display driver module 2 can also convert the DP signal applicable to the DP interface into a MIPI signal applicable to the MIPI interface, that is, the display driver module 2 can also convert the image signals after being divided into parts with the signal type of DP into image signals with the signal type of MIPI. Figure 1 In FIG, the interface provided between the display driving module 2 and the display device 3 is marked as an image interface 2 .

[0080] There is no limitation on the number of interfaces provided between the display driving module 2 and the display device 3 , and the number can be determined according to actual conditions.

[0081] The data of the display device 3 included in the display apparatus is not limited here. In an exemplary embodiment, when the display apparatus is a VR display apparatus 2, the display apparatus may include two display devices 3.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 3 is capable of receiving an image signal of the MIPI type transmitted by the display driving module 2 and combining the received signals.

[0083] For example, if the physical resolution of the initial image signal is a*b, the image processing module 1 can split the image signal into two, obtaining two image signals with a physical resolution of a1*b1, where a1 is the number of pixel units in the horizontal direction, a1=a*1 / 2, and b1 is the number of pixel units in the vertical direction, b1=b. The display device 3 can combine the two image signals with a physical resolution of a1*b1 to obtain an image signal with a physical resolution of a*b, and further convert the image signal into an electrical signal.

[0084] In addition, the display device 3 can also convert the combined image signal into an electrical signal, such as a data signal Data, and realize the display of the picture by controlling the data signal in the display panel.

[0085] The display device provided in the embodiment of the present application can divide the image signal into N parts by setting the image processing module 1, and transmit the divided image signal to the display driver module 2 for encoding and type conversion, and then transmit it to the display device 3 for signal merging and aggregation; in this way, the limitation of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device on the image signal transmission can be avoided, and multiple split signals can be transmitted through multiple image signal transmission interfaces. When the signal interface bandwidth in the display device is determined, the transmission efficiency of the image signal can be improved, thereby increasing the refresh rate of the display device and improving the display effect.

[0086] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 As shown, the image processing module 1 includes an image rendering unit 11, an image segmentation unit 12 and an image driving unit 13;

[0087] The image rendering unit 11 is configured to modify or correct the image signal of the display screen according to the display requirement information;

[0088] The image segmentation unit 12 is electrically connected to the image rendering unit 11 and is configured to segment the image signal into N parts;

[0089] The image driving unit 13 is electrically connected to the image segmentation unit 12 and the display driving module 2 , and is configured to convert the type of the signal transmitted by the image segmentation unit and transmit the converted signal to the display driving module 2 .

[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the image rendering unit 11 may modify or correct the image signal of the display screen according to display requirement information, wherein the display requirement information may include a command signal carrying a modification method or correction method for the display screen. Modification may include adjusting parameters such as brightness, color, and contrast of the display screen, while correction may include adjusting the display screen size and the amount of display screen data.

[0091] The specific manner in which the image segmentation unit 12 performs signal segmentation is not limited herein; what is certain is that the data volume of each image signal after segmentation is smaller than the data volume of the image signal before segmentation. In practical applications, the more parts a same image signal is segmented into, the smaller the data volume of each image signal after segmentation, which is more conducive to signal transmission.

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, the image signal can be split in half according to the size of the data volume to obtain two split signals with a data volume of 1 / 2 of the initial image signal; of course, it can also be split in 1 / 3 or 2 / 3, which can be determined according to actual conditions and is not limited here.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, the image signal may be divided according to the number of pixel units included. For example, an image signal with 10*10 pixel units may be divided into two image signals with 10*5 pixel units.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the image driving unit 13 can convert the divided image signal into Figure 1 The type of image interface 1 shown in FIG is adapted to the signal type to facilitate signal transmission.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present application, the display driving module 2 includes N bridge chips 21 , each bridge chip 21 receives a divided image signal, and the bridge chip 21 is configured to encode the divided image signal and transmit it to the display device.

[0096] Exemplarily, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0097] For example, the display driving module 2 includes two bridge chips 21 ; or, the display driving module 2 includes four bridge chips 21 ; or, the display driving module 2 includes eight bridge chips 21 .

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment, the number of bridge chips 21 included in the display driver module 2 is the same as the number of parts into which the image signal is divided by the image segmentation unit 12. Thus, one divided image signal corresponds to one bridge chip 21. The drawings provided in the embodiments of this application are all drawn based on the example that the display driver module 2 includes two bridge chips 21.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, the data encoding may include: copying the data; or splitting the data.

[0100] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 As shown, the display driver module 2 also includes a logic control unit 22, which is electrically connected to each bridge chip 21, and is configured to write initialization parameters into each bridge chip 21, drive each bridge chip 21 to work, and monitor and feedback the working status of each bridge chip 21.

[0101] In actual applications, the logic control unit 22 can write initialization parameters into each bridge chip 21 to control the power-on sequence to drive each bridge chip 21 to work.

[0102] There is no limitation on the feedback method of the logic control unit 22 to the working status of each bridge chip 21. For example, feedback of different working statuses can be performed through feedback signals, such as signal lights, sounds, vibrations, etc.

[0103] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 1 As shown, the display driver module 2 includes two bridge chips 21, one bridge chip 21 includes Figure 4 The two output interfaces (Port1 and Port2) shown in FIG; the bridge chip 21 includes two working states: a copy mode and an extension mode;

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the operating mode of the bridge chip 21 may be selected and set by the logic control unit 22 .

[0105] In the copy mode, the bridge chip 21 is configured to copy the received split image signal to obtain two split image signals, and output the two split image signals from two output interfaces respectively; the signals output by the two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2) are the same;

[0106] In the extended mode, the bridge chip 21 is configured to split the received image signal twice to obtain two twice-split image signals, and output the two twice-split image signals from two output interfaces respectively; the signals output by the two output interfaces (Port1 and Port2) are different.

[0107] In actual applications, it is assumed that the display device includes two display devices and two bridge chips. In the copy mode, the two output interfaces of the same bridge chip output the same signal, wherein the signal output by one bridge chip output interface is half of the initial image signal, and the signal output by the other bridge chip output interface is the other half of the initial image signal. At this time, two interfaces need to be set in the display device to be connected to the two bridge chips respectively, so as to merge the received signals into a complete image signal; in the copy mode, while improving the problem of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device limiting the transmission of the image signal data volume, the display device only needs to set two interfaces connected to the bridge chip. The overall structural design of the display device is relatively simple, and the two interfaces on the display device connected to the bridge chip in the related technology can be used directly without the need for design changes, and the cost is low.

[0108] In the extended mode, due to secondary segmentation, the two output interfaces on a bridge chip output different signals; the same display device needs to be connected to each interface of each bridge chip to receive the complete image signal. In this way, the problem of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device limiting the transmission of image signal data volume is greatly improved. The display device can transmit image signals with a larger data volume, which is conducive to further improving the picture quality of the display device. At this time, multiple interfaces need to be added to the display device, and the overall structural design of the display device needs to be changed.

[0109] It should be noted that in extended mode, the specific method for secondary splitting performed by the bridge chip 21 is not limited. For example, if the image signal received by the bridge chip 21 after primary splitting is A / 2, secondary splitting can be performed to split it into two A / 4 signals; or, alternatively, into two signals of A / 8 and 3A / 8. This description uses the secondary splitting into two signals as an example. In actual applications, in extended mode, the bridge chip 21 can perform secondary splitting to split the signal into two or more signals.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes M display devices 3. In the copy mode, the number of output interfaces of a bridge chip 21 is the same as the number of display devices 3 included in the display device, where M is a positive integer.

[0111] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of signal transmission of a display device in a copy mode is shown. Figure 3 Only one display device is shown in the figure, and the display device includes a driver IC (such as DDIC). The following takes one of the display devices in the display device as an example to illustrate the signal transmission method between the display driver module 2 and the display device 3 in the copy mode.

[0112] like Figure 3 As shown, the bridge chip 1 receives the split image signal (referred to as the first split image signal) transmitted from the upper image interface 1, and copies the signal to obtain two first split image signals. The bridge chip 1 has two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2), and the display device includes two display devices. The two first split image signals are respectively transmitted to the display devices from the two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2) of the bridge chip 1.

[0113] Similarly, the bridge chip 2 receives the split image signal (referred to as the second split image signal) transmitted from the image interface 1 below, and replicates the signal to obtain two second split image signals. The bridge chip 2 has two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2), and the display device includes two display devices. The two second split image signals are respectively transmitted to the display devices from the two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2) of the bridge chip 2.

[0114] For one display device 3, an output interface (e.g., Port 1) of bridge chip 1 transmits the first split image signal to display device 3, and an output interface (e.g., Port 1) of bridge chip 2 transmits the second split image signal to display device 3. In this way, the first split image signal and the second split image signal can be combined in display device 3, thus completing the signal transmission from image processing module 1 to display device 3. For the other display device 3, an output interface (e.g., Port 2) of bridge chip 1 transmits the first split image signal to display device 3, and an output interface (e.g., Port 2) of bridge chip 2 transmits the second split image signal to display device 3. In this way, the first split image signal and the second split image signal can be combined in display device 3, thus completing the signal transmission from image processing module 1 to display device 3. In this way, both display devices 3 can display the same image content.

[0115] In addition, in the extended mode, the bridge chip 1 receives Figure 3 The split image signal (referred to as the first split image signal) transmitted by the image interface 1 shown above is split twice to obtain two secondarily split image signals, and the two secondarily split image signals are different. The bridge chip 1 has two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2), and the display device includes two display devices. The two secondarily split image signals are respectively transmitted from the two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2) of the bridge chip 1 to the display devices.

[0116] Bridge chip 2 receives the Figure 3 The image interface 1 shown below transmits a split image signal (referred to as the first split image signal), which is split twice to obtain two secondarily split image signals, and the two secondarily split image signals are different. The bridge chip 2 has two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2), and the two secondarily split image signals are respectively transmitted from the two output interfaces (Port 1 and Port 2) of the bridge chip 2 to the display device.

[0117] It should be noted that in extended mode, the two signals transmitted by the two output interfaces of bridge chip 1 and the two signals transmitted by the two output interfaces of bridge chip 2 are all different, that is, all four signals are different. Both display devices 3 simultaneously receive these four signals and combine them, completing the signal transmission from image processing module 1 to display device 3. In this way, both display devices 3 can display the same image content.

[0118] In related technologies, such as Figure 2As shown, the image processing module in the related art transmits the rendered image signal directly to the bridge chip for signal conversion, and the bridge chip transmits the converted signal directly to the display device. The physical resolution of the image after rendering by the image processing module is A1*A2, where A1 is the number of horizontal pixels and A2 is the number of vertical pixels. In theory, the data bandwidth consumed by image interface 1 and image interface 2 is relatively close, which is A1*A2*24*f, where 24 is the bit data of an RGB pixel and f is the image refresh frame rate. However, under the premise that image interface 2 uses 1 / 3DSC data stream compression, the improvement of the display frame rate is obviously limited by the data bandwidth of image interface 1.

[0119] Compared to Figure 2 In the related art shown in the transmission process of the image signal, the display device provided by the embodiment of the present application can divide the image signal into N parts by setting the image processing module 1, and transmit the divided image signal to the display driver module 2 for encoding and type conversion, and then transmit it to the display device 3 for signal merging and aggregation; in this way, the limitation of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device on the image signal transmission can be avoided, and multiple split signals are transmitted through multiple image signal transmission interfaces. When the signal interface bandwidth in the display device is determined, the transmission efficiency of the image signal can be improved, thereby increasing the refresh rate of the display device and improving the display effect.

[0120] Illustratively, in the display device provided in the embodiment of the present application, when the physical resolution of the initial image signal is a*b, the image processing module 1 can divide the image signal into two to obtain two image signals with a physical resolution of a1*b1, wherein a1 is the number of pixel units in the horizontal direction, a1=a*1 / 2, and b1 is the number of pixel units in the vertical direction, b1=b. The display device 3 can merge the two image signals with a physical resolution of a1*b1 to obtain an image signal with a physical resolution of a*b, and further convert the image signal into an electrical signal. In theory, the bandwidth rate of each image interface 1 in this mode is a1*b1*24*f, and the display driver module 2 transmits the data re-encoded by the bridge chip to the driver IC of the display device through a PORT. The image interface 2 in DSC mode is different from that in the related art. Figure 2 The same bandwidth can double the display frame rate.

[0121] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 4 As shown, the bridge chip 21 includes a data conversion unit 212, a data encoding unit 213 and a first storage unit 214;

[0122] The data conversion unit 212 is electrically connected to the image processing module 1 and is configured to convert the segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module into a signal type;

[0123] The data encoding unit 213 is electrically connected to the data conversion unit 212 and is configured to encode the signal after the data conversion unit performs type conversion;

[0124] The first storage unit 214 is electrically connected to the data encoding unit 213 and is configured to store the signal transmitted by the data encoding unit.

[0125] It should be noted that the specific structure of each unit included in the bridge chip 21 is not limited here, and any structure that can achieve the above functions is within the protection scope of this application.

[0126] In an exemplary embodiment, the data conversion unit 212 may convert the DP type signal transmitted from the image processing module 1 into a MIPI type signal. Of course, other types of conversions may also be used, which may be determined based on actual conditions.

[0127] In an exemplary embodiment, the first storage unit 214 may be a data cache unit configured to store the signal obtained after being encoded by the data encoding unit 213 .

[0128] In some embodiments of the present application, in the copy mode, the data encoding unit 213 is configured to copy the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit 212 to obtain two divided image signals;

[0129] In the extended mode, the data encoding unit 213 is configured to perform secondary division on the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit 212 to obtain two secondary-divided image signals.

[0130] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 4 As shown, the bridge chip 21 further includes an input unit 211, a second storage unit 215 and an output unit 216;

[0131] The input unit 211 is electrically connected to the image processing module 1 and the data conversion unit 212, and is configured to receive and transmit a segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module 1;

[0132] an output unit 216 , electrically connected to the first storage unit 214 and the display device 3 , and configured to transmit the signal stored in the first storage unit 214 to the display device 3 ;

[0133] The second storage unit 215 is electrically connected to the data conversion unit 212, the data encoding unit 213 and the first storage unit 214 respectively, and is configured to store various control signals and initialization parameters, and control the operation of the data conversion unit 212, the data encoding unit 213 and the first storage unit 214.

[0134] In an exemplary embodiment, the input unit 211 may include a DP RX unit, which may be a DP-type data interface. The DP RX unit transmits data from the image processing module 1 to the display driver module 2 via a DP link, and performs EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) recognition and other signal handshakes. Signal handshakes refer to a method of communication between two devices, and the signal used for communication is a handshake signal.

[0135] In an exemplary embodiment, the output unit 216 may include a MIPI PHY interface, wherein the MIPI PHY (Port Physical Layer) interface may be a CPHY protocol cluster or a DPHY protocol cluster, and both support DSC (Display Stream Compression) technology, and its output link (output interface) includes two PORTs, and the two PORTs can be set in copy mode or extension (Side by Side) mode.

[0136] In an exemplary embodiment, in the copy mode, the physical resolution of the image signal on each port of the bridge chip is the same as the physical resolution of the image signal transmitted by the DP link; in the extension mode, the physical resolution H (horizontal) or V (vertical) of the image on each port of the bridge chip is half of the image signal transmitted by the DP link.

[0137] In an exemplary embodiment, the second storage unit 215 may include an OCM unit (On Chip Memory).

[0138] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes two display devices 3, each display device 3 includes the following Figure 1 The driver IC 32 and the display panel 31 shown in FIG;

[0139] The driver IC 32 is configured to receive signals transmitted by the two bridge chips 21, merge, analyze and convert the signals transmitted by the two bridge chips 21 into electrical signals, and transmit the electrical signals to the display panel 31; the display panel 31 is configured to display according to the electrical signals.

[0140] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, the driver IC (eg, DDIC, Display Driver IC) includes a data decoding unit 322, an image processing unit 323 (also called an image IP unit) and a source driving unit 324;

[0141] The data decoding unit 322 is configured to combine the received signals;

[0142] The image processing unit 323 is electrically connected to the data decoding unit 322 and is configured to perform algorithm conversion on the combined signal;

[0143] The source driving unit 324 is electrically connected to the image processing unit 323 , and is configured to convert a signal output from the image processing unit 323 into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the display panel 31 .

[0144] In an exemplary embodiment, the data decoding unit 322 is capable of combining and aggregating the received signals.

[0145] The above-mentioned image processing unit can perform algorithm conversion on the merged signal, wherein the algorithm conversion here refers to converting the merged image signal into an intermediate signal through a preset algorithm, and the source driving unit 324 (Source driving unit) then directly converts the intermediate signal into an electrical signal.

[0146] In practical applications, the source driving unit 324 may be electrically connected to a data line (Data line) in the display panel, and control the refresh and display of the screen content by transmitting an electrical signal to the data line.

[0147] It should be noted that the specific type of the display panel is not limited here. For example, the display panel may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel; or the display panel may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel. Of course, other types of display panels are also possible. The embodiments of this application are described using the liquid crystal display panel as an example.

[0148] In some embodiments of the present application, Figure 5 As shown, the driver IC further includes a signal receiving unit 321, a timing control unit 325 and a bias driving unit 326;

[0149] The signal receiving unit 321 is configured to be electrically connected to the display driving module 2 and configured to receive the signal transmitted by the display driving module 2 and perform signal type conversion;

[0150] The timing control unit 325 is electrically connected to the display panel 31 and is configured to provide a timing signal to the display panel 31;

[0151] The bias driving unit 326 is electrically connected to the display panel 31 and is configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage to the display panel 31 ; wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.

[0152] In an exemplary embodiment, the signal receiving unit 321 may be an image data interface, such as a DisplayIF interface, wherein the interface may be a CPHY protocol cluster or a DPHY protocol cluster, and both support DSC technology. In some embodiments, the interface may include multiple ports, such as Figure 5 It should be noted that when the bridge chip is in the copy mode, the two ports of the driver IC receive the signal transmitted from the bridge chip 1 and the signal transmitted from the bridge chip 2 respectively.

[0153] In an exemplary embodiment, the timing control unit 325 may include a timing controller (TCON). For example, the timing control unit 325 may provide a clock signal.

[0154] In an exemplary embodiment, one of the first voltage and the second voltage provided by the bias driving unit 326 is the voltage of the pixel electrode, and the other is the voltage of the common electrode; or, one of the first voltage and the second voltage provided by the bias driving unit 326 is the voltage of the anode, and the other is the voltage of the cathode.

[0155] In the driver IC, the source driving unit 324 , the timing control unit 325 and the bias driving unit 326 are respectively directly electrically connected to the display panel, and are used to provide various electrical signals for displaying images to the display panel.

[0156] In some embodiments of the present application, a display device includes a first display device and a second display device, an image processing module 1 is configured to split an image signal into a first portion and a second portion, and a display driver module 2 includes a first bridge chip and a second bridge chip, each bridge chip including a first output interface and a second output interface;

[0157] The first bridge chip is configured to receive a first divided image signal, and the second bridge chip is configured to receive a second divided image signal;

[0158] In the copy mode, the first bridge chip is configured to copy the first divided image signal to obtain two first divided image signals, and output the two first divided image signals from the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip respectively;

[0159] The second bridge chip is configured to copy the second divided image signal to obtain two second divided image signals, and output the two second divided image signals from the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip respectively;

[0160] In the copy mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface of the first bridge chip and the first output interface of the second bridge chip, and merge the received signals; the second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the second output interface of the first bridge chip and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and merge the received signals.

[0161] In some embodiments of the present application, a display device includes a first display device and a second display device, an image processing module is configured to split an image signal into a first portion and a second portion, and a display driver module includes a first bridge chip and a second bridge chip, each bridge chip including a first output interface and a second output interface;

[0162] The first bridge chip is configured to receive a first divided image signal, and the second bridge chip is configured to receive a second divided image signal;

[0163] In the extended mode, the first bridge chip is configured to split the first split image signal twice to obtain two second-split image signals, and output the two second-split image signals from the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip respectively;

[0164] The second bridge chip is configured to split the second split image signal twice to obtain two twice split image signals, and output the two twice split image signals from the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip respectively;

[0165] In the extended mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip, and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and merge the received signals; the second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip, and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and merge the received signals.

[0166] In some embodiments of the present application, the display device includes a virtual reality display device.

[0167] An embodiment of the present application provides a driving method for driving the display device described above, the method comprising:

[0168] S01, obtaining an image signal of a display screen, and dividing the image signal into N parts;

[0169] S02, receiving N divided image signals, and performing signal encoding and conversion on the divided image signals;

[0170] The step of encoding the segmented image signal includes:

[0171] Perform signal replication on the segmented image signal;

[0172] Alternatively, the segmented image signal is segmented twice;

[0173] S03, performing signal merging, and converting the merged signal into an electrical signal;

[0174] S04. Displaying a picture according to the electrical signal.

[0175] It should be noted that the specific process of the above driving method can refer to the description of the functions of each module in the display device in the previous article, and will not be repeated here.

[0176] The present application provides a method for driving a display device. By setting an image processing module 1, an image signal can be divided into N parts, and the divided image signals are transmitted to a display driving module 2 for encoding and type conversion, and then transmitted to a display device 3 for signal merging and aggregation. In this way, the limitation of the signal interface bandwidth in the display device on the transmission of the image signal can be avoided. Multiple split signals are transmitted through multiple image signal transmission interfaces. When the signal interface bandwidth in the display device is determined, the transmission efficiency of the image signal can be improved, thereby increasing the refresh rate of the display device and improving the display effect.

[0177] The driving method provided in the embodiment of the present application, under the premise that the bandwidth of the transmission interface reaches a bottleneck, can improve the display frame rate by performing image segmentation by the image processing module and transmitting the image data to the display terminal through multiple bridge chips for aggregate display. It is suitable for high resolution, high refresh rate, and especially time-sequential display technology application scenarios.

[0178] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: include: an image processing module configured to acquire an image signal of a display screen, divide the image signal into N parts, and transmit the divided image signals to a display driving module; The display driving module is electrically connected to the image processing module and is configured to receive the N divided image signals, encode the divided image signals, convert the signal types, and then transmit them to the display device; at least one display device electrically connected to the display driver module, configured to combine the received segmented image signals, convert the combined signals into electrical signals, and display the combined signals; wherein N is a positive integer, and N is greater than or equal to 2; The display driver module includes N bridge chips, the number of the image signal divided is the same as the number of the bridge chips, and one bridge chip receives one divided image signal, and the bridge chip is configured to encode the divided image signal and transmit the data to the display device; One of the bridge chips includes two output interfaces; the bridge chip includes two working states: a copy mode and an expansion mode; In the copy mode, the bridge chip is configured to copy the received one divided image signal to obtain two divided image signals, and output the two divided image signals from the two output interfaces respectively; In the extended mode, the bridge chip is configured to split the received image signal twice to obtain two twice-split image signals, and output the two twice-split image signals from the two output interfaces respectively.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The image processing module includes an image rendering unit, an image segmentation unit and an image driving unit; The image rendering unit is configured to modify or correct the image signal of the display screen according to the display requirement information; The image segmentation unit is electrically connected to the image rendering unit and is configured to be able to segment the image signal into N parts; The image driving unit is electrically connected to the image segmentation unit and the display driving module, and is configured to convert the type of the signal transmitted by the image segmentation unit and transmit the converted signal to the display driving module.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display driver module also includes a logic control unit, which is electrically connected to each of the bridge chips and is configured to write initialization parameters into each of the bridge chips, drive each of the bridge chips to work, and monitor and feedback the working status of each of the bridge chips.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display device includes M display devices. In the copy mode, the number of the output interfaces of one bridge chip is the same as the number of the display devices included in the display device, where M is a positive integer.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The bridge chip includes a data conversion unit, a data encoding unit and a first storage unit; The data conversion unit is electrically connected to the image processing module and is configured to perform signal type conversion on the segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module; The data encoding unit is electrically connected to the data conversion unit and is configured to encode the signal after the data conversion unit performs type conversion; The first storage unit is electrically connected to the data encoding unit and is configured to store the signal transmitted by the data encoding unit.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein: In the copy mode, the data encoding unit is configured to copy the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit to obtain two divided image signals; In the expansion mode, the data encoding unit is configured to perform secondary division on the signal transmitted by the data conversion unit to obtain two secondary-divided image signals.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The bridge chip further includes an input unit, a second storage unit and an output unit; The input unit is electrically connected to the image processing module and the data conversion unit respectively, and is configured to receive and transmit the segmented image signal transmitted by the image processing module; the output unit being electrically connected to the first storage unit and the display device respectively, and being configured to transmit the signal stored in the first storage unit to the display device; The second storage unit is electrically connected to the data conversion unit, the data encoding unit and the first storage unit respectively, and is configured to store multiple control signals and initialization parameters, and control the operation of the data conversion unit, the data encoding unit and the first storage unit.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display device comprises two display devices, each of which comprises a driver IC and a display panel; The driver IC is configured to receive signals transmitted by the two bridge chips, merge, analyze and convert the signals transmitted by the two bridge chips into electrical signals, and transmit the electrical signals to the display panel; the display panel is configured to display according to the electrical signals.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein The driver IC includes a data decoding unit, an image processing unit and a source driving unit; The data decoding unit is configured to combine the received signals; The image processing unit is electrically connected to the data decoding unit and is configured to perform algorithm conversion on the combined signal; The source driving unit is electrically connected to the image processing unit and is configured to convert a signal output from the image processing unit into an electrical signal and transmit the electrical signal to the display panel.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein The driver IC also includes a signal receiving unit, a timing control unit and a bias driving unit; The signal receiving unit is configured to receive the signal transmitted by the display driving module and perform signal type conversion; The timing control unit is electrically connected to the display panel and is configured to provide a timing signal to the display panel; The bias driving unit is electrically connected to the display panel and is configured to provide a first voltage and a second voltage to the display panel; wherein the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.

11. The display device according to claim 8, wherein The display device includes a first display device and a second display device, the image processing module is configured to split the image signal into a first portion and a second portion, the display driving module includes a first bridge chip and a second bridge chip, each of the bridge chips includes a first output interface and a second output interface; In the copy mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface of the first bridge chip and the first output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals; The second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the second output interface of the first bridge chip and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals.

12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein In the extended mode, the first display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip, and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals; The second display device is configured to receive signals transmitted by the first output interface and the second output interface of the first bridge chip and the first output interface and the second output interface of the second bridge chip, and combine the received signals.

13. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The display device includes a virtual reality display device.

14. A driving method, characterized in that: Applied to driving the display device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the method comprises: Acquire an image signal of a display screen, and divide the image signal into N parts; receiving N divided image signals, and performing signal encoding and signal type conversion on the divided image signals; Perform signal merging and convert the merged signal into an electrical signal; A picture is displayed according to the electrical signal.

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