Scratch compensation device

Abstract

A blackspot compensation apparatus includes: a first memory storing a gradation compensation value of a reference pixel defined by m * n pixels included in a display panel, where each of m and n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2, and a weight; a second memory receiving the gradation compensation value from the first memory, and storing the gradation compensation value; and a compensator that applies the gray level compensation value and the weight to the gray level data to generate compensated gray level data. The compensator applies individual weights to the weights to adjust the weights according to a normal state or a defective state of the display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a stain compensation device, and more particularly, to a stain compensation device for removing stains of a display device. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a display device may include a display panel and a display panel driver. The display panel may include gate lines, data lines and pixels. The display panel driver may include a gate driver for providing a gate signal to the gate line, a data driver for providing a data voltage to the data line, and a drive controller for controlling the gate driver and the data driver.

[0003] Before the display device is shipped, an inspection may be performed to ensure the quality of the display device. Quality assurance inspections may include incoming quality control (IQC) performed before the process, line quality control (LQC) performed during the process, and outgoing quality control (OQC) performed at the time of shipment. Summary of the invention

[0004] Even if the display device is manufactured under strict conditions such as temperature management and humidity management, the characteristics of each of the pixels of the display device may be different from each other. Therefore, even if the same grayscale data is applied to the pixels, the luminance of the pixels to which the same grayscale data is applied may be different from each other (i.e., inconsistent), and the luminance difference may be perceived by the user as spots. Such spots may be called stains.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a stain compensation device for removing stains of a display device.

[0006] In an embodiment of the stain compensation device according to the present invention, the stain compensation device includes: a first memory, a second memory and a compensator. In such an embodiment, the first memory stores grayscale compensation values ​​of reference pixels defined by m×n pixels included in the display panel, and weights, wherein each of m and n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2. In such an embodiment, the second memory receives the grayscale compensation value from the first memory, and the second memory stores the grayscale compensation value. In such an embodiment, the compensator applies the grayscale compensation value and the weight to grayscale data to generate compensated grayscale data. In such an embodiment, the compensator applies a separate weight to the weight to adjust the weight according to a normal state or a defective state of the display panel.

[0007] In an embodiment, the stain compensation device may further include: a computer, which obtains a luminance compensation value of the reference pixel based on a representative luminance value of the reference pixel, and the computer obtains the grayscale compensation value based on the luminance compensation value of the reference pixel.

[0008] In an embodiment, the representative luminance value of the reference pixel may be an average luminance value, a maximum luminance value or a minimum luminance value of the reference pixel.

[0009] In an embodiment, the computer may obtain a representative luminance value of a reference pixel located at the center of the display panel as the target luminance value of each of the plurality of reference pixels.

[0010] In an embodiment, the computer may obtain a difference between the representative luminance value and the target luminance value as the luminance compensation value.

[0011] In an embodiment, the grayscale data may include an input grayscale and an input luminance, the input luminance being a maximum luminance of an image generated based on the input grayscale, and the weight may be obtained based on the input luminance and the input grayscale.

[0012] In an embodiment, the weight may be obtained based on the input grayscale, the input luminance, and a driving frequency of the display panel.

[0013] In an embodiment, the weight stored in the first memory may be a reference weight corresponding to each of a plurality of reference grayscales and each of a plurality of reference luminances.

[0014] In an embodiment, when the input gray level is equal to one of the plurality of reference gray levels and the input luminance is equal to one of the plurality of reference luminances, the compensator may obtain the reference weight as the weight.

[0015] In an embodiment, when the input gray level is different from the multiple reference gray levels or the input luminance is different from the multiple reference luminances, the compensator may be configured to interpolate the multiple reference gray levels and the multiple reference luminances to obtain the weights corresponding to the input luminance and the input gray level.

[0016] According to the stain compensation device according to the embodiment, the stain compensation device and the stain compensation system can generate a grayscale compensation value according to the grayscale data to compensate the grayscale data, apply a weight to the grayscale data to finely compensate the grayscale data, and additionally or selectively apply a separate weight to the weight according to the normal state or defective state of the display panel to improve over-compensation of the grayscale data caused by the application of the weight. Therefore, the stain of the display device can be effectively removed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and other features of the embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a stain compensation device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a reference grayscale image;

[0020] Figure 4 is shown with Figure 2 A conceptual diagram of a reference unit image corresponding to a reference grayscale image;

[0021] Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an operation of obtaining a grayscale compensation value based on a luminance compensation value;

[0022] Figure 6 is a diagram showing individual weights obtained based on a reference gray level and a reference luminance;

[0023] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an electronic device; and

[0025] Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment in which the electronic device is implemented as a smart phone device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements.

[0027] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" another element, the element can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present between the element and the other element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0028] It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings herein, the "first element", "first component", "first region", "first layer" or "first part" discussed below may be referred to as "second element", "second component", "second region", "second layer" or "second part".

[0029] The term used herein is only for the purpose of describing a particular embodiment, and is not intended to be limited. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "one", "one (kind / person)", "described (said)" and "at least one (kind / person)" do not represent the limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and the plural. Therefore, the reference to "described" element after the reference to "one" element in the claim includes one element and multiple elements. For example, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "element" has the same meaning as "at least one element". "At least one (kind / person)" will not be interpreted as limiting "one" or "one (kind / person)". "Or" means "and / or". As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. It will also be understood that the terms “comprises and / or comprising” or “includes and / or including” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0030] In addition, relative terms such as "lower" or "bottom" and "upper" or "top" may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element to another element as shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientations depicted in the accompanying drawings, relative terms are also intended to cover different orientations of the device. For example, if the device in a figure is turned over, the element described as being on the "lower" side of the other elements will then be oriented to be on the "upper" side of the other elements. Therefore, the term "lower" can cover both "lower" and "upper" orientations according to the specific orientation of the accompanying drawings. Similarly, if the device in a figure is turned over, the element described as "below" or "below" the other elements will then be oriented to be "above" the other elements. Therefore, the term "below..." or "below..." can cover both "above..." and "below..." orientations.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that, unless explicitly defined as such herein, terms (such as those defined in general dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0032] The embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the specific shapes of the regions as shown herein, but include deviations in shape, for example, caused by manufacturing. For example, a region shown or described as flat may generally have rough and / or nonlinear features. In addition, the sharp corners shown may be rounded. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of the regions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the current claims.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a mura compensation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a reference grayscale image. Figure 4 is shown with Figure 2 Conceptual diagram of a reference unit image corresponding to a reference grayscale image. Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an operation of obtaining a grayscale compensation value based on a luminance compensation value.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 5, a quality assurance check may be performed on the display device 10 using a stain compensation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the stain compensation device may include a camera 20, a computer 30, a first memory 40, a second memory 50, and a compensator 60. In an embodiment, the second memory 50 and the compensator 60 may be included in the display device 10. The display device 10 may receive grayscale data IMG for stain testing, and a display panel 100 included in the display device 10 may display an image for stain testing based on the grayscale data IMG.

[0036] When the quality assurance check is performed, the display panel 100 may display an image generated based on K reference gray levels (K is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2). The image generated based on the reference gray level may be referred to as a reference gray level image FI. For example, the K reference gray levels may include 10 reference gray levels for 0 gray level to 255 gray level, and the 10 reference gray levels may include 0 gray level, 16 gray level, 24 gray level, 32 gray level, 64 gray level, 128 gray level, 160 gray level, 192 gray level, 224 gray level, and 255 gray level, and as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown in , reference grayscale images FI_0G, FI_16G, FI_24G, FI_32G, FI_64G, FI_128G, FI_160G, FI_192G, FI_224G and FI_255G can be generated based on these reference grayscales.

[0037] The grayscale data IMG may include an input grayscale GRAY and an input brightness DBV, wherein the input brightness DBV is the maximum brightness of an image generated based on the input grayscale GRAY. In an embodiment, the grayscale data IMG may also include an input frequency. In an embodiment, the grayscale data IMG may be Grayscale data.

[0038] The display panel 100 may include pixels P. In the case where the display device 10 has a resolution of M×N (M and N are each a positive integer equal to or greater than 2), an image of the display panel 100 may be displayed by M×N pixels P. Each of the pixels P may include a sub-color pixel. For example, the sub-color pixel may include a red pixel for displaying a red image, a green pixel for displaying a green image, and a blue pixel for displaying a blue image. For example, the display panel 100 may have a resolution of 1920×1080 corresponding to 1920×1080 pixels.

[0039] Even if the same grayscale data IMG is applied to the pixels P, the luminance of each of the pixels P may be different from each other according to the characteristics of each of the pixels P, and the luminance difference may be visible to the user as stains. Specifically, spots in the display panel 100 in the quality assurance inspection may be referred to as stains.

[0040] The camera 20 may optically capture the reference grayscale image FI. The camera 20 may be a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The camera 20 may output the captured image to the computer 30. In an embodiment, for example, Figure 3 As shown in , the camera 20 can optically capture 10 reference grayscale images FI generated based on 10 reference grayscales.

[0041] The computer 30 may include a unit image generator 31 and a grayscale compensation value generator 32 .

[0042] The unit image generator 31 can measure the luminance of the reference grayscale image FI having an M×N resolution. The unit image generator 31 can convert the reference grayscale image FI having an M×N resolution into a reference unit image UI having a P×Q resolution using reference pixels Pr defined by m×n pixels P (m, n are each a positive integer equal to or greater than 2). In an embodiment, for example, the unit image generator 31 can convert the reference grayscale image FI having a resolution of 1920×1080 into a reference unit image UI having a resolution of 480×270 using reference pixels Pr defined by 4×4 pixels P. In an embodiment, for example, Figure 4 As shown in , the unit image generator 31 can generate 10 reference unit images UI_0G, UI_16G, . . . , and UI_255G based on the 10 reference grayscale images FI_0G to FI_255G.

[0043] The unit image generator 31 may obtain a representative luminance value for each of the reference pixels Pr of the reference unit image UI based on the luminance of the measured reference grayscale image FI. In an embodiment, the representative luminance value may be obtained based on the measured luminance of each of the m×n pixels P included in the reference pixel Pr. In an embodiment, the representative luminance value may be an average luminance value, a maximum luminance value, or a minimum luminance value of the m×n pixels P included in the reference pixel Pr. Since one reference unit image UI corresponding to one reference grayscale has P×Q representative luminance values, the unit image generator 31 may obtain K×P×Q representative luminance values ​​corresponding to K reference grayscales and P×Q reference pixels Pr.

[0044] The grayscale compensation value generator 32 may generate a luminance compensation value based on the representative luminance value of the reference pixel Pr. In an embodiment, for example, the grayscale compensation value generator 32 may obtain a target luminance value of each of the reference pixels Pr based on the representative luminance value of the reference pixel Pr located at the center of the display panel 100. The grayscale compensation value generator 32 may obtain a difference between the representative luminance value of each of the reference pixels Pr and the target luminance value of each of the reference pixels Pr as a luminance compensation value. In an embodiment, for example, Figure 5 As shown in , when the input gray level GRAY is 150 gray levels, the representative luminance value of the reference pixel Pr located at the center of the display panel 100 (i.e., the center reference pixel Pr) may be 150 nits, and the representative luminance value of the reference pixel Pr other than the center reference pixel Pr may be 145 nits. Therefore, the gray level compensation value generator 32 may obtain 150 nits as the target luminance value of the reference pixel Pr other than the center reference pixel Pr, and obtain 5 nits which is the difference between 150 nits and 145 nits as the luminance compensation value of the reference pixel Pr other than the center reference pixel Pr. The gray level compensation value generator 32 may obtain K×P×Q luminance compensation values ​​corresponding to K reference gray levels and P×Q reference pixels Pr.

[0045] The gray level compensation value generator 32 may obtain a gray level compensation value GCV based on the luminance compensation value. The gray level compensation value generator 32 may achieve a target luminance value by applying the gray level compensation value GCV to the reference gray levels of the reference pixels Pr other than the center reference pixel Pr. In an embodiment, for example, when the input gray level GRAY is 150 gray levels, the luminance compensation value is 5 nits, and the gray level compensation value GCV is 5 gray levels, the gray level compensation value generator 32 may additionally apply 5 gray levels to the 150 gray levels to achieve 150 nits. The gray level compensation value generator 32 may obtain K×P×Q gray level compensation values ​​GCV corresponding to K reference gray levels and P×Q reference pixels Pr.

[0046] In an embodiment, the computer 30 may include: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the one or more processors, enable the computer 30 to perform operations of the unit image generator 31 or the grayscale compensation value generator 32 .

[0047] The first memory 40 may receive and store the grayscale compensation value GCV. In an embodiment, the first memory 40 may be a flash memory. The flash memory may retain the stored information even when the power is off. However, the first memory 40 is not limited to the flash memory. The first memory 40 may also store the weight WG. The weight WG stored in the first memory 40 may be a reference weight corresponding to each of the reference grayscales and each of the reference luminances. Each of the reference luminances may be the maximum luminance of an image generated based on the reference grayscale. In an embodiment, the weight WG may be obtained based on a reference frequency as well as a reference grayscale and a reference luminance. The reference frequency of the display panel 100 may be obtained based on a driving frequency. However, for ease of description, an embodiment in which the weight WG is obtained based on a reference grayscale and a reference luminance will be described.

[0048] The second memory 50 may receive and store the grayscale compensation value GCV. In an embodiment, the second memory 50 may be a static random access memory (SRAM).

[0049] The compensator 60 may receive grayscale data IMG corresponding to each of the M×N pixels P from an external device (not shown), and the grayscale data IMG may be compensated by applying a grayscale offset generated using a grayscale compensation value GCV and a weight WG to the grayscale data IMG. The grayscale offset may be a difference between the grayscale data IMG and a data signal generated by compensating the grayscale data IMG.

[0050] The compensator 60 may obtain the gray level compensation value GCV of the specific pixel of the reference pixel Pr and the gray level compensation value GCV of the specific pixel of the peripheral reference pixels adjacent to the reference pixel Pr, and interpolate the gray level compensation value GCV of the specific pixel of the reference pixel Pr and the gray level compensation value GCV of the specific pixel of the peripheral reference pixels to obtain the gray level compensation values ​​GCV of the other pixels P except the specific pixel of the reference pixel Pr. The gray level compensation values ​​GCV stored in the first memory 40 may be reference gray level compensation values ​​corresponding to each of the reference gray levels.

[0051] When the input gray level GRAY of the reference pixel Pr or a specific pixel of the peripheral reference pixels is equal to one of the reference gray levels, the compensator 60 may obtain the reference gray level compensation value as the gray level compensation value GCV.

[0052] When the input grayscale GRAY of the reference pixel Pr or a specific pixel of the peripheral reference pixels is different from the reference grayscale, the compensator 60 can interpolate the reference grayscale to obtain a grayscale compensation value GCV corresponding to the input grayscale GRAY of the reference pixel Pr or a specific pixel of the peripheral reference pixels.

[0053] In an embodiment, the stain of the display panel 100 may present different aspects or occur differently according to the input grayscale GRAY and the input luminance DBV. Therefore, the compensator 60 may finely compensate the grayscale data IMG according to the grayscale data IMG including the input grayscale GRAY and the input luminance DBV. In an embodiment, the compensator 60 may apply the grayscale compensation value GCV to the grayscale data IMG, and when it is determined or indicated to finely compensate the grayscale data IMG according to the input grayscale GRAY and the input luminance DBV, the compensator 60 may selectively apply the weight WG to the grayscale compensation value GCV.

[0054] The weight WG may be adjusted in various operation modes. When the display panel 100 is driven in a brightness control (BC) mode, the compensator 60 may adjust the weight WG. In an embodiment, the BC mode may include a dimming mode (DIM) and a high brightness mode (HBM). The dimming mode may be an operation mode in which the maximum luminance of an image displayed in the display panel 100 is reduced based on the grayscale data IMG to reduce the power consumption of the display device 10, and the high brightness mode may be an operation mode in which the maximum luminance of an image displayed in the display panel 100 is increased based on the grayscale data IMG to increase the visibility of the image in an outdoor environment.

[0055] In an embodiment, when the input grayscale GRAY is equal to one of the reference grayscales corresponding to the weight WG stored in the first memory 40, and the input luminance DBV is equal to one of the reference luminances corresponding to the weight WG stored in the first memory 40, the compensator 60 can obtain a reference weight as the weight WG.

[0056] In an embodiment, when the input gray level GRAY is different from the reference gray level corresponding to the weight WG stored in the first memory 40, or the input luminance DBV is different from the reference luminance corresponding to the weight WG stored in the first memory 40, the compensator 60 can obtain the weight WG corresponding to the input luminance DBV and the input gray level GRAY by interpolating the reference gray level and the reference luminance.

[0057] In an embodiment, when the weight WG is applied to the display device 10, an overcompensation phenomenon may occur according to image brightness (particularly, low brightness and low grayscale), in which green or pink is more prominent in a partial area of ​​the display panel 100. In the overcompensation phenomenon, a small current difference may occur in each of the pixels P, and the small current difference may occur as a small luminance difference. In particular, the overcompensation phenomenon may become severe depending on the material of the pixel P. In this case, when the existing weight WG is applied to the display device 10 as it is, the overcompensation phenomenon may be further prominent in a partial area of ​​the display panel 100.

[0058] According to the degree of the overcompensation phenomenon, the display panel 100 may be classified as a normal state or a defective state through a quality assurance inspection, and the normal state or the defective state may be classified by a person or a computer according to the type of the stain. In an embodiment, the quality assurance inspection may be an outgoing quality control (OQC). The normal state may be a state in which the overcompensation phenomenon does not exist in the display panel 100, and the defective state may be a state in which the overcompensation phenomenon exists in the display panel 100.

[0059] Therefore, when the display panel 100 is in one of the defective states, the weight WG can be additionally adjusted by applying a separate weight to the weight WG according to the defective state. The separate weight may vary according to the defective state. When the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the weight WG may not be additionally adjusted according to the separate weight. The compensator 60 may apply the grayscale compensation value GCV and the weight WG to the grayscale data IMG, and when it is determined or indicated to finely compensate the grayscale data IMG according to the defective state, the compensator 60 may selectively apply the separate weight to the weight WG. The separate weight may be a number between 0 and 1, and the value obtained by multiplying the separate weight with the weight WG may be applied to the grayscale compensation value GCV. When the separate weight is 0, the weight WG may be adjusted to 0, and the weight WG may not be applied to the grayscale compensation value GCV. When the separate weight is 1, the weight WG may not be adjusted, and the weight WG may be directly applied to the grayscale compensation value GCV. In an embodiment, the separate weight may be stored in the compensator 60, or in another component included in the display device 10 that is separate from the compensator 60. In an embodiment, the individual weights may be stored in the first memory 40 .

[0060] Figure 6 is a diagram showing individual weights obtained based on a reference grayscale and a reference luminance.

[0061] Reference Figure 6 , also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , for example, Figure 6 As shown in , the display panel 100 can be classified into four states (ie, a normal state and three defective states) according to the degree of the over-compensation phenomenon. Figure 6 , HBM may be an input luminance of a high brightness mode, and the maximum luminance (Max) may be a luminance lower than the input luminance of the high brightness mode.

[0062] When the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the individual weights may be 1. That is, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the compensator 60 may not adjust the weight WG (for example, the value of the weight WG is represented by red / green / blue (R / G / B)). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 33 grayscales (G), the individual weights may be 1, and the weight WG may be 0 (=0×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 22 grayscales, the individual weights may be 1, and the weight WG may be 16 (=16×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 12 grayscales, the individual weights may be 1, and the weight WG may be 16 (=16×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 9 gray levels, the individual weight may be 1, and the weight WG may be 13 (=13×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 7 gray levels, the individual weight may be 1, and the weight WG may be 10 (=10×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 3 gray levels, the individual weight may be 1, and the weight WG may be 4 (=4×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in a normal state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 0 gray levels, the individual weight may be 1, and the weight WG may be 0 (=0×1).

[0063] When the display panel 100 is in one of the defective states, the individual weights may be between 0 and 1. For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defective state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 33 grayscales, the individual weights may be 1, and the weight WG may be 0 (=0×1). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defective state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 22 grayscales, the individual weights may be 8 / 16, and the weight WG may be 8 (=16×8 / 16). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defective state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input grayscale GRAY is 12 grayscales, the individual weights may be 5 / 16, and the weight WG may be 5 (=16×5 / 16). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defect state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 9 gray levels, the individual weight may be 4 / 13, and the weight WG may be 4 (=13×4 / 13). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defect state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 7 gray levels, the individual weight may be 3 / 10, and the weight WG may be 3 (=10×3 / 10). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defect state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 3 gray levels, the individual weight may be 1 / 4, and the weight WG may be 1 (=4×1 / 4). For example, when the display panel 100 is in the first defect state, the input luminance DBV is 80 nits, and the input gray level GRAY is 0 gray levels, the individual weight may be 0, and the weight WG may be 0 (=0×0).

[0064] In addition to the above-described weight WG, other input luminances DBV, other input gray levels GRAY, and other defect states may be set in the same manner as described above. Therefore, any repeated detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] In an embodiment, as described above, the stain compensation device can generate a grayscale compensation value GCV according to the grayscale data IMG to compensate the grayscale data IMG, apply a weight WG to the grayscale data IMG to finely compensate the grayscale data IMG, and additionally or selectively apply a separate weight to the weight WG according to a normal state or a defective state of the display panel 100 to improve over-compensation of the grayscale data IMG caused by the application of the weight WG. Therefore, in such an embodiment, stains of the display device 10 can be effectively removed.

[0066] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Reference Figures 1 to 7 In an embodiment, the stain compensation system may include a display device 10, a camera 20, a computer 30, and a first memory 40. The display device 10 may include a display panel 100 and a display panel driver. Figure 7 As shown in , the display panel driver may include a second memory 50 , a driving controller 200 , a gate driver 300 , and a data driver 500 .

[0068] The second memory 50 may receive the gray level compensation value GCV from the first memory 40 as an external device and store the gray level compensation value GCV.

[0069] The display panel 100 may include a display area for displaying an image and a peripheral area disposed adjacent to the display area.

[0070] The display panel 100 may include gate lines GL, data lines DL, and pixels P electrically connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The gate lines GL may extend in a first direction D1, and the data lines DL may extend in a second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1.

[0071] The drive controller 200 may receive grayscale data IMG including an input grayscale GRAY and an input brightness DBV and an input control signal CONT from an external device. In an embodiment, for example, the grayscale data IMG may include red image data, green image data, and blue image data. In an embodiment, the grayscale data IMG may also include white image data. In an embodiment, for example, the grayscale data IMG may include magenta image data, yellow image data, and cyan image data. The input control signal CONT may include a master clock signal and a data enable signal. The input control signal CONT may also include a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal.

[0072] The driving controller 200 may include a compensator 60. The compensator 60 may receive a grayscale compensation value GCV from the second memory 50 and a weight WG from the first memory 40. The compensator 60 may receive grayscale data IMG corresponding to each of the M×N pixels P, generate a grayscale offset GOS using the grayscale compensation value GCV and the weight WG, and compensate the grayscale data IMG by applying the grayscale offset GOS generated using the grayscale compensation value GCV and the weight WG to the grayscale data IMG.

[0073] The driving controller 200 may generate a first control signal CONT1, a second control signal CONT2, and a data signal DATA based on the grayscale data IMG and the input control signal CONT. The data signal DATA may be the compensated grayscale data IMG.

[0074] The driving controller 200 may generate a first control signal CONT1 for controlling the operation of the gate driver 300 based on the input control signal CONT, and output the first control signal CONT1 to the gate driver 300. The first control signal CONT1 may include a vertical start signal and a gate clock signal.

[0075] The driving controller 200 may generate a second control signal CONT2 for controlling the operation of the data driver 500 based on the input control signal CONT, and output the second control signal CONT2 to the data driver 500. The second control signal CONT2 may include a horizontal start signal and a load signal.

[0076] The driving controller 200 may generate a data signal DATA based on the grayscale data IMG. The driving controller 200 may output the data signal DATA to the data driver 500.

[0077] The gate driver 300 may generate a gate signal for driving the gate line GL in response to the first control signal CONT1 received from the driving controller 200. The gate driver 300 may output the gate signal to the gate line GL.

[0078] The data driver 500 may receive the second control signal CONT2 and the data signal DATA from the driving controller 200, and receive the gamma reference voltage from the gamma reference voltage generator. The data driver 500 may convert the data signal DATA into a data voltage VDATA in analog form. The data driver 500 may output the data voltage VDATA to the data line DL. Each of the pixels P may emit light based on the level of the data voltage VDATA.

[0079] In an embodiment, as described above, the stain compensation system can generate a grayscale compensation value GCV according to the grayscale data IMG to compensate the grayscale data IMG, apply a weight WG to the grayscale data IMG to finely compensate the grayscale data IMG, and additionally or selectively apply a separate weight to the weight WG according to a normal state or a defective state of the display panel 100 to improve over-compensation of the grayscale data IMG caused by the application of the weight WG. Therefore, stains of the display device 10 can be effectively removed.

[0080] Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device. Fig. 9 It shows that Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment in which the electronic device is implemented as a smart phone device.

[0081] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9, an embodiment of the electronic device 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory device 1020, a storage device 1030, an input / output (I / O) device 1040, a power supply 1050, and a display device 1060. The display device 1060 may be Figure 1 The display device 10. In addition, the electronic device 1000 may further include a plurality of ports for communicating with a video card, a sound card, a memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) device or other electronic devices.

[0082] In an embodiment, Fig. 9 As shown in , the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a smart phone. However, the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 1000 may be implemented as a cellular phone, a video phone, a smart tablet, a smart watch, a tablet personal computer (PC), a car navigation system, a computer monitor, a laptop computer, or a head mounted display (HMD) device, etc.

[0083] The processor 1010 may perform various computing functions. The processor 1010 may be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), etc. The processor 1010 may be coupled to other components via an address bus, a control bus, or a data bus, etc. In addition, the processor 1010 may be coupled to an expansion bus (such as a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus).

[0084] The memory device 1020 may store data used for the operation of the electronic device 1000. For example, the memory device 1020 may include at least one nonvolatile memory device (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) device, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer random access memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, or a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc.) and / or at least one volatile memory device (such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, or a mobile DRAM device, etc.).

[0085] The storage device 1030 may include a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard disk drive (HDD) device, or a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) device, etc.

[0086] I / O device 1040 may include input devices (such as a keyboard, keypad, mouse device, touch pad or touch screen, etc.) and output devices (such as a printer or speaker, etc.) In some embodiments, I / O device 1040 may include display device 1060.

[0087] The power supply 1050 may provide power for the operation of the electronic device 1000 .

[0088] The display device 1060 may be connected to other components via a bus or other communication links.

[0089] The present invention can be applied to any display device and any electronic device including a display device. For example, the present invention can be applied to mobile phones, smart phones, digital televisions (TVs), three-dimensional (3D) TVs, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., tablet computers and laptop computers), home appliances, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), digital cameras, music players, portable game consoles, navigation devices, etc.

[0090] The present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0091] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A stain compensation device, wherein: The stain compensation device comprises: a first memory storing a grayscale compensation value of a reference pixel defined by m×n pixels included in the display panel, and a weight, wherein each of m and n is a positive integer equal to or greater than 2; a second memory receiving the grayscale compensation value from the first memory, and storing the grayscale compensation value in the second memory; and a compensator that applies the gray level compensation value and the weight to the gray level data to generate compensated gray level data, The compensator applies a separate weight to the weight to adjust the weight according to a normal state or a defective state of the display panel.

2. The stain compensation device according to claim 1, wherein: The stain compensation device further comprises: A computer obtains a luminance compensation value of the reference pixel based on a representative luminance value of the reference pixel, and the computer obtains the grayscale compensation value based on the luminance compensation value of the reference pixel.

3. The stain compensation device according to claim 2, wherein: The representative luminance value of the reference pixel is an average luminance value, a maximum luminance value, or a minimum luminance value of the reference pixel.

4. The stain compensation device according to claim 3, wherein: The computer obtains a representative luminance value of a reference pixel located at a center of the display panel as a target luminance value of each of a plurality of the reference pixels.

5. The stain compensation device according to claim 4, wherein: The computer obtains a difference between the representative luminance value and the target luminance value as the luminance compensation value.

6. The stain compensation device according to claim 1, in, The grayscale data includes an input grayscale and an input luminance, the input luminance being a maximum luminance of an image generated based on the input grayscale, and The weight is obtained based on the input luminance and the input grayscale.

7. The stain compensation device according to claim 6, wherein: The weight is obtained based on the input grayscale, the input luminance, and a driving frequency of the display panel.

8. The stain compensation device according to claim 6, wherein: The weight stored in the first memory is a reference weight corresponding to each of a plurality of reference gray levels and each of a plurality of reference luminances.

9. The stain compensation device according to claim 8, wherein: When the input gray level is equal to one of the plurality of reference gray levels and the input luminance is equal to one of the plurality of reference luminances, the compensator obtains the reference weight as the weight.

10. The stain compensation device according to claim 9, wherein: When the input gray level is different from the plurality of reference gray levels or the input luminance is different from the plurality of reference luminances, the compensator interpolates the plurality of reference gray levels and the plurality of reference luminances to obtain the weights corresponding to the input luminance and the input gray level.

Images