Display device and method for driving display device

Abstract

The invention discloses a display device and a driving method of the display device. A display device includes a display panel in which first pixels are arranged in a first row and second pixels having a viewing angle different from a viewing angle of the first pixels are arranged in a second row, and a panel driving section that drives the display panel. The panel driving section receives privacy area position information indicating a position of a privacy area, and drives the display panel in such a manner that the first pixels are caused to emit light in the privacy area, and the second pixels are caused to emit light in a common area other than the privacy area in an entire area of the display panel. Accordingly, the privacy area can be easily controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device including a privacy area and a driving method of the display device. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a display device can display an image at a wide viewing angle so that the image can be seen not only by a user located in the front but also by a user located in the side. However, recently, in order to protect personal information or for the safety of a display device installed in a vehicle, a privacy mode that displays an image only to a user located in the front of the display device has been developed.

[0003] In addition, an existing display device supporting a privacy mode may operate in a public mode in which the entire area of ​​a display panel displays an image at a relatively wide viewing angle, or may operate in a privacy mode in which the entire area of ​​the display panel displays an image at a relatively narrow viewing angle. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device capable of setting a portion of a display panel as a privacy area and easily controlling the position and size of the privacy area.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for driving a display device that can set a portion of a display panel as a privacy area and can easily control the position and size of the privacy area.

[0006] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and can be variously expanded without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention.

[0007] In order to achieve an object of the present invention, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel having first pixels arranged in a first row and second pixels having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels arranged in a second row; and a panel driving unit driving the display panel. The panel driving unit receives privacy area position information indicating a position of a privacy area, and the panel driving unit drives the display panel in such a manner that the first pixels are made to emit light in the privacy area, and the second pixels are made to emit light in a common area of ​​the entire area of ​​the display panel except for the privacy area.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second pixel in the privacy area may not emit light, and the first pixel in the public area may not emit light.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first pixel may be a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, and the second pixel may be a public pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first row is an odd-numbered row, and the second row is an even-numbered row. The privacy pixels may be arranged in the odd-numbered rows of the display panel, and the public pixels may be arranged in the even-numbered rows of the display panel.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first row is an even-numbered row, the second row is an odd-numbered row, the common pixels may be arranged in the odd-numbered rows of the display panel, and the privacy pixels may be arranged in the even-numbered rows of the display panel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the privacy area position information may include a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

[0013] In one embodiment, the panel driving unit can receive input image data for the display panel, and generate output image data by converting the input image data for the public area in the input image data for the first row into black data and converting the input image data for the privacy area in the input image data for the second row into the black data, and drive the display panel based on the output image data.

[0014] In one embodiment, the panel driving unit may include: a controller, which receives the privacy area position information and input image data, and generates output image data based on the privacy area position information and the input image data; and a data driver, which provides data voltages to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller may include: a privacy data generation block, which receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates the privacy image data by converting the input image data for the public area into black data; a public data generation block, which receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates the public image data by converting the input image data for the privacy area into the black data; and an image combination block, which receives the privacy image data and the public image data, and generates the output image data by combining the privacy image data for the first row and the public image data for the second row.

[0016] In one embodiment, each of the first pixel and the second pixel may include: a first transistor including an upper gate connected to a gate node, a first terminal, a second terminal connected to a source node, and a lower gate; a second transistor applying a data voltage to the gate node in response to a write signal; a third transistor applying a reference voltage to the gate node in response to a reference signal; a fourth transistor applying an initialization voltage to the source node in response to an initialization signal; a fifth transistor connecting a first power supply voltage line and the first terminal of the first transistor in response to a light emission signal; a storage capacitor connected between the gate node and the source node; a holding capacitor for holding the voltage of the source node; and a light emitting element including an anode connected to the source node and a cathode connected to a second power supply voltage line. The light emitting element of each of the first pixels may have a first viewing angle, and the light emitting element of each of the second pixels may have a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second transistor may include a gate for receiving the write signal, a first terminal connected to the data line, and a second terminal connected to the gate node, the third transistor may include a gate for receiving the reference signal, a first terminal connected to the line transmitting the reference voltage, and a second terminal connected to the gate node, the fourth transistor may include a gate for receiving the initialization signal, a first terminal connected to the source node, and a second terminal connected to the line transmitting the initialization voltage, and the fifth transistor may include a gate for receiving the light emitting signal, a first terminal connected to the first power supply voltage line, and a second terminal connected to the first terminal of the first transistor.

[0018] To achieve one object of the present invention, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display panel having first pixels arranged in odd rows and second pixels having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels arranged in even rows; a controller receiving privacy area position information and input image data, and generating output image data by converting the input image data for the second pixel in the privacy area having a position represented by the privacy area position information into black data and converting the input image data for the first pixel in a public area other than the privacy area in the entire area of ​​the display panel into the black data; and a data driver providing data voltages to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

[0019] In one embodiment, in the privacy area, the first pixel may emit light, and the second pixel may not emit light; in the public area, the first pixel may not emit light, and the second pixel may emit light.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first pixel may be a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, and the second pixel may be a public pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

[0021] In one embodiment, the privacy area position information may include a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

[0022] In one embodiment, the controller includes: a privacy data generation block, which receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates the privacy image data by converting the input image data for the public area into the black data; a public data generation block, which receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates the public image data by converting the input image data for the privacy area into the black data; and an image combination block, which receives the privacy image data and the public image data, and generates the output image data by combining the privacy image data for the odd-numbered rows and the public image data for the even-numbered rows.

[0023] In order to achieve another object of the present invention, in a driving method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the following steps are included: receiving privacy area position information indicating the position of a privacy area; receiving input image data for a first pixel arranged in an odd row and a second pixel arranged in an even row and having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixel, generating output image data by converting the input image data for the second pixel within the privacy area having the position indicated by the privacy area position information into black data and converting the input image data for the first pixel within a common area of ​​the entire area of ​​a display panel except the privacy area into the black data; and providing a data voltage to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

[0024] In one embodiment, in the privacy area, the first pixel may emit light, and the second pixel may not emit light; in the public area, the first pixel may not emit light, and the second pixel may emit light.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first pixel may be a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, and the second pixel may be a public pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

[0026] In one embodiment, the privacy area position information may include a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

[0027] In a display device and a driving method of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first pixel may be arranged in a first row of a display panel, and a second pixel having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixel may be arranged in a second row of the display panel. The panel driving unit may receive privacy area position information indicating the position of a privacy area, and drive the display panel so that the first pixel emits light in the privacy area and the second pixel emits light in a public area other than the privacy area. Accordingly, a portion of the display panel is set as the privacy area, and the remaining area of ​​the display panel is set as the public area, an image may be displayed at a first viewing angle (e.g., a narrow viewing angle) in the privacy area, and an image may be displayed at a second viewing angle (e.g., a wide viewing angle) in the public area. In addition, the position and size of the privacy area may be easily controlled.

[0028] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and can be extended in various ways without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a first pixel or a second pixel included in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a private area and a public area of ​​a display panel.

[0032] Figures 4a to 4d is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a private area and a public area of ​​a display panel.

[0033] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a part of a controller included in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the private data generation block.

[0035] Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the common data generation block.

[0036] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the image combination block.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig.10 is a block diagram showing a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig.11 is a block diagram showing an electronic device including a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Description of Reference Numerals

[0041] 100, 300: display device 110, 310: display panel

[0042] 120, 320: panel driving unit 130, 330: data driver

[0043] 140, 340: Scanning driver 150, 350: Light emitting driver

[0044] 160, 360: Controller 162: Privacy data generation block

[0045] 164: Public data generation block 166: Image combination block DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and repeated description of the same components is omitted.

[0047] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a first pixel or a second pixel included in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a private area and a public area of ​​a display panel.

[0048] Reference Figure 1 , the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a display panel 110 including a first pixel PX1 and a second pixel PX2 and a panel driving part 120 driving the display panel 110. The panel driving part 120 may include a data driver 130 that provides a data voltage DV to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 and a controller 160 that controls the operation of the display device 100. In one embodiment, the panel driving part 120 may further include a scan driver 140 that provides a scan signal SS to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 and / or a light emitting driver 150 that provides a light emitting signal EM to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2.

[0049] The display panel 110 may include a first pixel PX1 arranged in a first row R1 and a second pixel PX2 arranged in a second row R2 and having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixel PX1. In one embodiment, the first pixel PX1 may be a privacy pixel (Privacy Pixel) having a first viewing angle, and the second pixel PX2 may be a public pixel (Public Pixel) having a second viewing angle larger than the first viewing angle. In addition, the first pixel PX1 (i.e., the privacy pixel) may be referred to as a narrow pixel (Narrow Pixel) having a narrow viewing angle, and the second pixel PX2 (i.e., the public pixel) may be referred to as a wide pixel (Wide Pixel) having a wide viewing angle. In addition, in one embodiment, as Figure 1 As shown, the first pixels PX1 (ie, the privacy pixels) are arranged in the odd rows R1, R3, . . . of the display panel 110, and the second pixels PX2 (ie, the public pixels) are arranged in the even rows R2, R4, .

[0050] In addition, in one embodiment, each of the first pixels PX1 and each of the second pixels PX2 may have substantially the same structure except for having different viewing angles. Figure 2 As shown, each of the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 may include a first transistor T1, a second transistor T2, a third transistor T3, a fourth transistor T4, a fifth transistor T5, a storage capacitor CST, a holding capacitor CHOLD, and a light emitting element EL1 / EL2.

[0051] The first transistor T1 may generate a driving current provided to the light emitting element EL1 / EL2 based on a voltage between a gate node NG and a source node NS (i.e., a voltage stored in a storage capacitor CST). In one embodiment, the gate node NG may be connected to an upper gate of the first transistor T1, and the source node NS may be connected to a second terminal of the first transistor T1. The first transistor T1 may be referred to as a driving transistor for driving the light emitting element EL1 / EL2. In one embodiment, the first transistor T1 includes an upper gate connected to the gate node NG, a first terminal connected to a first power supply voltage line transmitting a first power supply voltage ELVDD (e.g., a high power supply voltage), a second terminal connected to the source node NS, and a lower gate connected to the source node NS. That is, the first transistor T1 may have a dual-gate structure including the upper gate and the lower gate.

[0052] The second transistor T2 may apply the data voltage DV of the data line DL to the gate node NG in response to the write signal GW. The second transistor T2 may be referred to as a scan transistor for transmitting the data voltage DV of the data line DL. In one embodiment, the second transistor T2 may include a gate receiving the write signal GW, a first terminal connected to the data line DL, and a second terminal connected to the gate node NG.

[0053] The third transistor T3 may apply a reference voltage VREF to a gate node NG in response to a reference signal GR. The third transistor T3 may be referred to as a reference transistor for transmitting the reference voltage VREF to the gate node NG. In one embodiment, the third transistor T3 may include a gate receiving the reference signal GR, a first terminal connected to a line transmitting the reference voltage VREF, and a second terminal connected to the gate node NG.

[0054] The fourth transistor T4 may apply the initialization voltage VINT to the source node NS in response to the initialization signal GI. The fourth transistor T4 may be referred to as an initialization transistor for initializing the source node NS. In one embodiment, the fourth transistor T4 may include a gate receiving the initialization signal GI, a first terminal connected to the source node NS, and a second terminal connected to a line transmitting the initialization voltage VINT.

[0055] The fifth transistor T5 may connect the first power supply voltage line and the first terminal of the first transistor T1 in response to the light emitting signal EM. The fifth transistor T5 may be referred to as a light emitting transistor for forming a path of the driving current from the first power supply voltage line transmitting the first power supply voltage ELVDD to the second power supply voltage line transmitting the second power supply voltage ELVSS (e.g., a low power supply voltage). In one embodiment, the fifth transistor T5 may include a gate receiving the light emitting signal EM, a first terminal connected to the first power supply voltage line, and a second terminal connected to the first terminal of the first transistor T1.

[0056] The storage capacitor CST may store the data voltage DV transmitted from the data line DL through the second transistor T2. The storage capacitor CST may be connected between the gate node NG and the source node NS. In one embodiment, the storage capacitor CST may include a first electrode connected to the gate node NG and a second electrode connected to the source node NS.

[0057] The holding capacitor CHOLD may hold the voltage of the source node NS. The holding capacitor CHOLD may be connected between the first power supply voltage line and the source node NS. In one embodiment, the holding capacitor CHOLD may include a first electrode connected to the first power supply voltage line and a second electrode connected to the source node NS.

[0058] The light emitting element EL1 / EL2 may emit light based on the driving current generated by the first transistor T1. In one embodiment, the light emitting element EL1 / EL2 may be an organic light emitting diode (OLED: Organic Light Emitting Diode), but is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the light emitting element EL1 / EL2 may be any suitable light emitting element. For example, the light emitting element EL1 / EL2 may be a micro light emitting diode, a nano light emitting diode (NED: Nano light Emitting Diode), a quantum dot (QD: Quantum Dot) light emitting diode, an inorganic light emitting diode or any other suitable light emitting element. In one embodiment, the light emitting element EL1 / EL2 may include an anode connected to the source node NS and a cathode connected to the second power supply voltage line.

[0059] The light emitting element EL1 of the first pixel PX1 may have the first viewing angle, and the light emitting element EL2 of the second pixel PX2 may have the second viewing angle that is larger than the first viewing angle. That is, the light emitting element EL1 of the first pixel PX1 may have a relatively narrow viewing angle, and the light emitting element EL2 of the second pixel PX2 may have a relatively wide viewing angle. In one embodiment, in order to have the relatively narrow viewing angle, the light emitting element EL1 of the first pixel PX1 may include a light emitting layer and a partition wall for preventing light emitted from the light emitting layer from diffusing to the side, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] In addition, although Figure 2 An example is shown in which each of the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 has a 5T2C structure, but the structure of each of the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 is not limited to Figure 2 In addition, although Figure 2 An example in which the first transistor T1 to the fifth transistor T5 are implemented as N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistors is disclosed, but it is not limited thereto. For example, a part or all of the first transistor T1 to the fifth transistor T5 may be implemented as P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistors.

[0061] The data driver 130 may generate a data voltage DV based on the output image data ODAT and the data control signal DCTRL received from the controller 160, and provide the data voltage DV to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2. In one embodiment, the data control signal DCTRL may include an output data enable signal, a horizontal start signal, and a load signal, but is not limited thereto. In addition, in one embodiment, the data driver 130 and the controller 160 may be implemented as a single integrated circuit, and such an integrated circuit may be referred to as a timing controller embedded data driver (TED: Timing controller EmbeddedData driver). In another embodiment, the data driver 130 and the controller 160 may be implemented as separate integrated circuits.

[0062] The scan driver 140 may generate a scan signal SS based on a scan control signal SCTRL received from the controller 160, and sequentially provide the scan signal SS to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 in units of rows. In one embodiment, the scan control signal SCTRL may include a scan start signal and a scan clock signal, but is not limited thereto. In addition, in one embodiment, the scan signal SS applied to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 may include Figure 2 The write signal GW, the reference signal GR and the initialization signal GI are shown, but are not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the scan driver 140 may be integrated or formed in the display panel 110. In another embodiment, the scan driver 140 may be implemented as an integrated circuit.

[0063] The light emitting driver 150 may generate a light emitting signal EM based on a light emitting control signal EMCTRL received from the controller 160, and sequentially provide the light emitting signal EM to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 in units of rows. In one embodiment, the light emitting control signal EMCTRL may include a light emitting start signal and a light emitting clock signal, but is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the light emitting driver 150 may be integrated or formed in the display panel 110. In another embodiment, the light emitting driver 150 may be implemented as an integrated circuit.

[0064] The controller 160 (e.g., a timing controller (TCON)) may receive input image data IDAT and a control signal CTRL from an external host processor (e.g., an application processor (AP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a graphics card, etc.). The control signal CTRL may include privacy area position information PVRPI indicating the position of the privacy area. In one embodiment, the control signal CTRL may also include a vertical synchronization signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, an input data enable signal, a main clock signal, etc., but is not limited thereto. The controller 160 generates output image data ODAT, a data control signal DCTRL, a scan control signal SCTRL, and a light emitting control signal EMCTRL based on the input image data IDAT and the control signal CTRL, and controls the data driver 130 by providing the output image data ODAT and the data control signal DCTRL to the data driver 130, controls the scan driver 140 by providing the scan control signal SCTRL to the scan driver 140, and controls the light emitting driver 150 by providing the light emitting control signal EMCTRL to the light emitting driver 150.

[0065] In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the panel driving unit 120 may receive privacy area position information PVRPI indicating the position of the privacy area. In one embodiment, the privacy area may have a quadrilateral shape, and the privacy area position information PVRPI may include a starting position indicating the coordinates of the upper end of the left side of the privacy area and an ending position indicating the coordinates of the lower end of the right side of the privacy area, but is not limited thereto. The panel driving unit 120 may set at least a portion of the display panel 110 as a privacy area based on the privacy area position information PVRPI. In addition, the panel driving unit 120 may set the area of ​​the entire area of ​​the display panel 110 other than the privacy area as a public area.

[0066] The panel driving section 120 may drive the display panel 110 in the following manner: the first pixel PX1 is made to emit light in the privacy area, and the second pixel PX2 is made to emit light in the public area. In addition, the panel driving section 120 may drive the display panel 110 in the following manner: the second pixel PX2 in the privacy area is made not to emit light, and the first pixel PX1 in the public area is made not to emit light. In one embodiment, the controller 160 of the panel driving section 120 converts the input image data IDAT for the public area among the input image data IDAT for the odd rows R1, R3, ... where the first pixel PX1 is arranged into black data, and converts the input image data IDAT for the privacy area among the input image data IDAT for the even rows R2, R4, ... where the second pixel PX2 is arranged into the black data to generate the output image data ODAT, so that the first pixel PX1 emits light and the second pixel PX2 does not emit light in the privacy area, and the second pixel PX2 emits light and the first pixel PX1 does not emit light in the public area. Here, the black data is image data corresponding to the data voltage DV for making each pixel PX1 / PX2 not emit light, for example, it can be image data representing a grayscale of 0. In this case, the data driver 130 provides the first pixel PX1 in the privacy region with a data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT, and provides the second pixel PX2 in the public region with a data voltage DV corresponding to the black data (that is, a data voltage DV corresponding to a grayscale of 0). Therefore, in the privacy region, the first pixel PX1 can display an image based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT, and the second pixel PX2 can not emit light based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the grayscale of 0. In addition, the data driver 130 provides the second pixel PX2 in the public region with a data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT, and provides the first pixel PX1 in the public region with a data voltage DV corresponding to the black data (that is, a data voltage DV corresponding to the grayscale of 0). Therefore, in the common area, the second pixel PX2 may display an image based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT, and the first pixel PX1 may not emit light based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the 0 gray level.

[0067] For example, Figure 3As shown, the first pixel PX1 (i.e., the privacy pixel) may be arranged in the odd rows R1, R3, R5, R7, ... of the display panel 110, and the second pixel PX2 (i.e., the public pixel) may be arranged in the even rows R2, R4, R6, ... of the display panel 110. In addition, when the privacy region position information PVRPI indicates the second column and the third row R3 as the starting position and indicates the fifth column and the sixth row R6 as the ending position, the panel driving unit 120 may set the area where the third row R3 to the sixth row R6 intersect with the second column to the fifth column as the privacy region PVR. In addition, the panel driving unit 120 may set the area except the privacy region PVR in the entire area of ​​the display panel 110 as the public region PBR.

[0068] The controller 160 may convert the input image data IDAT for the common area PBR among the input image data IDAT for the odd rows R1, R3, R5, R7, ... into the black data. That is, the controller 160 may convert the input image data IDAT for the first row R1 and the seventh row R7 into the black data, and convert the input image data IDAT for the columns other than the second to fifth columns among the input image data IDAT for the third row R3 and the fifth row R5 into the black data.

[0069] In addition, the controller 160 may convert the input image data IDAT for the privacy area PVR among the input image data IDAT for the even rows R2, R4, R6, R8, ... into the black data. That is, the controller 160 may convert the input image data IDAT for the second to fifth columns among the input image data IDAT for the fourth row R4 and the sixth row R6 into the black data.

[0070] Accordingly, the second pixel PX2 in the privacy region PVR (i.e., the second pixel PX2 located in the fourth row R4 and the sixth row R6 and the second to fifth columns) can receive the data voltage DV corresponding to the black data (i.e., the data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level of 0), and be turned OFF (i.e., not emitting light) based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level of 0. The first pixel PX1 in the privacy region PVR (i.e., the first pixel PX1 located in the third row R3 and the fifth row R5 and the second to fifth columns) can receive the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT and be turned ON (i.e., emitting light) based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT. Therefore, the first pixel PX1 having only the first viewing angle (i.e., the privacy pixel having a relatively narrow viewing angle) in the privacy region PVR emits light, so the privacy region PVR displays an image at a relatively narrow viewing angle, and the image displayed in the privacy region PVR can be recognized only by a user located in front of the display device 100.

[0071] In addition, the first pixel PX1 in the common area PBR receives the data voltage DV corresponding to the black data (i.e., the data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level 0), and is turned OFF (i.e., does not emit light) based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level 0. The second pixel PX2 in the common area PBR can receive the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT, and is turned ON (i.e., emits light) based on the data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT. Therefore, the second pixel PX2 (i.e., the common pixel with a relatively wide viewing angle) having the second viewing angle in the common area PBR emits light, so the common area PBR can display an image at a relatively wide viewing angle.

[0072] As described above, in the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first pixel PX1 (i.e., the privacy pixel) is arranged in the odd rows R1, R3, ... of the display panel 110, and the second pixel PX2 (i.e., the public pixel) is arranged in the even rows R2, R4, ... of the display panel 110. The panel driving part 120 can drive the display panel 110 by modulating the input image data IDAT so that the first pixel PX1 emits light in the privacy region PVR and the second pixel PX2 emits light in the public region PBR. Accordingly, a part of the area of ​​the display panel 110 can be set as the privacy region PVR, the remaining area of ​​the display panel 110 is set as the public region PBR, and an image is displayed at a narrow viewing angle in the privacy region PVR, and an image is displayed at a wide viewing angle in the public region PBR. In addition, the position and size of the privacy region PVR can be easily controlled.

[0073] Figures 4a to 4dis a conceptual diagram showing an example of a private area and a public area of ​​a display panel.

[0074] Reference Figures 4a to 4d , the display panel 110 includes a first display area DR1, a second display area DR2 arranged adjacent to the first display area DR1 along a first direction D1 (e.g., a horizontal direction or a row direction), and a third display area DR3 arranged adjacent to the second display area DR2 along the first direction D1. In one embodiment, the display panel 110 may be a display panel of a display device installed in a vehicle. For example, the first display area DR1 of the display panel 110 may be a display area facing the driver, the third display area DR3 of the display panel 110 may be a display area facing the passenger, and the second display area DR2 of the display panel 110 may be a display area facing the space between the driver and the passenger.

[0075] In one example, if Figure 4a As shown, the first display area DR1 can be set as a privacy area PVR, and the second display area DR2 and the third display area DR3 can be set as a public area PBR. In this case, in the first display area DR1, the first pixel PX1 with a relatively narrow viewing angle can emit light, and the second pixel PX2 with a relatively wide viewing angle can not emit light. Therefore, the image displayed in the first display area DR1 can be recognized by the driver but not by the passenger. In addition, in the second display area DR2 and the third display area DR3, the first pixel PX1 can not emit light, and the second pixel PX2 can emit light.

[0076] In another example, if Figure 4b As shown, the third display area DR3 can be set as a privacy area PVR, and the first display area DR1 and the second display area DR2 can be set as a public area PBR. In this case, in the third display area DR3, the first pixel PX1 with a relatively narrow viewing angle can emit light, and the second pixel PX2 with a relatively wide viewing angle can not emit light. Therefore, the image displayed in the third display area DR3 can be recognized by the passenger but not by the driver. In addition, in the first display area DR1 and the second display area DR2, the first pixel PX1 can not emit light, and the second pixel PX2 can emit light.

[0077] In another example, Figure 4cAs shown, the first display area DR1 and the third display area DR3 can be set as the privacy area PVR, and the second display area DR2 can be set as the public area PBR. In this case, in the first display area DR1 and the third display area DR3, the first pixel PX1 with a relatively narrow viewing angle can emit light, and the second pixel PX2 with a relatively wide viewing angle can not emit light. Therefore, the image displayed in the first display area DR1 can be recognized only by the driver, and the image displayed in the third display area DR3 can be recognized only by the passenger. In addition, in the second display area DR2, the first pixel PX1 can not emit light, and the second pixel PX2 can emit light.

[0078] In another example, Figure 4d As shown, the first display area DR1, the second display area DR2 and the third display area DR3 may be set as a common area PBR. In this case, in the first display area DR1, the second display area DR2 and the third display area DR3, the first pixel PX1 may not emit light, and the second pixel PX2 may emit light. Therefore, the images displayed in the first display area DR1, the second display area DR2 and the third display area DR3 can be recognized by both the driver and the passenger.

[0079] in addition, Figures 4a to 4d The example in which the display panel 110 is divided into three display areas DR1, DR2, and DR3, and each of the three display areas DR1, DR2, and DR3 is set as a privacy area PVR or a public area PBR is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel 110 may be divided into two display areas, or may be divided into four or more display areas. In addition, only a portion of each display area DR1, DR2, and DR3 of the display panel 110 may be set as a privacy area PVR. In addition, although Figures 4a to 4d The example of dividing the display panel 110 along the first direction D1 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel 110 may be divided along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction D1, may be divided along the first direction D1 and the second direction, or may be divided along a direction different from the first direction D1 and the second direction.

[0080] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a part of a controller included in a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the privacy data generation block, Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the common data generation block. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the image combination block.

[0081] Reference Figure 5, the controller 160 may include a privacy data generation block 162 , a public data generation block 164 , and an image combination block 166 .

[0082] The privacy data generation block 162 may receive the privacy area position information PVRPI and the input image data IDAT. In one embodiment, the privacy area position information PVRPI may include a start position SP indicating the coordinates of the upper left end of the privacy area and an end position EP indicating the coordinates of the lower right end of the privacy area. The privacy data generation block 162 may generate the privacy image data PVD by converting the input image data IDAT for the public area except the privacy area in the entire area of ​​the display panel into black data.

[0083] For example, Figure 6 As shown, the display panel has 10,000 columns in the horizontal direction and 2000 rows in the vertical direction, and the input image data IDAT may include image data for all pixels of the display panel (i.e., pixels located at 10,000 columns and 2000 rows). In addition, in the case where the privacy area position information PVRPI includes a start position SP of (5001, 1) and an end position EP of (10,000, 2000), a quadrilateral area having a position of the 5001st column and the 1st row as the upper end position on the left and a position of the 10,000th column and the 2000th row as the lower end position on the right may be set as the privacy area PVR, and the remaining area may be set as the public area PBR. That is, an area corresponding to the 5,000 columns on the left side of the display panel may be set as the public area PBR, and an area corresponding to the 5,000 columns on the right side of the display panel may be set as the privacy area PVR. In this case, the privacy data generation block 162 may convert the input image data IDAT for the public area PBR (ie, the input image data IDAT for the area corresponding to the left 5,000 columns of the display panel) into the black data to generate the privacy image data PVD.

[0084] The public data generation block 164 may receive the privacy region position information PVRPI and the input image data IDAT and may generate the public image data PBD by converting the input image data IDAT for the privacy region PVR having the position indicated by the privacy region position information PVRPI into the black data.

[0085] For example, Figure 7As shown, when the privacy area position information PVRPI includes a start position SP of (5001, 1) and an end position EP of (10000, 2000), the common data generation block 164 can generate common image data PBD by converting the input image data IDAT for the privacy area PVR (i.e., the input image data IDAT for the area corresponding to the right 5,000 columns of the display panel) into the black data.

[0086] The image combination block 166 may receive the privacy image data PVD from the privacy data generation block 162 and may receive the public image data PBD from the public data generation block 164. In addition, the image combination block 166 may generate the output image data ODAT by combining the privacy image data PVD for odd-numbered lines and the public image data PBD for even-numbered lines.

[0087] For example, Figure 8 As shown, the image combination block 166 may combine the privacy image data PVD of the odd rows R1, R3, ... and the public image data PBD of the even rows R2, R4, .... Therefore, the output image data ODAT generated by the image combination block 166 may include the privacy image data PVD for the first row R1, the public image data PBD for the second row R2, the privacy image data PVD for the third row R3, the public image data PBD for the fourth row R4, and so on.

[0088] Accordingly, in the odd-numbered rows R1, R3, ... where the first pixels (i.e., privacy pixels) are arranged, the output image data ODAT may present a gray level substantially the same as the gray level of the input image data IDAT relative to the privacy region PVR, but may present a gray level of 0 relative to the public region PBR. In addition, in the even-numbered rows R2, R4, ... where the second pixels (i.e., public pixels) are arranged, the output image data ODAT may present a gray level substantially the same as the gray level of the input image data IDAT relative to the public region PBR, but may present a gray level of 0 relative to the privacy region PVR.

[0089] In other words, in the public region PBR, the output image data ODAT may present a gray level substantially the same as the gray level of the input image data IDAT for the even rows R2, R4, ... where the public pixels are arranged, but may present a gray level of 0 for the odd rows R1, R3, ... where the privacy pixels are arranged. Accordingly, in the public region PBR, only the public pixels may emit light. In addition, in the privacy region PVR, the output image data ODAT may present a gray level substantially the same as the gray level of the input image data IDAT for the odd rows R1, R3, ... where the privacy pixels are arranged, but may present a gray level of 0 for the even rows R2, R4, ... where the public pixels are arranged. Accordingly, in the privacy region PVR, only the privacy pixels may emit light, and an image may be displayed at a narrow viewing angle.

[0090] Fig. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a method of driving a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Reference Figure 1 and Fig. 9 In the driving method of the display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the panel driving unit 120 may receive privacy area position information PVRPI indicating the position of the privacy area (S210). In one embodiment, the privacy area position information PVRPI may include a start position indicating the coordinates of the upper end of the left side of the privacy area and an end position indicating the coordinates of the lower end of the right side of the privacy area.

[0092] The first pixels PX1 may be arranged in the odd rows R1, R3, ... of the display panel 110, and the second pixels PX2 having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels PX1 may be arranged in the even rows R2, R4, ... of the display panel 110, and the panel driving unit 120 may receive input image data IDAT for the first pixels PX1 and the second pixels PX2 of the display panel 110 (S230). In one embodiment, the first pixel PX1 may be a privacy pixel having a relatively narrow viewing angle, and the second pixel PX2 may be a public pixel having a relatively wide viewing angle.

[0093] The controller 160 of the panel driving part 120 may generate output image data ODAT by converting the input image data IDAT for the second pixel PX2 in the privacy area having the position indicated by the privacy area position information PVRPI into black data and converting the input image data IDAT for the first pixel PX1 in the public area except the privacy area in the entire area of ​​the display panel 110 into black data (S250). In an embodiment, the black data may be image data indicating a grayscale of 0, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] The data driver 130 of the panel driving part 120 may provide a data voltage DV to the first pixel PX1 and the second pixel PX2 based on the output image data ODAT (S270). In the privacy area, the data driver 130 may provide a data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT to the first pixel PX1, and provide a data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level 0 to the second pixel PX2. Therefore, in the privacy area, the first pixel PX1 may emit light, and the second pixel PX2 may not emit light. Accordingly, in the privacy area, an image may be displayed at a narrow viewing angle. In addition, in the public area, the data driver 130 may provide a data voltage DV corresponding to the input image data IDAT to the second pixel PX2, and provide a data voltage DV corresponding to the gray level 0 to the first pixel PX1. Therefore, in the public area, the second pixel PX2 may emit light, and the first pixel PX1 may not emit light. Accordingly, in the public area, an image may be displayed at a wide viewing angle.

[0095] Fig.10 is a block diagram showing a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Reference Fig.10 According to another embodiment of the present invention, a display device 300 may include a display panel 310 including a first pixel PX1 and a second pixel PX2 and a panel driving unit 320 driving the display panel 310. The panel driving unit 320 may include a data driver 330, a scan driver 340, a light emitting driver 350, and a controller 360. Fig.10 In the display device 300 of FIG. 3 , except that the first pixel PX1 is arranged in the even-numbered rows R2, R4, ... of the display panel 310, and the second pixel PX2 (for example, the common pixel) is arranged in the odd-numbered rows R1, R3, ... of the display panel 310, the display device 300 may have the same Figure 1 The display device 100 has a similar structure and a similar operation.

[0097] The first pixel PX1 arranged in the even-numbered rows R2, R4, ... of the display panel 310 may be a privacy pixel having a relatively narrow viewing angle, and the second pixel PX2 arranged in the odd-numbered rows R1, R3, ... of the display panel 310 may be a public pixel having a relatively wide viewing angle. The panel driving section 320 may receive the privacy area position information PVRPI, and may set the privacy area and the public area based on the privacy area position information PVRPI. In addition, the panel driving section 320 generates the output image data ODAT by receiving the input image data IDAT, converting the input image data IDAT for the public area in the input image data IDAT for the even-numbered rows R2, R4, ... into black data, and converting the input image data IDAT for the privacy area in the input image data IDAT for the odd-numbered rows R1, R3, ... into the black data. In addition, the panel driving section 320 may drive the display panel 310 based on the output image data ODAT. Accordingly, in the privacy area, only the first pixel PX1 may be made to emit light, and an image may be displayed at a narrow viewing angle. Furthermore, in the common area, only the second pixel may be caused to emit light, and an image may be displayed at a wide viewing angle.

[0098] Fig.11 is a block diagram showing an electronic device including a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Reference Fig.11 , the electronic device 1100 may include a processor 1110, a memory device 1120, a storage device 1130, an input / output device 1140, a power supply 1150, and a display device 1160. The electronic device 1100 may also include a plurality of ports capable of communicating with a video card, a sound card, a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) device, etc. or communicating with other systems.

[0100] The processor 1110 may perform a specific calculation or task. According to an embodiment, the processor 1110 may be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), etc. The processor 1110 may be connected to other components via an address bus, a control bus, and a data bus. According to an embodiment, the processor 1110 may also be connected to an expansion bus such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0101] The memory device 1120 may store data necessary for the operation of the electronic device 1100 . For example, the memory device 1120 may include a non-volatile memory such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a resistance random access memory (RRAM), a nano-floating gate memory (NFGM), a polymer random access memory (PoRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), etc. and / or a volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a mobile DRAM, etc.

[0102] The storage device 1130 may include a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), a CD-ROM, etc. The input / output device 1140 may include an input device such as a keyboard, a keypad, a touch pad, a touch screen, a mouse, etc. and an output device such as a speaker, a printer, etc. The power supply 1150 may provide the power required for the operation of the electronic device 1100. The display device 1160 may be connected to other components via the bus or other communication links.

[0103] In the display device 1160, a first pixel may be arranged in a first row of a display panel, and a second pixel having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixel may be arranged in a second row of the display panel. The panel driving unit may receive privacy area position information indicating the position of a privacy area, and drive the display panel so that the first pixel emits light in the privacy area, and the second pixel emits light in a public area other than the privacy area. Accordingly, a portion of the display panel is set as the privacy area, and the remaining area of ​​the display panel is set as the public area, an image is displayed at a first viewing angle (e.g., a narrow viewing angle) in the privacy area, and an image is displayed at a second viewing angle (e.g., a wide viewing angle) in the public area. In addition, the position and size of the privacy area can be easily controlled.

[0104] According to an embodiment, the electronic device 1100 can be any electronic device including a display device 1160 such as a digital television (Digital Television), a three-dimensional television (3D TV), a personal computer (PC: Personal Computer), a household electronic device, a laptop computer (Laptop Computer), a tablet computer (Tablet Computer), a mobile phone (Mobile Phone), a smart phone (Smart Phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA: personal digital assistant), a portable multimedia player (PMP: portable multimedia player), a digital camera (Digital Camera), a music player (Music Player), a portable game console (portable game console), a navigator (Navigation), etc.

[0105] Industrial Applicability

[0106] The present invention can be applied to any display device and electronic device including the display device. For example, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device including a TV (TV), a digital TV, a 3D TV, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a personal computer (PC), a home electronic device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a digital camera, a music player, a portable game console, a navigation system, etc.

[0107] The above description is made with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the concept and scope of the present invention as described in the claims.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: include: A display panel having first pixels arranged in a first row and second pixels having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels arranged in a second row; as well as A panel driving unit drives the display panel, The panel driving unit receives privacy area position information indicating the position of the privacy area, And the panel driving section drives the display panel in such a manner that the first pixel is caused to emit light in the privacy area, and the second pixel is caused to emit light in a common area excluding the privacy area in the entire area of ​​the display panel.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The second pixel in the privacy area does not emit light, and the first pixel in the public area does not emit light.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first pixel is a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, The second pixel is a common pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first row is an odd-numbered row, the second row is an even-numbered row, The privacy pixels are arranged in the odd-numbered rows of the display panel, and the common pixels are arranged in the even-numbered rows of the display panel.

5. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first row is an even-numbered row, the second row is an odd-numbered row, The common pixels are arranged in the odd-numbered rows of the display panel, and the privacy pixels are arranged in the even-numbered rows of the display panel.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The privacy area position information includes a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The panel driving section receives input image data for the display panel, generates output image data by converting the input image data for the public area among the input image data for the first row into black data and converting the input image data for the privacy area among the input image data for the second row into the black data, and drives the display panel based on the output image data.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The panel driving unit includes: a controller that receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates output image data based on the privacy area position information and the input image data; and The data driver provides data voltages to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein: The controller comprises: a privacy data generation block, receiving the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generating the privacy image data by converting the input image data for the public area into black data; a common data generation block that receives the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generates common image data by converting the input image data for the privacy area into the black data; and An image combining block receives the private image data and the public image data, and generates the output image data by combining the private image data for the first row and the public image data for the second row.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first pixel and the second pixel includes: a first transistor including an upper gate connected to the gate node, a first terminal, a second terminal connected to the source node, and a lower gate; a second transistor that applies a data voltage to the gate node in response to a write signal; a third transistor that applies a reference voltage to the gate node in response to a reference signal; a fourth transistor, applying an initialization voltage to the source node in response to an initialization signal; a fifth transistor connected to a first power supply voltage line and the first terminal of the first transistor in response to a light emitting signal; a storage capacitor connected between the gate node and the source node; a holding capacitor for holding the voltage of the source node; and a light emitting element including an anode connected to the source node and a cathode connected to a second power supply voltage line, The light emitting element of each of the first pixels has a first viewing angle, and the light emitting element of each of the second pixels has a second viewing angle larger than the first viewing angle.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein: The second transistor includes a gate receiving the write signal, a first terminal connected to the data line, and a second terminal connected to the gate node. The third transistor includes a gate receiving the reference signal, a first terminal connected to a line transmitting the reference voltage, and a second terminal connected to the gate node. The fourth transistor includes a gate receiving the initialization signal, a first terminal connected to the source node, and a second terminal connected to a line transmitting the initialization voltage. The fifth transistor includes a gate receiving the light emitting signal, a first terminal connected to the first power supply voltage line, and a second terminal connected to the first terminal of the first transistor.

12. A display device, comprising: A display panel having first pixels arranged in odd-numbered rows and second pixels having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels arranged in even-numbered rows; a controller that receives privacy area position information and input image data, and generates output image data by converting the input image data for the second pixel in the privacy area having a position indicated by the privacy area position information into black data and converting the input image data for the first pixel in a common area excluding the privacy area in the entire area of ​​the display panel into the black data; as well as The data driver provides data voltages to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: In the privacy area, the first pixel emits light and the second pixel does not emit light. In the common area, the first pixel does not emit light, and the second pixel emits light.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The first pixel is a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, The second pixel is a common pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The privacy area position information includes a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

16. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The controller comprises: a privacy data generation block receiving the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generating the privacy image data by converting the input image data for the public area into the black data; a public data generation block receiving the privacy area position information and the input image data, and generating public image data by converting the input image data for the privacy area into the black data; An image combining block receives the private image data and the public image data, and generates the output image data by combining the private image data for the odd-numbered lines and the public image data for the even-numbered lines.

17. A method for driving a display device, comprising the following steps: receiving privacy area location information indicating a location of the privacy area; receiving input image data for first pixels arranged in odd-numbered rows and second pixels arranged in even-numbered rows and having a viewing angle different from that of the first pixels, generating output image data by converting the input image data for the second pixel within the privacy area having the position indicated by the privacy area position information into black data and converting the input image data for the first pixel within a common area excluding the privacy area in the entire area of ​​a display panel into the black data; and Data voltages are provided to the first pixel and the second pixel based on the output image data.

18. The method for driving a display device according to claim 17, wherein: In the privacy area, the first pixel emits light and the second pixel does not emit light. In the common area, the first pixel does not emit light, and the second pixel emits light.

19. The method for driving a display device according to claim 17, wherein: The first pixel is a privacy pixel having a first viewing angle, The second pixel is a common pixel having a second viewing angle greater than the first viewing angle.

20. The method for driving a display device according to claim 17, wherein: The privacy area position information includes a start position indicating coordinates of an upper left end of the privacy area and an end position indicating coordinates of a lower right end of the privacy area.

Images