Power level for light emitting diode driver

Abstract

In some examples, an electronic device includes: a light emitting diode (LED) group arranged in an area; a plurality of driver circuits, a driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits coupled to a group of LEDs of the group of LEDs; and a comparison circuit coupled to the plurality of driver circuits. The comparison circuit compares a first luminance value of a first set of LEDs of a first region with a second luminance value of a second set of LEDs of a second region, and in response to the comparison indicating that the first luminance value is greater than the second luminance value by a threshold difference, causes the first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to the first set of LEDs, and cause the second driver circuit to provide a second power level to the second set of LEDs, the second power level being a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Electronic devices such as televisions, desktop computers, laptop computers, notebooks, tablet computers, and smart phones are equipped with display panels for displaying images. Some types of display panels have light emitting diode (LED) backlights. To improve the quality of displayed images, some types of display panels group the LEDs into individually adjustable zones. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples are described below with reference to the following figures.

[0003] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device for modifying a power level of a driver for an LED according to various examples.

[0004] Figure 2 is a timing diagram of an electronic device that modifies a power level of a driver of an LED according to various examples.

[0005] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an electronic device for modifying a power level of a driver for an LED according to various examples.

[0006] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method for modifying a power level of a driver of an LED according to various examples.

[0007] Figure 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device for modifying a power level of a driver for an LED according to various examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] As described above, in order to improve the quality of displayed images, the display panel of an electronic device groups LEDs into individually adjustable areas. Local dimming as used herein refers to dimming the amount of light emitted by LEDs in some areas while keeping the amount of light emitted by LEDs in other areas unchanged. However, in instances where an image includes an area with a higher brightness value than the brightness value of a surrounding area, light from an area including pixels with a higher brightness value infiltrates into an area including surrounding areas with a lower brightness value. A halo effect or halo light as used herein refers to light from an area with a higher brightness value infiltrating into another area with a lower brightness value. Although some display panels enable users to adjust the dimming settings that reduce the backlight to reduce the halo effect, reducing the dimming also reduces the contrast. The reduced contrast reduces the image quality of the displayed image.

[0009] This specification describes a comparison circuit for modifying the power level of a region to reduce the halo effect. The power level enables the LEDs in the region to emit light. As used herein, driving the LEDs in the region refers to providing a power level to enable the LEDs in the region to emit light. In some examples, the power level enables the liquid crystal to enable light to be transmitted through the glass panel of the display panel. The comparison circuit determines the difference between the brightness values ​​of the pixels in different regions. In response to the difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the comparison circuit drives the LEDs in adjacent regions with different non-zero power levels. In some examples, the comparison circuit causes a first driver circuit coupled to the LEDs in the first region to provide a first non-zero power level, and causes a second driver circuit coupled to the LEDs in the second region to provide a second power level. In various examples, the second region is adjacent to the first region. In some examples, the second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first power level.

[0010] A comparison circuit that modifies the power level in different areas reduces the halo effect without modifying the contrast. Reducing the halo effect improves image quality.

[0011] In some examples according to the present specification, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in an area; a plurality of driver circuits, wherein a driver circuit in the plurality of driver circuits is coupled to a group of LEDs in the LED group; and a comparison circuit coupled to the plurality of driver circuits. The comparison circuit compares a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs in a first area with a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in a second area, wherein the first area and the second area are adjacent. In response to the comparison indicating that the first brightness value is greater than the second brightness value by a threshold difference, the comparison circuit causes the first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to the first group of LEDs, and causes the second driver circuit to provide a second power level to the second group of LEDs, wherein the second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

[0012] In some examples according to the present specification, a method is provided. The method includes determining differences between brightness values ​​of LEDs in adjacent regions; determining whether a first difference in the differences is equal to or greater than a threshold difference, wherein the first difference is between a first region and a second region in a plurality of adjacent regions; and in response to the first difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, providing a first non-zero power level by a first driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the first region, and providing a second non-zero power level by a second driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the second region, wherein the second non-zero power level is different from the first non-zero power level.

[0013] In some examples according to the present specification, a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions is provided. The term "non-transitory" as used herein does not include a transient propagation signal. The machine-readable instructions, when executed by a controller of an electronic device, cause the controller to: determine a difference between a first brightness value of an LED in a first region and a second brightness value of an LED in a second region, and in response to the difference being equal to or greater than a threshold difference, cause a first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to drive the LED in the first region, and cause a second driver circuit to provide a second power level to drive the LED in the second region. The second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

[0014] Reference now Figure 1 , according to various examples, a block diagram of an electronic device 100 for modifying the power level of a driver of an LED is shown. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a television, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook, a tablet computer, a smart phone, or other computing device equipped with a display panel 101. The display panel 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel with an LED backlight (not explicitly shown). The display panel 101 includes a micro light emitting diode (mini-LED) backlight, a micro LED backlight, or other LED backlight with an adjustable area to emit light to display an image to the display panel 101. The image includes regions 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 that display different parts of the image with different brightness values. In various examples, the regions 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 include multiple regions, which are adjacent regions associated with brightness values. For example, region 102 includes four LED regions. Region 104 includes multiple LED regions adjacent to the four LED regions of region 104. In some examples, region 104 is referred to as framing region 102. Regions 106 , 108 , and 110 include multiple LED regions that are adjacent to the multiple LED regions of regions 104 , 106 , and 108 , respectively.

[0015] In some examples, the display panel 101 is an integrated display panel of the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a micro LED TV, a micro LED monitor of a laptop computer, or a smart phone with a micro LED touch screen. In other examples, the display panel 101 is communicatively coupled to the electronic device 100 via a wired connection (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a video graphics array (VGA), a digital video interface (DVI), a display port (DP), or other suitable standards or specifications for communicating with a display panel) or a wireless connection (e.g., WI-FI, Bluetooth).

[0016] Although not explicitly shown, in various examples, the display panel 101 includes a light guide plate. In some examples, the LCD may be an organic LCD (OLCD). In various examples, the LEDs of the backlight are arranged in a region perpendicular to the image scanning direction. For example, during manufacturing, the LEDs are placed in rows and columns. Multiple LEDs in a row, in a column, or in some combination thereof are coupled to a driver. In this way, the LEDs are referred to as being "arranged" in a region. The image scanning direction follows the gate line refresh sequence of the LCD. The gate line enables a row of pixels of the display panel 101 to be selectively turned on or off. Pixels as used herein include liquid crystals, filters, or a combination thereof, and display a portion of an image. When the gate line is turned on, the image displayed by the pixels of the gate line can be refreshed. The gate line refresh sequence is the sequence in which the liquid crystals of the LCD are driven. The gate line refresh sequence may be vertical, flowing from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top of the display panel 101, or may be horizontal, flowing from the left side of the display panel 101 to the right side or from the right side to the left side. In response to the vertical gate line refresh sequence, the LEDs are arranged in, for example, a horizontal region. In another example, the LEDs are arranged in vertical regions in response to a horizontal gate line refresh sequence. In some examples, the gate line refresh sequence may first flow horizontally across multiple rows of liquid crystal of the LCD, and then flow vertically to the next set of multiple rows of liquid crystal of the LCD.

[0017] As described above, the electronic device 100 adjusts the power level of each area of ​​the LED of the display panel 101 to reduce the halo effect. In some examples, the display panel 101 receives an image from the electronic device 100. The comparison circuit of the display panel 101 determines the difference between the brightness values ​​of the LEDs of different areas. In various examples, the comparison circuit subtracts the voltage or current provided to the LED of the first area from the voltage or current provided to the LED of the second area to determine the difference. The higher voltage or current provided to the LED of the area indicates a higher brightness value of the area, while the lower voltage or current provided to the LED of the area indicates a lower brightness value. In some examples, the comparison circuit determines the average brightness value of the pixels of the area to determine the brightness value of the LED of the area. For example, the comparison circuit determines the average brightness value of the pixels of the area by summing the brightness values ​​of the pixels of the area and dividing the sum by the total number of pixels in the area. In other examples, the comparison circuit determines that the brightness value of the pixels of the specified number of areas is equal to or greater than the brightness threshold. The specified number of pixels depends on the number of pixels of the area. For example, in response to an area with 1000 pixels, the specified number is a percentage of 1000 pixels. The percentage is 25%, 33%, 50% or another suitable value.

[0018] In response to a determination that the brightness value of the pixels of the specified number of regions is equal to or greater than the brightness threshold, the comparison circuit uses the brightness threshold as the brightness value of the region. In some examples, the comparison circuit determines that the brightness value of the pixels of the specified number of regions is equal to or less than the darkness threshold. In response to a determination that the brightness value of the pixels of the specified number of regions is equal to or less than the darkness threshold, the comparison circuit uses the darkness threshold as the brightness value of the region.

[0019] The comparison circuit determines a difference between brightness values ​​of different regions. In response to the difference of the adjacent regions being equal to or greater than a threshold difference, the comparison circuit drives the LEDs of the adjacent regions at different non-zero power levels. For example, the comparison circuit determines that the difference between the brightness value of region 102 and the brightness value of region 104 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to this determination, the comparison circuit causes a first driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of region 102 to provide a first non-zero power level and causes a second driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of region 104 to provide a second power level. For example, the first non-zero power level is a specified power level for driving region 102 at a first rate. The first rate is determined by a refresh rate, for example, as described below with respect to Figure 2 As described. In various examples, region 104 is adjacent to region 102. In some examples, the second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first power level. For example, the non-zero multiple of the first power level is greater than one. The non-zero multiple greater than one drives the LEDs of region 104 at a second rate that is faster than the first rate. By modifying the power level of region 104 so that the pixels of region 104 have a faster rate than the pixels of region 102, the pixels of region 104 reach a darker state before the pixels of region 102 reach a brighter state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effect in region 104.

[0020] In some examples, the comparison circuit determines that the difference between the brightness value of region 102 and the brightness value of region 106 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, and the comparison circuit causes a third driver circuit coupled to the LED of region 106 to provide a third power level. In various examples, region 106 is adjacent to region 104, and region 104 is adjacent to region 102, wherein region 104 has a modified power level. In some examples, the third power level is a second non-zero multiple of the first power level. For example, the second non-zero multiple of the first power level is greater than one. In another example, the second non-zero multiple is greater than the non-zero multiple associated with region 104. The second non-zero multiple greater than one drives the LED of region 106 at a third rate that is faster than the first rate. In some examples, the third rate is faster than the rate associated with region 104. By modifying the power level of region 106 so that the pixels of region 106 have a faster rate than the pixels of region 102, the pixels of region 106 reach a darker state before the pixels of region 102 reach a brighter state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effect in region 106. By modifying the power level of region 106 such that pixels of region 106 have a faster rate than pixels of region 104 , pixels of region 106 reach a darker state before pixels of region 104 reach a darker state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effect in region 104 .

[0021] In other examples, the comparison circuit determines that the difference between the brightness value of region 102 and the brightness value of region 108 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, and the comparison circuit causes a fourth driver circuit coupled to the LED of region 108 to provide a fourth power level. In various examples, region 108 is adjacent to region 106, region 106 is adjacent to region 104, and region 104 is adjacent to region 102. Regions 104 and 106 have modified power levels. In some examples, the fourth power level is a third non-zero multiple of the first power level. For example, the third non-zero multiple of the first power level is greater than one. In another example, the third non-zero multiple is greater than the non-zero multiple associated with regions 104 and 106. The third non-zero multiple greater than one drives the LED of region 108 at a fourth rate that is faster than the first rate. In some examples, the fourth rate is faster than the rate associated with regions 104 and 106. By modifying the power level of region 108 such that pixels in region 108 have a faster rate than pixels in region 102, pixels in region 108 reach a darker state before pixels in region 102 reach a brighter state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effects in region 108. By modifying the power level of region 108 such that pixels in region 108 have a faster rate than pixels in regions 104, 106, pixels in region 108 reach a darker state before pixels in regions 104, 106 reach a darker state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effects in region 108.

[0022] In various examples, the comparison circuit determines that the difference between the brightness value of region 102 and the brightness value of region 110 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, and the difference between the brightness value of the intermediate region (e.g., regions 104, 106, 108) and region 102 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to the determination that the difference associated with the intermediate region is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the comparison circuit causes the fifth driver circuit coupled to the LED of region 110 to provide a fifth power level. In various examples, region 110 is adjacent to region 108, region 108 is adjacent to region 106, region 106 is adjacent to region 104, and region 104 is adjacent to region 102. Regions 104, 106, 108 have modified power levels. In some examples, the fifth power level is a fourth non-zero multiple of the first power level. For example, the fourth non-zero multiple of the first power level is greater than one. In another example, the fourth non-zero multiple is greater than the non-zero multiple associated with regions 104, 106, 108. A fourth non-zero multiple greater than one drives the LEDs of region 110 at a fifth rate that is faster than the first rate. In some examples, the fifth rate is faster than the rates associated with regions 104, 106, 108. The fifth rate reduces the amount of halo effect in region 110. By modifying the power level of region 110 so that the pixels of region 110 have a faster rate than the pixels of region 102, the pixels of region 110 reach a darker state before the pixels of region 102 reach a brighter state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effect in region 110. By modifying the power level of region 110 so that the pixels of region 110 have a faster rate than the pixels of regions 104, 106, 108, the pixels of region 110 reach a darker state before the pixels of regions 104, 106, 108 reach a darker state, thereby reducing the amount of halo effect in region 110.

[0023] In some examples, the comparison circuit determines a difference between brightness values ​​of a plurality of regions adjacent to a region having a brightness value equal to or greater than a brightness threshold. The comparison circuit determines that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to a determination that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the comparison circuit modifies the power level of a subset of the plurality of regions. For example, the comparison circuit determines that a difference between brightness values ​​of regions 104, 106, 108, 110 and region 102 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to a determination that the difference between brightness values ​​of regions 104, 106, 108, 110 is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the comparison circuit modifies the power level of regions 104, 106. The subset of the plurality of regions is determined by, for example, a linear function, an exponential growth function, or an exponential decay function.

[0024] In various examples, the comparison circuit causes a first driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of region 102 to provide a first power level, causes a second driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of region 104 to provide a second power level, and causes a third driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of region 106 to provide a third power level. In some examples, the second power level and the third power level are non-zero multiples of the first power level. In other examples, the second power level is a first non-zero multiple of the first power level, and the third power level is a second non-zero multiple of the first power level. In some examples, the first and second non-zero multiples are determined by the slope of a linear function. In other examples, the first and second non-zero multiples are determined by an exponential function. In various examples, a subset of the plurality of regions is a specified number of regions. In some examples, the specified number of regions is based on the number of regions having brightness values ​​equal to or greater than a brightness threshold. For example, the specified number of regions is a multiple of the number of regions having brightness values ​​equal to or greater than the brightness threshold. In other examples, the specified number of regions is determined at the time of manufacturing.

[0025] In various examples, the pixels for a specified number of regions, a brightness threshold, a darkness threshold, a difference threshold, a specified number of regions, a linear function, an exponential growth function, an exponential decay function, a multiple, a rate, or a combination thereof are determined at manufacturing time. In other examples, a user determines the pixels for a specified number of regions, a brightness threshold, a darkness threshold, a difference threshold, a specified number of regions, a linear function, an exponential growth function, an exponential decay function, a multiple, a rate, or a combination thereof using a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0026] Reference now Figure 2 , according to various examples, a timing diagram 200 of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 100) that modifies the power level of a driver of an LED is shown. The timing diagram 200 shows "time" along the x-axis and "pixel state" along the y-axis. Time indicates a time period. For example, a first time period starts at 1 and a second time period starts at 2. For example, the pixel state indicates the amount of light emitted by the pixel. For example, the amount of light emitted is modified by the power level provided to the pixel. The timing diagram 200 shows time periods 202, 204. During time period 202, the electronic device provides power levels 206, 208, 210. During time period 204, the electronic device provides power level 212. Time period 202 is a first time period during which the driver provides power levels 206, 208, 210 to different regions. Time period 204 is a second time period during which the driver provides power level 212 to different regions. Power level 214 indicates a power level that enables the pixel to display a portion of an image. In various examples, power level 214 is referred to as a target power level.

[0027] In various examples, the duration of the time periods 202, 204 is equal to the inverse of the image refresh rate. The image refresh rate of the display panel is the number of times per second that the image is refreshed or redrawn. For example, the image refresh rate may be a setting of the electronic device determined by a user or set during manufacturing. For example, the image refresh rate in response to the time periods 202, 204 is equal to 60 Hz, and the duration of the time periods 202, 204 is equal to 1 / 60 second, or 16.67 milliseconds (ms). In another example, the image refresh rate in response to the time periods 202, 204 is equal to 144 Hz, and the duration of the time periods 202, 204 is equal to 1 / 144 second, or 6.94 ms. In another example, the image refresh rate of the time period 202 is a first rate, and the image refresh rate of the time period 204 is a second rate. For example, the image refresh rate of the time period 202 is 60 kHz, and the duration of the time period 202 is 16.67 ms, while the image refresh rate of the time period 204 is 144 kHz, and the duration of the time period 204 is 6.94 ms.

[0028] As mentioned above Figure 1 As described, the comparison circuit of the electronic device determines that the first difference between the first brightness value of the first area and the second brightness value of the second area is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to the determination, the comparison circuit causes the first driver circuit coupled to the LED of the first area to provide a power level 206, and causes the second driver circuit coupled to the LED of the second area to provide a power level 208. Power level 206 is a non-zero power level, and power level 208 is a first non-zero multiple of power level 206. For example, the non-zero multiple is greater than one. The comparison circuit determines that the second difference between the first brightness value of the first area and the third brightness value of the third area is equal to or greater than the threshold difference. In response to the determination, the comparison circuit causes the third driver circuit coupled to the LED of the third area to provide a power level 210. Power level 210 is a second non-zero multiple of power level 206. For example, the second non-zero multiple is greater than one. In various examples, the second non-zero multiple is greater than the first non-zero multiple.

[0029] In some examples, the comparison circuit determines that the second difference is equal to or greater than the threshold difference and a third difference between the second brightness value and the third brightness value is less than the threshold difference. In response to this determination, the comparison circuit causes a third driver circuit coupled to the LEDs of the third region to provide a power level 210.

[0030] In other examples, the comparison circuit determines that the first difference between the first brightness value of the first region and the second brightness value of the second region is equal to or greater than the first threshold difference. In response to the determination, the comparison circuit causes the first driver circuit coupled to the LED of the first region to provide power level 206 and causes the second driver circuit coupled to the LED of the second region to provide power level 208. Power level 206 is a non-zero power level and power level 208 is a non-zero multiple of power level 206. For example, the non-zero multiple is greater than 1.25. The comparison circuit determines that the second difference between the second brightness value and the third brightness value is equal to or greater than the second threshold difference. In some examples, the second threshold difference is less than the first threshold difference. In response to the determination, the comparison circuit causes the third driver circuit coupled to the LED of the third region to provide power level 210. For example, power level 210 is a non-zero multiple of power level 208. In some examples, the non-zero multiple of power level 208 is greater than the non-zero multiple of power level 206. For example, the non-zero multiple of power level 208 is 1.5, and the non-zero multiple of power level 206 is 1.25. For example, the non-zero multiples of power levels 206, 208 are based on an exponential growth function. In other examples, the non-zero multiples of power level 206 are less than the non-zero multiples of power level 208. For example, the non-zero multiples of power level 206 are 1.25, while the non-zero multiples of power level 208 are 1.5. For example, the non-zero multiples of power levels 206, 208 are based on an exponential decay function.

[0031] In various examples, the target power level, image refresh rate, threshold difference, or a combination thereof is determined at the time of manufacturing. In other examples, the user uses a GUI to determine the target power level, image refresh rate, threshold difference, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the application is implemented by machine-readable instructions that, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform specified tasks of the application and determine the image refresh rate. For example, the application is a video streaming application or a gaming application, and the image refresh rate is determined by the refresh rate of a video signal displayed by the application.

[0032] Reference now Figure 3, according to various examples, a block diagram of an electronic device 300 for modifying the power level of drivers 308, 310, 312 of LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336 is shown. For example, the electronic device 300 is the electronic device 100. The electronic device 300 includes a controller 302, a display panel 304, and a storage device 306. The controller 302 is a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, or other suitable device for managing the operation of the electronic device 300 or one or more components of the electronic device 300. For example, the controller 302 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or an embedded security controller (EpSC). In another example, the controller 302 is a timing controller. Display panel 304 includes drivers 308, 310, 312 and LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, which are collectively referred to as LEDs 314-336. Display panel 304 is, for example, display panel 101. Drivers 308, 310, 312 are electronic circuits or components that provide power levels to regions 338, 340, 342. Region 338 includes LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320. Region 340 includes LEDs 322, 324, 326, 328. Region 342 includes LEDs 330, 332, 334, 336. For example, drivers 308, 310, 312 are transistors or integrated circuits including a plurality of transistors. The storage device 306 is a hard drive, a solid state drive (SSD), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), or other suitable memory for storing data or machine-readable instructions for the electronic device 300 .

[0033] Although not explicitly shown, in various examples, the display panel 304 includes a light guide plate. In some examples, the LCD can be an organic LCD (OLCD). In various examples, LEDs 314-336 are arranged in regions 338, 340, 342 associated with the image scanning direction. For example, during manufacturing, LEDs 314-336 are placed in rows and columns. Multiple LEDs in a row, in a column, or in some combination thereof are coupled to drivers 308, 310, 312. In this way, LEDs 314-336 are referred to as being "arranged" in a region. The image scanning direction follows the gate line refresh sequence of the LCD. The gate line enables a row of pixels of the display panel 304 to be selectively turned on or off. When the gate line is turned on, the image displayed by the pixels of the gate line can be refreshed. The gate line refresh sequence is the sequence in which the liquid crystals of the LCD are driven. The gate line refresh sequence may be vertical, flowing from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top of the display panel 304, or may be horizontal, flowing from the left side to the right side or from the right side to the left side of the display panel 304. In response to the vertical gate line refresh sequence, the LEDs 314-336 are arranged in, for example, horizontal regions 338, 340, 342. In another example, in response to the horizontal gate line refresh sequence, the LEDs 314-336 are arranged in vertical regions. In some examples, the gate line refresh sequence may first flow horizontally across multiple rows of liquid crystal of the LCD, and then flow vertically to the next group of multiple rows of liquid crystal of the LCD.

[0034] While in various examples, the drivers 308, 310, 312 are located within the display panel 304, in other examples, the drivers 308, 310, 312 are located outside the display panel 304 but within the electronic device 300. Although not explicitly shown, in some examples, a power source is coupled to the driver. The power source is used to provide the power level. The power source is, for example, a voltage source or a current source. In some examples, a multiplexer is coupled between the driver and the power level, and the output of the comparison circuit is the input to the multiplexer. For example, the output of the comparison circuit selects which of a specified number of power levels is provided to the driver via the multiplexer. For example, the specified number of power levels is determined by a specified number of regions. For example, using the above description of Figure 2 The techniques described herein determine a specified number of regions. In some examples, a first power level in the specified number of power levels is a power level for enabling a pixel state for a time period associated with the image refresh rate (e.g., time periods 202, 204), and other power levels in the specified number of power levels are multiples of the first power level.

[0035] Although not explicitly shown, in some examples, the electronic device 300 includes a network interface, a video adapter, a sound card, a local bus, peripheral devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a speaker, a microphone), or a combination thereof. In various examples, the controller 302 is coupled to the display panel 304 and the storage device 306. In some examples, the controller 302 is coupled to the LEDs 314-336 via the drivers 308, 310, 312.

[0036] In various examples, the storage device 306 stores machine readable instructions 344, 346 that, when executed by the controller 302, cause the controller 302 to perform some or all of the actions attributed herein to the controller 302. When executed by the controller 302, the machine readable instructions 344, 346 cause the controller 302 to modify the power levels of the drivers 308, 310, 312 of the LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336. When executed by the controller 302, the machine readable instructions 344 cause the controller 302 to compare a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs of a first region with a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs of a second region. The first region and the second region are contiguous. In response to the comparison indicating that the first brightness value is greater than the second brightness value by a threshold difference, the machine-readable instructions 346, when executed by the controller 302, cause the first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to the first group of LEDs and cause the second driver circuit to provide a second power level to the second group of LEDs. The second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

[0037] In some examples, the controller 302 compares the brightness values ​​of the LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320 of the region 338 with the brightness values ​​of the LEDs 322, 324, 326, 328 of the region 340. For example, the controller 302 uses the above description of Figure 1 In response to the comparison indicating that the brightness value of LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320 is greater than the brightness value of LEDs 322, 324, 326, 328 by a threshold difference, controller 302 causes driver 308 to provide a first non-zero power level (e.g., power level 206) to LEDs 314, 316, 318, 320 and causes driver 310 to provide a second power level (e.g., power level 208) to LEDs 322, 324, 326, 328.

[0038] In various examples, the electronic device 300 includes LED groups 314-320, 322-328, 330-336 arranged in regions 338, 340, 342, respectively, a plurality of driver circuits (e.g., drivers 308, 310, 312), wherein a driver circuit in the plurality of driver circuits is coupled to a group of LEDs in the LED group, and a comparison circuit coupled to the plurality of driver circuits. In some examples, the controller 302 and the storage device 306 storing machine-readable instructions are referred to as a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit compares a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs in a first region and a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in a second region, wherein the first region and the second region are adjacent. In response to the comparison indicating that the first brightness value is greater than the second brightness value by a threshold difference, the comparison circuit causes the first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to the first group of LEDs and causes the second driver circuit to provide a second power level to the second group of LEDs. The second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

[0039] In some examples, the comparison circuit includes a controller 302 and a storage device 306 storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the controller 302, cause the controller 302 to compare a third brightness value of a third group of LEDs in a third region with a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in a second region. The second region and the third region are contiguous. In response to the comparison indicating that the second brightness value is greater than the third brightness value by a threshold difference, the machine-readable instructions, when executed by the controller 302, cause the controller 302 to cause the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to the third group of LEDs, the third power level being a non-zero multiple of the second power level.

[0040] Although in the illustrated example, the controller 302 executes the machine-readable instructions 344, 346 to modify the power levels of the drivers 308, 310, 312, in other examples, the comparison circuit includes a comparator coupled to the controller 302, the drivers 308, 310, 312, a multiplexer, a switch, or a combination thereof, to perform some or all of the steps of the machine-readable instructions. For example, the comparator compares a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 314-320) of a first region (e.g., region 338) and a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs (e.g., LEDs 322-328) of a second region (e.g., region 340). In response to the comparison indicating that the first brightness value is greater than the second brightness value by a threshold difference, the output of the comparator causes the first driver circuit (e.g., driver 308) to provide a first non-zero power level to the first group of LEDs, and causes the second driver circuit (e.g., driver 310) to provide a second power level to the second group of LEDs, wherein the second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first power level.

[0041] Reference now Figure 4, according to various examples, a flow chart of a method 400 for modifying a power level of a driver (e.g., drivers 308, 310, 312) of an LED (e.g., LEDs 314-336) is shown. The method 400 includes determining a difference between brightness values ​​of LEDs in adjacent regions (402). The method 400 also includes determining whether a first difference in the differences is equal to or greater than a threshold difference, wherein the first difference is between a first region and a second region of a plurality of adjacent regions (404). In addition, in response to the first difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the method 400 includes providing, by a first driver circuit, a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the first region, and providing, by a second driver circuit, a second non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the second region, wherein the second non-zero power level is different from the first non-zero power level (406).

[0042] In various examples, in response to the first difference being less than the threshold difference, the method 400 further includes determining whether a second difference among the differences is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, wherein the second difference is between a third region and a fourth region of the plurality of contiguous regions. In response to the second difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the method 400 additionally includes providing, by the third driver circuit, a first non-zero power level to the LEDs in the third region, and providing, by the fourth driver circuit, a second non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the fourth region.

[0043] In some examples, in response to the second difference being less than the threshold difference, method 400 further includes determining whether a third difference among the differences is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, wherein the third difference is between the first region and the third region of the plurality of contiguous regions. In addition, in response to the third difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, method 400 includes providing, by the third driver circuit, a second non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the third region, and providing, by the first driver circuit, a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the first region.

[0044] In various examples, method 400 includes providing, by a fourth driver circuit, a second non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in a fourth region. In other examples, method 400 includes determining whether a fourth difference in the differences is equal to or greater than a threshold difference, wherein the fourth difference is between the first region and the fourth region in the plurality of adjacent regions. In response to the fourth difference being less than the threshold difference, method 400 includes providing, by a fourth driver circuit, a third non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the fourth region, wherein the third non-zero power level is between the first non-zero power level and the second non-zero power level.

[0045] Reference now Figure 5, a block diagram of an electronic device 500 for modifying a power level of a driver of an LED is shown according to various examples. The electronic device 500 is, for example, the electronic device 100, 300. The electronic device 500 includes a controller 502 and a non-transitory machine-readable medium 504. The controller 502 is, for example, the controller 302. The non-transitory machine-readable medium 504 is, for example, the storage device 306.

[0046] In some examples, the controller 502 is coupled to a non-transitory machine-readable medium 504. In various examples, the non-transitory machine-readable medium 504 stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the controller 502, cause the controller 502 to perform some or all of the actions attributed herein to the controller 502. The machine-readable instructions are machine-readable instructions 506, 508.

[0047] In various examples, when executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions 506, 508 cause the controller 502 to modify the power level of the driver (e.g., the driver 308, 310, 312) of the LED (e.g., the LED 314-336). When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions 506 cause the controller 502 to determine a difference between a first brightness value of the LEDs in the first region and a second brightness value of the LEDs in the second region, and, in response to the difference being equal to or greater than a threshold difference, cause the first driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the first region, and cause the second driver circuit to provide a second power level to drive the LEDs in the second region. The second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

[0048] In some examples, the non-zero multiple is a first non-zero multiple. When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to determine that the third region has a second brightness value, wherein the third region is adjacent to the second region. When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to cause the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to drive the LEDs in the third region, wherein the third power level is a second non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level. In various examples, the second non-zero multiple is greater than the first non-zero multiple.

[0049] In other examples where the non-zero multiple is a first non-zero multiple, when executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to determine that a third region has a second brightness value, wherein the third region is adjacent to and disposed between the first region and the second region. When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to cause the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to drive the LEDs in the third region, wherein the third power level is a second non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level. In various examples, the second non-zero multiple is less than the first non-zero multiple.

[0050] In some examples, when executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to determine that a third region has a second brightness value, wherein the third region is adjacent to the first region and the second region. When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to cause the third driver circuit to provide a second power level to drive the LEDs in the third region.

[0051] In various examples, when executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to determine that a third region has a first brightness value, wherein the third region is adjacent to the first region and the second region. When executed by the controller 502, the machine-readable instructions cause the controller 502 to cause the third driver circuit to provide a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the third region.

[0052] Unless not feasible, some or all of the method 400 can be performed by the electronic device 100, 300, 500 simultaneously or in a different order, and performed by the circuit of the electronic device, the execution of machine-readable instructions of the electronic device, or a combination thereof. For example, the method 400 is implemented by machine-readable instructions stored in a storage device (e.g., storage device 306, non-transitory machine-readable medium 504, or another storage device not explicitly shown), circuit (some of which are not explicitly shown), or a combination thereof of the electronic device. For example, a controller (e.g., controller 302, 502) of the electronic device executes the machine-readable instructions to perform some or all of the method 400.

[0053] Using an electronic device 100, 300, 500 performing method 400 reduces halo effects without modifying contrast. Using an electronic device 100, 300, 500 including a comparison circuit that modifies power levels of different regions reduces halo effects without modifying contrast. Reducing halo effects improves image quality.

[0054] Although some components are shown as separate components of the electronic device 300, 500, in other examples, the separate components are integrated into a single package. For example, the memory device 306 is integrated with the controller 302. The single package may be referred to herein as an integrated circuit (IC) or an integrated chip (IC).

[0055] The above description is intended to illustrate the principles and various examples of the present description. Once the above description is fully understood, many changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted as including all such changes and modifications.

[0056] In the drawings, some features and components disclosed herein are shown in exaggerated proportions or in some schematic form, and some details of some elements are not shown for clarity and simplicity. In some of the drawings, components or aspects of components are omitted for improved clarity and simplicity.

[0057] In the above description and in the claims, the term "comprising" is used in an open-ended manner and should therefore be interpreted to mean "including but not limited to ...". In addition, the term "coupled" or "coupled" is intended to be broad enough to include both direct and indirect connections. Thus, if a first device is coupled to a second device, the connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, the word "or" is used in an inclusive manner. For example, "A or B" means any of the following: only "A", only "B", or both "A" and "B".

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: light emitting diode (LED) groups arranged in the area; a plurality of driver circuits, a driver circuit of the plurality of driver circuits coupled to a group of LEDs of the group of LEDs; as well as a comparison circuit coupled to the plurality of driver circuits, the comparison circuit being configured to: comparing a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs in a first region with a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in a second region, the first region and the second region being adjacent; as well as In response to the comparison indicating that the first brightness value is greater than the second brightness value by a threshold difference, the first driver circuit provides a first non-zero power level to the first group of LEDs and the second driver circuit provides a second power level to the second group of LEDs, the second power level being a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison circuit comprises: a storage device storing machine-readable instructions; as well as a controller coupled to the storage device, Wherein, when executed by a controller, the machine readable instructions cause the controller to: comparing a third brightness value of a third group of LEDs in a third region with a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in a second region, the second region and the third region being adjacent; and In response to the comparison indicating that the second brightness value is greater than the third brightness value by a threshold difference, causing the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to the third group of LEDs, the third power level being a second non-zero multiple of the second power level.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison circuit is used for: determining a first average brightness value of a first group of pixels in the first region to determine a first brightness value of a first group of LEDs in the first region; and A second average brightness value of a second group of pixels in the second area is determined to determine a second brightness value of a second group of LEDs in the second area.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison circuit is used for: Determining that brightness values ​​of a specified number of pixels of the first region are equal to or greater than a brightness threshold; and In response to a determination that the brightness values ​​of the designated number of pixels of the first region are equal to or greater than the brightness threshold, the comparison circuit uses the brightness threshold as a first brightness value for the first region.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the comparison circuit is used for: determining that brightness values ​​of a specified number of pixels of the second region are equal to or less than a darkness threshold; and In response to a determination that the brightness values ​​of the designated number of pixels of the second region are equal to or less than the darkness threshold, the comparison circuit uses the darkness threshold as a second brightness value for the second region.

6. A method comprising: determining a difference between brightness values ​​of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a plurality of adjacent regions; determining whether a first difference among the differences is equal to or greater than a threshold difference, the first difference being between a first region and a second region in the plurality of contiguous regions; as well as In response to the first difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, a first non-zero power level is provided by the first driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the first zone, and a second non-zero power level is provided by the second driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the second zone, the second non-zero power level being different from the first non-zero power level.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising: In response to the first difference being less than a threshold difference, determining whether a second difference among the differences is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the second difference being between a third region and a fourth region among the plurality of contiguous regions; as well as In response to the second difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, a first non-zero power level is provided by the third driver circuit to the LEDs in the third zone, and a second non-zero power level is provided by the fourth driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the fourth zone.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising: In response to the second difference being less than the threshold difference, determining whether a third difference among the differences is equal to or greater than the threshold difference, the third difference being between the first region and the third region of the plurality of contiguous regions; as well as In response to the third difference being equal to or greater than the threshold difference, a second non-zero power level is provided by the third driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the third region, and a first non-zero power level is provided by the first driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the first region.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising: A second non-zero power level is provided by a fourth driver circuit to drive the LEDs in a fourth zone.

10. The method according to claim 8, comprising: determining whether a fourth difference among the differences is equal to or greater than a threshold difference, the fourth difference being between the first region and the fourth region in the plurality of contiguous regions; as well as In response to the fourth difference being less than the threshold difference, a third non-zero power level is provided by the fourth driver circuit to drive the LEDs in the fourth region, the third non-zero power level being between the first non-zero power level and the second non-zero power level.

11. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by a controller of an electronic device, cause the controller to: determining a difference between a first brightness value of a light emitting diode (LED) in a first region and a second brightness value of an LED in a second region; and In response to the difference being equal to or greater than a threshold difference, the first driver circuit provides a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the first region, and the second driver circuit provides a second power level to drive the LEDs in the second region, wherein the second power level is a non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the non-zero multiple is a first non-zero multiple, and wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to: determining that a third region has a second brightness value, the third region being adjacent to the second region; and causing the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to drive the LEDs in the third zone, the third power level being a second non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level, The second non-zero multiple is greater than the first non-zero multiple.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the non-zero multiple is a first non-zero multiple, and wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to: determining that a third region has a second brightness value, the third region being adjacent to the first region and the second region and being arranged between the first region and the second region; and causing the third driver circuit to provide a third power level to drive the LEDs in the third zone, the third power level being a second non-zero multiple of the first non-zero power level, The second non-zero multiple is less than the first non-zero multiple.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to: determining that a third region has a second brightness value, the third region being adjacent to the first region and the second region; and The third driver circuit is caused to provide a second power level to drive the LEDs in the third zone.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the machine-readable instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to: determining that a third region has a first brightness value, the third region being adjacent to the first region and the second region; and The third driver circuit is caused to provide a first non-zero power level to drive the LEDs in the third zone.

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