Method and apparatus for transmitting image data

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a kind of transmission method and device of image data, belong to display technical field, the transmission component of image data can compress the pixel data of non fixation area in initial image data, and the compressed image data obtained by compression is sent to driving chip.Due to the data volume of compressed image data is smaller, therefore, can effectively reduce the data volume of image data required to be transmitted by transmission component under the premise of avoiding affecting display effect, and then reduce the bandwidth occupied in image data transmission process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for transmitting image data. Background Technology

[0002] A display device typically includes a timer controller (TCON), a driving circuit, and a display panel. The TCON transmits image data of the image to be displayed to the driving circuit, which then drives the display panel to display the image based on this data.

[0003] In display scenarios such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), the resolution of the images displayed on the display panel is high, resulting in a large amount of image data transmitted from the TCON to the driving circuit, and a high bandwidth occupied during image data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for transmitting image data, which can solve the problem of high bandwidth consumption during image data transmission. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] Firstly, a method for transmitting image data is provided, applied to an image data transmission component, the method comprising:

[0006] Acquire initial image data of the image to be displayed in the display panel, wherein the display panel includes multiple pixels, and the initial image data includes pixel data of the multiple pixels;

[0007] The pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data is compressed to obtain at least one compressed pixel data, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the plurality of second pixels other than the plurality of first pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel.

[0008] Compressed image data is sent to the driver chip of the display panel. The compressed image data includes: at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of the plurality of second pixels. The compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel to display.

[0009] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction with the focusing area of ​​the display panel;

[0010] The step of compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes:

[0011] The pixel data of the first pixel in the first region (N rows and M columns) is compressed to obtain compressed pixel data, where N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0012] Optionally, the non-focused region includes a second region, which is arranged with the focused region in a pixel row direction;

[0013] The step of compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes:

[0014] The pixel data of the first pixel in column M of the same row in the second region is compressed to obtain compressed pixel data, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0015] Optionally, the first pixels of column M are connected to the same driving chip.

[0016] Optionally, before compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data, the method further includes:

[0017] The gaze region is determined based on data collected by the gaze region detection sensor.

[0018] Optionally, compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes:

[0019] Delete the pixel data of at least one first pixel from the pixel data of the plurality of first pixels to obtain at least one compressed pixel data;

[0020] Each of the compressed pixel data is either the pixel data of one first pixel, or the mean or median of the pixel data of at least two first pixels.

[0021] Optionally, the image data transmission component is a processor in the display device, and the display device further includes a controller connected to the driver chip; sending compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel includes:

[0022] The processor sends compressed image data to the controller, and the compressed image data is used by the controller to transmit to the driver chip.

[0023] Optionally, the image data transmission component is a controller in the display device, and the controller is connected to at least one of the driving chips; sending compressed image data to the driving chip of the display panel includes:

[0024] A power reduction instruction is sent to the target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down the target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data;

[0025] The compressed pixel data is sent to the target driver chip, and the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels is sent to the driver chip among the plurality of driver chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

[0026] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction along with the focusing area of ​​the display panel; the pixels connected to the target driving chip include the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row;

[0027] Sending pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driving chip among the plurality of driving chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels includes:

[0028] A power recovery command is sent to the target driver chip, the power recovery command being used to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel;

[0029] The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip; wherein the interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0030] Optionally, sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip includes:

[0031] The clock training sequence and link stabilization sequence are sent to the target driver chip.

[0032] Secondly, a method for transmitting image data is provided, applied to a controller in a display device, the controller being connected to at least one driver chip in the display device; the method includes:

[0033] Obtain compressed image data of an image to be displayed on a display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of a plurality of second pixels. The at least one compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the plurality of second pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel.

[0034] A power reduction instruction is sent to the target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down the target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data;

[0035] The compressed pixel data is sent to the target driver chip, and the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels is sent to the driver chip of the at least one driver chip used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

[0036] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction along with the focusing area of ​​the display panel; the pixels connected to the target driving chip include the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row;

[0037] Sending pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driving chip among the plurality of driving chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels includes:

[0038] A power recovery command is sent to the target driver chip, the power recovery command being used to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel;

[0039] The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip; wherein the interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0040] Thirdly, a method for transmitting image data is provided, applied to a driver chip in a display device, the driver chip being connected to a display panel; the method includes:

[0041] Receive compressed pixel data, which is obtained by compressing pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the display panel, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-viewing area of ​​the display panel;

[0042] The compressed pixel data is used to drive the plurality of first pixels.

[0043] Fourthly, an image data transmission component is provided, the transmission component comprising:

[0044] An acquisition module is used to acquire initial image data of an image to be displayed in a display panel, wherein the display panel includes multiple pixels and the initial image data includes pixel data of the multiple pixels;

[0045] A compression module is used to compress the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and a plurality of second pixels other than the plurality of first pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel.

[0046] The transmitting module is used to transmit compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel. The compressed image data includes: at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of the plurality of second pixels. The compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel to display.

[0047] Fifthly, a controller is provided, the controller being connected to at least one of the driver chips in the display device; the controller includes:

[0048] The acquisition module is used to acquire compressed image data of an image to be displayed in the display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of a plurality of second pixels. The at least one compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the plurality of second pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel.

[0049] A sending module is used to send a power reduction instruction to a target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down a target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data;

[0050] The sending module is used to send the compressed pixel data to the target driver chip, and to send the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driver chip of the at least one driver chip used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

[0051] Sixthly, a driver chip is provided, the driver chip being connected to a display panel; the driver chip includes:

[0052] A receiving module is used to receive compressed pixel data, which is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the display panel, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-viewing area of ​​the display panel;

[0053] A driving module is used to drive the plurality of first pixels using the compressed pixel data.

[0054] In a seventh aspect, a display device is provided, the display device comprising: a processor, a controller, at least one driver chip, and a display panel;

[0055] Wherein, the processor is the transmission component described in the fourth aspect above, the controller is the transmission component described in the fourth aspect above, or the controller described in the fifth aspect above; and the driver chip is the driver chip described in the sixth aspect above.

[0056] Eighthly, a display device is provided, the display device comprising: a processing component, and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processing component; wherein the processing component is configured to execute the instructions in the memory to implement the image data transmission method described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0057] A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that are executed by a processing component to implement the image data transmission method described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the image data transmission method as described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0059] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in this disclosure can include at least the following:

[0060] This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for transmitting image data. The image data transmission component can compress pixel data in non-focused areas of the initial image data and send the compressed image data to the driver chip. Since the compressed image data is relatively small, the amount of image data that the transmission component needs to transmit can be effectively reduced without affecting the display effect, thereby reducing the bandwidth occupied during image data transmission.

[0061] Furthermore, since the amount of image data that the transmission component needs to transmit is relatively small, the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. Moreover, the data transmission bandwidth requirements between the transmission component and the driver chip in the display device are low, which can avoid increasing the cost of the display device. Attached Figure Description

[0062] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a display device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0064] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of an image data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0065] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of another image data transmission method provided in this embodiment of the disclosure;

[0066] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a non-focused region provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0067] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the display area of ​​a display panel provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0068] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the display area of ​​another display panel provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0069] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a processor compresses pixel data in a non-focused region according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0070] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of compressed image data provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0071] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a controller sending a line of invalid display data according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0072] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a line of display data sent by a controller according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0073] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a controller transmitting compressed image data to a driver chip according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0074] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a data channel of a driver chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0075] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another line of display data sent by a controller according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0076] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image data transmission component provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0077] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another image data transmission component provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0078] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a controller provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0079] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a driver chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0080] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0081] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the embodiments of this disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the application environment of an image data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 1 As shown, this image data transmission method can be applied to a display device, which includes: a processor 01, a controller 02, at least one driver chip 03, and a display panel 04. For example, Figure 1 Four driver chips 03 are shown. The processor 01 can be a graphics processing unit (GPU) or an application processor (AP). The controller 02 can be a TCON. Each driver chip 03 can be a source driver chip. The driver chip 03 can also be called a driver integrated circuit (driver IC).

[0083] refer to Figure 1 As can be seen, the processor 01 is connected to the controller 02 and can be used to transmit image data of the image to be displayed to the controller 02. The controller 02 is also connected to the at least one driver chip 03 and is used to transmit image data to each driver chip 03. The at least one driver chip 03 is connected to the display panel 04, and each driver chip 03 is used to drive the pixels in the display panel 04 based on the received image data, so that the display panel 04 displays the image.

[0084] The image data of the image to be displayed may include pixel data of multiple pixels in the display panel 04, which may refer to the color value of the pixel. For example, the color value may include red, green, and blue (RGB) color values.

[0085] With the rapid development of the display industry, users have increasingly higher requirements for the image quality of display panels, which in turn places higher demands on the refresh rate and resolution of display devices. Increasing the refresh rate and resolution of a display device would lead to a doubling of the amount of image data transmitted from processor 01 to controller 02, and also a doubling of the amount of image data transmitted from controller 02 to driver chip 03. This would not only significantly increase the power consumption of the display device, but also place higher demands on the data transmission bandwidth between processor 01 and controller 02, as well as between controller 02 and driver chip 03, resulting in higher costs for the display device. For example, the number of data channels (also known as transmission interfaces) required for driver chip 03 would be larger, increasing the cost of driver chip 03.

[0086] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of an image data transmission method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This method can be applied to, for example... Figure 1 In the application scenarios shown. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the method for transmitting the image data includes:

[0087] Step 101: The image data transmission component acquires the initial image data of the image to be displayed on the display panel.

[0088] The display panel includes multiple pixels, and the initial image data includes pixel data for these multiple pixels. The pixel data for each pixel refers to its color value. For example, the color value may include RGB color values. Optionally, the image data transmission component may be a processor or a controller within the display device.

[0089] Step 102: The image data transmission component compresses the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data.

[0090] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the display area of ​​the display panel can be divided into a viewing area and a non-viewing area. The viewing area refers to the area that the viewer is looking at, and the non-viewing area refers to the area of ​​the display area other than the viewing area. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-viewing area, and the plurality of second pixels, excluding the plurality of first pixels, are located in the viewing area.

[0091] Since the non-focused region is not the area that the viewer focuses on, the image data transmission component can compress the pixel data of multiple first pixels in this non-focused region to obtain at least one compressed pixel data. Compression of the pixel data of multiple first pixels can refer to deleting the pixel data of at least one first pixel. Each compressed pixel data obtained by the image data transmission component can be the pixel data of a single first pixel, or it can be the average or median of the pixel data of at least two first pixels. By compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels, it is ensured that the amount of data in the resulting at least one compressed pixel data is relatively small.

[0092] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the transmission component can determine the gaze area based on the data collected by the gaze area detection sensor, and then determine the non-gaze area. Alternatively, the gaze area can be a pre-defined fixed area, and the transmission component can pre-store the position of the fixed gaze area.

[0093] Step 103: The image data transmission component sends compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel.

[0094] The compressed image data includes: at least one compressed pixel data obtained by the transmission component, and pixel data of a plurality of uncompressed second pixels within the viewing area. This compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel for display.

[0095] It is understandable that if the image data transmission component is a processor, the processor can send the compressed image data to the controller, and then the controller can send it to the driver chip. If the image data transmission component is a controller, the controller can directly send the compressed image data to the driver chip.

[0096] Step 104: The driver chip uses compressed image data to drive the pixels in the display panel.

[0097] After receiving compressed image data, the driver chip can use the compressed pixel data in the compressed image data to drive multiple first pixels in the display panel, and can use the pixel data of the second pixel in the compressed image data to drive the second pixel in the display panel, thereby realizing the display of the image.

[0098] In summary, this disclosure provides a method for transmitting image data. The transmission component can compress pixel data in non-focused areas of the initial image data and send the compressed image data to the driver chip. Since the compressed image data is relatively small, the amount of image data that the transmission component needs to transmit can be effectively reduced without affecting the display effect, thereby reducing the bandwidth occupied during image data transmission.

[0099] Furthermore, since the amount of image data that the transmission component needs to transmit is relatively small, the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. Moreover, the data transmission bandwidth requirements between the transmission component and the driver chip in the display device are low, which can avoid increasing the cost of the display device.

[0100] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of another image data transmission method provided in this disclosure embodiment, which can be applied to, for example... Figure 1 In the application scenario shown, this method is illustrated using the image data transmission component as an example. Figure 3 As shown, the method for transmitting the image data includes:

[0101] Step 201: The processor determines the gaze area on the display panel based on the data collected by the gaze area detection sensor.

[0102] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a gaze area detection sensor may be provided on the display panel. The processor can acquire the data collected by the gaze area detection sensor in real time and determine the gaze area that the viewer is looking at in the display panel based on the acquired data.

[0103] Optionally, the gaze area detection sensor may include a camera. The processor can determine the viewer's face size based on image data captured by the camera, and thus determine the relative position of the viewer and the display panel. This relative position may include at least distance. The processor can then calculate the gaze area of ​​the display panel based on this relative position. When the relative position of the viewer and the display panel changes, the gaze area also changes. Accordingly, the processor can determine the changed gaze area based on the changed relative position. For example, when the distance between the viewer and the display panel increases, at the same optimal viewing angle of 30°, the area projected onto the display panel by the viewer's gaze becomes larger, and the gaze area in the display panel also increases accordingly.

[0104] Alternatively, in addition to a camera, the gaze detection sensor can also include an infrared emitter. This emitter emits infrared light towards the viewer's eyes, and the camera captures an image of the viewer's eyes, transmitting it to a processor. The processor can then determine the viewer's pupil position based on this image, and subsequently determine the viewer's gaze area based on the pupil position. Since the viewer's gaze direction may change during image display, the data collected by the gaze detection sensor allows for dynamic tracking of the viewer's gaze area. Furthermore, this ensures that compressing pixel data from non-gaze areas does not negatively impact the viewer's viewing experience.

[0105] Step 202: The processor obtains the initial image data of the image to be displayed on the display panel.

[0106] The initial image data includes pixel data for multiple pixels in the display panel. Each pixel's pixel data refers to its color value. For example, this color value can include RGB color values.

[0107] Step 203: The processor compresses the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the non-focused region to obtain at least one compressed pixel data.

[0108] The non-focusing area refers to the area in the display panel other than the focusing area. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area, and the plurality of second pixels in the plurality of pixels of the display panel, other than the plurality of first pixels, are located in the focusing area.

[0109] Since the non-focused region is not the area the viewer focuses on, the processor can compress the pixel data of multiple first pixels in this region to obtain at least one compressed pixel data. Compression of the pixel data of multiple first pixels can refer to deleting the pixel data of at least one first pixel. Each compressed pixel data obtained by the processor can be the pixel data of a single first pixel, or it can be the average or median of the pixel data of at least two first pixels. By compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels, it is ensured that the amount of data in the resulting at least one compressed pixel data is relatively small.

[0110] Example, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a non-focused region provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. (Reference) Figure 4 Assuming the non-focused region comprises 4 rows and 4 columns of first pixels (i.e., 16 first pixels) P1, the processor can delete the pixel data of 15 first pixels P1, retaining only the pixel data of one first pixel as compressed pixel data. For example... Figure 4 In this process, the processor can use the pixel data of the first pixel in the 4th row and 1st column as a compressed pixel data.

[0111] In the embodiments disclosed herein, such as Figure 5 As shown, the non-focusing region may include at least one of a first region A1 and a second region A2. The first region A1 refers to the region arranged with the focusing region B0 in the pixel column direction X, and the second region A2 refers to the region arranged with the focusing region B0 in the pixel row direction Y. It is understood that the non-focusing region may include one or more first regions A1 and one or more second regions A2. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the non-focused region may include a first region A11 and a first region A12, and may also include a second region A21 and a second region A22.

[0112] For a scene where the non-focused region includes the first region A1, the processor can compress the pixel data of the first pixel in N rows and M columns of the first region A1 to obtain compressed pixel data. Here, N and M can both be integers greater than 1. Each compressed pixel data can be the pixel data of a specific first pixel in the N rows and M columns, or it can be the mean or median of the pixel data in the N rows and M columns.

[0113] Assuming the pixel row direction Y is called the horizontal direction and the pixel column direction X is called the vertical direction, the processor can perform horizontal compression and vertical compression on the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the first region A1. Furthermore, the horizontal compression ratio is 1 / M, the vertical compression ratio is 1 / N, and the overall compression ratio is 1 / (M×N). That is, after the processor compresses the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the first region A1, the data size of at least one compressed pixel is 1 / (M×N) of the original data size.

[0114] refer to Figure 7 The display device may include multiple driver chips, for example, Figure 7 The diagram shows eight driver chips, D1 to D8. Each driver chip can be connected to multiple columns of pixels in the display panel. When the processor compresses the pixel data of the first pixel in the first region A1, it can compress the pixel data of multiple columns of first pixels connected to the same driver chip.

[0115] Optionally, each driver chip may include multiple data channels, each data channel being connected to multiple columns of pixels, and the pixels connected to different data channels being located in different columns. If the multiple columns of pixels connected to the target driver chip include the first pixel located in the first region A1, then M may be equal to the number of data channels included in the target driver chip. Accordingly, after the processor compresses the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the target driver chip, it may retain only part or all of the pixel data of one data channel, and delete the other pixel data of that data channel, as well as the pixel data of the other M-1 data channels (i.e., the target channel). The pixel data of the retained data channel (i.e., the compressed pixel data) may be the pixel data of the first pixel connected to that data channel, or it may be the mean or median of the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the M data channels.

[0116] Suppose a first region A1 includes K rows of first pixels, and the target driver chip has M data channels, with each data channel connected to J columns of first pixels in the first region A1. That is, the target driver chip is connected to K × M × J first pixels in the first region A1. Here, K is an integer multiple of N, and J is an integer greater than 1. Then, after the processor compresses the pixel data of every N rows and M columns of the first pixel in the first region A1, it can obtain (K / N) × J compressed pixel data. These (K / N) × J compressed pixel data can be arranged in an array of K / N rows and J columns.

[0117] Example, reference Figure 7 Assuming the target driver chip is driver chip D1, which includes 4 data channels, then M can be equal to 4. Assuming N is also equal to 4, then... Figure 7 As shown, the processor can perform horizontal and vertical compression on the pixel data of multiple first pixels connected to the target driver chip D1, and the amount of compressed pixel data obtained after compression is 1 / 16 of the original data amount.

[0118] refer to Figure 7 It can be seen that the compressed pixel data obtained after compression is 1 / 4 of the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the first data channel of the target driver chip D1. 3 / 4 of the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the first data channel, as well as the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the other three data channels, are all deleted.

[0119] For a scene where the non-focused region includes the second region A2, the processor can compress the pixel data of the first pixel in column M of the second region A2 to obtain compressed pixel data. Here, M can be an integer greater than 1.

[0120] The gaze area is the area that the viewer focuses on. To avoid affecting the display effect of the gaze area, the processor will not compress the pixel data of multiple second pixels in the gaze area. Since the processor does not compress the pixel data of the gaze area, if the processor performs vertical compression on the pixel data of the first pixel in the second area A2, it may result in the final compressed image data failing to display a complete rectangular image. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor may only perform horizontal compression on the pixel data of the first pixel in the second area A2. Furthermore, the horizontal compression ratio can be 1 / M.

[0121] It is understandable that, in a scenario where the display device includes multiple driver chips, when the processor compresses the pixel data of the first pixel in the second region A2, it can compress the pixel data of multiple columns of first pixels connected to the same driver chip. Furthermore, M can be equal to the number of data channels included in the driver chip.

[0122] Assume the target driver chip has M data channels, each connected to the first pixel in column J of the second region A2, where J is an integer greater than 1. Then, for each row of first pixels connected to the target driver chip in the second region A2, the processor can compress the pixel data of every M first pixels to obtain a compressed pixel data, ultimately resulting in J compressed pixel data located in the same row. The j-th compressed pixel data can be the pixel data of the first pixel in column j of any data channel. Alternatively, when calculating the j-th compressed pixel data, the pixel data of the first pixel in column j of each of the M data channels can be obtained, and the mean or median of the obtained M first pixel data can be used as the j-th compressed pixel data. Here, j is a positive integer not greater than J.

[0123] Example, reference Figure 7 Assuming the target driver chip is driver chip D2, which includes 4 data channels, then M can be equal to 4. Correspondingly, as... Figure 7 As shown, after the processor compresses the pixel data of the first pixel connected to the target driver chip D2, it can retain only the pixel data corresponding to one data channel and delete the pixel data corresponding to the other three target channels. That is, the horizontal compression ratio is 1 / 4, and there is no vertical compression. Accordingly, the amount of compressed pixel data obtained after compression is 1 / 4 of the original data amount.

[0124] Step 204: The processor sends compressed image data to the controller.

[0125] After compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in the non-focused area, the processor obtains compressed image data and sends this compressed image data to the controller. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of multiple uncompressed second pixels in the focused area. This compressed image data is used by the controller to transmit to the driver chip, so that the driver chip can drive the display panel for display.

[0126] Since the compressed image data transmitted by the processor is obtained by compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in the non-focal region, the amount of compressed image data is relatively small. Therefore, it can be ensured that the processor uses less bandwidth when sending compressed image data to the controller, resulting in higher image data transmission efficiency.

[0127] For example, the compressed image data sent by the processor to the controller can be as follows: Figure 8 As shown. Reference Figure 8 The compressed image data includes compressed pixel data and pixel data of multiple second pixels.

[0128] Optionally, refer to Figure 7If a portion of the first pixels in the first region A1 co-occurs with the second pixels in the gaze region B0, and the processor performs lateral compression on the pixel data of that portion of the first pixels, then as follows: Figure 8 The compressed image data obtained by the processor may also include invalid pixel data. This invalid pixel data is arranged in the pixel column direction (X) along with the pixel data of the second pixel, and in the pixel row direction (Y) along with the compressed pixel data in the first region A1. This ensures that the image corresponding to the compressed image data is a complete rectangular image. The invalid pixel data filled in by the processor in the compressed image data can all be 0.

[0129] Step 205: The controller sends a power reduction command to the target driver chip.

[0130] In this embodiment, after receiving compressed image data from the processor, the controller can transmit the compressed image data to at least one driver chip connected to the display panel. Furthermore, based on the compression rules of the compressed image data and the connection relationships between each driver chip and each column of pixels in the display panel, the controller can also transmit compressed pixel data and the pixel data of the second pixel from the compressed image data to the corresponding driver chip. The pixel data received by each driver chip is the pixel data of the pixel it is connected to.

[0131] Understandably, the controller can transmit pixel data line by line. Assuming the display panel is connected to T driver chips, where T is an integer greater than 1, the controller can divide each line of pixel data in the compressed image data into T groups of pixel data corresponding one-to-one with the T driver chips, and transmit these T groups of pixel data to their respective driver chips. If a driver chip includes M open data channels, the controller can divide a group of pixel data corresponding to that driver chip into M parts, and transmit the M parts of pixel data to their respective data channels.

[0132] It is also understandable that if a row of pixel data in the compressed image data includes both compressed pixel data and uncompressed pixel data of the second pixel, the controller can transmit the compressed pixel data and the second pixel data in parallel.

[0133] To reduce the power consumption of the target driver chip connected to the first pixel in the non-focus area, the controller can send a power reduction command to the target driver chip before sending compressed pixel data. This power reduction command instructs the target driver chip to shut down the target channel, which is the data channel used to receive compressed pixel data (i.e., deleted pixel data).

[0134] Optionally, the controller can include the power reduction instruction in the configuration instruction CTRL_L sent to the target driver chip. Furthermore, the power reduction instruction can also carry an identifier for the target channel; upon receiving the power reduction instruction, the target driver chip can disable the target channel indicated by that identifier.

[0135] As one possible example, the first region A1 and the gaze region B0 can be arranged sequentially along the pixel row driving direction (i.e., the pixel column direction X). That is, when the target driver chip drives the pixels of the display area, it first drives the first pixel in the first region A1, and then drives the second pixel in the gaze region B0. In this example, the controller can send a line of invalid display data to the target driver chip before sending the first line of pixel data in the compressed image data. (See reference...) Figure 9 This line of invalid display data may include: a start indicator K1 arranged in sequence, a configuration command CTRL_L, invalid pixel data, and an end indicator K2. The configuration command CTRL_L is used to carry power reduction instructions. Furthermore, as... Figure 8 As shown, the line of invalid data can also include an empty (IDLE) area following the end indicator K2.

[0136] As another possible example, the gaze region B0 and the first region A1 can be arranged sequentially along the driving direction of pixel rows (i.e., the pixel column direction X). That is, when the target driver chip drives the pixels of the display area, it first drives the second pixel in the gaze region B0, and then drives the first pixel in the first region A1. In this example, the controller can include the power reduction instruction when sending the pixel data of the second pixel in the last row of the gaze region B0 to the target driver chip. (See reference...) Figure 10 The controller can send a line of display data to the target driver chip. This line of display data may include: a start indicator K1 arranged in sequence, a configuration instruction CTRL_L, the pixel data of the second pixel of the last line, and an end indicator K2. The configuration instruction CTRL_L is used to carry power reduction instructions.

[0137] Step 206: The target driver chip shuts down the target channel among multiple data channels based on the power reduction instruction.

[0138] After receiving a power reduction command from the controller, the target driver chip can shut down a target channel among multiple data channels, thus entering a low-power mode. This target channel is the one used to receive compressed pixel data (i.e., deleted pixel data). For example, the target driver chip can determine the target channel to be shut down based on the target channel identifier carried in the power reduction command. Because the target driver chip can shut down target channels that do not need to receive pixel data based on the controller's instructions, it can effectively reduce the power consumption of the target driver chip while ensuring reliable transmission of pixel data.

[0139] For example, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, assuming the target driver chip is D3, the controller can send a power reduction command to the target driver chip before sending the first row of compressed pixel data. This power reduction command can carry the identifiers of the second data channel R2 to the fourth data channel R4. After receiving the power reduction command, the target driver chip D3 can turn off all four data channels, leaving only the first data channel R1 on.

[0140] Understandably, the controller can send pixel data to the driver chip's data channels via its transmit (TX) interface. The driver chip's data channels can also be called receive (RX) interfaces. Furthermore, in scenarios where the driver chip includes multiple data channels, the controller can include multiple TX interfaces corresponding one-to-one with those multiple data channels.

[0141] It is also understandable that the controller can disable the TX interface corresponding to the target channel of the target driver chip before sending compressed pixel data to the target driver chip. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the controller, and consequently further reduces the overall power consumption of the display device.

[0142] Example, reference Figure 12 If the target driver chip D3 includes four data channels R1 to R4, then the controller can include at least four TX interfaces for connecting to the target driver chip D3, namely interfaces T1 to T4. After receiving a power reduction command, the target driver chip D3 can shut down all four data channels R2 to R4, keeping only the first data channel R1 on. Furthermore, the controller can shut down interfaces T2 to T4 corresponding to the second to fourth data channels R2 to R4, keeping only interface T1 on.

[0143] Step 207: The controller sends compressed pixel data to the target driver chip.

[0144] After instructing the target driver chip to close the target channel, the controller can send compressed pixel data to the target driver chip. That is, the controller can send compressed pixel data to the data channel in the target driver chip that remains open. This compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels connected to the target driver chip. Because the amount of compressed pixel data is small, it ensures that the controller uses minimal bandwidth when sending it to the target driver chip.

[0145] For example, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, assuming the target driver chip is D3, the controller can send compressed pixel data to the first data channel R1 of the target driver chip D3. The compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of the four data channels R1 to R4 connected to the target driver chip D3.

[0146] Step 208: The target driver chip drives at least two first pixels in the display panel based on the compressed pixel data.

[0147] After receiving the compressed pixel data sent by the controller, the target driver chip can use the compressed pixel data to drive at least two first pixels in the display panel.

[0148] Understandably, the controller can also send compression rules for compressed image data to the target driver chip, which can then drive at least two first pixels connected to it based on these compression rules and the received compressed pixel data.

[0149] As a possible example, if the compressed pixel data received by the target driver chip is obtained by compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in row N and column M of the first region A1, and the target driver chip is connected to the first pixel in row K and column M×J of the first region A1, then the target driver chip can receive (K / N)×J compressed pixel data. The target driver chip can copy the received (K / N)×J compressed pixel data horizontally M-1 times and vertically N-1 times, thereby obtaining K×M×J compressed pixel data. The target driver chip can then drive the first pixel in row K and column M×J connected to it based on the K×M×J compressed pixel data.

[0150] As another possible example, if the compressed pixel data received by the target driver chip is obtained by compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in column M of the second region A2, and the target driver chip is connected to the first pixel in row K, column M×J of the second region A2, then the target driver chip can receive K×J compressed pixel data. The target driver chip can horizontally copy the received K×J compressed pixel data M-1 times to obtain K×M×J compressed pixel data. The target driver chip can then drive the first pixel in row K, column M×J connected to it based on the K×M×J compressed pixel data.

[0151] It is also understandable that the above operation of copying compressed pixel data can be understood as decompressing the compressed pixel data.

[0152] It is also understandable that the driver chip and the display panel can be connected using chip-on-film (COF) technology or bonding. Therefore, there is no strict limitation on the data transmission bandwidth between the driver chip and the display panel; the driver chip can directly drive the display panel for display after decompressing the received compressed pixel data.

[0153] Step 209: The controller sends a power recovery command to the target driver chip.

[0154] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if the pixels connected to the target driver chip include a first pixel and a second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row, then the controller also needs to send the pixel data of the second pixel to the target driver chip. Since the pixel data of the second pixel is not compressed, the target driver chip also needs to receive the pixel data of the second pixel through its target channel. Accordingly, before sending the pixel data of the second pixel, the controller also needs to send a power recovery command to the target driver chip to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel.

[0155] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the pixels connected to the driver chip D3 include both the first pixel located in the first region A1 and the second pixel located in the gaze region B0, and the first and second pixels are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row. Therefore, before sending the pixel data of the second pixel, the controller needs to send a power recovery command to the driver chip D3. This power recovery command is used to instruct the driver chip D3 to turn on and off the three target channels R2 to R4.

[0156] Understandably, the target driver chip needs a certain amount of time to activate its target channel; that is, there is a delay between the moment the target driver chip activates its target channel and the moment the controller sends the power recovery command. Therefore, the controller needs to send the power recovery command in advance to ensure that the target driver chip has activated its target channel when the controller sends the pixel data of the second pixel, thereby ensuring reliable reception of the pixel data of the second pixel.

[0157] Specifically, the interval between the controller sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel can be greater than or equal to a duration threshold. This duration threshold can be determined based on the activation time required for the target driver chip to open its data channel, and this activation time is related to the hardware parameters of the target driver chip.

[0158] For example, assuming the activation duration equals the time required for the controller to transmit N rows of pixel data, and the interval duration equals the activation duration, the controller can send a power recovery command to the target driver chip when transmitting the compressed pixel data of the first pixel in the (N+1)th row from the end before the second pixel in the first row. After sending the power recovery command, the controller can sequentially transmit the compressed pixel data of the last N rows of first pixels in the first region, and then transmit the pixel data of the second pixel in the first row within the gaze region. This ensures that the target driver chip has activated its target channel when the controller transmits the pixel data of the second pixel in the first row.

[0159] Optionally, such as Figure 13 As shown, the power recovery command sent by the controller to the target driver chip may include a clock training pattern and a link stable pattern (LSP).

[0160] Example, reference Figure 13 The controller can send a line of display data to the target chip. This line of display data may include a clock training sequence, LSP, start indicator K1, configuration instruction CTRL_L, compressed pixel data of the first pixel of the N+1th row from the end before the second pixel of the first row, and end indicator K2.

[0161] Step 210: The driver chip starts the target channel based on the power recovery instruction.

[0162] After receiving a power recovery command from the controller, the target driver chip can activate a closed target channel based on the command to ensure reliable transmission of pixel data for the uncompressed second pixel. For example, the power recovery command can carry an identifier for the target channel to be activated, allowing the target driver chip to activate the corresponding target channel based on this identifier.

[0163] For example, such as Figure 12 As shown, assuming the target driver chip is D3, and the power recovery command sent by the controller to the target driver chip D3 carries the identifiers of the second data channel R2 to the fourth data channel R4, then the target driver chip D3 can activate the second data channel R2 to the fourth data channel R4 based on the identifiers in the power recovery command.

[0164] Step 211: The controller sends the pixel data of the second pixel to the target driver chip.

[0165] After transmitting the compressed pixel data of the first region, the controller can send the pixel data of the second pixel located in the gaze region B0 to the target driver chip.

[0166] It is understandable that, since the pixel data of the second pixel within the gaze area B0 is not compressed, if the controller closes part of the TX interface when sending compressed pixel data to the target driver chip, the closed TX interface must be opened before sending the pixel data of the second pixel to ensure reliable transmission of the pixel data of the uncompressed second pixel.

[0167] For example, such as Figure 12 As shown, assuming the controller closes the T2 to T4 interface when sending compressed pixel data to the target driver chip D3, the controller needs to open the T2 to T4 interface before sending the pixel data of the second pixel to ensure reliable transmission of the uncompressed pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip D3.

[0168] It is understandable that while the controller is sending the pixel data of the second pixel to the target driver chip, it can also simultaneously send the pixel data of the second pixel to other driver chips, and / or compress the pixel data.

[0169] The following text is incomplete and cannot be translated. Figure 11Taking this as an example, the transmission process of compressed image data will be introduced. This transmission process can be divided into three transmission stages. The first transmission stage is used to transmit the compressed pixel data of the first region A11, the second transmission stage is used to transmit the compressed pixel data of the second region A21, the uncompressed second pixel data of the gaze region B0, and the compressed pixel data of the second region A22, and the third transmission stage is used to transmit the compressed pixel data of the first region A12.

[0170] In the first transmission phase, reference Figure 11 Before sending the first row of compressed pixel data in the first region A11, the controller can send a power reduction command to all driver chips D1 to D8, instructing them to shut down three target channels and keep only one data channel open. Then, the controller can send the compressed pixel data of the first region A11 to the driver chips D1 to D8 line by line. Each row of compressed pixel data can be divided into eight groups of pixel data, each group including one copy of compressed pixel data. This copy of compressed pixel data can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of the corresponding driver chip among driver chips D1 to D8.

[0171] Since the gaze area B0 and the first area A11 are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel rows, and the driving chips D3 to D6 are connected to the second pixel of the gaze area B0, the controller can send power reduction recovery commands to the driving chips D3 to D6 respectively when sending the (N+1)th row of compressed pixel data from the end of the first area A11, to instruct the driving chips D3 to D6 to turn on or off the three target channels. Afterwards, the controller can send the last N rows of compressed pixel data in the first area A11 line by line to the driving chips D1 to D8. After completing the transmission of the compressed pixel data in the first area A11, i.e., after the first transmission stage is completed, the controller can begin executing the second transmission stage.

[0172] refer to Figure 11Since the pixels connected to driver chips D1 and D2, as well as driver chips D7 and D8, are all first pixels, the target channels of the above four driver chips can remain closed during the second transmission stage. During this second transmission stage, each row of pixel data sent by the controller can be divided into eight groups of pixel data. The first group of pixel data includes one compressed pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of driver chip D1. The second group of pixel data includes one compressed pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of driver chip D2. The third group of pixel data includes four second pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channels R1 through R4 of driver chip D3, respectively. The fourth group of pixel data includes four second pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channels R1 through R4 of driver chip D4, respectively. The fifth set of pixel data includes four copies of the second pixel's pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 through the fourth data channel R4 of driver chip D5, respectively. The sixth set of pixel data includes four copies of the second pixel's pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 through the fourth data channel R4 of driver chip D6, respectively. The seventh set of pixel data includes one copy of compressed pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of driver chip D7. The eighth set of pixel data includes one copy of compressed pixel data, which can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of driver chip D8.

[0173] When the controller sends the pixel data of the second pixel of the last row, it can send power reduction commands to driver chips D3 through D6 respectively, instructing them to shut down all three target channels and keep only one data channel active. Afterward, the controller can execute the third transmission stage. (Reference) Figure 11 In this third transmission stage, the controller can send the compressed pixel data of the first region A12 line by line to the driver chips D1 to D8. Each line of compressed pixel data can be divided into 8 groups of pixel data, and each group of pixel data includes 1 compressed pixel data. This 1 compressed pixel data can be transmitted to the first data channel R1 of the corresponding driver chip among driver chips D1 to D8.

[0174] Based on the above description of the three transmission stages, it can be seen that each row of pixel data sent by the controller in the first and third transmission stages includes 8 compressed pixel data, and each row of pixel data sent by the controller in the second transmission stage includes a total of 20 pixel data.

[0175] It is understandable that, such as Figure 11As shown, the pixel data in the first regions A11 and A12 may also include invalid data, which corresponds to the target channel in the driver chip. Since the controller has instructed the driver chip to turn off the target channel before transmitting the pixel data in the first regions A11 and A12, the controller does not need to transmit the invalid data to the driver chip.

[0176] Step 212: The target driver chip drives the second pixel in the display panel based on the pixel data of the second pixel.

[0177] After receiving the pixel data of the second pixel sent by the controller, the target driver chip can drive the second pixel in the display panel based on the pixel data of the second pixel.

[0178] It should be understood that the order of steps in the image data transmission method provided in this disclosure can be appropriately adjusted, and steps can be added or removed as needed. For example, step 201 can be deleted as needed, i.e., the processor can use a pre-stored fixed region as the gaze region. Alternatively, step 211 can be executed before step 207, or it can be executed synchronously with step 207. Or, steps 209 and 210 can be deleted as needed; for example, if the non-gaze region only includes the second region A2 and not the first region A1, then the target channel of the target driver chip can always remain closed. Any variations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure, and therefore will not be elaborated further.

[0179] In summary, this disclosure provides a method for transmitting image data. The processor can compress pixel data in non-focused areas of the initial image data and send the compressed image data to the controller. This effectively reduces the amount of image data the processor needs to transmit without affecting the display effect, thereby reducing the bandwidth occupied by the processor during image data transmission to the controller. Since the controller receives less image data, the number of pixel data transmitted by the controller to the driver chip is also reduced accordingly, further reducing the bandwidth occupied by the controller during image data transmission to the driver chip.

[0180] Furthermore, since the amount of image data that the processor and controller need to transmit is relatively small, the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. The data transmission bandwidth requirements between the processor and controller, and between the controller and the driver chip, are also lower, thus avoiding increased costs for the display device. Moreover, since the controller can shut down interfaces that do not need to send pixel data and can instruct the driver chip to shut down target channels that do not need to receive pixel data, the power consumption of the controller and driver chip can be effectively reduced while ensuring reliable pixel data transmission.

[0181] Furthermore, since the processor can dynamically track the viewer's gaze area based on data detected by the gaze area detection sensor, it can dynamically adjust data channels that need to be shut down in the driver chip, as well as dynamically adjust pixel data for pixels that need to be compressed. Therefore, high-definition rendering of the gaze area can be ensured while effectively reducing data transmission bandwidth and display device power consumption, satisfying users' demands for ultra-high definition and ultra-high frequency visual experiences in the gaze area.

[0182] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image data transmission component provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This transmission component can be applied to... Figure 1 In the illustrated display device, for example, the image transmission component can be a processor or controller within the display device. Furthermore, this transmission component can be used to implement, for example... Figure 2 The steps performed by the transmission component in the method embodiment shown may be used to implement... Figure 3 The steps in the method embodiments shown are executed by a processor or controller. For example... Figure 14 As shown, the transmission component may include:

[0183] The acquisition module 301 is used to acquire the initial image data of the image to be displayed in the display panel, the display panel including multiple pixels, and the initial image data including the pixel data of the multiple pixels.

[0184] Compression module 302 is used to compress the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the plurality of second pixels other than the plurality of first pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel.

[0185] The sending module 303 is used to send compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of a plurality of second pixels. The compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel to display.

[0186] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction with the focusing area of ​​the display panel. Accordingly, the compression module 302 can be used to: compress the pixel data of the first pixel in the first area (N rows and M columns) to obtain compressed pixel data, where N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0187] Optionally, the non-focused region includes a second region, which is arranged in the pixel row direction with the focused region. Accordingly, the compression module 302 can be used to compress the pixel data of the first pixel in column M of the same row in the second region to obtain compressed pixel data, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0188] Optionally, the first pixel of column M is connected to the same driver chip.

[0189] Optionally, such as Figure 15 As shown, the transmission component also includes:

[0190] The determination module 304 is used to determine the gaze region based on the data collected by the gaze region detection sensor before the compression module 302 compresses the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data.

[0191] Optionally, the compression module 302 can be used to delete at least one pixel data from the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels to obtain at least one compressed pixel data.

[0192] Each compressed pixel data is either the pixel data of a first pixel, or the mean or median of the pixel data of at least two first pixels.

[0193] Optionally, the image data transmission component is a processor in the display device, which also includes a controller connected to the driver chip. Accordingly, the sending module 303 can be used to send compressed image data to the controller for transmission from the controller to the driver chip.

[0194] Optionally, the image data transmission component is a controller in the display device, which is connected to at least one of the driver chips. Accordingly, the transmitting module 303 can be used for:

[0195] A power reduction instruction is sent to the target driver chip, which is used to instruct the target driver chip to turn off the target channel. The target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel. The target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data.

[0196] The compressed pixel data is sent to the target driver chip, and the pixel data of the multiple second pixels is sent to the driver chip among the multiple driver chips used to drive the multiple second pixels.

[0197] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction along with the focusing area of ​​the display panel. The pixels connected to the target driving chip include the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row. Accordingly, the transmitting module 303 can be used to:

[0198] Send a power recovery command to the target driver chip, which instructs the target driver chip to enable the target channel;

[0199] The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip. The interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0200] Optionally, the transmitting module 303 can be used to transmit clock training sequences and link stabilization sequences to the target driver chip.

[0201] In summary, the embodiments of this disclosure provide a transmission component that, when transmitting pixel data, can compress pixel data in non-focused areas of the initial image data and send the compressed image data to the driver chip. Therefore, the amount of image data to be transmitted can be effectively reduced without affecting the display effect, thereby reducing the bandwidth occupied during image data transmission.

[0202] Furthermore, since the amount of image data that the transmission component needs to transmit is relatively small, the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. Moreover, the data transmission bandwidth requirements between the transmission component and the driver chip in the display device are low, which can avoid increasing the cost of the display device.

[0203] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of a controller provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The controller is connected to at least one of the driver chips in the display device. Furthermore, the controller can be used to implement, for example... Figure 2 The steps performed by the transmission component in the method embodiment shown may be used to implement... Figure 3 The steps performed by the controller in the illustrated method embodiment. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the controller may include:

[0204] The acquisition module 401 is used to acquire compressed image data of an image to be displayed in the display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of a plurality of second pixels. The at least one compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-viewing area of ​​the display panel, and the plurality of second pixels are located in the viewing area of ​​the display panel.

[0205] The sending module 402 is used to send a power reduction instruction to the target driver chip. The power reduction instruction is used to instruct the target driver chip to turn off the target channel. The target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel. The target driver chip has multiple data channels. The target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data.

[0206] The sending module 402 is also used to send compressed pixel data to the target driver chip and to send pixel data of multiple second pixels to at least one driver chip used to drive multiple second pixels.

[0207] Optionally, the non-focusing area includes a first area, which is arranged in a pixel column direction with the focusing area of ​​the display panel; the pixels connected to the target driving chip include a first pixel and a second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row. Correspondingly, the transmitting module 402 can be used for:

[0208] Send a power recovery command to the target driver chip. The power recovery command is used to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel.

[0209] The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip; wherein the interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to the duration threshold.

[0210] In summary, the embodiments of this disclosure provide a controller that can acquire compressed image data and send the compressed image data to a driver chip. Since the amount of image data that the controller needs to transmit is relatively small, the power consumption of the display device can be reduced. Furthermore, the data transmission bandwidth requirements between the controller and the driver chip in the display device are low, thereby avoiding increased costs for the display device.

[0211] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a driver chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This driver chip can be applied to... Figure 1 In the display device shown. Furthermore, this driver chip can be used to implement, as... Figure 2 The steps performed by the driver chip in the method embodiment shown may be used to implement... Figure 3The steps in the method embodiment shown are executed by the driver chip. For example... Figure 17 As shown, the driver chip may include:

[0212] The receiving module 501 is used to receive compressed pixel data, which is obtained by compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the display panel, and the multiple first pixels are located in the non-viewing area of ​​the display panel.

[0213] The driver module 502 is used to drive multiple first pixels using compressed pixel data.

[0214] In summary, this disclosure provides a driver chip that receives compressed pixel data. Because the compressed pixel data has a small data volume, it effectively reduces the bandwidth occupied during pixel data transmission and improves transmission efficiency.

[0215] refer to Figure 1 The present disclosure also provides a display device, which includes: a processor 01, a controller 02, at least one driver chip 03, and a display panel 04.

[0216] The processor 01 can be a GPU or an application processor (AP), and its structure can be as follows: Figure 14 or Figure 15 As shown. The controller 02 can be a TCON, and its structure can be as follows. Figure 14 , Figure 15 or Figure 16 As shown. This driver chip 03 can be a source driver circuit, and it can also be called a driver integrated circuit.

[0217] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of another display device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure, such as... Figure 18 As shown, the display device may include: a processing component 601, and a memory 602 for storing executable instructions of the processing component 601. The processing component 601 is configured to execute the instructions in the memory 602 to implement the steps implemented by the processor, controller, or driver chip in the above embodiments.

[0218] The processing component 601 can be the processor, controller, or driver chip in the above embodiments.

[0219] Optionally, the display device provided in the embodiments of this disclosure can be any product or component with display function, such as a liquid crystal display device, electronic paper, OLED display device, mobile phone, tablet computer, television, monitor, laptop computer, digital photo frame or navigator.

[0220] For example, the display device could be an AR or VR device.

[0221] This disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when the storage medium is run on a processing component, cause the processing component to perform the steps implemented by the transmission component, the controller, or the driver chip in the above embodiments.

[0222] The processing component can be the processor, controller, or driver chip described in the above embodiments.

[0223] This disclosure provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform an image data transmission method as described in any of the above method embodiments.

[0224] In this disclosure, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "at least one" means one or more, and the term "multiple" in this disclosure means two or more; for example, multiple clock calibration circuits means two or more clock calibration circuits.

[0225] It should be understood that the "and / or" mentioned in this article indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0226] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this disclosure should be included within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting image data, characterized in that, The method, applied to a transmission component for image data, includes: Acquire initial image data of the image to be displayed in the display panel, wherein the display panel includes multiple pixels, and the initial image data includes pixel data of the multiple pixels; The pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data is compressed to obtain at least one compressed pixel data. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and a plurality of second pixels other than the plurality of first pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel. The non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area. The first area and the focusing area of ​​the display panel are arranged in the pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area are arranged in the pixel row direction. Compressed image data is sent to the driver chip of the display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of the plurality of second pixels. The compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel to display. If any row of pixel data in the compressed image data includes the compressed pixel data and the pixel data of the uncompressed second pixel, the compressed pixel data and the pixel data of the second pixel are transmitted in parallel. The step of compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes: The pixel data of the first pixel in the first region (N rows and M columns) is compressed to obtain compressed pixel data. This achieves horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixel in the first region along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction. N and M are both integers greater than 1. If some first pixels in the first region share a column with the second pixels in the gaze region, and the pixel data of the some first pixels is horizontally compressed, then the compressed image data also includes invalid pixel data. The invalid pixel data and the pixel data of the second pixel are arranged in the pixel column direction, and the compressed pixel data in the first region are arranged in the pixel row direction. The pixel data of the first pixel in column M of the same row in the second region is compressed to obtain compressed pixel data, so as to achieve horizontal compression only of the pixel data of the first pixel in the second region along the pixel row direction, where M is an integer greater than 1.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data, the method further includes: The gaze region is determined based on data collected by the gaze region detection sensor.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes: Delete the pixel data of at least one first pixel from the pixel data of the plurality of first pixels to obtain at least one compressed pixel data; Each of the compressed pixel data is either the pixel data of one first pixel, or the mean or median of the pixel data of at least two first pixels.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image data transmission component is a processor in the display device, and the display device further includes a controller connected to the driver chip; sending compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel includes: The processor sends compressed image data to the controller, and the compressed image data is used by the controller to transmit to the driver chip.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image data transmission component is a controller in the display device, and the controller is connected to at least one of the driver chips; sending compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel includes: A power reduction instruction is sent to the target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down the target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data; The compressed pixel data is sent to the target driver chip, and the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels is sent to the driver chip among the plurality of driver chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The non-focused area includes a first area, which is arranged in the pixel column direction along with the focused area of ​​the display panel; the pixels connected to the target driving chip include the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row; Sending pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driving chip among the plurality of driving chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels includes: A power recovery command is sent to the target driver chip, the power recovery command being used to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel; The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip; wherein the interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to a duration threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Sending the power consumption recovery command to the target driver chip includes: The clock training sequence and link stabilization sequence are sent to the target driver chip.

8. A method for transmitting image data, characterized in that, A controller applied in a display device, the controller being connected to at least one driver chip in the display device; the method includes: Obtain compressed image data of an image to be displayed on a display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of multiple second pixels. The at least one compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels. The multiple first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the multiple second pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel. The non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area. The first area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel row direction. The compression of the pixel data of the multiple first pixels to obtain the at least one compressed pixel data includes: compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in N rows and M columns in the first area to obtain one compressed pixel data, so as to achieve horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixel in the first area along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction, where N and M are both integers greater than 1; and compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in M ​​columns in the same row in the second area to obtain one compressed pixel data, so as to achieve horizontal compression only of the pixel data of the first pixel in the second area along the pixel row direction, where M are both integers greater than 1. A power reduction instruction is sent to the target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down the target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data; The compressed pixel data is sent to the target driver chip, and the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels is sent to the driver chip of the at least one driver chip used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The target driving chip is connected to the first pixel and the second pixel, and the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged sequentially along the driving direction of the pixel row; Sending pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driving chip among the plurality of driving chips used to drive the plurality of second pixels includes: A power recovery command is sent to the target driver chip, the power recovery command being used to instruct the target driver chip to enable the target channel; The pixel data of the second pixel connected to the target driver chip is sent to the target driver chip; wherein the interval between sending the power recovery command to the target driver chip and sending the pixel data of the second pixel is greater than or equal to a duration threshold.

10. An image display method, characterized in that, A driver chip used in a display device, the driver chip being connected to a display panel; the method includes: The system receives compressed pixel data, which is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the display panel, wherein the plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel; the display panel includes a plurality of pixels, wherein a plurality of second pixels, excluding the plurality of first pixels, are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel; the non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area, wherein the first area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel row direction; wherein, compressing the pixel data of the plurality of first pixels in the display panel to obtain the compressed pixel data includes: compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in N rows and M columns in the first area to obtain a compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the first area along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction, wherein N and M are both integers greater than 1; and compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in M ​​columns in the same row in the second area to obtain a compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the second area only along the pixel row direction, wherein M are both integers greater than 1. The compressed pixel data is used to drive the plurality of first pixels.

11. An image data transmission component, characterized in that, The transmission component includes: An acquisition module is used to acquire initial image data of an image to be displayed in a display panel, wherein the display panel includes multiple pixels and the initial image data includes pixel data of the multiple pixels; A compression module is used to compress pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data. The plurality of first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and a plurality of second pixels, excluding the plurality of first pixels, are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel. The non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area, the first area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel row direction. The compression of pixel data of the plurality of first pixels in the initial image data to obtain at least one compressed pixel data includes: compressing pixel data of the first pixels in N rows and M columns in the first area to obtain one compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the first area along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction, where N and M are both integers greater than 1; and compressing pixel data of the first pixels in M ​​columns of the same row in the second area to obtain one compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the second area only along the pixel row direction, where M are both integers greater than 1. The transmitting module is used to transmit compressed image data to the driver chip of the display panel. The compressed image data includes: at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of the plurality of second pixels. The compressed image data is used by the driver chip to drive the display panel to display.

12. A controller, characterized in that, The controller is connected to at least one driver chip in the display device; the controller includes: An acquisition module is used to acquire compressed image data of an image to be displayed on a display panel. The compressed image data includes at least one compressed pixel data and pixel data of multiple second pixels. The at least one compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels. The multiple first pixels are located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel, and the multiple second pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel. The non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area. The first area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area are arranged in a pixel row direction. Compressing the pixel data of multiple first pixels to obtain the at least one compressed pixel data includes: compressing the pixel data of the first pixel in N rows and M columns in the first area to obtain one compressed pixel data, so as to achieve horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixel in the first area along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction, where N and M are both integers greater than 1; compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in M ​​columns in the same row in the second area to obtain one compressed pixel data, so as to achieve horizontal compression only of the pixel data of the first pixel in the second area along the pixel row direction, where M are both integers greater than 1. A sending module is used to send a power reduction instruction to a target driver chip, the power reduction instruction being used to instruct the target driver chip to shut down a target channel, wherein the target driver chip is a driver chip used to drive the first pixel, the target driver chip has multiple data channels, and the target channel is a channel used to receive compressed pixel data; The sending module is further configured to send the compressed pixel data to the target driving chip, and to send the pixel data of the plurality of second pixels to the driving chip of the at least one driving chip used to drive the plurality of second pixels.

13. A driver chip, characterized in that, The driver chip is connected to the display panel; the driver chip includes: A receiving module is configured to receive compressed pixel data, wherein the compressed pixel data is obtained by compressing the pixel data of a plurality of first pixels in the display panel, the plurality of first pixels being located in the non-focusing area of ​​the display panel; the display panel includes a plurality of pixels, among which a plurality of second pixels other than the plurality of first pixels are located in the focusing area of ​​the display panel; the non-focusing area includes a first area and a second area, the first area and the focusing area being arranged in a pixel column direction, and the second area and the focusing area being arranged in a pixel row direction; wherein, compressing the pixel data of the plurality of first pixels in the display panel to obtain the compressed pixel data includes: compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in N rows and M columns in the first area to obtain a compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the first area along the pixel row direction and vertical compression along the pixel column direction, wherein N and M are both integers greater than 1; compressing the pixel data of the first pixels in M ​​columns in the same row in the second area to obtain a compressed pixel data, thereby achieving horizontal compression of the pixel data of the first pixels in the second area only along the pixel row direction, wherein M are both integers greater than 1; A driving module is used to drive the plurality of first pixels using the compressed pixel data.

14. A display device, characterized in that, The display device includes: a processor, a controller, at least one driver chip, and a display panel; Wherein, the processor is the transmission component as described in claim 11; the controller is the transmission component as described in claim 11, or the controller as described in claim 12; and the driver chip is the driver chip as described in claim 13.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that are executed by a processing component to implement the image data transmission method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the image data transmission method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 9, and the image display method as claimed in claim 10.

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